UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) April 20, 2018

MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York   001-13984   13-3832215
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Commission File Number)     (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation)        

12540 Broadwell Road, Suite 2104
Milton, GA 30004

(Address of principal executive offices, including Zip Code)

(770) 691-6350
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A

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

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

  ¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
  ¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
  ¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  ¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-4(c))

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

Emerging growth company    

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

 

 

   

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 to Equity Securities Purchase Agreement

As previously disclosed, on February 20, 2018, Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc. (“Meridian” or the “Company”), Meridian Waste Operations, Inc. (“Seller” or “Operations” and together with Meridian, the “Seller Parties”), Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC (“Buyer”), a Delaware limited liability company formed by Warren Equity Partners Fund II, and Jeffrey S. Cosman, an officer, director and majority shareholder of Meridian (“Cosman”), entered into an Equity Securities Purchase Agreement (as amended, the “Purchase Agreement”).

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, on April 20, 2018 Buyer purchased from Seller all of the membership interests in each of the direct wholly-owned subsidiaries of Seller (the “Acquired Parent Entities” and together with each direct and indirect subsidiary of the Acquired Parent Entities, the “Acquired Entities”), which constitute the Solid Waste Business (as defined below), and each such Acquired Parent Entity continues as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer (the “Transaction”). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, upon the consummation of the Transaction (the “Closing”), Buyer paid Seller Parties $3.0 million in cash; satisfied $75.8 million of outstanding indebtedness under the Prior Credit Agreement (as defined below); and assumed the Acquired Entities’ obligations under certain equipment leases and other operating indebtedness and obligations. At the Closing, the Seller Parties retained approximately $8.2 million of outstanding indebtedness under the New Credit Agreement (as defined below), including accrued interest in an aggregate amount approximately equal to $1.0 million, and all other assets and obligations of Meridian, the Technologies Business and the Innovations Business (each as defined below). Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, at the Closing, Meridian issued to Buyer a warrant (the “Company Warrant”) to purchase shares of Meridian’s common stock, par value $0.025 equal to two percent of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Meridian on a fully-diluted basis as of Closing (subject to adjustment as set forth therein and as more fully described in the Purchase Agreement and the Company Warrant) at a per share purchase price equal to $1.00 (the “Company Warrant Exercise Price”). The Company Warrant Exercise Price is subject to adjustment as more fully set forth in the Company Warrant. The foregoing description of the Company Warrant does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company Warrant, which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

On March 30, 2018, Seller Parties and Buyer entered into Amendment #1 to the Purchase Agreement (“Amendment No. 1”) to (i) provide an exception to the indemnification obligations of Seller Parties with respect to Losses (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) arising out of or relating to an acquisition of certain solid waste assets by an Acquired Entity following the execution date of the Purchase Agreement and the assets and liabilities assumed by such Acquired Entity in connection with the acquisition and (ii) to amend the description of the Company Warrant to provide that the Company Warrant Exercise Price shall be equal to the lower of (a) $1.25 or (b) the average of the daily high and low sale prices per share over the 30 days ending one day prior to the Closing, provided that such price shall not be less than $1.00 per share of Common Stock.

In addition, on April 20, 2018, prior to the Closing, Parties and Buyer entered into Amendment #2 to the Purchase Agreement (“Amendment No. 2”) to, among other things, (i) require the Seller Parties to take certain actions related to the Company’s 401(k) plans and (ii) require the Company to maintain the employment agreement of a specific employee and indemnify Buyer for certain breaches of such employee’s employment agreement.

The foregoing descriptions of the Purchase Agreement, Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Purchase Agreement, Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2, which are filed as Exhibits 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 hereto, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

Second Amended and Restated Credit Facility

On April 20, 2018 (the “Restatement Date”), Meridian closed a Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “New Credit Agreement”) by and among Operations, Mobile Science Technologies, Inc. (“Mobile”), Attis Healthcare, LLC (“Healthcare”), Integrity Lab Solutions, LLC, (“Integrity”), Red X Medical LLC (“Red X”), Welness Benefits, LLC (“Welness”), LGMG, LLC (“LGMG”), Attis Innovations, LLC (“Attis Innovations”), Advanced Lignin Biocomposites LLC (“Advanged Lignin”), Attis Envicare Medical Waste, LLC (“Envicare”), Attis Genetics, LLC (“Genetics”), Attis Federal Labs, LLC (“Federal Labs”) and Attis Commercial Labs, LLC (“Commercial Labs” and together with Mobile, Healthcare, Integrity, Red X, Welness, LGMG, Attis Innovations, and Advanced Lignin, Envicare, Genetics and Federal Labs, the “New Credit Companies”), the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Group, L.P., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and Lead Arranger. The Credit Agreement amended and restated the Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement entered into as of February 15, 2017 by and among Meridian, certain of the Acquired Entities, and certain current or former subsidiaries of the Company, as Guarantors and co-borrowers, the Lenders party thereto from time to time and Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Group, L.P., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and Lead Arranger (as amended prior to the Restatement Date, the “Prior Credit Agreement”).

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Pursuant to the New Credit Agreement, the Lenders thereunder have agreed to waive any mandatory prepayments under the Prior Credit Agreement in connection to the Transaction and restructure the remaining indebtedness and accrued interest under the Prior Credit Agreement as a term loan payable by the New Credit Companies, in an aggregate amount of approximately $8.2 million (the “Loan”), including interest accrued but unpaid for the interest periods ending on February 28, 2018 and March 31, 2018 in an aggregate amount of approximately $1.0 million. As disclosed above, approximately $75.8 million of outstanding indebtedness under the Prior Credit Agreement was paid at the Closing of the Transaction.

The Loan matures on December 22, 2020, unless such Loan becomes due and payable earlier by acceleration or otherwise. So long as no default or event of default has occurred that is then continuing, the New Credit Companies have the option to convert any part of the Loan equal to $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof into a “Base Rate Loan” or a “LIBOR Rate Loan.” Base Rate Loans bear interest at the greatest of (i) the rate of interest quoted in The Wall Street Journal , Money Rates Section as the Prime Rate in effect on such date, (ii) the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers in effect on such day, plus one-half of 1%, (iii) the sum of (1) the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (as defined below) for a period of one month and (2) 1.00%, in each instance, as of such day, and (iv) 4.25%, plus 7.00%. LIBOR Rate Loans bear interest at the greater of (i) the rate per annum obtained by dividing (a)(1) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the London interbank offered rate administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration for deposits with a term equivalent to such period in U.S. dollars displayed on the ICE LIBOR USD page of the Reuters screen (the “Eurodollar Screen Rate”) or (2) in the event the Eurodollar Screen Rate is not available, the rate per annum equal to the offered rate that is set forth on or in such other available quotation page or service as is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion and the provide an average ICE Benchmark Administration Limited Interest Settlement Rate or another London interbank offered rate administered by any other person that takes over the administration of such rate for deposits with a term equivalent to such period in U.S. dollars, or (3) in the event the rates reference in preceding clauses (1) and (2) are not available or if such information, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent shall cease to accurately reflect the rate offered by leading banks in the London interbank market as reported by any publicly available source of similar market data selected by the Administrative Agent, the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the offered rate (collectively, the “Adjusted LIBOR Rate”) plus 8.00%.

The amounts outstanding pursuant to the Loan are secured by a first position security interest in substantially all of the Company’s assets and the New Credit Companies’ assets in favor of the Agent, in accordance with that certain Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of April 20, 2018 (the “New Pledge and Security Agreement”).

The Credit Agreement and the New Pledge and Security Agreement contain customary representations and warranties as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. Negative covenants include, among others, limitations on incurrence of liens and secured indebtedness, and limitations on incurrence of any indebtedness by the Company’s subsidiaries. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, the Lender may declare the outstanding loans and all other obligations under the Credit Agreement immediately due and payable.

The above descriptions of the New Credit Agreement, Loan and New Pledge and Security Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the applicable documents themselves, which are filed as Exhibit 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 hereto, and are incorporated herein by reference.

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Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

The information set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

Meridian historically generally operated three lines of business: solid waste (the “Solid Waste Business”) through the subsidiaries of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Operations; technologies (the “Technologies Business”) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mobile; and innovations (the “Innovations Business”) through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Attis Innovations.

Historically. Meridian’s core business has been the Solid Waste Business, which focused on being an integrated provider of non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer and disposal services. More recently Meridian has begun to shift its focus to formation and growth of the Technologies Business and Innovations Business. While the Solid Waste Business served as the platform for much of Meridian’s growth and revenue to date, the significant debt burden on Meridian (including indebtedness under the Prior Credit Agreement, the amount of liquidity required to service that indebtedness and the liquidity, cash flow and capital needs of the Solid Waste Business and the potential opportunities in the Technologies and Innovations Businesses have caused Meridian’s management to believe that it needed to pursue a path to reduce Meridian’s current debt burden. Meridian’s management believes that by pursuing a strategy of debt reduction, Meridian would be positioned to improve its liquidity constraints and provide for opportunity for potential future growth that will increase shareholder value.

Following the Closing, the Company will continue to operate the Technologies Business and the Innovations Business, each of which is described more fully in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended on December 31, 2017 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 16, 2018.

The Technologies Business, sometimes referred to herein as “Attis Healthcare”, is comprised of two divisions — (i) healthcare and (ii) Bright City, a mobile application. The healthcare division focuses on improving patient care and providing cost-saving opportunities through innovative, compliant, and comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for patients and healthcare providers. The Company offers a broad portfolio of what it believes to be best-in-class solutions, combined with insight and expertise, to give providers tools that lead to healthier patients and communities to address the challenges that come with trying to improve patient outcomes while driving down the cost of care. Attis Healthcare offers products and services in a variety of areas, including hospital consulting services for both laboratory services and emergency department revenue enhancement, polymerase chain reaction molecular testing, pharmacogenetics testing, and medication therapy management. 

Bright City is an all-in-one citizen engagement mobile application that allows cities and their residents to communicate more directly. Bright City is a tool intended to form safer communities, more proactive community leadership, and more connected citizens. Bright City provides direct and two-way communication, which means citizens can reply and communicate directly with local law enforcement and town, city or municipal staff. Bright City is specific and targeted to citizen-city official communication, which prevents communications from becoming lost in the clutter of social media and allows for communications from citizens to be routed directly to the appropriate city staff for response and resolution. Bright City includes camera, video, and GPS locator functionality, which provides specific location data and a more accurate description of the reported activity, expediting the flow of information. Bright City is intended to act as the eyes and ears of the city, allowing towns, cities and municipalities to expand security and increase connectivity.

The Innovations Business, sometimes referred to herein as “Attis Innovations” focuses on producing sustainable materials and fuels from renewable sources at costs equal to or less than those otherwise produced from fossil fuels. By processing targeted feedstocks, the Company believes that Attis Innovations will be able to produce materials used in the following markets: bioplastics, consumer goods, adhesives, carbon fiber, renewable fuels, and green chemicals, among others.

The Company intends to leverage its expertise in waste streams and its technology development experience to harvest value from biomass. To this end, Attis Innovations has assembled a growing portfolio of technologies that are being designed and developed to refine biomass in a series of process steps that are analogous to petroleum refining, in which crude oil is sequentially processed into a wide range of products. Attis Innovation’s patented and patent-pending lignin conversion and refining processes, which fractionate and convert cellulosic biomass into ethanol or butanol and a renewable alternative for petroleum-derived resins, were recently awarded a $3 million grant from the USDA.

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Attis Innovations’ ultimate plan for this business is to finance, build, own and operate facilities based on its technologies to generate shareholder value by producing and selling renewable fuels, plastics, resins and other carbon-neutral offsets from low-value lignin and other cellulosic feedstocks; including pulp and paper by-products, first generation biofuel by-products, and other overlooked carbon-containing residuals. The Company is continuing to evaluate acquisitions and other transactions, some of which include existing production assets that are ideal for co-location of facilities based on its technologies. First generation biofuel plants can be particularly favorable targets inasmuch as its technologies have been proven to have the potential to generate more income by converting and refining existing by-products as compared to the income of current plants using traditional methods. No assurance can be given that such acquisitions can be consummated on terms that are acceptable to the Company.

Attis Innovations is comprised of three components: (1) Attis R&D Services, (2) Attis Biomaterials and (3) Attis Biofuels.

Attis R&D Services

Beginning in January 2018, Attis R&D Services, through exclusive licenses with American Science and Technology Corporation (“AST”), holds a ‘for hire’ 15,000 sq. ft. R&D facility (the “AST Facility”) capable of processing almost any form of biomass and converting it into targeted materials for testing and evaluation purposes. The AST Facility is a full-service pilot test facility, available to this industry and dedicated to developing innovative biobased products using its patented AST-Organosolv process to convert lignocellulosic biomass into high-value, bio-based chemicals and products.  The AST Facility, located in Wausau, Wisconsin, operates at various scales from a laboratory level to multi-ton batches and is equipped with a wide range of biomass processing equipment to provide a unique opportunity to accelerate the advancement of the bio-based economy. The AST Facility was built through a series of grants and private. Attis Innovations is in the process of executing its plan to upgrade the AST Facility.  

Attis Biomaterials

Attis Biomaterials is intended to provide for the recovery and conversion of practically any form of biomass into targeted bio-based materials. Attis Biomaterials plans to produce and supply high-performance plant-derived materials, chemicals, and molecularly consistent feedstocks to manufacturing industries at costs competitive with those for materials otherwise derived from fossil fuels. Plastic, adhesives, and transportation fuels are typically produced from non-renewable materials such as crude oil and natural gas. Attis Innovations is focusing on providing the same materials directly from biomass, which can be sustainably harvested and replanted. The Company believes Attis Biomaterials can cost-effectively recover greater amounts of high-quality sources of carbon-based feedstocks from biomass than those previously available, thereby substantially increasing the revenues and profits generated per unit of biomass harvested. 

Attis Biofuels

Attis Biofuels is intended to produce biofuels from low-cost feedstocks. These feedstocks include cellulose, hemicellulose lignin, sugars, fats and vegetable oils. 

Attis Biofuels plans to purchase sugars from Attis Biomaterials and to convert this sugar into ethanol. This form of ethanol is referred to as cellulosic ethanol and sold at a premium to corn derived ethanol due the additional renewable energy credits it receives.

In addition, Attis Biofuels plans to use its capital and energy efficient biodiesel and renewable diesel process technology to convert fats and oils into fuels. Attis Biofuels has designed a hybrid process technology that allows for the production of either biodiesel or renewable diesel depending on the market demand for each.

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When producing biodiesel, Attis Biofuels’ process does not require the use of a catalyst; as a result, the system is able

Attis IP Holdings

In addition to the three divisions of Attis Innovations, Attis IP Holdings is a company designated to hold and manage Attis Innovations’ patent portfolio. This business unit will charge each of Attis Innovations’ process subsidiaries a royalty fee to be used to account for the cost associated with managing and prosecuting the patents. The objective of this business unit is to be cash flow neutral. 

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

The information set forth under the heading “Second Amended and Restated Credit Facility in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

On April 20, 2018, in connection with the Closing of the Transaction, the Company issued the Company Warrant to Buyer to purchase 852,843 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in consideration of $100,000. The Company Warrant is exercisable for a per share exercise price of $1.00. The Company Warrant and the shares of the Company’s Common Stock underlying the Company Warrant were issued in reliance upon an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which exempts transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering. The securities were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act because the issuance of such securities by the Company did not involve a “public offering,” as defined in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, due to the insubstantial number of persons involved in the transaction, size of the offering, manner of the offering and number of securities offered. The Company did not undertake an offering in which it sold a high number of securities to a high number of investors. In addition, the Buyer had the necessary investment intent as required by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act since the Buyer agreed to, and received, the Company Warrant bearing a legend stating that such securities are restricted pursuant to Rule 144 of the Securities Act. This restriction ensures that these securities would not be immediately redistributed into the market and therefore not be part of a “public offering.” Based on an analysis of the above factors, the Company has met the requirements to qualify for exemption under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

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

On April 20, 2018, Walter H. Hall, Jr. resigned as a director, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, effective immediately. In connection with his resignation, Mr. Hall, the Company and Cosman, entered into a Resignation and Executive Employment Agreement Termination Agreement dated April 20, 2018 (the “Termination Agreement”), which provides that Mr. Hall will be granted an option to acquire up to 857,910 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Hall Stock Option”), including the right to acquire up to 732,910 shares of common stock pursuant to the terms of Mr. Hall’s employment agreement. The Hall Stock Option is fully vested and has a per share exercise price of $1.06. The Hall Stock Option will not be exercisable until such time that the shareholders of the Company approve of the issuance of the shares underlying the Hall Stock Option pursuant to Nasdaq listing rule 5635(c) (the “Shareholder Requirement”). The Company and Cosman have covenanted to hold a vote and vote in favor of the Shareholder Requirement. In addition, Mr. Hall will vest in his equity awards which are scheduled to vest in February 28, 2019. Mr. Hall waived all other benefits under his employment agreement.

The foregoing description of the Termination Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Termination Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto.

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The Company will conduct a search, including internal and external candidates for the offices of President and Chief Operating Officer.

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

An amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Amendment”) to change the name of the Company to Attis Industries Inc. became effective on April 23, 2018. The foregoing description of the Certificate of Amendment is not complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the full text of the Certificate of Amendment, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1.

Safe Harbor Statement under U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

This Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 hereto contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. You can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “should,” “would” or similar words. You should consider these statements carefully because they discuss our plans, targets, strategies, prospects and expectations concerning our business, operating results, financial condition and other similar matters. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the requirement of the Purchase Agreements (including post-closing indemnification), including the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Seller Parties and others related to the transaction; the ability to retain certain key employees of Meridian; the ability of Meridian to manage and pay its debt service and meet its liquidity needs, including paying amounts due under the Credit Agreement and Meridian’s other debt obligations; the consequences of a termination of the Purchase Agreement, including the ability of Meridian to pay any amounts due related to the termination fee and/or Buyer’s expenses; the ability of Meridian to continue to meet the listing requirements of Nasdaq; the ability of Meridian to execute on a business plan that permits the Technologies and Innovations Businesses to provide sufficient growth, revenue, liquidity and cash flows for sustaining Meridian’s go-forward business, including but not limited to Meridian’s ability to service any debt that remains as part of obligations of Meridian related to the Credit Agreement after the closing under the Purchase Agreement, the risk associated with the Buyer’s rights to termination under the Purchase Agreement, including but not limited to is financing condition and its rights to continued due diligence; the risk related to any claims for indemnification under the Purchase Agreement and the risks identified and discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Meridian Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Commission on April 16, 2018 and the other documents Meridian files with the SEC from time to time. There will be events in the future, however, that Meridian is not able to predict accurately or control. Meridian’s actual results may differ materially from the expectations that Meridian describes in its forward-looking statements. Factors or events that could cause Meridian’s actual results to materially differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Meridian to accurately predict all of them. Any forward-looking statement made by Meridian in this Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 hereto speaks only as of the date on which Meridian makes it. Meridian undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information

The pro forma financial information required by this item for the disposition of the Solid Waste Business is not being filed herewith. To the extent such information is required by this item, it will be filed by amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K not later than 4 days after the date on which this Current Report on Form 8-K is required to be filed.

(d) Exhibits:

Exhibit No.   Description
     
2.1   Equity Securities Purchase Agreement, dated February 20, 2018, by and among Meridian Waste Operations, Inc., Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc., Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC and Jeffrey S. Cosman (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 20, 2018).*
2.2   Amendment No. 1 to the Equity Securities Purchase Agreement, dated March 30, 2018, by and among Meridian Waste Operations, Inc., Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc., Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC and Jeffrey S. Cosman.*
2.3   Amendment No. 2 to the Equity Securities Purchase Agreement, dated April 20, 2018, by and among Meridian Waste Operations, Inc., Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc., Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC and Jeffrey S. Cosman.*
3.1   Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc.
4.1   Warrant to Purchase Stock issued in favor of Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC, dated April 20, 2018 .
4.2   Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated April 20, 2018 by and among Meridian Waste Operations, Inc., Mobile Science Technologies, Inc., Attis Healthcare, LLC, Integrity Lab Solutions, LLC, Red X Medical LLC, Welness Benefits, LLC, LGMG, LLC, Attis Innovations, LLC, Advanced Lignin Biocomposites LLC, Attis Envicare Medical Waste, LLC, Attis Genetics, LLC, Attis Federal Labs, LLC and Attis Commercial Labs, LLC, Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, as guarantors, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Group, L.P., as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and Lead Arranger.
4.3   Amended and Restated Term Loan Note issued in favor of Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Holdings, Inc., in the principal amount of $8,158,333.79, dated April 20, 2018.
4.4   Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement between the grantors party thereto and Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Group, L.P., dated April 20, 2018.
10.1   Resignation and Executive Employment Agreement Termination Agreement dated April 20, 2018, by and among Meridian Waste Solutions, Walter H. Hall, Jr. and Jeffrey S. Cosman.

* The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to such agreement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

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SIGNATURE

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

Dated: April 24, 2018 MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.
   
  By:  /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit 2.2

 

AMENDMENT #1 TO

 

EQUITY SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDMENT #1 TO EQUITY SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) made as of March 30, 2018, by and among Meridian Waste Operations, Inc., a New York corporation (the “ Seller ”), Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc., a New York corporation (“ Meridian ” and, together with the Seller, the “ Seller Parties ” and each, a “ Seller Party ”), Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Buyer ”) and Jeffrey S. Cosman (“ Cosman ”), amends that certain Equity Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2018, by and among the Seller, Meridian, the Buyer and solely for purposes of Sections 6.4, 6.7 and 11.18 therein, Cosman (the “ Agreement ”). All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Asset Purchase Agreement.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as set forth herein in accordance with Section 11.10 thereof;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the adequacy, receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1.1 Article 8 of the Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following provision as Section 8.10:

 

8.10        Certain Exceptions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article VIII, the indemnification obligations of the Seller Parties set forth in Section 8.2(a) shall not apply with respect to Losses which arise out of or relate to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2018, by and between Meridian Missouri, Meridian, Environmental Trash Company, Inc. and Steven Triplett (the “ ETC Purchase Agreement ”) and the assets and liabilities assumed by Meridian Missouri under the ETC Purchase Agreement, except to the extent that any such Losses arise out of or relate to intentional misrepresentation, willful misconduct or fraud by any of the Seller Parties.

 

Section 1.2 Exhibit A to the Agreement is amended in its entirety as set forth on Attachment A hereto.

 

 

 

 

ARTICLE II

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 2.1 Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 2.2 Governing Law; Severability . This Amendment (and any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Amendment) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic Laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

Section 2.3 Remaining Provisions . Except as expressly set forth in this Amendment, this Amendment shall not amend or otherwise modify any text or other provision of the Agreement. The Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment #1 as of the date first above written.

 

 

MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.

   
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Name:  Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Its: Chief Executive Officer
   
 

MERIDIAN WASTE OPERATIONS, INC.

   
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Its: Chief Executive Officer
   
 

/s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman

  Jeffrey S. Cosman
   
 

MERIDIAN WASTE ACQUISITIONS, LLC

   
 

By:

Meridian Waste Holdings, LLC, its sole member

     
 

By:

WEP Solid Waste Investment LLC, its sole member

     
 

By:

/s/ Steven Wacaster

 

Name:

Steven Wacaster

 

Title:

Manager

 

 

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Exhibit 2.3

 

AMENDMENT #2 TO

EQUITY SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDMENT #2 TO EQUITY SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this “ Amendment ”) made as of April 20, 2018, by and among Meridian Waste Operations, Inc., a New York corporation (the “ Seller ”), Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc., a New York corporation (“ Meridian ” and, together with the Seller, the “ Seller Parties ” and each, a “ Seller Party ”), Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Buyer ”) and Jeffrey S. Cosman (“ Cosman ”), amends that certain Equity Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2018, by and among the Seller, Meridian, the Buyer and solely for purposes of Sections 6.4, 6.7 and 11.18 therein, Cosman (as amended, the “ Agreement ”). All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein are used herein as defined in the Agreement.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend the Agreement as set forth herein in accordance with Section 11.10 thereof;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the adequacy, receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

AMENDMENTS

 

Section 1.1 Article 6 of the Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following provisions as Section 6.11, Section 6.12 and 6.13 thereof:

 

Section 6.11. 401(k) Plan Matters . The Seller Parties shall use their reasonable best efforts to, or cause their Subsidiaries to (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Acquired Entities after the Closing), take the actions set forth on Schedule 6.11 hereto.

 

Section 6.12. Patrick McLaughlin Employment Agreement . Meridian shall continue to comply with and perform its obligations under that certain Employment Agreement (the “ McLaughlin Agreement ”), dated as of December 22, 2015, by and among Meridian, Christian Disposal, LLC (“ CD ”) and Patrick McLaughlin (“ McLaughlin ”) and shall use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with CD and McLaughlin in connection with the terms and conditions of the McLaughlin Agreement, including, but not limited to, any amendments or modifications thereto.

 

Section 6.13 ETC Vehicles . The Seller Parties shall take all actions necessary to transfer title to the vehicles listed on Schedule 6.13 hereto from Meridian to Meridian Missouri within 30 days from the Closing Date and shall provide the Buyer with evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer of such transfer.

 

 

 

 

Section 1.2 Section 7.1 of the Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following provision as subsection (q) thereof:

 

(q) Change in 401(k) Sponsor . The Seller Parties shall have delivered evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer changing the sponsorship of the CFS Group, LLC 401(k) plan, administered by ADP, from the CFS Group, LLC (“ CFS ”) to Meridian and releasing CFS from any and all obligations, Losses or Liabilities thereunder.

 

Section 1.3 Section 8.2(a) of the Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the word “or” immediately before subsection (vii) thereof, replacing “.” at the end of subsection (vii) with “;”, and inserting the following provisions as subsections (viii) and (ix) thereof:

 

(viii) one half of any and all amounts due to McLaughlin pursuant to the McLaughlin Agreement in the event McLaughlin terminates the McLaughlin Agreement due to a Change of Control (as such term is defined therein) in accordance therewith; or

 

(ix) any and all amounts due to McLaughlin pursuant to the McLaughlin Agreement in the event McLaughlin terminates the McLaughlin Agreement for Good Reason (as such term is defined therein) due to either (A) Cosman ceasing to serve as Chief Executive Officer of Parent (as such term is defined therein) or (B) a breach of the McLaughlin Agreement by Parent.

 

Section 1.4 The Disclosure Schedules to the Agreement are hereby amended as set forth on Schedule 1.4 hereto.

 

ARTICLE II

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 2.1 Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Section 2.2 Governing Law; Severability . This Amendment (and any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Amendment) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic Laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Delaware.

 

Section 2.3 Remaining Provisions . Except as expressly set forth in this Amendment, this Amendment shall not amend or otherwise modify any text or other provision of the Agreement. The Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment #2 as of the date first above written.

 

  MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Its: Chief Executive Officer
     
  MERIDIAN WASTE OPERATIONS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Its: Chief Executive Officer
     
  /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Jeffrey S. Cosman

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment #2 as of the date first above written.

 

  MERIDIAN WASTE ACQUISITIONS, LLC
     
  By: Meridian Waste Holdings, LLC , its sole member
     
  By: WEP Solid Waste Investment LLC , its sole member
     
  By: /s/ Henrik Dahlback
  Name: Henrik Dahlback
  Title: Manager

 

 

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Exhibit 3.1

 

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF THE

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

Under Section 805 of the Business Corporation Law

 

FIRST: The name of the corporation is Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc. (the “ Corporation ”). The name under which it was originally formed is “CIP, Inc.”

 

SECOND: The certificate of incorporation of the Corporation (such certificate of incorporation, as amended or restated and in effect thereafter, the “ Certificate of Incorporation ”) was filed by the New York State Department of State on November 12, 1993.

 

THIRD: The Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended as follows:

 

Paragraph FIRST of the Certificate of Incorporation relating to the name of the Corporation is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

 

FIRST: The name of the corporation is Attis Industries Inc. (the “ Corporation ”).

 

FOURTH: The certificate of amendment was authorized, pursuant to Sections 803(a) and 615(a) of the New York Business Corporation Law, by the vote of the board of directors, followed by the written consent, setting forth the action so taken, of the holders of the required outstanding shares.

 

  /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

Exhibit 4.1

 

NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE HOLDER (IF REQUESTED BY THE COMPANY), IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD OR ELIGIBLE TO BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.

 

WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK

 

Company: Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc., a New York corporation
Number of Shares: 852,843
Class of Stock: common stock, par value $0.025 (the “ Common Stock ”)
Warrant Price: $1.00 per share
Issue Date: April 20, 2018
Expiration Date: The 5th anniversary after the Issue Date

 

THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC (together with any registered holder from time to time of this Warrant or any holder of the shares issuable or issued upon exercise of this Warrant, the “ Holder ”) is entitled to purchase the number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “ Shares ”) at the Warrant Price, all as set forth above and as adjusted pursuant to Article 2 of this Warrant, subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant.

 

ARTICLE 1 EXERCISE.

 

1.1. Mechanics of Exercise . This Warrant may be exercised by the Holder on any Trading Day on or after the Issue Date (an “ Exercise Date ”), in whole or in part, by delivery (whether via facsimile or otherwise) of a written notice, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “ Exercise Notice ”), of the Holder’s election to exercise this Warrant. On the Exercise Date, the Holder shall deliver payment to the Company of an amount equal to the Exercise Price in effect on the date of such exercise multiplied by the number of Shares as to which this Warrant was so exercised (the “ Aggregate Exercise Price ”) in cash or via wire transfer of immediately available funds if the Holder did not notify the Company in such Exercise Notice that such exercise was made pursuant to a Cashless Exercise (as defined in Article 1.2) in connection with an Acquisition. The Holder shall not be required to deliver the original of this Warrant in order to effect an exercise hereunder. Execution and delivery of an Exercise Notice with respect to less than all of the Shares shall have the same effect as cancellation of the original of this Warrant and issuance of a new Warrant evidencing the right to purchase the remaining number of Shares. Execution and delivery of an Exercise Notice for all of the then-remaining Shares shall have the same effect as cancellation of the original of this Warrant after delivery of the Shares in accordance with the terms hereof. On or before the second (2nd) Trading Day following the date on which the Company has received such Exercise Notice, the Company shall (X) provided that the Transfer Agent is participating in The Depository Trust Company (“ DTC ”) Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, upon the request of the Holder, credit such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder is entitled pursuant to such exercise to the Holder’s or its designee’s balance account with DTC through its Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian system, or (Y) if the Transfer Agent is not participating in the DTC Fast Automated Securities Transfer Program, upon the request of the Holder, issue and deliver (via reputable overnight courier) to the address as specified in the Exercise Notice, a certificate, registered in the name of the Holder or its designee, for the number of shares of Common Stock to which the Holder shall be entitled pursuant to such exercise. Upon delivery of an Exercise Notice, the Holder shall be deemed for all corporate purposes to have become the holder of record of the Shares with respect to which this Warrant has been exercised, irrespective of the date such Shares are credited to the Holder’s DTC account or the date of delivery of the certificates evidencing such Shares (as the case may be). If this Warrant is submitted in connection with any exercise pursuant to this Article 1 and the number of Shares represented by this Warrant submitted for exercise is greater than the number of Shares being acquired upon an exercise and upon surrender of this Warrant to the Company by the Holder, then, at the request of the Holder, the Company shall as soon as practicable and in no event later than two (2) Trading Days after any exercise and at its own expense, issue and deliver to the Holder (or its designee) a new Warrant representing the right to purchase the number of Shares purchasable immediately prior to such exercise under this Warrant, less the number of Shares with respect to which this Warrant is exercised. No fractional shares of Common Stock are to be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, but rather the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number. Holder shall pay any and all transfer, stamp, issuance and similar taxes, costs and expenses (excluding, fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent and the Company’s legal counsel) that may be payable with respect to the issuance and delivery of Shares upon exercise of this Warrant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except in the case where an exercise of this Warrant is validly made pursuant to a Cashless Exercise in connection with an Acquisition, the Company’s failure to deliver Shares to the Holder on or prior to two (2) Trading Days after receipt of the later of (i) the applicable Exercise Notice and (ii) the Aggregate Exercise Price (or valid notice of a Cashless Exercise in connection with an Acquisition) (such later date, the “ Share Delivery Deadline ”) shall not be deemed to be a breach of this Warrant.

 

 

 

 

1.2. Cashless Exercise Right . In lieu of exercising this Warrant as specified in Article 1.1, the Holder may in connection with an Acquisition, in its sole discretion, exercise this Warrant in whole or in part and, in lieu of making the cash payment otherwise contemplated to be made to the Company upon such exercise in payment of the aggregate Warrant Price pursuant to Article 1.1, elect instead to receive upon such exercise the “Net Number” of shares of Common Stock determined according to the following formula (a “ Cashless Exercise ”):

 

  Net Number = (A x B) - (A x C)
          B

 

For purposes of the foregoing formula:

 

A= the total number of Shares with respect to which this Warrant is then being exercised.

 

B= the Fair Market Value of each Share on the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of determination thereof. “Fair Market Value” means, on any date, the average of high and low sale prices regular way, or, in the case no such sale takes place, the reported high and low bid and asked prices regular way of the shares of Common Stock on such day, in each case as quoted on the Principal Market, as reported by Bloomberg or such other principal securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the shares of Common Stock are then traded.

 

C= the Warrant Price then in effect for the applicable Shares at the time of such exercise.

 

1.3. Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant . Promptly after the Holder exercises or converts this Warrant, and, if applicable, the Company receives payment of the aggregate Warrant Price, the Company shall deliver to the Holder certificates for the Shares acquired or evidence that such shares have been recorded in book entry form with the Transfer Agent and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised or converted and has not expired, a new Warrant representing the Shares not so acquired. The Holder shall be deemed to own and have all of the rights associated with any Shares or other securities or property to which it is entitled pursuant to this Warrant upon the exercise or conversion of the Warrant in accordance with this Article 1.

 

1.4. Replacement of Warrants . On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation on surrender and cancellation of this Warrant, the Company shall execute and deliver, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor.

 

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1.5. Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company .

 

1.5.1 Acquisition ”. For the purpose of this Warrant, “Acquisition” shall mean the occurrence, after the Issue Date, of any of the following: (i) the consolidation of the Company with, or the merger of the Company with or into, another “person”, or the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or the consolidation of another “person” with, or the merger of another “person” into, the Company, other than in each case pursuant to a transaction in which the “persons” that “beneficially owned”, directly or indirectly, the Voting Shares (as defined below) of the Company immediately prior to the transaction “beneficially own”, directly or indirectly, Voting Shares representing at least a majority of the total voting power of all outstanding classes of voting stock of the surviving or transferee person; (ii) the adoption by the Company of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (iii) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” and such person’s “affiliates” or group of “persons” and such persons’ affiliates becomes the “beneficial owner” directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Shares of the Company (measured by voting power rather than number of shares). For the purposes of this Article 1.5.1, “Voting Shares” of any person shall mean capital shares or capital stock of such person which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such person, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of securities has such voting power by reason of any contingency. The terms “person,” “affiliate,” and “beneficial owner” shall have the meanings ascribed to them under Rules 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

1.5.2 Treatment of Warrant at Acquisition . In the event of an Acquisition, either (a) the Holder shall, pursuant to Article 1.2, convert this Warrant in full with respect to all remaining Shares for which the Warrant is then exercisable and such exercise or conversion will be deemed effective immediately prior to the consummation of such Acquisition or (b) if the Holder elects not to exercise or convert the Warrant, this Warrant will expire upon the consummation of such Acquisition. The Company shall provide the Holder with written notice of the foregoing (together with such reasonable information as Holder may request in connection with such contemplated Acquisition giving rise to such notice), which is to be delivered to the Holder not less than ten (10) days prior to the closing of the proposed Acquisition.

 

1.6. Insufficient Authorized Shares . If at any time while the Warrant remains outstanding the Company does not have a sufficient number of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its obligation to reserve for issuance upon exercise of the Warrant at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to 100% (the “ Required Reserve Amount ”) of the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be necessary to effect the exercise of the Warrant then outstanding, then the Company shall immediately take all reasonable action necessary to increase the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount sufficient to allow the Company to reserve the Required Reserve Amount for the Warrant then outstanding. The Company covenants that all Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant will, upon exercise of the purchase rights represented by this Warrant and payment for such Shares in accordance herewith, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges created by the Company in respect of the issue thereof (other than taxes in respect of any transfer occurring contemporaneously with such issue).

 

1.7. Rescission Rights . If the Company fails to cause the Transfer Agent to transmit to the Holder the Warrant Shares pursuant to Article 1.1 by the Share Delivery Deadline, then the Holder will have the right to rescind such exercise.

 

ARTICLE 2 ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES.

 

2.1. Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc . If the Company declares or pays a dividend on the Shares payable in Common Stock of the Company, then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without cost to Holder, the total number and kind of shares of Common Stock of the Company to which Holder would have been entitled had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend occurred. If the Company subdivides the Shares by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares or takes any other action which increases the amount of stock for which this Warrant is exercisable, the number of Shares subject to the Warrant shall automatically be proportionately increased and the Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares are combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares subject to the Warrant shall be proportionately decreased.

 

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2.2. Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution . Upon any reclassification, exchange, substitution, reorganization, recapitalization or other event that results in a change of the number and/or class of the securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant (other than an Acquisition which is subject to the provisions of Article 1.5), Holder shall be entitled to receive, upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant the number and kind of securities and property that Holder would have received for the Shares if this Warrant had been exercised immediately before such reclassification, exchange, substitution, or other event. The Company or its successor shall promptly issue to Holder an amendment to this Warrant setting forth the number and kind of such new securities or other property issuable upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant as a result of such reclassification, exchange, substitution or other event that results in a change of the number and/or class of securities issuable upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant. The amendment to this Warrant shall provide for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article 2 including, without limitation, adjustments to the Warrant Price and to the number of securities or property issuable upon exercise of the new Warrant. The provisions of this Article 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, substitutions, or other events.

 

2.3.   Subsequent Rights Offerings . In addition to any adjustments pursuant to Article 2.1 or 2.2 above, if at any time the Company grants, issues or sells any r ights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to all record holders of shares of Common Stock and securities convertible into shares of Common Stock on an as if converted to Common Stock basis (the “ Purchase Rights ”), then the Holder will be entitled to acquire, upon the terms applicable to such Purchase Rights, the aggregate Purchase Rights which the Holder could have acquired if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date on which a record is taken for the grant, issuance or sale of such Purchase Rights, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the grant, issue or sale of such Purchase Rights.

 

2.4.   Pro Rata Distributions . During such time as this Warrant is outstanding, if the Company shall declare or make any dividend or other distribution of its non-cash assets (or rights to acquire its assets) to holders of shares of Common Stock, by way of return of capital or otherwise (including, without limitation, any distribution of stock or other securities, property or options by way of a dividend, spin off, reclassification, corporate rearrangement, scheme of arrangement or other similar transaction) (a “ Distribution ”), at any time after the issuance of this Warrant, then, in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to participate in such Distribution to the same extent that the Holder would have participated therein if the Holder had held the number of shares of Common Stock acquirable upon complete exercise of this Warrant (without regard to any limitations on exercise hereof, including without limitation, the Beneficial Ownership Limitation) immediately before the date of which a record is taken for such Distribution, or, if no such record is taken, the date as of which the record holders of shares of Common Stock are to be determined for the participation in such Distribution.

 

2.5. No Impairment . Without the consent of the Holder, the Company shall not by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation or through a reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue, or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed under this Warrant by the Company, but shall at all times in good faith assist in carrying out of all the provisions of this Article 2 and in taking all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to protect Holder’s rights under this Article 2 against impairment.

 

2.6. Fractional Shares . No fractional Shares shall be issuable upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If a fractional share interest arises upon any exercise or conversion of the Warrant, the Company shall eliminate such fractional share interest by paying the Holder in cash equivalent to the amount computed by multiplying the fractional interest by the Fair Market Value of a full Share.

 

2.7. Certificate as to Adjustments . Upon each adjustment of the Warrant Price and Shares, the Company shall promptly notify the Holder in writing, and, at the Company’s expense, promptly compute such adjustment, and furnish the Holder with a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary or a senior financial officer setting forth such adjustment and the facts upon which such adjustment is based. The Company shall, upon written request, furnish Holder a certificate setting forth the Warrant Price and Shares in effect upon the date thereof and the series of adjustments leading to such Warrant Price and Shares.

 

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2.8.   Notice to Allow Exercise by Holder . If (a) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution in whatever form) on the Common Stock, (b) the Company shall declare a special nonrecurring cash dividend on or a redemption of the Common Stock, (c) the Company shall authorize the granting to all holders of the Common Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any rights, (d) the approval of any shareholders of the Company shall be required in connection with any reclassification of the Common Stock, any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party, any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or any compulsory share exchange whereby the Common Stock is converted into other securities, cash or property, or (e) the Company shall authorize the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the affairs of the Company, then, in each case, the Company shall cause to be delivered written notice to the Holder at least five Business Days prior to the applicable record or effective date hereinafter specified, a notice stating (x) the date on which a record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution, redemption, rights or warrants, or if a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of the Common Stock of record to be entitled to such dividend, distributions, redemption, rights or warrants are to be determined or (y) the date on which such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange is expected to become effective or close, and the date as of which it is expected that holders of the Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of the Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer or share exchange; provided that the failure to deliver such notice or any defect therein or in the delivery thereof shall not affect the validity of the corporate action required to be specified in such notice. Provided that to the extent that any notice provided in this Warrant constitutes, or contains, material, non-public information regarding the Company or any of the subsidiaries, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, the Company shall not be obligated to provide written notice under this Section 2.8 and such failure to provide such written notice shall not be a breach hereof. The Holder shall determine in its sole discretion whether it is entitled to exercise this Warrant during the period commencing on the date of such notice to the effective date of the event triggering such notice except as may otherwise be expressly set forth herein and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company from any and all losses, including reasonable attorney’s fees, resulting from such exercise and subsequent sale of any Shares, including, but not limited to, any losses incurred by the Company pursuant to Rule 10b-5 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

ARTICLE 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY. The Company represents and warrants to the Holder as follows:

 

3.1. Representations and Warranties . The Company represents and warrants and covenants to the Holder as follows: all Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the purchase right represented by this Warrant shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances, except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company will at all times reserve and keep available, out of its authorized but unissued share of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of providing the exercise or conversion of this Warrant, the aggregate number of Shares issuable upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the Shares may be issued without violation of any law or regulation applicable to the Company or of any requirement of any securities exchange applicable to the Company on which the Shares are listed or traded. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to this Warrant as of the date hereof equals 2% of the fully-diluted Common Stock of the Company as of the date hereof.

 

3.2. No Shareholder Rights . Except as provided in this Warrant, and other than with regard to shares of the Company’s Common Stock acquired by Holder other than pursuant to the exercise of this Warrant, the Holder will not have any rights as a shareholder of the Company until the exercise of this Warrant.

 

ARTICLE 4 REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF THE HOLDER. The Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

 

4.1. Purchase for Own Account . This Warrant and the securities to be acquired upon exercise or conversion of this Warrant by the Holder will be acquired for investment for the Holders account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Securities Act ”) and the Holder has no present intention, and upon exercise or conversion will have no intention, of selling or engaging in any public distribution of the same except pursuant to a registration or exemption. Holder also represents that the Holder has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.

 

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4.2. Disclosure of Information . The Holder has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and its underlying securities. The Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to the Holder or to which the Holder has access.

 

4.3. Investment Experience . The Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial risk. The Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that the Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that the Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables the Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.

 

4.4. Accredited Investor Status . The Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

 

4.5. The Securities Act . The Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise or conversion hereof have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. The Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issued upon any exercise or conversion hereof must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available. The Holder further understands that settlement of this Warrant is to be made in Shares and, for the elimination of doubt, the fact that the Shares delivered on exercise of this Warrant will not be registered under the Securities Act will not in any way require the Company to settle this Warrant otherwise than in Shares, including without limitation, that there is no circumstance that would require the Company to settle this Warrant in cash.

 

ARTICLE 5 MISCELLANEOUS.

 

5.1. Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, etc . If the last or appointed day for the taking of any action or the expiration of any right required or granted herein shall not be a Business Day, then, such action may be taken or such right may be exercised on the next succeeding Business Day.

 

5.2. Nonwaiver and Expenses . No course of dealing or any delay or failure to exercise any right hereunder on the part of the Holder shall operate as a waiver of such right or otherwise prejudice the Holder’s rights, powers or remedies, notwithstanding the fact that all rights hereunder terminate on the Expiration Date. If the Company willfully and knowingly fails to comply with any provision of this Warrant, which results in any material damages to the Holder, the Company shall pay to the Holder such amounts as shall be sufficient to cover any costs and expenses including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys’ fees, including those of appellate proceedings, incurred by the Holder in collecting any amounts due pursuant hereto or in otherwise enforcing any of its rights, powers or remedies hereunder.

 

5.3. Limitation of Liability . No provision hereof, in the absence of any affirmative action by the Holder to exercise this Warrant to purchase Shares, and no enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder, shall give rise to any liability of the Holder for the purchase price of any Common Stock or as a shareholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.

 

5.4.  Remedies . The Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this Warrant. The Company agrees that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Warrant and hereby agrees to waive and not to assert the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

  6  

 

 

5.5.  Term . This Warrant will be exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before the Expiration Date.

 

5.6. Legends . This Warrant and the Shares shall be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

 

NEITHER THE ISSUANCE AND SALE OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE NOR THE SECURITIES INTO WHICH THESE SECURITIES ARE EXERCISABLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED (I) IN THE ABSENCE OF (A) AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FOR THE SECURITIES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR (B) AN OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE HOLDER (IF REQUESTED BY THE COMPANY), IN A FORM REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY, THAT REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT OR (II) UNLESS SOLD OR ELIGIBLE TO BE SOLD PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER SAID ACT. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, THE SECURITIES MAY BE PLEDGED IN CONNECTION WITH A BONA FIDE MARGIN ACCOUNT OR OTHER LOAN OR FINANCING ARRANGEMENT SECURED BY THE SECURITIES.

 

5.7. Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer . This Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part without compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company). The Company shall not require Holder to provide an opinion of counsel if the transfer is to any affiliate of the Holder, provided that any such transferee is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act; provided, however, in any such transfer the transferee shall agree to be bound by the terms of this Warrant as if an original holder hereof.

 

5.8. Notices . All notices and other communications from the Company to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective when given personally or mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid (or on the first Business Day after transmission by e-mail), at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or the Holder, as the case may be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time. Effective upon receipt of the fully executed Warrant, all notices to the Holder shall be addressed as follows until the Company receives notice of a change of address in connection with a transfer or otherwise:

 

Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC

c/o Warren Equity Partners, LLC 

320 1 st Street N., Suite #608 

Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 

Attn: Henrik Dahlbach and Steven Wacaster 

E-mail: [e-mail address]

 

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

 

Akerman LLP

420 South Orange Avenue, Suite 1200

Orlando, FL 32801

Attn: Carl Roston and Nathan Balint

E-mail: carl.roston@akerman.com and nathan.balint@akerman.com

 

  7  

 

 

Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows until the Holder receives notice of a change in address:

 

Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc.
One Glenlake Parkway, NE Suite 900

Atlanta, GA 30328

Attn: Jeffrey S. Cosman

E-mail: [e-mail address]

 

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

 

Cozen O’Connor

One Oxford Centre, 301 Grant Street, 26 th Floor

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Attn: Jeremiah G. Garvey

E-mail: jgarvey@cozen.com

 

5.9. Waiver . This Warrant and any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing signed by the parties against which enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

 

5.10. Counterparts . This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

5.11. Amendment . This Warrant may be amended and the observance of any term of this Warrant may be waived only with the written consent of the Company and the Holder.

 

5.12. Binding Effect . This Warrant shall be binding upon any successors or assigns of the Company.

 

5.13. Governing Law . This Warrant, and the provisions, rights, obligations, and conditions set forth herein, and the legal relations between the parties hereto, including all disputes and claims, whether arising in contract, tort, or under statute, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to its conflict of law provisions.

 

5.14. Submission to Jurisdiction . Any legal suit, action or proceeding arising out of or based upon this Warrant or the transactions contemplated hereby may be instituted in the federal courts of the United States of America or the courts of the State of New York, and each party irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any such suit, action or proceeding. Service of process, summons, notice or other document by certified or registered mail to such party's address set forth herein shall be effective service of process for any suit, action or other proceeding brought in any such court. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or any proceeding in such courts and irrevocably waive and agree not to plead or claim in any such court that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

 

ARTICLE 6 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

 

Bloomberg ” means Bloomberg Financial Markets.

 

Business Day ” mean each day of the week except Saturdays, Sundays and days on which banking institutions are authorized by applicable Law to close in the State of New York.

 

Principal Market ” means The Nasdaq Capital Market.

 

Trading Day ” means any day on which the Common Stock is traded on the Principal Market, or, if the Principal Market is not the principal trading market for the Common Stock, then on the principal securities exchange or securities market on which the Common Stock is then traded; provided that “Trading Day” shall not include any day on which the Common Stock is scheduled to trade on such exchange or market for less than 4.5 hours or any day that the Common Stock is suspended from trading during the final hour of trading on such exchange or market (or if such exchange or market does not designate in advance the closing time of trading on such exchange or market, then during the hour ending at 4:00 p.m., New York time).

 

Transfer Agent ” means Issuer Direct Corporation or such other transfer agent appointed by the Company.

 

[Balance of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

  8  

 

 

  “COMPANY”
     
  MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.
     
  By:  /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

AGREED AND ACKNOWLEDGED:  
“HOLDER”   
   
MERIDIAN WASTE ACQUISITIONS, LLC  
   
By: MERIDIAN WASTE HOLDINGS, LLC , its sole member  
   
By: WEP SOLID WASTE INVESTMENT, LLC , its sole member  
   
/s/ Henrik Dahlback  
Name: Henrik Dahlback  
Title: Manager  

 

[Signature Page to Warrant]

 

     

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

EXERCISE NOTICE

TO BE EXECUTED BY THE REGISTERED HOLDER TO EXERCISE THIS
WARRANT TO PURCHASE STOCK

 

MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

The undersigned holder hereby exercises the right to purchase _________________ of the shares of Common Stock (“ Shares ”) of Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc. a New York corporation (the “ Company ”), evidenced by Warrant to Purchase Stock No. _______ (the “ Warrant ”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Warrant.

 

1.      Form of Exercise Price . The Holder intends that payment of the Aggregate Exercise Price shall be made as:

 

a “ Cash Exercise ” with respect to _________________ Shares; and/or
a “ Cashless Exercise ” in connection with an Acquisition, with respect to _______________ Shares.

 

2.     Payment of Exercise Price . In the event that the Holder has elected a Cash Exercise with respect to some or all of the Shares to be issued pursuant hereto, the Holder shall pay the Aggregate Exercise Price in the sum of $___________________ to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Warrant.

 

3.      Delivery of Shares . The Company shall deliver to Holder, or its designee or agent as specified below, __________ Shares in accordance with the terms of the Warrant. Delivery shall be made to Holder, or for its benefit, as follows:

 

    Check here if requesting delivery as a certificate to the following name and to the following address:

 

Issue to:  
   
   

 

    Check here if requesting delivery by Deposit/Withdrawal at Custodian as follows:

 

DTC Participant:  
DTC Number:  
Account Number:  

 

Date: _____________ __, _______

 

Name of Registered Holder

 

By: ______________________
Name:
Title:

 

Tax ID:____________________________ 

 

E-mail Address:_____________________

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.2

 

Execution Version

  

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

 

dated as of April 20, 2018

 

among

 

MERIDIAN WASTE OPERATIONS, INC.,

MOBILE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,

ATTIS HEALTHCARE, LLC,

ADVANCED LIGNIN BIOCOMPOSITES LLC,

INTEGRITY LAB SOLUTIONS, LLC,

RED X MEDICAL LLC,

WELNESS BENEFITS, LLC,

LGMG, LLC,

ATTIS INNOVATIONS, LLC,

ATTIS ENVICARE MEDICAL WASTE, LLC,

ATTIS GENETICS, LLC,

ATTIS FEDERAL LABS, LLC,

and

ATTIS COMMERCIAL LABS, LLC,

as Companies

 

MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.,

as Holdings,

 

VARIOUS LENDERS

 

and

 

GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING GROUP, L.P.

as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, and Sole Lead Arranger

 

 

 

$8,158,333.79 Senior Secured Credit Facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION 2
  1.1. Definitions 2
  1.2. Accounting Terms 30
  1.3. Interpretation, etc. 30
     
SECTION 2. LOANS 31
  2.1. Term Loans . 31
  2.2. Reserved 31
  2.3. Reserved . 31
  2.4. Reserved . 31
  2.5. Use of Proceeds 31
  2.6. Evidence of Debt; Register; Lenders’ Books and Records; Notes . 32
  2.7. Interest on Loans . 32
  2.8. Conversion/Continuation . 33
  2.9. Default Interest 34
  2.10. Fees . 34
  2.11. Scheduled Payments . 34
  2.12. Voluntary Prepayments/Commitment Reductions . 35
  2.13. Mandatory Prepayments/Commitment Reductions . 36
  2.14. Application of Prepayments/Reductions . 38
  2.15. General Provisions Regarding Payments . 39
  2.16. Ratable Sharing 40
  2.17. Making or Maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans . 41
  2.18. Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy . 43
  2.19. Taxes; Withholding, etc. 44
  2.20. Obligation to Mitigate 45
  2.21. Defaulting Lenders 46
  2.22. Removal or Replacement of a Lender 46
   
SECTION 3. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT 47
  3.1. Restatement Date 47
  3.2. Reserved . 50
  3.3. Conditions Subsequent to the Restatement Date 50
     
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 51
  4.1. Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification 51
  4.2. Capital Stock and Ownership 51
  4.3. Due Authorization 51
  4.4. No Conflict 51
  4.5. Governmental Consents 52
  4.6. Binding Obligation 52
  4.7. Contingent Liabilities 52
  4.8. Projections 52
  4.9. No Material Adverse Change 52

 

i  

 

 

  4.10. No Restricted Junior Payments 53
  4.11. Adverse Proceedings, etc. 53
  4.12. Payment of Taxes 53
  4.13. Properties . 53
  4.14. Environmental Matters 54
  4.15. No Defaults 54
  4.16. Material Contracts 54
  4.17. Governmental Regulation 55
  4.18. Margin Stock 55
  4.19. Employee Matters 55
  4.20. Employee Benefit Plans 55
  4.21. Certain Fees 56
  4.22. Solvency 56
  4.23. Related Agreements . 56
  4.24. Compliance with Statutes, Franchises, Permits, etc . 56
  4.25. Disclosure 56
  4.26. Patriot Act 57
     
SECTION 5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 58
  5.1. Financial Statements and Other Reports 58
  5.2. Existence 62
  5.3. Payment of Taxes and Claims 62
  5.4. Maintenance of Properties 63
  5.5. Insurance 63
  5.6. Inspections 63
  5.7. Lenders Meetings 63
  5.8. Compliance with Laws 63
  5.9. Environmental . 64
  5.10. Subsidiaries 65
  5.11. Additional Material Real Estate Assets 65
  5.12. Reserved 66
  5.13. Further Assurances 66
  5.14. Miscellaneous Business Covenants 66
  5.15. Post Closing Matters 67
     
SECTION 6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS 67
  6.1. Indebtedness 67
  6.2. Liens 69
  6.3. Equitable Lien 70
  6.4. No Further Negative Pledges 70
  6.5. Restricted Junior Payments 71
  6.6. Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions 71
  6.7. Investments 71
  6.8. Financial Covenants . 72
  6.9. Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets; Acquisitions 73
  6.10. Disposal of Subsidiary Interests 74

 

ii  

 

 

  6.11. Sales and Lease-Backs 74
  6.12. Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates 74
  6.13. Conduct of Business; Foreign Subsidiaries 75
  6.14. Permitted Activities of Holdings 75
  6.15. Amendments or Waivers of Certain Related Agreements 75
  6.17. Fiscal Year 75
  6.18. Deposit Accounts 76
  6.19. Amendments to Organizational Agreements and Material Contracts 76
  6.20. Prepayments of Certain Indebtedness 76
     
SECTION 7. GUARANTY 76
  7.1. Guaranty of the Obligations 76
  7.2. Contribution by Credit Parties 77
  7.3. Payment by Credit Parties 77
  7.4. Liability of Credit Parties Absolute 78
  7.5. Waivers by Credit Parties 79
  7.6. Credit Parties’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, etc. 80
  7.7. Subordination of Other Obligations 80
  7.8. Continuing Guaranty 80
  7.9. Authority of Credit Parties 80
  7.10. Financial Condition of Credit Parties 81
  7.11. Bankruptcy, etc. 81
  7.12. Discharge of Guaranty Upon Sale of Guarantor 82
  7.13. Qualified ECP Credit Party. 82
     
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT 82
  8.1. Events of Default 82
     
SECTION 9. AGENTS 85
  9.1. Appointment of Agents 85
  9.2. Powers and Duties 85
  9.3. General Immunity . 85
  9.4. Agents Entitled to Act as Lender 86
  9.5. Lenders’ Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment 87
  9.6. Right to Indemnity 87
  9.7. Successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent . 88
  9.8. Collateral Documents and Guaranty . 88
     
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS 89
  10.1. Notices 89
  10.2. Expenses 89
  10.3. Indemnity . 90
  10.4. Set-Off 90
  10.5. Amendments and Waivers . 90
  10.6. Successors and Assigns; Participations . 92
  10.7. Independence of Covenants 95
  10.8. Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements 95
  10.9. No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative 95
  10.10. Marshalling; Payments Set Aside 95
  10.11. Severability 96
  10.12. Obligations Several; Actions in Concert 96
  10.13. Headings 96
  10.14. APPLICABLE LAW 96
  10.15. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION 96
  10.16. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL 97
  10.17. Confidentiality 97
  10.18. Usury Savings Clause 97
  10.19. Counterparts 98
  10.20. Effectiveness 98
  10.21. Patriot Act 98
  10.22. Amendment and Restatement. 98

 

iii  

 

 

APPENDICES: B Notice Addresses
     
SCHEDULES: 1.1(a)    Non-Management Shareholders
  1.1(b) Certain Material Real Estate Assets
  4.1 Jurisdictions of Organization and Qualification
  4.2 Capital Stock and Ownership
  4.13 Real Estate Assets
  4.16 Material Contracts
  5.15 Certain Post Closing Matters
  6.1 Certain Indebtedness
  6.2 Certain Liens
  6.7 Certain Investments
  6.12 Certain Affiliate Transactions
  10.22 Specified Events of Default
     
EXHIBITS: A-1 Funding Notice
  A-2 Conversion/Continuation Notice
  B-1 Term Loan Note
  C Compliance Certificate
  D [Reserved]
  E Assignment Agreement
  F Certificate Regarding Non-bank Status
  G-1 Restatement Date Certificate
  G-2 Solvency Certificate
  H Counterpart Agreement
  I Pledge and Security Agreement
  J Mortgage
  K Landlord Collateral Access Agreement

 

iv  

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

 

This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT , dated as of April 20, 2018, is entered into by and among MERIDIAN WASTE OPERATIONS, INC. , a New York corporation (“ Operations ”), MOBILE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. , a Georgia corporation (“ Mobile ”), ATTIS HEALTHCARE, LLC , a South Carolina limited liability company (“ Healthcare ”), INTEGRITY LAB SOLUTIONS, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ Integrity ”), RED X MEDICAL LLC , a Georgia limited liability company (“ Red X ”), WELNESS BENEFITS, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ Welness ”), LGMG, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ LGMG ”), ATTIS INNOVATIONS, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“ Innovations ”), and ADVANCED LIGNIN BIOCOMPOSITES LLC , a Minnesota limited liability company (“ Advanced Lignin ”), ATTIS ENVICARE MEDICAL WASTE, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“Envicare”), ATTIS GENETICS, LLC , a Georgia limited liability company (“Genetics”), ATTIS FEDERAL LABS, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company (“Federal Labs”), ATTIS COMMERCIAL LABS, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company (“Commercial Labs”, and together with Operations, Mobile, Healthcare, Integrity, Red X, Welness, LGMG, Innovations, Advanced Lignin, Envicare, Genetics, and Federal Labs the “ Companies ” and each, a “ Company ”), MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC. , a New York corporation ( “Holdings” ) and CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF HOLDINGS , as Guarantors, the Lenders party hereto from time to time and GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING GROUP, L.P. (“ GSSLG ”), as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent” ), Collateral Agent (in such capacity, “Collateral Agent” ), and Lead Arranger.

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in these Recitals shall have the respective meanings set forth for such terms in Section 1.1 hereof;

 

WHEREAS , pursuant to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2015, by and among certain Companies, Holdings, the other Credit Parties and other borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto and GSSLG as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Lead Arranger (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to February 15, 2017, the “ Original Credit Agreement ”), the Lenders extended certain credit facilities to certain of the Companies and other borrowers party thereto;

 

WHEREAS , pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2017, by and among certain Companies, Holdings, the other Credit Parties and other borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto from time to time thereto and GSSLG as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Lead Arranger (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “ Prior Credit Agreement ”), the Lenders increased the credit facilities to an aggregate amount equal to $89,100,000;

 

WHEREAS, Companies have requested that Administrative Agent and the Lenders amend and restate the Prior Credit Agreement in the form of this Agreement and make certain other modifications as set forth herein, and, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Lenders are willing to do so; and

 

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree that the Prior Credit Agreement is amended and restated as follows:

 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

 

1.1. Definitions. The following terms used herein, including in the preamble, recitals, exhibits and schedules hereto, shall have the following meanings:

 

“Accounts” means all “accounts” (as defined in the UCC) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (or, if referring to another Person, of such Person), including, without limitation, accounts, accounts receivable, monies due or to become due and obligations in any form (whether arising in connection with contracts, contract rights, instruments, general intangibles, or chattel paper), in each case whether arising out of goods sold or services rendered or from any other transaction and whether or not earned by performance, now or hereafter in existence, and all documents of title or other documents representing any of the foregoing, and all collateral security and guaranties of any kind, now or hereafter in existence, given by any Person with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

“Act” as defined in Section 4.26.

 

“Adjusted LIBOR Rate” means, for any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to an Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loan, the greater of (i) the rate per annum obtained by dividing (a) (1) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the London interbank offered rate administered by the ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of that rate) for deposits (for delivery on the first day of such period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars displayed on the ICE LIBOR USD page of the Reuters Screen (or any replacement Reuters page that displays such rate) or on the appropriate page of any other information service that publishes that rate from time to time in place of Reuters, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date (the rate referenced in this clause (1), the “ Eurodollar Screen Rate ”), or (2) in the event the Eurodollar Screen Rate is not available, the rate per annum equal to the offered rate, truncated at five decimal digits, that is set forth on or in such other available quotation page or service as is acceptable to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion and that provides an average ICE Benchmark Administration Limited Interest Settlement Rate or another London interbank offered rate administered by any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for deposits (for delivery on the first day of the relevant period) with a term equivalent to such period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date, or (3) in the event the rates referenced in the preceding clauses (1) and (2) are not available or if such information, in the reasonable judgment of Administrative Agent shall cease to accurately reflect the rate offered by leading banks in the London interbank market as reported by any publicly available source of similar market data selected by Administrative Agent, the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by Administrative Agent to be the offered rate, truncated at five decimal digits, to first class banks in the London interbank market for deposits (for delivery on the first day of the relevant period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period in Dollars, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London, England time) on such Interest Rate Determination Date, by (b) an amount equal to (1) one, minus (2) the Applicable Reserve Requirement or (ii) 1.00% per annum.

 

  2  

 

 

Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, and without limiting the provisions of Section 2.17 (Making or Maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans), in the event that the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that there exists, at such time, a broadly accepted market convention for determining a rate of interest for syndicated loans in the United States in lieu of the Eurodollar Screen Rate, and the Administrative Agent shall have given notice of such determination to Company Representative and each Lender (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to make such determination and/or to give such notice), then the Administrative Agent and Company Representative shall enter into an amendment to this Agreement to reflect such alternate rate of interest and such other related changes to this Agreement as may be applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 10.5 (Amendments and Waivers), such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement so long as the Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that the Required Lenders object to such amendment. Until an alternate rate of interest shall be determined in accordance with this paragraph (but only to the extent the Eurodollar Screen Rate for the applicable Interest Period is not available or published at such time on a current basis), (x) no Loans may be made as, or converted to, LIBOR Rate Loans, and (y) any Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice given by Company Representative with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans shall be deemed to be rescinded by Company Representative.

 

Adjustment Event ” as defined in the definition of Applicable Margin.

 

“Administrative Agent” as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

“Adverse Proceeding” means any action, suit, proceeding (whether administrative, judicial or otherwise), governmental investigation or arbitration (whether or not purportedly on behalf of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) at law or in equity, or before or by any Governmental Authority, domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Claims), whether pending or, to the knowledge of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, threatened in writing against or affecting Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

“Affected Lender” as defined in Section 2.17(b).

 

“Affected Loans” as defined in Section 2.17(b).

 

  3  

 

 

“Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling (including any member of the senior management group of such Person), controlled by, or under common control with, that Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power (i) to vote 5% or more of the total voting power of Securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of such Person (provided, that so long any Non-Management Shareholder does not (together with its Affiliates) have 15% or more of the total voting power of Holdings, such Non-Management Shareholder and its controlled Affiliates shall not be deemed to be Affiliates of the Credit Parties solely due to the operation of this clause (i)) or (ii) to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, neither Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC nor any of its affiliates shall be considered an “Affiliate” of any Credit Party or of any Subsidiary of any Credit Party.

 

“Agent” means each of Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent.

 

“Aggregate Amounts Due” as defined in Section 2.16.

 

“Aggregate Payments” as defined in Section 7.2.

 

“Agreement” means this Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2018, as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws” means any and all requirements of law related to anti-bribery or anti-corruption matters, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977.

 

“Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means any and all requirements of law related to engaging in, financing, or facilitating terrorism or money laundering, including the PATRIOT Act, The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act”, 31 U.S.C. §§5311-5330 and 12 U.S.C. §§1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959), Trading With the Enemy Act (50 U.S.C. §1 et seq.), Executive Order 13224 (effective September 24, 2001) and each of the laws, regulations, and executive orders administered by OFAC (31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter V).

 

“Applicable Margin” means with respect to Term Loans, (i) with respect to Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans, a percentage per annum equal to 8.00% and (ii) with respect to Loans that are Base Rate Loans, a percentage per annum equal to 7.00%.

 

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“Applicable Reserve Requirement” means, at any time, for any LIBOR Rate Loan, the maximum rate, expressed as a decimal, at which reserves (including, without limitation, any basic marginal, special, supplemental, emergency or other reserves) are required to be maintained with respect thereto against “Eurocurrency liabilities” (as such term is defined in Regulation D) under regulations issued from time to time by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or other applicable banking regulator. Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the Applicable Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves required to be maintained by such member banks with respect to (i) any category of liabilities which includes deposits by reference to which the applicable Adjusted LIBOR Rate or any other interest rate of a Loan is to be determined, or (ii) any category of extensions of credit or other assets which include LIBOR Rate Loans. A LIBOR Rate Loan shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency liabilities and as such shall be deemed subject to reserve requirements without benefits of credit for proration, exceptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to the applicable Lender. The rate of interest on LIBOR Rate Loans shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in the Applicable Reserve Requirement.

 

“Asset Sale” means a sale, lease or sub lease (as lessor or sublessor), sale and leaseback, assignment, conveyance, transfer, license or other disposition to, or any exchange of property with, any Person (other than to or with a Credit Party which is not Holdings), in one transaction or a series of transactions, of all or any part of any Credit Party’s or any of its Subsidiary’s businesses, assets or properties of any kind, whether real, personal, or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including, without limitation, the Capital Stock of any Credit Party or Subsidiary thereof, other than inventory sold or leased in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of clarification, “Asset Sale” shall include (x) the sale or other disposition for value of any contracts, (y) the early termination or modification of any contract resulting in the receipt by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries of a cash payment or other consideration in exchange for such event (other than payments in the ordinary course for accrued and unpaid amounts due through the date of termination or modification) and (z), any sale of merchant accounts (or any rights thereto (including, without limitation, any rights to any residual payment stream with respect thereto)) by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

“Asset Sale Reinvestment Amounts” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.13(a).

 

“Assignment Agreement” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E, with such amendments or modifications as may be approved by Administrative Agent.

 

“Authorized Officer” means, as applied to any Person, any individual holding the position of chairman of the board (if an officer), chief executive officer, president or one of its vice presidents (or the equivalent thereof), and such Person’s chief financial officer or treasurer.

 

“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy,” as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

 

“Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (ii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus ½ of 1%, (iii) the sum of (A) the Adjusted LIBOR Rate for a period of one month and (B) the excess of the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Rate Loans over the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans, in each instance, as of such day, and (iv) 4.25%. Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective on the effective day of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

 

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“Base Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate.

 

“Beneficiary” means each Agent, Lender and Lender Counterparty.

 

“Business Day” means (i) any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of New York or the State of Texas or is a day on which banking institutions located in either such state are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close, and (ii) with respect to all notices, determinations, fundings and payments in connection with the Adjusted LIBOR Rate or any LIBOR Rate Loans, the term “Business Day” shall mean any day which is a Business Day described in clause (i) and which is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

 

“Capital Lease” means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person (i) as lessee that, in conformity with GAAP, is or should be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person or (ii) as lessee which is a transaction of a type commonly known as a “synthetic lease” (i.e., a transaction that is treated as an operating lease for accounting purposes but with respect to which payments of rent are intended to be treated as payments of principal and interest on a loan for Federal income tax purposes).

 

“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock of a corporation, any and all equivalent ownership interests in a Person (other than a corporation), including, without limitation, partnership interests and membership interests, and any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase or other arrangements or rights to acquire any of the foregoing.

 

“Cash” means money, currency or a credit balance in any demand or Deposit Account; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, for purposes of calculating compliance with the requirements of Sections 3 and 6 hereof “Cash” shall exclude any amounts that would not be considered “cash” under GAAP or “cash” as recorded on the books of the Companies and the Guarantors.

 

“Cash Equivalents” means, as at any date of determination, (i) marketable securities (a) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest and principal by the United States Government, or (b) issued by any agency of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within one year after such date; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after such date and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s; (iii) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s; (iv) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that (a) is at least “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator), and (b) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than $100,000,000; and (v) shares of any money market mutual fund that (a) has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, (b) has net assets of not less than $500,000,000, and (c) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s.

 

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“Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

 

Change of Control ” means, at any time, (i) the Equity Investors shall cease to beneficially own and control at least 51% on a fully diluted basis of the voting interests, and at least 30% on a fully diluted basis of the economic interests, in the Capital Stock of Holdings; (ii) any Person or “group” (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) other than the Equity Investors (a) shall have acquired beneficial ownership of 30% or more on a fully diluted basis of the voting and/or economic interest in the Capital Stock of Holdings or (b) shall have obtained the power (whether or not exercised) to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of Holdings; (iii) Holdings shall cease to beneficially own and control 100% on a fully diluted basis of the economic and voting interest in the Capital Stock of any Company; (iv) the majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors (or similar governing body) of Holdings cease to be occupied by Persons who either (a) were members of the board of directors of Holdings on the Restatement Date, or (b) were nominated for election by the board of directors of Holdings, a majority of whom were directors on the Restatement Date or whose election or nomination for election was previously approved by a majority of such directors; or (v) any event, transaction or occurrence as a result of which the Person holding the office of chief executive officer (or any other title with responsibilities similar to those typically held by the chief executive officer) of the Credit Parties shall for any reason cease to be actively engaged in the day-to-day management of the Credit Parties with the role and responsibility typically associated with such title, unless a permanent successor reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders is appointed within sixty days following the date such Person ceases to be actively engaged in such capacity.

 

“Class” means with respect to Lenders, Lenders having Term Loan Exposure and with respect to Loans, the following class of Loans: Term Loans.

 

“Closing Date” means December 22, 2015.

 

“Collateral” means, collectively, all of the real, personal and mixed property (including Capital Stock) in which Liens are purported to be granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations.

 

“Collateral Agent” as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

“Collateral Assignment of Key Man Life Insurance” means the Collateral Assignment of Key Man Life Insurance Policy, entered into after the Closing Date, executed by Holdings, as beneficiary of the Key Man Life Insurance Policy, and acknowledged and agreed by Lincoln Financial Group, as the issuer of the Key Man Life Insurance Policy.

 

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“Collateral Documents” means the Pledge and Security Agreement, the Mortgages, the Collateral Assignment of Key Man Life Insurance, the Landlord Collateral Access Agreements, if any, and all other instruments, documents and agreements delivered by any Credit Party pursuant to this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents in order to grant to Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a Lien on any real, personal or mixed property of that Credit Party as security for the Obligations.

 

“Collateral Questionnaire” means a certificate in form satisfactory to Collateral Agent that provides information with respect to the real, personal or mixed property of each Credit Party and each of its Subsidiaries.

 

“Commitment” means any Term Loan Commitment.

 

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

 

“Company” and “Companies” as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

“Company Guaranteed Obligations” as defined in Section 7.1.

 

“Company Representative” means Holdings, in its capacity as representative of the Companies.

 

“Compliance Certificate” means a compliance certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C, with such modifications as may be approved by Administrative Agent.

 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA ” means, for any period, an amount determined for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis equal to (i) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such period of (a) Consolidated Net Income, plus (b) Consolidated Interest Expense, plus (c) provisions for taxes based on income, plus (d) total depreciation expense, plus (e) total amortization expense, plus (f) Consolidated Corporate Overhead, plus (g) other non-Cash items reducing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-Cash item to the extent that it represents an accrual or reserve for potential Cash items in any future period or amortization of a prepaid Cash item that was paid in a prior period), plus (h) any other amounts approved by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, minus (ii) the sum, without duplication of the amounts for such period of (a) other non-Cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding any such non Cash item to the extent it represents the reversal of an accrual or reserve for potential Cash item in any prior period), plus (b) interest income, plus (c) other income, plus (d) if positive, any portion of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA attributable to LGMG.

 

“Consolidated Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures of Holdings and its Subsidiaries during such period determined on a consolidated basis that, in accordance with GAAP, are or should be included in “purchase of property and equipment or which should otherwise be capitalized” or similar items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries.

 

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“Consolidated Corporate Overhead” means, for any period, the aggregate of all expenditures of Holdings and its Subsidiaries during such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP including, without limitation, all expenditures associated with the compensation and benefits of the corporate officers and staff of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (including the chief executive officers, chief financial officers and chief operating officers thereof) and legal, audit, insurance and accounting costs and expenses associated with the corporate compliance of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and excluding such other expenditures that, in accordance with GAAP, (i) are or should be included in Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) are taxes based on income, (iii) are capitalized expenditures, (iv) are operating expenses, and (v) are other non-Cash or non-recurring items consented to by Administrative Agent in writing in its sole discretion.

 

“Consolidated Current Assets” means, as at any date of determination, the total assets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that may properly be classified as current assets in conformity with GAAP, excluding Cash and Cash Equivalents.

 

“Consolidated Current Liabilities” means, as at any date of determination, the total liabilities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis that may properly be classified as current liabilities in conformity with GAAP, excluding the current portion of long term debt.

 

“Consolidated Excess Cash Flow” means, for any period, an amount (if positive) determined for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis equal to: (i) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such period of (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, plus (b) interest income, plus (c) other income (excluding any gains or losses attributable to Asset Sales), plus (d) any amounts deducted in the calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA pursuant to clause (ii)(d) of such definition, plus (e) the Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment, minus (ii) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such period of (a) voluntary and scheduled repayments of Consolidated Total Debt, plus (b) Consolidated Capital Expenditures (net of any proceeds of (x) Net Asset Sale Proceeds to the extent reinvested in accordance with Section 2.13(a), (y) Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds to the extent reinvested in accordance with Section 2.13(b), and (z) any proceeds of related financings with respect to such expenditures), plus (c) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense, plus (d) provisions for current taxes based on income of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and payable in cash with respect to such period, plus (e) Consolidated Corporate Overhead paid or payable in cash during such period (to the extent not in excess of the limit with respect to such period set forth in Section 6.8), plus (f) other cash amounts added back to Consolidated Net Income in the calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, in each case, to the extent satisfactory to Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, total interest expense (including that portion attributable to Capital Leases in accordance with GAAP and capitalized interest) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis with respect to all outstanding Consolidated Total Debt, including all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and net costs under Interest Rate Agreements.

 

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“Consolidated Liquidity” means, as of any date of determination, an amount determined for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis equal to (i) Cash of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in which the Collateral Agent has a first priority perfected Lien, minus (ii) all accounts payable of any Credit Party that are overdue by more than 90 days.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, (i) the net income (or loss) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period taken as a single accounting period determined in conformity with GAAP, minus (ii) the sum of (a) the income (or loss) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of Holdings) in which any other Person (other than Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) has a joint interest, plus (b) the income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of Holdings or is merged into or consolidated with Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person’s assets are acquired by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, plus (c) the income of any Subsidiary of Holdings to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary, plus (d) any gains or losses attributable to Asset Sales or returned surplus assets of any Pension Plan, plus (e) (to the extent not included in clauses (a) through (d) above) any net extraordinary gains or net extraordinary losses.

 

“Consolidated Total Debt” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis.

 

“Consolidated Working Capital” means, as at any date of determination, the excess or deficiency of Consolidated Current Assets over Consolidated Current Liabilities.

 

“Consolidated Working Capital Adjustment” means, for any period of determination on a consolidated basis, the amount (which may be a negative number) by which Consolidated Working Capital as of the beginning of such period exceeds (or is less than) Consolidated Working Capital as of the end of such period.

 

“Contractual Obligation” means, as applied to any Person, any provision of any Security issued by that Person or of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument to which that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to which it or any of its properties is subject.

 

“Contributing Credit Party” as defined in Section 7.2.

 

Controlled Account ” means a Deposit Account of a Credit Party which is subject to the control within the meaning of the UCC of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in accordance with the terms of the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

“Conversion/Continuation Date” means the effective date of a continuation or conversion, as the case may be, as set forth in the applicable Conversion/Continuation Notice.

 

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“Conversion/Continuation Notice” means a Conversion/Continuation Notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

 

“Counterpart Agreement” means a Counterpart Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit H delivered by a Credit Party pursuant to Section 5.10.

 

“Credit Date” means the date of a Credit Extension.

 

“Credit Document” means any of this Agreement, the Notes, if any, the Collateral Documents, the Fee Letter and all other documents, instruments or agreements executed and delivered by a Credit Party for the benefit of any Agent or any Lender in connection herewith.

 

“Credit Extension” means the making of a Loan.

 

“Credit Party” means the Companies and Holdings.

 

“Default” means a condition or event that, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Default Excess” means, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, the excess, if any, of such Defaulting Lender’s Pro Rata Share of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Loans of all Lenders (calculated as if all Defaulting Lenders (other than such Defaulting Lender) had funded all of their respective Defaulted Loans) over the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Loans of such Defaulting Lender.

 

“Default Period” means, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, the period commencing on the date of the applicable Funding Default, or violation of Section 9.5(c), and ending on the earliest of the following dates: (i) the date on which all Commitments are cancelled or terminated and/or the Obligations are declared or become immediately due and payable, (ii) the date on which (a) the Default Excess with respect to such Defaulting Lender shall have been reduced to zero (whether by the funding by such Defaulting Lender of any Defaulted Loans of such Defaulting Lender or by the non-pro rata application of any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Loans in accordance with the terms of Section 2.12 or Section 2.13 or by a combination thereof), and (b) such Defaulting Lender shall have delivered to the Company Representative and Administrative Agent a written reaffirmation of its intention to honor its obligations hereunder with respect to its Commitments, (iii) the date on which Company Representative, Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders waive all Funding Defaults of such Defaulting Lender in writing, and (iv) to the extent such Defaulting Lender is a Defaulting Lender solely due to a violation of Section 9.5(c), the date on which Administrative Agent shall have waived all violations of Section 9.5(c) by such Defaulting Lender in writing.

 

“Defaulted Loan” as defined in Section 2.21.

 

“Defaulting Lender” as defined in Section 2.21.

 

“Default Rate” means the interest rate applicable pursuant to Section 2.9.

 

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“Deposit Account” means a demand, time, savings, passbook or like account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or like organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of deposit.

 

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, (a) matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable, in whole or in part, or required to be repurchased or redeemed, in whole or in part, in each case other than for common Capital Stock of Holdings, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, on or prior to 180 days after the latest possible maturity date of the Loans, (b) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or (ii) any Capital Stock of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that would constitute Disqualified Stock, in each case at any time on or prior to 180 days after the latest possible maturity date of the Loans, (c) contains any mandatory repurchase obligation which may come into effect on or prior to 180 days after the latest possible maturity date of the Loans or (d) provides for the scheduled payments of dividends in Cash on or prior to 180 days after the latest possible maturity date of the Loans.

 

“Dollars” and the sign “$” mean the lawful money of the United States of America.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

“Eligible Assignee” means (i) in the case of the Term Loans, (a) any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender and any Related Fund (any two or more Related Funds being treated as a single Eligible Assignee for all purposes hereof), and (b) any commercial bank, insurance company, investment or mutual fund or other entity that is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) and which extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses, and (ii) any other Person (other than a natural Person) approved by the Administrative Agent; provided , neither (A) Holdings nor any Affiliate of Holdings nor (B) the Equity Investors nor any Affiliate of the Equity Investor shall, in any event, be an Eligible Assignee, and (y) no Person owning or controlling any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Credit Party other than the Obligations or any Capital Stock of any Credit Party (in each case, unless approved by the Administrative Agent) shall, in any event, be an Eligible Assignee.

 

“Employee Benefit Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or was sponsored, maintained or contributed to by, or required to be contributed by, Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

 

“Environmental Claim” means any investigation, notice, notice of violation, claim, action, suit, proceeding, demand, abatement order or other order or directive (conditional or otherwise), by any Governmental Authority or any other Person, arising (i) pursuant to or in connection with any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law; (ii) in connection with any Hazardous Material or any actual or alleged Hazardous Materials Activity; or (iii) in connection with any actual or alleged damage, injury, threat or harm to health, safety, natural resources or the environment.

 

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“Environmental Laws” means any and all current or future foreign or domestic, federal or state (or any subdivision of either of them), statutes, ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, judgments, Governmental Authorizations, or any other requirements of Governmental Authorities relating to (i) environmental matters, including those relating to any Hazardous Materials Activity; (ii) the generation, use, storage, transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials; or (iii) occupational safety and health, industrial hygiene, land use or the protection of human, plant or animal health or welfare, in any manner applicable to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any Facility.

 

“Equity Investors” means, collectively, Jeffrey Cosman and his estate (including any trust established for estate planning purposes), heirs, spouse or former spouses.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, (i) any corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member; (ii) 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 Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member; and (iii) any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m) or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person, any corporation described in clause (i) above or any trade or business described in clause (ii) above is a member. Any former ERISA Affiliate of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of Holdings or any such Subsidiary within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of Holdings or such Subsidiary and with respect to liabilities arising after such period for which Holdings or such Subsidiary could be liable under the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA.

 

“ERISA Event” means (i) a “reportable event” within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any Pension Plan (excluding those for which the provision for thirty day notice to the PBGC has been waived by regulation); (ii) the failure to meet the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(c) of the Internal Revenue Code) or the failure to make by its due date a required installment under Section 430(j) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (iii) the provision by the administrator of any Pension Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate such plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the withdrawal by Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability to Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates pursuant to Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (v) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition which might constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (vi) the imposition of liability on Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (vii) the withdrawal of Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in a complete or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan if there is any potential liability therefor, or the receipt by Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it is in reorganization or insolvency pursuant to Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or that it intends to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA; (viii) the occurrence of an act or omission which could give rise to the imposition on Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of fines, penalties, taxes or related charges under Chapter 43 of the Internal Revenue Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i) or (l), or Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan; (ix) the assertion of a material claim (other than routine claims for benefits) against any Employee Benefit Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan or the assets thereof, or against Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan; (x) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice of the failure of any Pension Plan (or any other Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the failure of any trust forming part of any Pension Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; or (xi) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or pursuant to Section 303(k) of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan.

 

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“Event of Default” means each of the conditions or events set forth in Section 8.1.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

Excluded Swap Obligation ” means, with respect to any Company, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty by such Company of, or the grant by such Company of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Company’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the Guaranty of such Company or the grant of such security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation at the time the Guaranty of such Company 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 guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

Existing Loans ” as defined in Section 2.1(a).

 

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“Facility” means any real property (including all buildings, fixtures or other improvements located thereon) now, hereafter or heretofore owned, leased, operated or used by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective predecessors or Affiliates.

 

“Fair Share Contribution Amount” as defined in Section 7.2.

 

“Fair Share” as defined in Section 7.2.

 

“FATCA” means (a) Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue 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 to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, (b) any treaty, law, regulation or other official guidance enacted in any jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and any other jurisdiction, with the purpose (in either case) of facilitating the implementation of clause (a) above, or (c) any agreement pursuant to the implementation of clauses (a) or (b) above with the United States Internal Revenue Service, the United States government or any governmental or taxation authority.

 

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means for any day, the rate per annum (expressed, as a decimal, rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided , (i) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (ii) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day shall be the average rate charged to GSSLH or any other Lender selected by Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as determined by Administrative Agent.

 

Fee Letter ” means the amended and restated letter agreement, dated the Restatement Date, between Companies and Administrative Agent.

 

“Financial Officer Certification” means, with respect to the financial statements for which such certification is required, the certification of the chief financial officer of Holdings that such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments.

 

“Financial Plan” as defined in Section 5.1(i).

 

“First Priority” means, with respect to any Lien purported to be created in any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document, that such Lien is the only Lien to which such Collateral is subject, other than any Permitted Lien.

 

“First Restatement Date” means February 15, 2017.

 

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“Fiscal Quarter” means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

 

“Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of Holdings and its Subsidiaries ending on December 31 of each calendar year.

 

“Flood Hazard Property” means any Real Estate Asset subject to a mortgage in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and located in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or mud slide hazards.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

“Funding Default” as defined in Section 2.21.

 

“Funding Credit Parties” as defined in Section 7.2.

 

“Funding Notice” means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

 

“GAAP” means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof set forth in Section 1.2, United States generally accepted accounting principles in effect as of the date of determination thereof.

 

“Governmental Authority” means any federal, state, municipal, national or other government, governmental department, commission, board, bureau, court, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or any entity or officer exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to any government or any court, in each case whether associated with a state of the United States, the United States, or a foreign entity or government.

 

“Governmental Authorization” means any permit, license, authorization, plan, directive, consent order or consent decree of or from any Governmental Authority.

 

“Grantor” as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

“GSSLG” as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

“GSSLH” means Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

“Guaranteed Obligations” as defined in Section 7.1.

 

“Guarantor” means each of Holdings and any other Person that joins this Agreement as a “guarantor”.

 

“Guaranty” means the guaranty of the Guarantors, and the cross-guaranty of the Companies, set forth in Section 7.

 

“Hazardous Materials” means any chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any Governmental Authority or which may or could pose a hazard to the health and safety of the owners, occupants or any Persons in the vicinity of any Facility or to the indoor or outdoor environment.

 

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“Hazardous Materials Activity” means any past, current, proposed or threatened activity, event or occurrence involving any Hazardous Materials, including the use, manufacture, possession, storage, holding, presence, existence, location, Release, threatened Release, discharge, placement, generation, transportation, processing, construction, treatment, abatement, removal, remediation, disposal, disposition or handling of any Hazardous Materials, and any corrective action or response action with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

“Highest Lawful Rate” means the maximum lawful interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, charged, or received under the laws applicable to any Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws now allow.

 

“Holdings” as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

“Increased Amount Date” as defined in Section 2.23.

 

“Increased-Cost Lenders” as defined in Section 2.22.

 

“Indebtedness,” as applied to any Person, means, without duplication, (i) all indebtedness for borrowed money; (ii) that portion of obligations with respect to Capital Leases that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in conformity with GAAP; (iii) notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money; (iv) any obligation owed for all or any part of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding any such obligations incurred under ERISA); (v) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held by that Person regardless of whether the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is nonrecourse to the credit of that Person; (vi) the face amount of any letter of credit issued for the account of that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings; (vii) the direct or indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with recourse by such Person of the obligation of another; (viii) any obligation of such Person the primary purpose or intent of which is to provide assurance to an obligee that the obligation of the obligor thereof will be paid or discharged, or any agreement relating thereto will be complied with, or the holders thereof will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof; (ix) any liability of such Person for an obligation of another through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions or otherwise) or (b) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of another if, in the case of any agreement described under subclauses (a) or (b) of this clause (ix), the primary purpose or intent thereof is as described in clause (viii) above; (x) all obligations of such Person in respect of any exchange traded or over the counter derivative transaction, including, without limitation, any Interest Rate Agreement, whether entered into for hedging or speculative purposes and (xi) all Disqualified Stock issued by such Person, with the amount of Indebtedness represented by such Disqualified Stock being equal to the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference and its maximum fixed repurchase price (for purposes hereof, the “maximum fixed repurchase price” of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were purchased on any date on which Indebtedness shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Agreement, and if such price is based upon, or measured by, the fair market value of such Disqualified Stock).

 

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“Indemnified Liabilities” means, collectively, any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource damages), penalties, claims (including Environmental Claims), costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other response action necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or abate any Hazardous Materials Activity), expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), whether direct, indirect or consequential and whether based on any federal, state or foreign laws, statutes, rules or regulations (including securities and commercial laws, statutes, rules or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or arising out of (i) this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including the Lenders’ agreement to make Credit Extensions or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Credit Documents (including any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty)); (ii) the statements contained in any commitment letter delivered by any Lender to any Company or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated by the Prior Credit Agreement and this Agreement; or (iii) any Environmental Claim or any Hazardous Materials Activity relating to or arising from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land ownership, or practice of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

“Indemnitee” as defined in Section 10.3.

 

“Indemnitee Agent Party” as defined in Section 9.6.

 

“Installment” as defined in Section 2.11(a).

 

“Installment Date” as defined in Section 2.11(a).

 

“Interest Payment Date” means with respect to (i) any Base Rate Loan, (a) the last day of each month, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Restatement Date, and (b) the final maturity date of such Loan; and (ii) any LIBOR Rate Loan, (a) the last day of each month commencing on the first such date to occur after the Restatement Date, and (b) the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan.

 

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“Interest Period” means, in connection with a LIBOR Rate Loan, an interest period of one-, two-, three- or six-months, as selected by the Company Representative in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, (i) initially, commencing on the Credit Date or Conversion/Continuation Date thereof, as the case may be; and (ii) thereafter, commencing on the day on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires; provided , (a) if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day unless no further Business Day occurs in such month, in which case such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day; (b) 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, subject to clause (c), of this definition, end on the last Business Day of a calendar month; (c) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of any Class of Term Loans shall extend beyond such Class’s Term Loan Maturity Date.

 

“Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedging agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement, each of which is (i) for the purpose of hedging the interest rate exposure associated with Holdings’ and its Subsidiaries’ operations, (ii) approved by Administrative Agent, and (iii) not for speculative purposes.

 

“Interest Rate Determination Date” means, with respect to any Interest Period, the date that is two Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

 

“Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended to the date hereof and from time to time hereafter, and any successor statute.

 

“Investment” means (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any of the Securities of any other Person (other than a Company); (ii) any direct or indirect redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition for value, by any Subsidiary of Holdings from any Person (other than Holdings or any Company), of any Capital Stock of such Person; and (iii) any direct or indirect loan, advance (other than advances to employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business) or capital contributions by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to any other Person (other than Holdings or any Company), 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. The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

 

“Joint Venture” means a joint venture, partnership or other similar arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership or other legal form; provided , in no event shall any corporate Subsidiary of any Person be considered to be a Joint Venture to which such Person is a party.

 

“Key Man Life Insurance Policy” as defined in Section 5.5(b).

 

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“Landlord Consent and Estoppel” means, with respect to any Leasehold Property, an agreement in writing from the lessor under the related lease, pursuant to which, among other things, the landlord consents to the granting of a Mortgage on such Leasehold Property by the Credit Party tenant, such Landlord Consent and Estoppel to be in form and substance acceptable to Collateral Agent in its reasonable discretion, but in any event sufficient for Collateral Agent to obtain a Title Policy with respect to such Mortgage.

 

“Landlord Collateral Access Agreement” means a landlord agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit K with such amendments or modifications as may be approved by Collateral Agent.

 

“Lead Arranger” as defined in the preamble hereto.

 

“Leasehold Property” means any leasehold interest of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries as lessee under any lease of real property, other than any such leasehold interest designated from time to time by Collateral Agent in its sole discretion as not being required to be included in the Collateral.

 

“Lender” means each financial institution listed on the signature pages hereto as a Lender, and any other Person that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment Agreement.

 

“Lender Counterparty” means each Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender counterparty to an Interest Rate Agreement (including any Person who is a Lender (and any Affiliate thereof) at the time such Interest Rate Agreement was entered into but subsequently, ceases to be a Lender) including, each such Affiliate that enters into a joinder agreement with Collateral Agent.

 

“LIBOR Rate Loan” means a Loan bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.

 

“Lien” means (i) any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, security interest, charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, and any lease in the nature thereof) and any option, trust or other preferential arrangement having the practical effect of any of the foregoing, and (ii) in the case of Securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such Securities.

 

“Loan” means a Term Loan.

 

“Margin Stock” as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as in effect from time to time.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on and/or material adverse developments with respect to (i) the business operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Holdings and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (ii) the ability of any Credit Party to fully and timely perform its Obligations; (iii) the legality, validity, binding effect, or enforceability against a Credit Party of a Credit Document to which it is a party; or (iv) the rights, remedies and benefits available to, or conferred upon, any Agent and any Lender or any Secured Party under any Credit Document; provided, that “Material Adverse Effect” shall not include any of the following: (w) the Restatement Date Disposition, (x) the Specified Events of Default, (y) any events, effect or developments relating solely to the assets and Persons disposed of in the Restatement Date Disposition or (z) any other events, effects or developments occurring prior to the Restatement Date and arising out of the events described in the foregoing clauses (x), (y) and (z) to the extent that the Credit Parties have provided written notice to the Administrative Agent of such events, effects or developments prior to the Restatement Date.

 

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“Material Contract” means any contract or other arrangement to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (other than the Credit Documents) for which breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect together with and those contracts and arrangements listed on Schedule 4.16, in each case, as amended prior to the Restatement Date and as amended in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“Material Real Estate Asset” means (i) (a) any fee-owned Real Estate Asset having a fair market value in excess of $500,000 as of the date of the acquisition thereof, and (b) any Leasehold Property for which the aggregate payments under the term of the lease are at least $500,000 per annum, (ii) any Real Estate Asset that the Requisite Lenders have determined is material to the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Holdings or any Subsidiary thereof, including Company and (iii) the Real Estate Assets listed on Schedule 1.1(b).

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investor Services, Inc.

 

“Mortgage” means a Mortgage substantially in the form of Exhibit J, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Mortgaged Property” as defined in the definition of “Real Estate Mortgage Requirements” .

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan which is a “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

 

“NAIC” means The National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and any successor thereto.

 

“Net Asset Sale Proceeds” means, with respect to any Asset Sale, an amount equal to: (i) Cash payments received by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries from such Asset Sale, minus (ii) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with such Asset Sale to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates, including (a) income or gains taxes payable by the seller as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale during the tax period the sale occurs, (b) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that is secured by a Permitted Lien (provided that such Lien is not subordinated to the Collateral Agent’s Lien) on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale, and (c) a reasonable reserve for any indemnification payments (fixed or contingent) attributable to seller’s indemnities and representations and warranties to purchaser in respect of such Asset Sale undertaken by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Sale; provided that upon release of any such reserve, the amount released shall be considered Net Asset Sale Proceeds.

 

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“Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds” means an amount equal to: (i) any Cash payments or proceeds received by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (a) under any casualty, business interruption or “key man” insurance policies in respect of any covered loss thereunder, or (b) as a result of the taking of any assets of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain, condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, minus (ii) (a) any actual and reasonable costs incurred by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the adjustment or settlement of any claims of Holdings or such Subsidiary in respect thereof, and (b) any bona fide direct costs incurred in connection with any sale of such assets as referred to in clause (i)(b) of this definition to the extent paid or payable to non-Affiliates, including income taxes payable as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith.

 

“Non-Management Shareholder” means each shareholder of Holdings listed on Schedule 1.1(a).

 

“Non-US Lender” as defined in Section 2.19(c).

 

“Note” means a Term Loan Note.

 

“Notice” means a Funding Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice.

 

“Obligations” means all obligations of every nature of each Credit Party from time to time owed to the Agents (including former Agents), the Lenders, Goldman Sachs & Co. or any of them and Lender Counterparties, under any Credit Document or Interest Rate Agreement (including, without limitation, with respect to an Interest Rate Agreement, obligations owed thereunder to any person who was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at the time such Interest Rate Agreement was entered into), whether for principal, interest (including interest which, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to such Credit Party, would have accrued on any Obligation, whether or not a claim is allowed against such Credit Party for such interest in the related bankruptcy proceeding), payments for early termination of Interest Rate Agreements, fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise; provided, however, that the definition of “Obligations” shall not create any guarantee by any Credit Party of (or grant of security interest by any Credit Party to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Credit Party for purposes of determining any obligations of any Credit Party.

 

“Obligee Credit Party” as defined in Section 7.7.

 

“Organizational Documents” means (i) with respect to any corporation, its certificate or articles of incorporation or organization, as amended, and its by-laws, as amended, (ii) with respect to any limited partnership, its certificate of limited partnership, as amended, and its partnership agreement, as amended, (iii) with respect to any general partnership, its partnership agreement, as amended, and (iv) with respect to any limited liability company, its articles of organization, as amended, and its operating agreement, as amended. In the event any term or condition of this Agreement or any other Credit Document requires any Organizational Document to be certified by a secretary of state or similar governmental official, the reference to any such “Organizational Document” shall only be to a document of a type customarily certified by such governmental official.

 

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“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor thereto.

 

“Pension Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section 302 of ERISA.

 

“Permitted Acquisition” means any acquisition by any Company, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of, all of the Capital Stock of, or a business line or unit or a division of, any Person; provided ,

 

(i) immediately prior to, and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom;

 

(ii) all transactions in connection therewith shall be consummated, in all material respects, in accordance with all applicable laws and in conformity with all applicable Governmental Authorizations;

 

(iii) in the case of the acquisition of Capital Stock, all of the Capital Stock (except for any such Securities in the nature of directors’ qualifying shares required pursuant to applicable law) acquired or otherwise issued by such Person in connection with such acquisition shall be owned 100% by a Company, and the Companies shall have taken, or caused to be taken, as of the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary of any Company, each of the actions set forth in Sections 5.10 and/or 5.11, as applicable;

 

(iv) Holdings and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.8 on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such acquisition as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended, (as determined in accordance with Section 6.8(g));

 

(v) Company Representative shall have delivered to Administrative Agent at least 30 Business Days prior to such proposed acquisition, a Compliance Certificate evidencing compliance with Section 6.8 as required under clause (iv) above, together with all relevant financial information with respect to such acquired assets (including recent financial statements for the target or assets to be acquired through the period that ends not more than 90 days prior to the Restatement Date (or such earlier date as the Administrative Agent shall agree), including, without limitation, the aggregate consideration for such acquisition and any other information required to demonstrate compliance with Section 6.8;

 

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(vi) any Person or assets or division as acquired in accordance herewith (y) shall be in the same line or lines of business as the businesses in which the Credit Parties are engaged on the Restatement Date and (z) for the four quarter period most recently ended prior to the date of such acquisition, shall have generated positive earnings before income taxes, depreciation, and amortization during such period (calculated in substantially the same manner as Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is calculated); and

 

(vii) the acquisition shall have been approved by the board of directors or other governing body or controlling Person of the Person acquired or the Person from whom such assets or division is acquired.

 

“Permitted Liens” means each of the Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.2.

 

“Person” means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint Ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other organizations, whether or not legal entities, and Governmental Authorities.

 

“Pledge and Security Agreement” means the Pledge and Security Agreement to be executed by each Company and Holdings substantially in the form of Exhibit I, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Prime Rate” means the rate of interest quoted in The Wall Street Journal , Money Rates Section as the Prime Rate (currently defined as the base rate on corporate loans posted by at least 70% of the nation’s ten (10) largest banks), as in effect from time to time. The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer. Agent or any other Lender may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the Prime Rate.

 

“Principal Office” means, for Administrative Agent, such Person’s “Principal Office” as set forth on Appendix B, or such other office as such Person may from time to time designate in writing to the Company Representative, Administrative Agent and each Lender; provided, however, that for the purpose of making any payment on the Obligations or any other amount due hereunder or any other Credit Document, the Principal Office of Administrative Agent shall be 200 West Street, New York, New York, 10282 (or such other location within the City and State of New York as Administrative Agent may from time to time designate in writing to the Company Representative and each Lender).

 

Prior Credit Agreement ” as defined in the recitals hereto.

 

“Projections” as defined in Section 4.8.

 

“Pro Rata Share” means with respect to all payments, computations and other matters relating to the Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (a) the Term Loan Exposure of that Lender, by (b) the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

 

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“Qualified Capital Stock” means any Capital Stock other than Disqualified Stock.

 

“Qualified ECP Credit Party” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Credit Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant guaranty or grant of the relevant security interest becomes or would become effective with respect to such Swap Obligation or such other person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and can cause another person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time by entering into a keepwell under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

“Real Estate Asset” means, at any time of determination, any interest (fee, leasehold or otherwise) then owned by any Credit Party or Subsidiary thereof in any real property.

 

Real Estate Mortgage Requirements ” means, with respect to Real Estate Assets, the following:

 

(i) fully executed and notarized Mortgages, in proper form for recording in all appropriate places in all applicable jurisdictions, encumbering each Real Estate Asset listed in Schedule 3.1(i) (each, a “Mortgaged Property” );

 

(ii) in the case of each Leasehold Property that is a Mortgaged Property, (a) a Landlord Consent and Estoppel and (b) evidence that such Leasehold Property is a Recorded Leasehold Interest;

 

(iii) (a) with respect to all fee-simple Real Estate Assets, ALTA mortgagee title insurance policies or unconditional commitments therefor issued by one or more title companies reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent with respect to each Mortgaged Property (each, a “Title Policy” ), in amounts not less than the reasonably estimated fair market value of each Mortgaged Property, together with a title report issued by a title company with respect thereto, dated not more than thirty days prior to the date of issuance of such Title Policy, (b) with respect to each Leasehold Property that is a Mortgaged Property, a title report reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent issued by a title company with respect thereto, dated not more than thirty days prior to the date of issuance of such Title Policy and issued by a title company reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent, (c) copies of all recorded documents listed as exceptions to title or otherwise referred to therein, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent and (d) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent that such Credit Party has paid to the title company or to the appropriate Governmental Authorities all expenses and premiums of the title company and all other sums required in connection with the issuance of each Title Policy and all recording and stamp taxes (including mortgage recording and intangible taxes) payable in connection with recording the Mortgages for each Mortgaged Property in the appropriate real estate records;

 

(iv) evidence of flood insurance with respect to each Flood Hazard Property that is located in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, in each case in compliance with any applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent; and

 

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(v) ALTA surveys of all Mortgaged Properties, certified to Collateral Agent and dated not more than thirty days prior to the date of the issuance of the Title Policy.

 

“Record Document” means, with respect to any Leasehold Property, (i) the lease evidencing such Leasehold Property or a memorandum thereof, executed and acknowledged by the owner of the affected real property, as lessor, or (ii) if such Leasehold Property was acquired or subleased from the holder of a Recorded Leasehold Interest, the applicable assignment or sublease document, executed and acknowledged by such holder, in each case in form sufficient to give such constructive notice upon recordation and otherwise in form reasonably satisfactory to Collateral Agent.

 

“Recorded Leasehold Interest” means a Leasehold Property with respect to which a Record Document has been recorded in all places necessary or desirable, in Administrative Agent’s reasonable discretion, to give constructive notice of such Leasehold Property to third-party purchasers and encumbrances of the affected real property.

 

“Register” as defined in Section 2.6(b).

 

“Regulation D” means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

 

“Related Fund” means, with respect to any Lender that is an investment fund, any other investment fund that invests in commercial loans and that is managed or advised by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

 

“Release” means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of any Hazardous Material into the indoor or outdoor environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Material), including the movement of any Hazardous Material through the air, soil, surface water or groundwater.

 

“Replacement Lender” as defined in Section 2.22.

 

“Required Prepayment Date” as defined in Section 2.14(c).

 

“Requisite Class Lenders” means, at any time of determination, but subject to the provisions of Section 2.21, (i) for the Class of Lenders having Term Loan Exposure, Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

 

“Requisite Lenders” means one or more Lenders having or holding Term Loan Exposure and representing more than 50% of the sum of the aggregate Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

 

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Restatement Date ” means April 20, 2018.

 

Restatement Date Certificate ” means a Restatement Date Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1.

 

Restatement Date Disposition ” means the disposition of certain assets and Persons contemplated by that certain Equity Securities Purchase Agreement dated February 20, 2018, by and among Holdings, Meridian Waste Operations, Inc., Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC and Jeffrey S. Cosman

 

“Restricted Junior Payment” means (i) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in shares of that class of Capital Stock to the holders of that class; (ii) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of Capital Stock of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding; (iii) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any class of Capital Stock of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding; (iv) management or similar fees payable to any Equity Investor or any of its Affiliates; (v) payment of any earn-out payment or other deferred portion of the purchase price for any Permitted Acquisitions (other than payments made solely in Qualified Capital Stock of Holdings) and (vi) any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or legal defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, the Subordinated Debt or any other Indebtedness that is subordinated to the Obligations, or secured by Liens subordinated to the Obligations.

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw Hill Corporation.

 

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, territory or region that is, or whose government is, the subject or target of any Sanctions, including, as of the Closing Date, the Crimea region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria.

 

“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, any Person with whom dealings are restricted or prohibited under Sanctions, including (i) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the U.S. (including by OFAC, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, or the U.S. Department of State), or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any EU member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or any other relevant sanctions authority, (ii) any Person located, operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (iii) any Person owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any such Person described in clause (i) or (ii) of this definition.

 

“Sanctions” means sanctions or trade embargoes enacted, imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (i) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC, U.S. Department of State, or U.S. Department of Commerce, (ii) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or any of its member states, Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, or (iii) any other relevant sanctions authority.

 

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“Secured Parties” has the meaning assigned to that term in the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

“Securities” means 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.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

“Solvency Certificate” means a Solvency Certificate of the chief financial officer of Holdings substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2.

 

“Solvent” means, with respect to any Credit Party, that as of the date of determination, both (i) (a) the sum of such Credit Party’s debt (including contingent liabilities) does not exceed the present fair saleable value of such Credit Party’s present assets; (b) such Credit Party’s capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business as contemplated on the Restatement Date and reflected in the Projections or with respect to any transaction contemplated or undertaken after the Restatement Date; and (c) such Person has not incurred and does not intend to incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe) that it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due (whether at maturity or otherwise); and (ii) such Person is “solvent” within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).

 

“Specified Events of Default” as defined in Section 10.22.

 

“Subject Transaction” as defined in Section 6.8(i).

 

“Subordinated Debt” means (i) that certain Promissory Note dated May 15, 2014, issued by Here To Serve Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation, as assumed by Holdings, in the principal amount of $491,666.67, payable to the order of Charles E. Barcom, Jr., as amended per instrument dated December 18, 2015, (ii) that certain Promissory Note dated May 15, 2014, issued by Here To Serve Holding Corp, a Delaware corporation, as assumed by Holdings, in the principal amount of $491,666.67, payable to the order of Edward Kniep, IV as amended per instrument dated December 18, 2015, and (iii) Promissory Note dated May 15, 2014, issued by Here To Serve Holding Corp, a Delaware corporation, as assumed by Holdings, in the principal amount of $491,666.67, payable to the order of Joseph D. Reich as amended per instrument dated December 18, 2015.

 

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“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions) having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof; provided , in determining the percentage of ownership interests of any Person controlled by another Person, no ownership interest in the nature of a “qualifying share” of the former Person shall be deemed to be outstanding.

 

“Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Credit Party, 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.

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, assessment, charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature and whatever called, by whomsoever, on whomsoever and wherever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed; provided , “Tax on the overall net income” of a Person shall be construed as a reference to a tax imposed by the jurisdiction in which that Person is organized or in which that Person’s applicable principal office (and/or, in the case of a Lender, its lending office) is located or in which that Person (and/or, in the case of a Lender, its lending office) is deemed to be doing business on all or part of the net income, profits or gains (whether worldwide, or only insofar as such income, profits or gains are considered to arise in or to relate to a particular jurisdiction, or otherwise) of that Person (and/or, in the case of a Lender, its applicable lending office).

 

“Term Loan” means the Existing Loans as restructured pursuant to Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

 

“Term Loan Commitment” means the commitment of a Lender to make or otherwise fund a Term Loan and “Term Loan Commitments” means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate, which commitments terminated on the First Restatement Date.

 

“Term Loan Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender, as of any date of determination, the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loans of such Lender.

 

“Term Loan Maturity Date” means the earlier of (i) December 22, 2020, and (ii) the date that all Term Loans shall become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration or otherwise.

 

“Term Loan Note” means a promissory note in the form of Exhibit B-1, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Terminated Lender” as defined in Section 2.22.

 

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“Third Amendment” means that certain Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the Third Amendment Effective Date, by and among the Administrative Agent, Holdings and the Companies.

 

Third Amendment Effective Date ” means January 5, 2018.

 

“Title Policy” as defined in the definition of “Real Estate Mortgage Requirements”.

 

“Transaction Costs” means the fees, costs and expenses payable by Holdings or any Company on or before the Restatement Date in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents , to the extent approved in writing by Administrative Agent.

 

“Type of Loan” means with respect to Term Loans, a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan.

 

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

1.2. Accounting Terms. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in conformity with GAAP. Financial statements and other information required to be delivered by Holdings to Lenders pursuant to Section 5.1(a), 5.1(b) and 5.1(c) shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the time of such preparation (and delivered together with the reconciliation statements provided for in Section 5.1(e), if applicable). Subject to the foregoing, calculations in connection with the definitions, covenants and other provisions hereof shall utilize accounting principles and policies in conformity with those used to prepare the financial statements for the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2016. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Credit Parties shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded. For purposes of determining pro forma compliance with any financial covenant as of any date prior to the first date on which such financial covenant is to be tested hereunder, the level of any such financial covenant shall be deemed to be the covenant level for such first test date.

 

1.3. Interpretation, etc. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference. References herein to any Section, Appendix, Schedule or Exhibit shall be to a Section, an Appendix, a Schedule or an Exhibit, as the case may be, hereof unless otherwise specifically provided. The use herein of the word “include” or “including,” when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not non limiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. References to agreements and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include subsequent amendments, assignments and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent such amendments, assignments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement or any other Credit Document. References to Persons include their respective permitted successors and assigns. References to statutes and related regulations shall include any amendments of the same and any successor statutes and regulations.

 

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SECTION 2. LOANS

 

2.1. Term Loans .

 

The Companies, Agents and Lenders acknowledge and agree that (A) as of the Restatement Date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the loans outstanding under the Prior Credit Agreement before giving effect to the amendment and restatement contemplated by this Agreement is equal to $82,938,249.24 (the “ Existing Loans ”), (B) on the Restatement Date, the Existing Loans are being prepaid in an aggregate amount equal to $75,810,000 (consisting of a cash prepayment in an amount equal to $70,810,000 and the issuance of $5,000,000 of Series A Preferred Units in Meridian Waste Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company), (C) interest accrued but unpaid for the Interest Periods ending on February 28, 2018 and March 31, 2018 in an aggregate amount equal to $1,030,084.55 shall be paid in kind by adding the amount of such accrued interest to the outstanding principal amount of the Loans and (D) the remaining outstanding balance of such Existing Loans and such accrued interest paid in kind shall be restructured as Term Loans hereunder with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $8,158,333.79 and shall continue to be outstanding hereunder.

 

2.2. Reserved .

 

2.3. Reserved .

 

2.4. Reserved .

 

2.5. Use of Proceeds . No portion of the proceeds of any Credit Extension shall be used in any manner that causes or might cause such Credit Extension or the application of such proceeds to violate Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation thereof or to violate the Exchange Act. The Credit Parties will not, directly or indirectly, use the proceeds of the Loans, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, (i) to fund any activities or business of or with any Person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is, or whose government is, the subject of Sanctions, (ii) in any other manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions by any Person (including any Person participating in the Loans, whether as underwriter, advisor, investor, or otherwise) or (iii) 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 Sanctions or Anti-Corruption Laws.

 

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2.6. Evidence of Debt; Register; Lenders’ Books and Records; Notes .

 

(a) Lenders’ Evidence of Debt . Each Lender shall maintain on its internal records an account or accounts evidencing the Obligations of the Companies to such Lender, including the amounts of the Loans made by it and each repayment and prepayment in respect thereof. Any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on the Companies, absent manifest error; provided , that the failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect the Companies’ Obligations in respect of any applicable Loans; and provided further , in the event of any inconsistency between the Register and any Lender’s records, the recordations in the Register shall govern.

 

(b) Register . Administrative Agent shall maintain at its Principal Office a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders and Loans of each Lender from time to time (the “Register” ). The Register shall be available for inspection by any Company or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. Administrative Agent shall record in the Register the Loans, and each repayment or prepayment in respect of the principal amount of the Loans, and any such recordation shall be conclusive and binding on each Company and each Lender, absent manifest error; provided , failure to make any such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect any Company’s Obligations in respect of any Loan. Each Company hereby designates the entity serving as Administrative Agent to serve as such Company’s agent solely for purposes of maintaining the Register as provided in this Section 2.6, and each Company hereby agrees that, to the extent such entity serves in such capacity, the entity serving as Administrative Agent and its officers, directors, employees, agents and affiliates shall constitute “Indemnitees.”

 

(c) Notes . If so requested by any Lender by written notice to the Company Representative (with a copy to Administrative Agent) at least two Business Days prior to the Restatement Date, or at any time thereafter, the Companies shall execute and deliver to such Lender (and/or, if applicable and if so specified in such notice, to any Person who is an assignee of such Lender pursuant to Section 10.6) on the Restatement Date (or, if such notice is delivered after the Restatement Date, promptly after Company Representative’s receipt of such notice) a Note or Notes to evidence such Lender’s Term Loan.

 

2.7. Interest on Loans .

 

(a) Except as otherwise set forth herein, each Class of Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from the date made through repayment (whether by acceleration or otherwise) as follows:

 

(i) if a Base Rate Loan, at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin; and

 

(ii) if a LIBOR Rate Loan, at the Adjusted LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

 

(b) The basis for determining the rate of interest with respect to any Loan, and the Interest Period with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loan, shall be selected by the Company Representative and notified to Administrative Agent and Lenders pursuant to the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, as the case may be. If on any day a Loan is outstanding with respect to which a Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice has not been delivered to Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms hereof specifying the applicable basis for determining the rate of interest, then for that day such Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan.

 

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(c) In connection with LIBOR Rate Loans there shall be no more than five (5) Interest Periods outstanding at any time. In the event the Company Representative fails to specify between a Base Rate Loan or a LIBOR Rate Loan in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, such Loan (if outstanding as a LIBOR Rate Loan) will be automatically converted into a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the then-current Interest Period for such Loan (or if outstanding as a Base Rate Loan will remain as, or (if not then outstanding) will be made as, a Base Rate Loan). In the event the Company Representative fails to specify an Interest Period for any LIBOR Rate Loan in the applicable Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice, the Company Representative shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month. As soon as practicable after 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each Interest Rate Determination Date, Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that shall apply to the LIBOR Rate Loans for which an interest rate is then being determined for the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give notice thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Company Representative and each Lender.

 

(d) Interest payable pursuant to Section 2.7(a) shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year, in each case for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues. In computing interest on any Loan, the date of the making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted from a LIBOR Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such LIBOR Rate Loan to such Base Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be included, and the date of payment of such Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such Base Rate Loan to such LIBOR Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be excluded; provided , if a Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day’s interest shall be paid on that Loan.

 

(e) Except as otherwise set forth herein, interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on and to (i) each Interest Payment Date applicable to that Loan; (ii) upon any prepayment of that Loan, whether voluntary or mandatory, to the extent accrued on the amount being prepaid; and (iii) at maturity, including final maturity.

 

(f) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, accrued interest on the Term Loans will be payable in cash.

 

2.8. Conversion/Continuation .

 

(a) Subject to Section 2.17 and so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and then be continuing, the Companies shall have the option:

 

(i) to convert at any time all or any part of any Term Loan equal to $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount from one Type of Loan to another Type of Loan; provided , a LIBOR Rate Loan may only be converted on the expiration of the Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan unless the Companies shall pay all amounts due under Section 2.17 in connection with any such conversion; or

 

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(ii) upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to any LIBOR Rate Loan, to continue all or any portion of such Loan equal to $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount as a LIBOR Rate Loan.

 

(b) The Company Representative shall deliver a Conversion/Continuation Notice to Administrative Agent no later than 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) at least one Business Day in advance of the proposed conversion date (in the case of a conversion to a Base Rate Loan) and at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed Conversion/Continuation Date (in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a LIBOR Rate Loan). Except as otherwise provided herein, a Conversion/Continuation Notice for conversion to, or continuation of, any LIBOR Rate Loans (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and the Companies shall be bound to effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

 

2.9. Default Interest. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the principal amount of all Loans outstanding and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any interest payments on the Loans or any fees or other amounts owed hereunder, shall thereafter bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable bankruptcy laws) payable on demand at a rate that is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder with respect to the applicable Loans (or, in the case of any such fees and other amounts, at a rate which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans); provided , any LIBOR Rate Loans may be converted to Base Rate Loans at the election of the Administrative Agent at any time after the occurrence of such Event of Default (irrespective of whether the Interest Period in effect at the time of such conversion has expired) and thereupon shall become Base Rate Loans and shall thereafter bear interest payable upon demand at a rate which is 2.00% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans. Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in this Section 2.9 is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

2.10. Fees .

 

Each Company agrees to pay to Agents such other fees in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon, including without limitation, the fees set forth in the Fee Letter;

 

2.11. Scheduled Payments .

 

(a) Scheduled Installments . The principal amounts of the Term Loans shall be repaid in consecutive quarterly installments of $350,000 (each, an “ Installment ”) on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter (each, an “ Installment Date ”), commencing on June 30, 2018. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) such Installments shall be reduced in connection with any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans, in accordance with Sections 2.12 and 2.13, as applicable; and (y) the Term Loans, together with all other amounts owed hereunder with respect thereto, shall be paid in full no later than the Term Loan Maturity Date.

 

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2.12. Voluntary Prepayments/Commitment Reductions .

 

(a) Voluntary Prepayments .

 

(i) Any time and from time to time:

 

(1) with respect to Base Rate Loans, the Companies may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part, in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount; and

 

(2) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans, the Companies may prepay any such Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part (together with any amounts due pursuant to Section 2.17(c)) in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount.

 

(ii) All such prepayments shall be made:

 

(1) upon not less than one Business Day’s prior written or telephonic notice in the case of Base Rate Loans; and

 

(2) upon not less than three Business Days’ prior written or telephonic notice in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans,

 

in each case given by the Company Representative to Administrative Agent by 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date required and, if given by telephone, promptly confirmed in writing to Administrative Agent (and Administrative Agent will promptly transmit such telephonic or original notice for Term Loans by telefacsimile or telephone to each Lender). Upon the giving of any such notice, the principal amount of the Loans specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the prepayment date specified therein. Any such voluntary prepayment shall be applied as specified in Section 2.14(b) with respect to Term Loans.

 

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(b) Voluntary Commitment Reductions .

 

(i) The Companies may, upon not less than three Business Days’ prior written or telephonic notice from the Company Representative confirmed in writing to Administrative Agent (which original written or telephonic notice Administrative Agent will promptly transmit by telefacsimile or telephone to each applicable Lender), at any time and from time to time terminate in whole or permanently reduce in part any unused portion of the Term Loan Commitments; provided , any such partial reduction of the Term Loan Commitments shall be in an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount.

 

(ii) The Company Representative’s notice to Administrative Agent shall designate the date (which shall be a Business Day) of such termination or reduction and the amount of any partial reduction.

 

2.13. Mandatory Prepayments/Commitment Reductions .

 

(a) Asset Sales . No later than the first Business Day following the date of receipt by any Credit Party of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate since the Restatement Date (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any proceeds of the Restatement Date Disposition), the Companies shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Asset Sale Proceeds; provided , so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, upon delivery of a written notice to Administrative Agent, the Companies shall have the option, directly or through one or more Subsidiaries, to invest Net Asset Sale Proceeds (the “ Asset Sale Reinvestment Amounts ”) in (1) long-term productive assets of the general type used in the business of the Companies if such assets are purchased or constructed within one hundred eighty (180) days following receipt of such Net Asset Sale Proceeds (and so long as any such individual or aggregate investment in the amount of $250,000 or more has been consented to by Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders) or (2) Permitted Acquisitions if (x) a definitive purchase agreement with respect to such Permitted Acquisition is executed within one hundred twenty (120) days following receipt of such Net Asset Proceeds and (y) the transaction contemplated by such purchase agreement is consummated within one hundred eighty (180) days of receipt thereof; provided further , pending any such reinvestment all Asset Sale Reinvestment Amounts shall be held at all times prior to such reinvestment, in a Controlled Account in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent. In the event that the Asset Sale Reinvestment Amounts are not reinvested by the Companies prior to the earliest of (i) the last day of such one hundred twenty (120) day period (if a definitive purchase agreement with respect to a Permitted Acquisition has not been executed in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement), (ii) the last day of such one hundred eighty (180) day period (if a definitive purchase agreement with respect to a Permitted Acquisition has been executed but the transactions contemplated thereby have not been consummated in accordance with the other provisions of this Agreement), and (iii) the date of the occurrence of an Event of Default, Administrative Agent may apply such Asset Sale Reinvestment Amounts to the Obligations as set forth in Section 2.14(b).

 

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(b) Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds . No later than the first Business Day following the date of receipt by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, or Administrative Agent as loss payee, of any Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds, the Companies shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) in an aggregate amount equal to such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds; provided , (i) so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) to the extent that aggregate Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds from the Restatement Date through the applicable date of determination do not exceed $250,000, the Companies shall have the option, directly or through one or more of its Subsidiaries to invest such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds within one hundred eighty days of receipt thereof in long term productive assets of the general type used in the business of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, which investment may include the repair, restoration or replacement of the applicable assets thereof; provided further , pending any such reinvestment all Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds shall be held at all times prior to such reinvestment, in a Controlled Account in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent. In the event that the Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds are not reinvested by the Companies prior to the earlier of (i) the last day of such one hundred (180) day period and (ii) date of the occurrence of an Event of Default, Administrative Agent may apply such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds to the Obligations as set forth in Section 2.14(b).

 

(c) Issuance of Equity Securities . On the date of receipt by Holdings of any Cash proceeds from a capital contribution to, or the issuance of any Capital Stock of, Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (other than Capital Stock of Holdings issued (i) pursuant to any employee stock or stock option compensation plan, (ii) for purposes approved in writing by Administrative Agent), the Companies shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 50% of such proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, in each case, paid to non-Affiliates, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

 

(d) Issuance of Debt . On the date of receipt by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of any Cash proceeds from the incurrence of any Indebtedness of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (other than with respect to any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.1), the Companies shall prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and expenses associated therewith, in each case, paid to non-Affiliates, including reasonable legal fees and expenses.

 

(e) Consolidated Excess Cash Flow . In the event that there shall be Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for any Fiscal Year (commencing with Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2016), the Companies shall, no later than 120 days after the end of such Fiscal Year, prepay the Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) in an aggregate amount equal to 50% of such Consolidated Excess Cash Flow.

 

(f) Reserved .

 

(g) Reserved .

 

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(h) Tax Refunds . On the date of receipt by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of any tax refunds in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year, the Companies shall prepay Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) in the amount of such tax refunds in excess of $250,000.

 

(i) Payments for Acquisitions . On the date of receipt, on or after the Restatement Date, by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of any payment in connection with any acquisition (including, but not limited to, all proceeds from releases of any escrowed amounts and all payments received in respect of any indemnification obligation but excluding any working capital adjustments and any amounts that are applied for the purpose of remedying any condition or event giving rise to the underlying payment (whether for indemnification or otherwise)), the Companies shall prepay Loans as set forth in Section 2.14(b) in the amount of 100% of such payments.

 

(j) Prepayment Certificate . Concurrently with any prepayment of the Loans pursuant to Sections 2.13(a) through 2.13(e), the Company Representative shall deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer demonstrating the calculation of the amount of the applicable net proceeds or Consolidated Excess Cash Flow and compensation owing to Lenders under Section 2.12(c) or (d), if any, as the case may be. In the event that the Companies shall subsequently determine that the actual amount received exceeded the amount set forth in such certificate, the Companies shall promptly make an additional prepayment of the Loans in an amount equal to such excess, and the Company Representative shall concurrently therewith deliver to Administrative Agent a certificate of an Authorized Officer demonstrating the derivation of such excess.

 

2.14. Application of Prepayments/Reductions .

 

(a) Reserved .  

 

(b) Application of Prepayments by Type of Loans . Any voluntary prepayments of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.12 and any mandatory prepayment of any Loan pursuant to Section 2.13 shall be applied as follows:

 

first , to the payment of all fees, including any fees and amounts payable pursuant to the Fee Letter, and all expenses specified in Section 10.2, to the full extent thereof;

 

second , to the payment of any accrued interest at the Default Rate, if any;

 

third , to the payment of any accrued interest (other than Default Rate interest);

 

fourth , to prepay Term Loans on a pro rata basis (in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts thereof) and shall be further applied in inverse order of maturity to reduce the remaining scheduled installments of principal of the Term Loans;

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, no amounts received from any Credit Party (or proceeds of any such Credit Party’s property) shall be applied to any Obligations under any Interest Rate Agreement the guaranty of which by such Credit Party is an Excluded Swap Obligation.

 

(c) Application of Prepayments of Loans to Base Rate Loans and LIBOR Rate Loans . Considering each Class of Loans being prepaid separately, any prepayment thereof shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof before application to LIBOR Rate Loans, in each case in a manner which minimizes the amount of any payments required to be made by the Companies pursuant to Section 2.17(c).

 

2.15. General Provisions Regarding Payments .

 

(a) All payments by Companies of principal, interest, fees and other Obligations shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds, without defense, recoupment, setoff or counterclaim, free of any restriction or condition, and delivered to Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the date due by wire transfer to an account designated by Administrative Agent from time to time that is maintained by Administrative Agent or its Affiliates for the account of the Lenders or Administrative Agent; provided that payments required to be made directly to Issuing Bank shall be so made. For purposes of computing interest and fees, funds received by Administrative Agent after that time on such due date shall be deemed to have been paid by Companies on the next Business Day 

 

(b) All payments in respect of the principal amount of any Loan shall be accompanied by payment of accrued interest on the principal amount being repaid or prepaid, and all such payments (and, in any event, any payment received in respect of any Loan on a date when interest or premium is due and payable with respect to such Loan) shall be applied to the payment of interest and premium then due and payable before application to principal.

 

(c) Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender at such address as such Lender shall indicate in writing, such Lender’s applicable Pro Rata Share of all payments and prepayments of principal and interest due hereunder, together with all other amounts due with respect thereto, including, without limitation, all fees payable with respect thereto, to the extent received by Administrative Agent.

 

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions hereof, if any Conversion/Continuation Notice is withdrawn as to any Affected Lender or if any Affected Lender makes Base Rate Loans in lieu of its Pro Rata Share of any LIBOR Rate Loans, Administrative Agent shall give effect thereto in apportioning payments received thereafter.

 

(e) Subject to the provisos set forth in the definition of “Interest Period,” whenever any payment to be made hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of interest hereunder or of the commitment fees hereunder.

 

(f) Reserved.

 

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(g) Administrative Agent shall deem any payment by or on behalf of the Companies hereunder that is not made in same day funds prior to 12:00 p.m. (New York City time) to be a non-conforming payment. Any such payment shall not be deemed to have been received by Administrative Agent until the later of (i) the time such funds become available funds, and (ii) the applicable next Business Day. Administrative Agent shall give prompt telephonic notice to the Company Representative and each applicable Lender (confirmed in writing) if any payment is non-conforming. Any non-conforming payment may constitute or become a Default or Event of Default in accordance with the terms of Section 8.1(a). Interest shall continue to accrue on any principal as to which a non-conforming payment is made until such funds become available funds (but in no event less than the period from the date of such payment to the next succeeding applicable Business Day) at the Default Rate determined pursuant to Section 2.9 from the date such amount was due and payable until the date such amount is paid in full.

 

(h) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and not otherwise been waived, and the Obligations shall have become due and payable in full hereunder, whether by acceleration, maturity or otherwise, all payments or proceeds received by any Agent hereunder or under any Collateral Document in respect of any of the Obligations (including, but not limited to, Obligations arising under any Interest Rate Agreement that are owing to any Lender or Lender Counterparty), including, but not limited to all proceeds received by any Agent in respect of any sale, any collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral, shall be applied in full or in part as follows: first , to the payment of all costs and expenses of such sale, collection or other realization, including reasonable compensation to each Agent and its agents and counsel, and all other expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by any Agent in connection therewith, and all amounts for which any Agent is entitled to indemnification hereunder or under any Collateral Document (in its capacity as an Agent and not as a Lender) and all advances made by any Agent under any Collateral Document for the account of the applicable Grantor, and to the payment of all costs and expenses paid or incurred by any Agent in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any Collateral Document, all in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof; second , to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to the payment of all other Obligations for the ratable benefit of the Lenders and the Lender Counterparties; and third , to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to the payment to or upon the order of such Grantor or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

 

2.16. Ratable Sharing. Lenders hereby agree among themselves that, except as otherwise provided in the Collateral Documents with respect to amounts realized from the exercise of rights with respect to Liens on the Collateral or in the Fee Letter, if any of them shall, whether by voluntary payment (other than a voluntary prepayment of Loans made and applied in accordance with the terms hereof), through the exercise of any right of set-off or banker’s lien, by counterclaim or cross action or by the enforcement of any right under the Credit Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code, receive payment or reduction of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, fees and other amounts then due and owing to such Lender hereunder or under the other Credit Documents (collectively, the “Aggregate Amounts Due” to such Lender) which is greater than the proportion received by any other Lender in respect of the Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Lender, then the Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall (a) notify Administrative Agent and each other Lender of the receipt of such payment and (b) apply a portion of such payment to purchase participations (which it shall be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a participation simultaneously upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other Lenders so that all such recoveries of Aggregate Amounts Due shall be shared by all Lenders in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts Due to them; provided , if all or part of such proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing Lender is thereafter recovered from such Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of any Company or otherwise, those purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for such participations shall be returned to such purchasing Lender ratably to the extent of such recovery, but without interest. Each Company expressly consents to the foregoing arrangement and agrees that any holder of a participation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker’s lien, set-off or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing by any Company to that holder with respect thereto as fully as if that holder were owed the amount of the participation held by that holder.

 

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2.17. Making or Maintaining LIBOR Rate Loans .

 

(a) Inability to Determine Applicable Interest Rate . In the event that Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto), on any Interest Rate Determination Date with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loans, that by reason of circumstances affecting the London interbank market adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loans on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate, Administrative Agent shall on such date give notice (by telefacsimile or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Company Representative and each Lender of such determination, whereupon (i) no Loans may be made as, or converted to, LIBOR Rate Loans until such time as Administrative Agent notifies the Company Representative and Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, and (ii) any Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice given by the Company Representative with respect to the Loans in respect of which such determination was made shall be deemed to be rescinded by the Company Representative.

 

(b) Illegality or Impracticability of LIBOR Rate Loans . In the event that on any date any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto but shall be made only after consultation with the Company Representative and Administrative Agent) that the making, maintaining or continuation of its LIBOR Rate Loans (i) has become unlawful as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any law, treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (or would conflict with any such treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order not having the force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful), or (ii) has become impracticable, as a result of contingencies occurring after the date hereof which materially and adversely affect the London interbank market or the position of such Lender in that market, then, and in any such event, such Lender shall be an “Affected Lender” and it shall on that day give notice (by telefacsimile or by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Company Representative and Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). Thereafter (1) the obligation of the Affected Lender to make Loans as, or to convert Loans to, LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended until such notice shall be withdrawn by the Affected Lender, (2) to the extent such determination by the Affected Lender relates to a LIBOR Rate Loan then being requested by the Company Representative pursuant to a Funding Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice, the Affected Lender shall make such Loan as (or continue such Loan as or convert such Loan to, as the case may be) a Base Rate Loan, (3) the Affected Lender’s obligation to maintain its outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans (the “Affected Loans” ) shall be terminated at the earlier to occur of the expiration of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the Affected Loans or when required by law, and (4) the Affected Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans on the date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a determination by an Affected Lender as described above relates to a LIBOR Rate Loan then being requested by the Company Representative pursuant to a Funding Notice or a Conversion/Continuation Notice, the Company Representative shall have the option, subject to the provisions of Section 2.17(c), to rescind such Funding Notice or Conversion/Continuation Notice as to all Lenders by giving notice (by telefacsimile or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Administrative Agent of such rescission on the date on which the Affected Lender gives notice of its determination as described above (which notice of rescission Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, nothing in this Section 2.17(b) shall affect the obligation of any Lender other than an Affected Lender to make or maintain Loans as, or to convert Loans to, LIBOR Rate Loans in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

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(c) Compensation for Breakage or Non-Commencement of Interest Periods . The Companies shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by such Lender (which request shall set forth the basis for requesting such amounts), for all reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including any interest paid or calculated to be due and payable by such Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its LIBOR Rate Loans and any loss, expense or liability sustained by such Lender in connection with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds but excluding loss of anticipated profits) which such Lender may sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by such Lender) a borrowing of any LIBOR Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Funding Notice or a telephonic request for borrowing, or a conversion to or continuation of any LIBOR Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Conversion/Continuation Notice or a telephonic request for conversion or continuation; (ii) if any prepayment or other principal payment of, or any conversion of, any of its LIBOR Rate Loans occurs on any day other than the last day of an Interest Period applicable to that Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or (iii) if any prepayment of any of its LIBOR Rate Loans is not made on any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by the Company Representative.

 

(d) Booking of LIBOR Rate Loans . Any Lender may make, carry or transfer LIBOR Rate Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch offices or the office of an Affiliate of such Lender.

 

(e) Assumptions Concerning Funding of LIBOR Rate Loans . Calculation of all amounts payable to a Lender under this Section 2.17 and under Section 2.18 shall be made as though such Lender had actually funded each of its relevant LIBOR Rate Loans through the purchase of a LIBOR deposit bearing interest at the rate obtained pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate in an amount equal to the amount of such LIBOR Rate Loan and having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period and through the transfer of such LIBOR deposit from an offshore office of such Lender to a domestic office of such Lender in the United States of America; provided , however , each Lender may fund each of its LIBOR Rate Loans in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing assumptions shall be utilized only for the purposes of calculating amounts payable under this Section 2.17 and under Section 2.18.

 

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2.18. Increased Costs; Capital Adequacy .

 

(a) Compensation For Increased Costs and Taxes . Subject to the provisions of Section 2.19 (which shall be controlling with respect to the matters covered thereby), in the event that any Lender shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that any law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order, or any change therein or in the interpretation, administration or application thereof (including the introduction of any new law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order), or any determination of a court or Governmental Authority, in each case that becomes effective after the date hereof, or compliance by such Lender with any guideline, request or directive issued or made after the date hereof by any central bank or other Governmental Authority or quasi-Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law): (i) subjects such Lender (or its applicable lending office) to any additional Tax (other than any Tax on the overall net income of such Lender) with respect to this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents or any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder or any payments to such Lender (or its applicable lending office) of principal, interest, fees or any other amount payable hereunder; (ii) imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserve), special deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of, or advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, or any other acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender (other than any such reserve or other requirements with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans that are reflected in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate); or (iii) imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax matter) on or affecting such Lender (or its applicable lending office) or its obligations hereunder or the London interbank market; and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of agreeing to make, making or maintaining Loans hereunder or to reduce any amount received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable lending office) with respect thereto; then, in any such case, the Companies shall promptly pay to such Lender, upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence, such additional amount or amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its sole discretion shall determine) as may be necessary to compensate such Lender for any such increased cost or reduction in amounts received or receivable hereunder. Such Lender shall deliver to the Company Representative (with a copy to Administrative Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to such Lender under this Section 2.18(a), which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

 

(b) Capital Adequacy Adjustment . In the event that any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that (A) the adoption, effectiveness, phase-in or applicability of any law, rule or regulation (or any provision thereof) regarding capital adequacy or liquidity, or any change therein or in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or (B) compliance by any Lender (or its applicable lending office) or any company controlling such Lender with any guideline, request or directive regarding capital adequacy or liquidity (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, in each case after the Restatement Date, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any company controlling such Lender as a consequence of, or with reference to, such Lender’s Loans or other obligations hereunder with respect to the Loans to a level below that which such Lender or such controlling company could have achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, phase-in, applicability, change or compliance (taking into consideration the policies of such Lender or such controlling company with regard to capital adequacy or liquidity), then from time to time, within five (5) Business Days after receipt by the Company Representative from such Lender of the statement referred to in the next sentence, the Companies shall pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such controlling company on an after-tax basis for such reduction. Such Lender shall deliver to the Company Representative (with a copy to Administrative Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to Lender under this Section 2.18(b), which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error. For the avoidance of doubt, subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 2.18 shall apply to all requests, rules, guidelines or directives concerning liquidity and capital adequacy issued by any United States regulatory authority (i) under or in connection with the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and (ii) in connection with the implementation of the recommendations of the Bank for International Settlements or the Basel Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervisory Practices (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, regardless of the date adopted, issued, promulgated or implemented (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto).

 

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2.19. Taxes; Withholding, etc.

 

(a) Payments to Be Free and Clear . All sums payable by any Credit Party hereunder and under the other Credit Documents shall (except to the extent required by law) be paid free and clear of, and without any deduction or withholding on account of, any Tax (other than a Tax on the overall net income of any Lender) imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or within the United States of America or any political subdivision in or of the United States of America or any other jurisdiction from or to which a payment is made by or on behalf of any Credit Party or by any federation or organization of which the United States of America or any such jurisdiction is a member at the time of payment.

 

(b) Withholding of Taxes . If any Credit Party or any other Person is required by law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any such Tax from any sum paid or payable by any Credit Party to Administrative Agent or any Lender under any of the Credit Documents: (i) Company Representative shall notify Administrative Agent of any such requirement or any change in any such requirement as soon as any Company becomes aware of it; (ii) Companies shall pay any such Tax before the date on which penalties attach thereto, such payment to be made (if the liability to pay is imposed on any Credit Party) for its own account or (if that liability is imposed on Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be) on behalf of and in the name of Administrative Agent or such Lender; (iii) the sum payable by such Credit Party in respect of which the relevant deduction, withholding or payment is required shall be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of that deduction, withholding or payment, Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, receives on the due date a net sum equal to what it would have received had no such deduction, withholding or payment been required or made; and (iv) within thirty days after paying any sum from which it is required by law to make any deduction or withholding, and within thirty days after the due date of payment of any Tax which it is required by clause (ii) above to pay, the Company Representative shall deliver to Administrative Agent evidence satisfactory to the other affected parties of such deduction, withholding or payment and of the remittance thereof to the relevant taxing or other authority; provided, no such additional amount shall be required to be paid to any Lender under clause (iii) above except to the extent that any change after the date hereof (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof on the Restatement Date) or after the effective date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender (in the case of each other Lender) in any such requirement for a deduction, withholding or payment as is mentioned therein shall result in an increase in the rate of such deduction, withholding or payment from that in effect at the date hereof or at the date of such Assignment Agreement, in respect of payments to such Lender.

 

(c) Evidence of Exemption From U.S. Withholding Tax . Each Lender that is not a United States Person (as such term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code) for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “Non-US Lender” ) shall deliver to Administrative Agent for transmission to the Company Representative on or prior to the Restatement Date (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages hereof on the Restatement Date) or on or prior to the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to which it becomes a Lender (in the case of each other Lender), and at such other times as may be necessary in the determination of the Company Representative or Administrative Agent (each in the reasonable exercise of its discretion), (i) two original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI (or any successor forms), properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, and such other documentation required under the Internal Revenue Code and reasonably requested by the Company Representative to establish that such Lender is not subject to deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax with respect to any payments to such Lender of principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable under any of the Credit Documents, or (ii) if such Lender is not a “bank” or other Person described in Section 881(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and cannot deliver Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI pursuant to clause (i) above, a Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status together with two original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor form), properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, and such other documentation required under the Internal Revenue Code and reasonably requested by the Company Representative to establish that such Lender is not subject to deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax with respect to any payments to such Lender of interest payable under any of the Credit Documents. Each Lender required to deliver any forms, certificates or other evidence with respect to United States federal income tax withholding matters pursuant to this Section 2.19(c) hereby agrees, from time to time after the initial delivery by such Lender of such forms, certificates or other evidence, whenever a lapse in time or change in circumstances renders such forms, certificates or other evidence obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, that such Lender shall promptly deliver to Administrative Agent for transmission to the Company Representative two new original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, Form W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, or a Certificate Regarding Non-Bank Status and two original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN or Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor form), as the case may be, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, and such other documentation required under the Internal Revenue Code and reasonably requested by the Company Representative to confirm or establish that such Lender is not subject to deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax with respect to payments to such Lender under the Credit Documents, or notify Administrative Agent and the Company Representative of its inability to deliver any such forms, certificates or other evidence. The Companies shall not be required to pay any additional amount to any Non-US Lender under Section 2.19(b)(iii) if such Lender shall have failed (1) to deliver the forms, certificates or other evidence referred to in the second sentence of this Section 2.19(c), or (2) to notify Administrative Agent and the Company Representative of its inability to deliver any such forms, certificates or other evidence, as the case may be; provided , if such Lender shall have satisfied the requirements of the first sentence of this Section 2.19(c) on the Restatement Date or on the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to which it became a Lender, as applicable, nothing in this last sentence of Section 2.19(c) shall relieve the Companies of their obligation to pay any additional amounts pursuant this Section 2.19 in the event that, as a result of any change in any applicable law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order, or any change in the interpretation, administration or application thereof, such Lender is no longer properly entitled to deliver forms, certificates or other evidence at a subsequent date establishing the fact that such Lender is not subject to withholding as described herein.

 

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(d) Taxes Imposed under FATCA; FATCA Covenant .

 

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any additional amount pursuant to Section 2.19(b) with respect to any United States federal withholding tax imposed under FATCA.

 

(ii) If any payment made to a Lender 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 Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Administrative Agent, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Administrative Agent as may be necessary for Administrative Agent to comply with its obligations under FATCA, to determine that such Lender has or has not complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (ii), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

2.20. Obligation to Mitigate . Each Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable after the officer of such Lender responsible for administering its Loans becomes aware of the occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition that would cause such Lender to become an Affected Lender or that would entitle such Lender to receive payments under Section 2.17, 2.18 or 2.19, it will, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal policies of such Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory restrictions, use reasonable efforts to (a) make, issue, fund or maintain its Credit Extensions, including any Affected Loans, through another office of such Lender, or (b) take such other measures as such Lender may deem reasonable, if as a result thereof the circumstances which would cause such Lender to be an Affected Lender would cease to exist or the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to be paid to such Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, 2.18 or 2.19 would be materially reduced and if, as determined by such Lender in its sole discretion, the making, issuing, funding or maintaining of such Loans through such other office or in accordance with such other measures, as the case may be, would not otherwise adversely affect such Loans or the interests of such Lender; provided , such Lender will not be obligated to utilize such other office pursuant to this Section 2.20 unless the Companies agree to pay all incremental expenses incurred by such Lender as a result of utilizing such other office as described above. A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses payable by Companies pursuant to this Section 2.20 (setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such amount) submitted by such Lender to the Company Representative (with a copy to Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

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2.21. Defaulting Lenders. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that any Lender violates any provision of Section 9.5(c), or, other than at the direction or request of any regulatory agency or authority, defaults (in each case, a “Defaulting Lender” ) in its obligation to fund (a “Funding Default” ) any Term Loan (in each case, a “Defaulted Loan” ), then (a) during any Default Period with respect to such Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender shall be deemed not to be a “Lender” for purposes of voting on any matters (including the granting of any consents or waivers) with respect to any of the Credit Documents; and (b) to the extent permitted by applicable law, until such time as the Default Excess, if any, with respect to such Defaulting Lender shall have been reduced to zero, (i) any voluntary prepayment of the Term Loans shall, if Administrative Agent so directs at the time of making such voluntary prepayment, be applied to the Term Loans of other Lenders as if such Defaulting Lender had no Term Loans outstanding and the outstanding Term Loan Loans of such Defaulting Lender were zero, and (ii) any mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans shall, if Administrative Agent so directs at the time of making such mandatory prepayment, be applied to the Term Loans of other Lenders (but not to Term Loans of such Defaulting Lender) as if such Defaulting Lender had funded all Defaulted Loans of such Defaulting Lender, it being understood and agreed that any portion of any mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans that is not paid to such Defaulting Lender solely as a result of the operation of the provisions of this clause (b) shall be paid to the non-Defaulting Lenders on a ratable basis. No Term Loan Commitment of any Lender shall be increased or otherwise affected, and, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 2.21, performance by Companies of their respective obligations hereunder and the other Credit Documents shall not be excused or otherwise modified as a result of any Funding Default or the operation of this Section 2.21. The rights and remedies against a Defaulting Lender under this Section 2.21 are in addition to other rights and remedies which Companies may have against such Defaulting Lender with respect to any Funding Default and which Administrative Agent or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender with respect to any Funding Default or violation of Section 9.5(c).

 

2.22. Removal or Replacement of a Lender. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that: (a) (i) any Lender (an “Increased-Cost Lender” ) shall give notice to the Company Representative that such Lender is an Affected Lender or that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under Section  2.18, 2.19 or 2.20, (ii) the circumstances which have caused such Lender to be an Affected Lender or which entitle such Lender to receive such payments shall remain in effect, and (iii) such Lender shall fail to withdraw such notice within five Business Days after Company Representative’s request for such withdrawal; or (b) (i) any Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender, (ii) the Default Period for such Defaulting Lender shall remain in effect, and (iii) such Defaulting Lender shall fail to cure the default as a result of which it has become a Defaulting Lender within five Business Days after Company Representative’s request that it cure such default; or (c) in connection with any proposed amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent with respect to any of the provisions hereof as contemplated by Section 10.5(b), the consent of Administrative Agent shall have been obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Lenders (each a “Non-Consenting Lender” ) whose consent is required shall not have been obtained; then, with respect to each such Increased-Cost Lender, Defaulting Lender or Non-Consenting Lender (the “Terminated Lender” ), Administrative Agent may (which, in the case of an Increased-Cost Lender, only after receiving written request from Company Representative to remove such Increased-Cost Lender), by giving written notice to the Company Representative and any Terminated Lender of its election to do so, elect to cause such Terminated Lender (and such Terminated Lender hereby irrevocably agrees) to assign its outstanding Loans in full to one or more Eligible Assignees (each a “Replacement Lender” ) in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.6 and Terminated Lender shall pay any fees payable thereunder in connection with such assignment; provided , (1) on the date of such assignment, the Replacement Lender shall pay to Terminated Lender an amount equal to the sum of (A) an amount equal to the principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Loans of the Terminated Lender and (B) an amount equal to all accrued, but theretofore unpaid fees owing to such Terminated Lender pursuant to Section 2.10; (2) on the date of such assignment, the Companies shall pay any amounts payable to such Terminated Lender pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.19; and (3) in the event such Terminated Lender is a Non-Consenting Lender, each Replacement Lender shall consent, at the time of such assignment, to each matter in respect of which such Terminated Lender was a Non-Consenting Lender. Each Lender agrees that if Administrative Agent exercises its option to cause an assignment by such Lender as a Terminated Lender, such Lender shall, promptly after receipt of written notice of such option, execute and deliver all documentation necessary to effectuate such assignment in accordance with Section 10.6. In the event that the Terminated Lender fails to execute an Assignment Agreement pursuant to Section 10.6 within five Business Days after receipt by the Terminated Lender of notice of replacement pursuant to this Section 2.22 and presentation to such Terminated Lender of an Assignment Agreement evidencing an assignment pursuant to this Section 2.22 , the Terminated Lender shall be deemed to have executed and delivered such Assignment Agreement, and upon the execution and delivery of Assignment Agreement by the Replacement Lender and Administrative Agent, shall be effective for purposes of this Section 2.22 and Section 10.6 .  Upon the prepayment of all amounts owing to any Terminated Lender and the termination of such Terminated Lender’s Commitments, if any, such Terminated Lender shall no longer constitute a “Lender” for purposes hereof; provided , any rights of such Terminated Lender to indemnification hereunder shall survive as to such Terminated Lender.

 

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SECTION 3. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

 

3.1. Restatement Date . The amendment and restatement of the Prior Credit Agreement as provided herein and the obligation of each Lender to make a Credit Extension on the Restatement Date are subject to the satisfaction, or waiver in accordance with Section 10.5, of the following conditions on or before the Restatement Date, except as otherwise provided by Section 5.15:

 

(a) Credit Documents . Administrative Agent shall have received sufficient copies of (i) this Agreement, (ii) the Pledge and Security Agreement, (iii) the Fee Letter, (iv) each Mortgage to be executed on the Restatement Date and (v) each other Credit Document to be executed on the Restatement date, in each case, executed and delivered by each applicable Credit Party for each Lender.

 

(b) Organizational Documents; Incumbency . Administrative Agent shall have received (i) sufficient copies of each Organizational Document executed and delivered by each Credit Party, as applicable, and, to the extent applicable, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official, for each Lender, each dated the Restatement Date or a recent date prior thereto; (ii) signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such Person executing the Credit Documents to which it is a party; (iii) resolutions of the Board of Directors or similar governing body of each Credit Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to which it is a party or by which it or its assets may be bound as of the Restatement Date, certified as of the Restatement Date by its secretary or an assistant secretary as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment; (iv) a good standing certificate from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Credit Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation and in each jurisdiction in which it is qualified as a foreign corporation or other entity to do business, each dated a recent date prior to the Restatement Date; and (v) such other documents as Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

(c) Organizational and Capital Structure . The organizational structure and capital structure of Holdings and its Subsidiaries shall be as set forth on Schedule 4.2.

 

(d) Representations and Warranties . As of the Restatement Date and after giving effect to this Agreement, the Restatement Date Disposition and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement to occur on the Restatement Date, the representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Restatement Date, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate 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.

 

(e) No Default . As of the Restatement Date and after giving effect to this Agreement, the Restatement Date Disposition and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement to occur on the Restatement Date, no event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from the consummation of the applicable Credit Extension that would constitute an Event of Default or a Default.

 

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(f) Existing Indebtedness . On the Restatement Date , after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Holdings and its Subsidiaries shall have no Indebtedness and Liens other than those permitted under Sections 6.1 and 6.2, respectively.

 

(g) Transaction Costs . On or prior to the Restatement Date, the Company Representative shall have delivered to Administrative Agent its reasonable best estimate of the Transaction Costs (other than fees payable to any Agent).

 

(h) Governmental Authorizations and Consents . Each Credit Party shall have obtained all Governmental Authorizations and all consents of other Persons, in each case that are necessary or advisable in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents. Each of the foregoing shall be in full force and effect and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent. All applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority which would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents and no action, request for stay, petition for review or rehearing, reconsideration, or appeal with respect to any of the foregoing shall be pending, and the time for any applicable agency to take action to set aside its consent on its own motion shall have expired.

 

(i) Reserved .

 

(j) Personal Property Collateral . In order to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid, perfected First Priority security interest in the personal property Collateral, Collateral Agent shall have received:

 

(i) evidence satisfactory to Collateral Agent of the compliance by each Credit Party of their obligations under the Pledge and Security Agreement and the other Collateral Documents (including, without limitation, their obligations to authorize or execute, as the case may be, and deliver UCC financing statements, originals of securities, instruments and chattel paper and any agreements governing deposit and/or securities accounts as provided therein); and

 

(ii) evidence that each Credit Party shall have taken or caused to be taken any other action, executed and delivered or caused to be executed and delivered any other agreement, document and instrument (including without limitation, any intercompany notes evidencing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 6.1(b)) and made or caused to be made any other filing and recording (other than as set forth herein) reasonably required by Collateral Agent.

 

(k) Environmental Reports . To the extent requested by Administrative Agent, Administrative Agent shall have received reports and other information, in form, scope and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, regarding environmental matters relating to the Facilities.

 

(l) Financial Statements; Projections . Lenders shall have received from Holdings (i) pro forma consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the Restatement Date, and reflecting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents to occur on or prior to the Restatement Date, which pro forma financial statements shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, (ii) pro forma consolidated and consolidating income statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the Restatement Date, and reflecting the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents to occur on or prior to the Restatement Date, and (iii) the Projections.

 

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(m) Evidence of Insurance . Collateral Agent shall have received a certificate from Companies’ insurance broker or other evidence satisfactory to it that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 is in full force and effect, together with endorsements naming the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, as additional insured and loss payee thereunder to the extent required under Section 5.5.

 

(n) Opinions of Counsel to Credit Parties . Lenders and their respective counsel shall have received originally executed copies of the favorable written opinions of Cozen O’Conner PC, each special counsel to the Credit Parties, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and covering such matters as Administrative Agent may reasonably request (including the creation and perfection of security interests), each dated as of the Restatement Date and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent (and each Credit Party hereby instructs such counsel to deliver such opinions to Agents and Lenders).

 

(o) Fees and Expenses . The Companies shall have paid to Administrative Agent the fees payable on the Restatement Date referred to in Section 2.10(e) and shall have paid, or reimbursed directly, the Administrative Agent and its affiliates for all of their expenses (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent) required to be reimbursed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

(p) Solvency Certificate . On the Restatement Date, Administrative Agent shall have received a Solvency Certificate from Holdings dated as of the Restatement Date and addressed to Administrative Agent and Lenders, and in form, scope and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, with appropriate attachments and demonstrating that after giving effect to the consummation of the Restatement Date Disposition and the other transaction contemplated by this Agreement to occur on or prior to the Restatement Date, such Credit Party is and will be Solvent.

 

(q) Restatement Date Certificate . The Credit Parties shall have delivered to Administrative Agent an originally executed Restatement Date Certificate, together with all attachments thereto.

 

(r) No Litigation . There shall not exist any action, suit, investigation, litigation or proceeding or other legal or regulatory developments, pending or threatened (in writing) in any court or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority that, in the reasonable discretion of Administrative Agent, singly or in the aggregate, materially impairs the Restatement Date Disposition or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents, or that could have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(s) Due Diligence . The Administrative Agent shall have completed its due diligence review of the Companies and their respective Subsidiaries and the results of such review shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, (i) satisfactory completion and review of third party accounting due diligence report focused on Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA verification, (ii) market due diligence, (iii) business due diligence, (iv) management background checks, (v) environmental reviews and (vi) legal review.

 

(t) Minimum Liquidity . The Companies shall demonstrate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent that on the Restatement Date and immediately after giving effect to any Credit Extensions to be made on the Restatement Date, including the payment of all Transaction Costs required to be paid in Cash, the Companies shall have at least $500,000 of Cash.

 

(u) No Material Adverse Change . Since December 31, 2016, no event, circumstance or change shall have occurred that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(v) Completion of Proceedings . All partnership, corporate and other proceedings taken or to be taken in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and all documents incidental thereto not previously found acceptable by Administrative Agent and its counsel shall be satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent and such counsel, and Administrative Agent, and such counsel shall have received all such counterpart originals or certified copies of such documents as Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

(w) Service of Process . On the Restatement Date, Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that each Credit Party has appointed an agent in New York City for the purpose of service of process in New York City and such agent shall agree in writing to give Administrative Agent notice of any resignation of such service agent or other termination of the agency relationship. The Companies shall have paid the fees for such service of process for all Credit Parties through the term of this Agreement.

 

(x) Prepayment of Loans Outstanding . On the Restatement Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received a prepayment for loans outstanding under the Prior Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount at least equal to $75,810,000 (consisting of a cash prepayment in an amount equal to $70,810,000 and the issuance of $5,000,000 of Series A Preferred Units in Meridian Waste Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company).

 

Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement and funding a Loan on the Restatement Date, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Credit Document and each other document required to be approved by any Agent, Requisite Lenders or Lenders, as applicable on the Restatement Date.

 

3.2. Reserved .

 

3.3. Conditions Subsequent to the Restatement Date. The Companies shall fulfill, on or before the date applicable thereto (which date can be extended in writing by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), each of the conditions subsequent specified in Section 5.15.

 

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SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

In order to induce Agents and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make each Credit Extension to be made thereby, each Credit Party represents and warrants to each Agent and Lender, on the Restatement Date and on each Credit Date, that the following statements are true and correct (it being understood and agreed that the representations and warranties made on the Restatement Date are deemed to be made concurrently with the consummation of the Restatement Date Disposition):

 

4.1. Organization; Requisite Power and Authority; Qualification. Each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Credit Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby, and (c) is qualified to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing has not had, and could not be reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect. As of the Restatement Date, the jurisdiction of organization or incorporation of Holdings and its Subsidiaries is set forth on Schedule 4.1.

 

4.2. Capital Stock and Ownership. The Capital Stock of each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.2, as of the date hereof, there is no existing option, warrant, call, right, commitment or other agreement to which Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries is a party requiring, and there is no membership interest or other Capital Stock of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries outstanding which upon conversion or exchange would require, the issuance by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries of any additional membership interests or other Capital Stock of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or other Securities convertible into, exchangeable for or evidencing the right to subscribe for or purchase, a membership interest or other Capital Stock of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries. Schedule 4.2 correctly sets forth the ownership interest of Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries in their respective Subsidiaries as of the Restatement Date after giving effect to the Restatement Date Disposition.

 

4.3. Due Authorization. The execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of each Credit Party that is a party thereto.

 

4.4. No Conflict. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.4 the execution, delivery and performance by Credit Parties of the Credit Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents do not and will not (a) violate any provision of any law or any governmental rule or regulation applicable to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, any of the Organizational Documents of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or other agency of government binding on Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any material Contractual Obligation of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries; (c) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Liens created under any of the Credit Documents in favor of Collateral Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties); or (d) require any approval of stockholders, members or partners or any approval or consent of any Person under any Contractual Obligation of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such approvals or consents which will be obtained on or before the Restatement Date and disclosed in writing to Lenders.

 

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4.5. Governmental Consents. The execution, delivery and performance by Credit Parties of the Credit Documents to which they are parties and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any Governmental Authority except filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission as required by Holdings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and for filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to Collateral Agent for filing and/or recordation, as of the Restatement Date.

 

4.6. Binding Obligation. Each Credit Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party that is a party thereto and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

 

4.7. Contingent Liabilities. As of the Restatement Date, neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries has any contingent liability or liability for taxes, long-term lease or unusual forward or long-term commitment that is not reflected in the financial statements most recently delivered under Section 5.1 or the notes thereto and which in any such case is material in relation to the business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Holdings and any of its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

4.8. Projections. On and as of the Restatement Date, the Projections of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the period of Fiscal Year 2018 through and including Fiscal Year 2020, including quarterly projections for each consecutive three-month period during the Fiscal Year in which the Restatement Date takes place, (the “Projections” ) are based on good faith estimates and assumptions made by the management of Holdings; provided , the Projections are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by the Projections may differ from such Projections and that the differences may be material; provided further , as of the Restatement Date, management of Holdings believed that the Projections were reasonable and attainable.

 

4.9. No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2016, no event, circumstance or change has occurred that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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4.10. No Restricted Junior Payments. Since December 31, 2016, neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries has directly or indirectly declared, ordered, paid or made, or set apart any sum or property for, any Restricted Junior Payment or agreed to do so except as permitted pursuant to Section 6.5.

 

4.11. Adverse Proceedings, etc. There are no Adverse Proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) is in violation of any applicable laws (including Environmental Laws) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (b) is subject to or in default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.12. Payment of Taxes. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 5.3, all tax returns and reports of Holdings and its Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them have been timely filed, and all taxes shown on such tax returns to be due and payable and all assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon Holdings and its Subsidiaries and upon their respective properties, assets, income, businesses and franchises which are due and payable have been paid when due and payable. No Credit Party knows of any proposed tax assessment against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries which is not being actively contested by Holdings or such Subsidiary in good faith and by appropriate proceedings; provided , such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

 

4.13. Properties .

 

(a) Title . Each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries has (i) good, sufficient and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in real property), (ii) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property), and (iii) good title to (in the case of all other personal property), all of their respective properties and assets reflected in in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1, in each case except for assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted under Section 6.9. Except as permitted by this Agreement, all such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens.

 

(b) Real Estate . As of the Restatement Date, Schedule 4.13 contains a true, accurate and complete list of (i) all Real Estate Assets, and (ii) all leases, subleases or assignments of leases (together with all amendments, modifications, supplements, renewals or extensions of any thereof) affecting each Real Estate Asset of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, regardless of whether such Credit Party or such Subsidiary thereof is the landlord or tenant (whether directly or as an assignee or successor in interest) under such lease, sublease or assignment. Each agreement listed in clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence is in full force and effect and no Credit Party has any knowledge of any default that has occurred and is continuing thereunder, and each such agreement constitutes the legally valid and binding obligation of each applicable Credit Party or Subsidiary thereof, enforceable against such Credit Party or Subsidiary in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles.

 

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(c) Intellectual Property . Each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries possesses all franchises, licenses and permits, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names, and rights in respect of the foregoing, material and necessary to the conduct of its business without known conflict with any rights of others.

 

4.14. Environmental Matters. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective Facilities or operations are subject to any outstanding written order, consent decree or settlement agreement with any Person relating to any Environmental Law, any Environmental Claim, or any Hazardous Materials Activity that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any letter or request for information under Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9604) or any comparable state law. There are and, to each Credit Party’s knowledge, have been, no conditions, occurrences, or Hazardous Materials Activities which could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to any Credit Party’s knowledge, any predecessor of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries has filed any notice under any Environmental Law indicating past or present treatment of Hazardous Materials at any Facility, and none of Holdings’ or any of its Subsidiaries’ operations involves the generation, transportation, treatment, storage or disposal of hazardous waste, as defined under 40 C.F.R. Parts 260-270 or any state equivalent. Compliance with all current or reasonably foreseeable future requirements pursuant to or under Environmental Laws could not be reasonably expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect. No event or condition has occurred or is occurring with respect to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries relating to any Environmental Law, any Release of Hazardous Materials, or any Hazardous Materials Activity which individually or in the aggregate has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.15. No Defaults. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or conditions contained in any of its Contractual Obligations, and no condition exists which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, could constitute such a default, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of such default or defaults, if any, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.16. Material Contracts. Schedule 4.16 contains a true, correct and complete list of all the Material Contracts in effect on the Restatement Date, which, together with any updates provided pursuant to Section 5.1(l), all such Material Contracts are in full force and effect and no defaults currently exist thereunder (other than as described in Schedule 4.16 or in such updates). True, correct and complete copies of all Material Contracts listed on Schedule 4.16 have been delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

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4.17. Governmental Regulation. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other federal or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “registered investment company” or a company “controlled” by a “registered investment company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

4.18. Margin Stock. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made to the Companies will be used to purchase or carry any such Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates, or is inconsistent with, the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

 

4.19. Employee Matters. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There is (a) no unfair labor practice complaint pending against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, or to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened against any of them before the National Labor Relations Board and no grievance or arbitration proceeding arising out of or under any collective bargaining agreement that is so pending against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened against any of them, (b) no strike or work stoppage in existence or threatened (in writing) involving Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and (c) to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries and, to the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, no union organization activity that is taking place, except (with respect to any matter specified in clause (a), (b) or (c) above, either individually or in the aggregate) such as is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.20. Employee Benefit Plans. Except as listed on Schedule 4.20, Holdings, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their respective ERISA Affiliates are in compliance with all applicable provisions and requirements of ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations and published interpretations thereunder with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, and have performed all their obligations under each Employee Benefit Plan. Each Employee Benefit Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service indicating that such Employee Benefit Plan is so qualified and nothing has occurred subsequent to the issuance of such determination letter which would cause such Employee Benefit Plan to lose its qualified status. No liability to the PBGC (other than required premium payments), the Internal Revenue Service, any Employee Benefit Plan or any trust established under Title IV of ERISA has been or is expected to be incurred by Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur. Except to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code or similar state laws, no Employee Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits (through the purchase of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former employee of Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates. The present value of the aggregate benefit liabilities under each Pension Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates (determined as of the end of the most recent plan year on the basis of the actuarial assumptions specified for funding purposes in the most recent actuarial valuation for such Pension Plan), did not exceed the aggregate current value of the assets of such Pension Plan. As of the most recent valuation date for each Multiemployer Plan for which the actuarial report is available, the potential liability of Holdings, its Subsidiaries and their respective ERISA Affiliates for a complete withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA), when aggregated with such potential liability for a complete withdrawal from all Multiemployer Plans, based on information available pursuant to Section 4221(e) of ERISA is zero. Holdings, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their ERISA Affiliates have complied with the requirements of Section 515 of ERISA with respect to each Multiemployer Plan and are not in material “default” (as defined in Section 4219(c)(5) of ERISA) with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan.

 

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4.21. Certain Fees. No broker’s or finder’s fee or commission will be payable with respect hereto or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

4.22. Solvency. Each Credit Party is and, upon the incurrence of any Credit Extension by such Credit Party on any date on which this representation and warranty is made, will be, Solvent.

 

4.23. Reserved .

 

4.24. Compliance with Statutes, Franchises, Permits, etc . Each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by, all Governmental Authorities, in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its property (including compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws with respect to any Real Estate Asset or governing its business and the requirements of any permits issued under such Environmental Laws with respect to any such Real Estate Asset or the operations of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries), except such non-compliance that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Credit Party possesses all franchises, licenses and permits, patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade names, and rights in respect of the foregoing, material and necessary to the conduct of its business without known conflict with any rights of others. Without limiting the foregoing, on or prior to the Restatement Date, Holdings has made all filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission required under the Securities Act, Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to transactions contemplated by this Agreement to have occurred on or prior to the Restatement Date, in each case, on or prior to the date required thereunder (without giving effect to any extension or possible extension of such dates permitted thereunder).

 

4.25. Disclosure. No representation or warranty of any Credit Party contained in any Credit Document or in any other documents, certificates or written statements furnished to Lenders by or on behalf of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to the Credit Parties, in the case of any document not furnished by either of them) necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which the same were made. Any projections and pro forma financial information contained in such materials are based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by the Credit Parties to be reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by Lenders that such projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ from the projected results. There are no facts known (or which should upon the reasonable exercise of diligence be known) to the Credit Parties (other than matters of a general economic nature) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and that have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates and statements furnished to Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

 

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4.26. Patriot Act. To the extent applicable, each Credit Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with the (i) Trading with the Enemy Act, as amended, and each of the foreign assets control regulations of the United States Treasury Department (31 C.F.R., Subtitle B, Chapter V, as amended) and any other enabling legislation or executive order relating thereto, and (ii) Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001) (the “Act” ). No part of the proceeds of the Loans will be used, directly or indirectly, for any payments to any governmental official or employee, political party, official of a political party, candidate for political office, or anyone else acting in an official capacity, in order to obtain, retain or direct business or obtain any improper advantage, in violation of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

 

4.27  Sanctions; Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Bribery Laws; Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws; Etc.

 

(a) None of Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries, any Affiliate of any such Person, or any of their respective Directors, officers or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, employees, agents, advisors or other Affiliates is a Sanctioned Person. Each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and their respective Directors, officers and, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, employees, agents, advisors and Affiliates is in compliance with and has not violated (i)  Sanctions, (ii) Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws, and (iii)  Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws. No part of the proceeds of any Credit Extension has or will be used, directly or indirectly, (A) for the purpose of financing any activities or business of or with any Sanctioned Person or in any Sanctioned Country, (B) 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 and Anti-Bribery Laws, or (C) otherwise in any manner that would result in a violation of Sanctions, Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws, or Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws by any Person.

 

(b) Holdings and its Subsidiaries have established and currently maintain policies, procedures and controls that are designed (and otherwise comply with applicable law) to ensure that each of Holdings, its Subsidiaries, and each Controlled Entity, and each of their respective Directors, officers, employees and agents, is and will continue to be in compliance with all applicable current and future Sanctions, Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws, and Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws.

 

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SECTION 5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that so long as any Commitment is in effect and until payment in full of all Obligations, each Credit Party shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in this Section 5.

 

5.1. Financial Statements and Other Reports. Unless otherwise provided below, Holdings will deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders:

 

(a) Monthly Reports . As soon as available, and in any event within 30 days after the end of each other month (including months which began prior to the Restatement Date) (in each case, including the fourth Fiscal Quarter) (or such later date consented to by the Administrative Agent in writing (which may be by email or other electronic transmission) so long as such later date is not more than ten days following the date that such financial statements would otherwise be required to be delivered), the consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such month and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income, consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity and consolidated statements of cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such month and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such month, and setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, together with a schedule of reconciliations for any reclassifications with respect to prior months or periods (and, in connection therewith, copies of any restated financial statements for any impacted month or period) a Financial Officer Certification, and any operating reports prepared by management for such period;

 

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements . As soon as available, and in any event within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter of each Fiscal Year ending (in each case, including the fourth Fiscal Quarter) (or such later date consented to by the Administrative Agent in writing (which may be by email or other electronic transmission) so long as such later date is not more than ten days following the date that such financial statements would otherwise be required to delivered), the consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related consolidated (and with respect to statements of income, consolidating) statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail, together with a Financial Officer Certification;

 

(c) Annual Financial Statements . As soon as available, and in any event within 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, (i) the consolidated and consolidating balance sheets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated (and with respect to statements of income, consolidating) statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements, in reasonable detail, together with a Financial Officer Certification with respect thereto; and (ii) with respect to such consolidated financial statements a report thereon of independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by Holdings that is reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent (which report shall be unqualified as to going concern and scope of audit, and shall state that such consolidated financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such financial statements) and that the examination by such accountants in connection with such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards) together with a written statement by such independent certified public accountants stating (1) that their audit examination has included a review of the terms of the Credit Documents, (2) whether, in connection therewith, any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default has come to their attention and, if such a condition or event has come to their attention, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, and (3) that nothing has come to their attention that causes them to believe that the information contained in any Compliance Certificate is not correct or that the matters set forth in such Compliance Certificate are not stated in accordance with the terms hereof (such report shall also include (x) a detailed summary of any audit adjustments; (y) a reconciliation of any audit adjustments or reclassifications to the previously provided monthly or quarterly financials; and (z) restated monthly or quarterly financials for any impacted periods);

 

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(d) Compliance Certificate; Reconciliation Statement . Together with each delivery of financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Sections 5.1(a), 5.1(b) and 5.1(c), a duly executed and completed Compliance Certificate;

 

(e) Statements of Reconciliation after Change in Accounting Principles . If, as a result of any change in accounting principles and policies from those used in the preparation of the annual financial statements for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 2016, the consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(b) or 5.1(c) will differ in any material respect from the consolidated financial statements that would have been delivered pursuant to such subdivisions had no such change in accounting principles and policies been made, then, together with the first delivery of such financial statements after such change, one or more statements of reconciliation for all such prior financial statements in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent;

 

(f) Notice of Default . Promptly upon any officer of any Credit Party obtaining knowledge (i) of any condition or event that constitutes a Default or an Event of Default or that notice has been given to any Credit Party with respect thereto; (ii) that any Person has given any notice to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or taken any other action with respect to any event or condition set forth in Section 8.1(b); or (iii) of the occurrence of any event or change that has caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, a certificate of its Authorized Officers specifying the nature and period of existence of such condition, event or change, or specifying the notice given and action taken by any such Person and the nature of such claimed Event of Default, Default, default, event or condition, and what action the Credit Parties have taken, are taking and propose to take with respect thereto;

 

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(g) Notice of Litigation . Promptly upon any officer of any Credit Party obtaining knowledge of (i) the institution of, or threat in writing of, any Adverse Proceeding not previously disclosed in writing by the Credit Parties to Lenders, or (ii) any material development in any Adverse Proceeding that, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii) if adversely determined, could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or seeks to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions contemplated hereby, written notice thereof together with such other information as may be reasonably available to the Credit Parties to enable Lenders and their counsel to evaluate such matters;

 

(h) ERISA . (i) Promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence of or forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event, a written notice specifying the nature thereof, what action Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto; and (ii) with reasonable promptness, copies of (1) each Schedule B (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates with the Internal Revenue Service with respect to each Pension Plan; (2) all notices received by Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an ERISA Event; and (3) copies of such other documents or governmental reports or filings relating to any Employee Benefit Plan as Administrative Agent shall reasonably request;

 

(i) Financial Plan . As soon as practicable and in any event no later than thirty days prior to the beginning of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated plan and financial forecast for such Fiscal Year and each Fiscal Year (or portion thereof) through the final maturity date of the Loans (a “Financial Plan” ), including (i) a forecasted consolidated balance sheet and forecasted consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for each such Fiscal Year, together with pro forma Compliance Certificates for each such Fiscal Year and an explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts are based, (ii) forecasted consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for each month of each such Fiscal Year, (iii) forecasts demonstrating projected compliance with the requirements of Section 6.8 through the final maturity date of the Loans, and (iv) forecasts demonstrating adequate liquidity through the final maturity date of the Loans, together, in each case, with an explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts are based all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agents; notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that with respect to the Fiscal Year ending December 31, 2018, the Projections shall constitute the Financial Plan for such year;

 

(j) Insurance Report . As soon as practicable and in any event by the last day of each Fiscal Year, a report in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent outlining all material insurance coverage maintained as of the date of such report by Holdings and its Subsidiaries and all material insurance coverage planned to be maintained by Holdings and its Subsidiaries in the immediately succeeding Fiscal Year;

 

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(k) Notice of Change in Board of Directors . With reasonable promptness, written notice of any change in the board of directors (or similar governing body) of any Credit Party;

 

(l) Notice Regarding Material Contracts . Promptly, and in any event within ten Business Days (i) after any Material Contract of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries is terminated or amended in a manner that is materially adverse to Holdings or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, or (ii) any new Material Contract is entered into, a written statement describing such event, with copies of such material amendments or new contracts, delivered to Administrative Agent (to the extent such delivery is permitted by the terms of any such Material Contract, provided, no such prohibition on delivery shall be effective if it were bargained for by Holdings or its applicable Subsidiary with the intent of avoiding compliance with this Section 5.1(l)), and an explanation of any actions being taken with respect thereto;

 

(m) Environmental Reports and Audits . As soon as practicable following receipt thereof, copies of all environmental audits and reports with respect to environmental matters at any Facility or which relate to any environmental liabilities of Holdings or its Subsidiaries which, in any such case, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(n) Information Regarding Collateral . (a) The Credit Parties will furnish to Collateral Agent prior written notice of any change (i) in any Credit Party’s corporate name, (ii) in any Credit Party’s identity or corporate structure, or (iii) in any Credit Party’s Federal Taxpayer Identification Number. Each Credit Party agrees not to effect or permit any change referred to in the preceding sentence unless all filings have been made under the UCC or otherwise that are required in order for Collateral Agent to continue at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest in all the Collateral and for the Collateral at all times following such change to have a valid, legal and perfected security interest as contemplated in the Collateral Documents. Each Credit Party also agrees promptly to notify Collateral Agent if any material portion of the Collateral is damaged or destroyed;

 

(o) Annual Collateral Verification . Each year, at the time of delivery of annual financial statements with respect to the preceding Fiscal Year pursuant to Section 5.1(c), the Credit Parties shall deliver to Collateral Agent an Officer’s Certificate (i) either confirming that there has been no change in such information since the date of the Collateral Questionnaire delivered on the Restatement Date or the date of the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to this Section and/or identifying such changes, or (ii) certifying that all UCC financing statements (including fixtures filings, as applicable) or other appropriate filings, recordings or registrations, have been filed of record in each governmental, municipal or other appropriate office in each jurisdiction identified in the Collateral Questionnaire or pursuant to clause (i) above to the extent necessary to protect and perfect the security interests under the Collateral Documents for a period of not less than 18 months after the date of such certificate (except as noted therein with respect to any continuation statements to be filed within such period);

 

(p) Aging Reports . Together with each delivery of financial statements of Holdings and each other Credit Party pursuant to Sections 5.1(a), 5.1(b), and 5.1(c), (i) a summary of the accounts receivable aging report of each Credit Party as of the end of such period, and (ii) a summary of accounts payable aging report of each Credit Party as of the end of such period;

 

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(q) Tax Returns . As soon as practicable and in any event within fifteen (15) days following the filing thereof, copies of each federal income tax return filed by or on behalf of any Credit Party; and

 

(r) Other Information . (A) Promptly upon their becoming available, copies of (i) all financial statements, reports, notices and proxy statements sent or made available generally by Holdings to its security holders acting in such capacity or by any Subsidiary of Holdings to its security holders other than Holdings or another Subsidiary of Holdings, and (ii) all press releases and other statements made available generally by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to the public concerning material developments in the business of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and (B) such other information and data with respect to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries as from time to time may be reasonably requested by Administrative Agent.

 

To the extent practical, together with any delivery of financial information required under this Section 5.1, the Credit Parties shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Excel spreadsheet containing such financial information.

 

5.2. Existence. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.9, each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence and all rights and franchises, licenses and permits material to its business; provided , no Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to preserve any such existence, right or franchise, licenses and permits if such Person’s board of directors (or similar governing body) shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of such Person, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to such Person or to Lenders.

 

5.3. Payment of Taxes and Claims. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay all Taxes imposed upon it or any of its properties or assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses or franchises before any penalty or fine accrues thereon, and all claims (including claims for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums that have become due and payable and that by law have or may become a Lien upon any of its properties or assets, prior to the time when any penalty or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto; provided , no such Tax or claim need be paid if it is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted, so long as (a) adequate reserve or other appropriate provision, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor, and (b) in the case of a Tax or claim which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral, such contest proceedings conclusively operate to stay the sale of any portion of the Collateral to satisfy such Tax or claim. No Credit Party will, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, file or consent to the filing of any consolidated income tax return with any Person (other than Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries). In addition, each Company agrees to pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law any current or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies (including, without limitation, mortgage recording taxes, transfer taxes and similar fees) imposed by any Governmental Authority that arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement.

 

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5.4. Maintenance of Properties. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair, working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, all material properties used or useful in the business of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and from time to time will make or cause to be made all appropriate repairs, renewals and replacements thereof.

 

5.5. Insurance. Holdings will maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound and reputable insurers, (i) business interruption insurance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, and (ii) casualty insurance, such public liability insurance, third party property damage insurance with respect to liabilities, losses or damage in respect of the assets, properties and businesses of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as may customarily be carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses, in each case in such amounts (giving effect to self-insurance), with such deductibles, covering such risks and otherwise on such terms and conditions as shall be customary for such Persons. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Holdings will maintain or cause to be maintained (a) flood insurance with respect to each Flood Hazard Property that is located in a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, in each case in compliance with any applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and (b) replacement value casualty insurance on the Collateral under such policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and covering such risks as are at all times carried or maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar businesses. Each such policy of insurance shall (i) name Collateral Agent, on behalf of Lenders as an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear, and (ii) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a loss payable clause or endorsement, satisfactory in form and substance to Collateral Agent, that names Collateral Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties as the loss payee thereunder and provides for at least thirty days’ prior written notice to Collateral Agent of any modification or cancellation of such policy.

 

5.6. Inspections. Each Credit Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any authorized representatives designated by any Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect any of the properties of any Credit Party and any of its respective Subsidiaries, to inspect, copy and take extracts from its and their financial and accounting records, and to discuss its and their affairs, finances and accounts with its and their officers and independent public accountants, all upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested.

 

5.7. Lenders Meetings. Holdings and the Companies will, upon the request of Administrative Agent or Requisite Lenders, participate in a meeting of Administrative Agent and Lenders once during each Fiscal Year to be held at Company’s corporate offices (or at such other location as may be agreed to by the Company Representative and Administrative Agent) at such time as may be agreed to by the Company Representative and Administrative Agent.

 

5.8. Compliance with Laws. Each Credit Party will comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and all other Persons, if any, on or occupying any Facilities to comply, with (i) the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority (including all Environmental Laws) in all material respects (it being understood, in the case of any laws, rules, regulations, and orders specifically referred to any other provision of this Agreement, the Credit Parties shall also be required to represent and/or comply with, as applicable, the express terms of such provision), and (ii) all Sanctions, Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Laws, and Anti-Terrorism and Anti-Money Laundering Laws in accordance with Section 4.26(a). Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain the policies and procedures described in Section 4.26(b).

 

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5.9. Environmental .

 

(a) Environmental Disclosure . Holdings will deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders:

 

(i) as soon as practicable following receipt thereof, copies of all environmental audits, investigations, analyses and reports of any kind or character, whether prepared by personnel of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or by independent consultants, Governmental Authorities or any other Persons, with respect to significant environmental matters at any Facility or with respect to any Environmental Claims;

 

(ii) promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge of the occurrence thereof, written notice describing in reasonable detail (1) any Release required to be reported to any federal, state or local governmental or regulatory agency under any applicable Environmental Laws, (2) any remedial action taken by Holdings or any other Person in response to (A) any Hazardous Materials Activities the existence of which has a reasonable possibility of resulting in one or more Environmental Claims having, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (B) any Environmental Claims that, individually or in the aggregate, have a reasonable possibility of resulting in a Material Adverse Effect, and (3) any Credit Party’s discovery of any occurrence or condition on any real property adjoining or in the vicinity of any Facility that could cause such Facility or any part thereof to be subject to any material restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, transferability or use thereof under any Environmental Laws;

 

(iii) as soon as practicable following the sending or receipt thereof by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, a copy of any and all written communications with respect to (1) any Environmental Claims that, individually or in the aggregate, have a reasonable possibility of giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect, (2) any Release required to be reported to any Governmental Authority, and (3) any request for information from any Governmental Authority that suggests such agency is investigating whether Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries may be potentially responsible for any Hazardous Materials Activity;

 

(iv) prompt written notice describing in reasonable detail (1) any proposed acquisition of stock, assets, or property by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to (A) expose Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to, or result in, Environmental Claims that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect or (B) affect the ability of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to maintain in full force and effect all material Governmental Authorizations required under any Environmental Laws for their respective operations and (2) any proposed action to be taken by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to modify current operations in a manner that could reasonably be expected to subject Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to any additional material obligations or requirements under any Environmental Laws; and

 

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(v) with reasonable promptness, such other documents and information as from time to time may be reasonably requested by Administrative Agent in relation to any matters disclosed pursuant to this Section 5.9(a).

 

(b) Hazardous Materials Activities, Etc . Each Credit Party shall promptly take, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries promptly to take, any and all actions necessary to (i) cure any violation of applicable Environmental Laws by such Credit Party or its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) make an appropriate response to any Environmental Claim against such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and discharge any obligations it may have to any Person thereunder where failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.10. Subsidiaries. In the event that any Person becomes a Subsidiary of Holdings, the Credit Parties shall (a) concurrently with such Person becoming a Domestic Subsidiary cause such Subsidiary to become a Company hereunder by executing and delivering to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent a Counterpart Agreement, and a Grantor under the Pledge and Security Agreement by executing and delivering to Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent a Counterpart Agreement; and (b) take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents, instruments, agreements, and certificates as are similar to those described in Sections 3.1(b), 3.1(i), 3.1(j), 3.1(k), and 3.1(n). With respect to each such Subsidiary, the Company Representative shall promptly send to Administrative Agent written notice setting forth with respect to such Person (i) the date on which such Person became a Subsidiary of Holdings, and (ii) all of the data required to be set forth in Schedules 4.1 and 4.2 with respect to all Subsidiaries of Holdings; provided, such written notice shall be deemed to supplement Schedule 4.1 and 4.2 for all purposes hereof.

 

5.11. Additional Material Real Estate Assets. In the event that any Credit Party acquires or leases a Material Real Estate Asset after the Restatement Date or a Real Estate Asset owned or leased becomes a Material Real Estate Asset after the Restatement Date and such interest has not otherwise been made subject to the Lien of the Collateral Documents in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, then such Credit Party, contemporaneously with acquiring such Material Real Estate Asset, or promptly after a Real Estate Asset owned or leased becomes a Material Real Estate Asset (and in any event within 30 days or such longer period approved by the Administrative Agent in writing), shall deliver the Real Estate Mortgage Requirements and take all such actions and execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all such mortgages, documents, instruments, agreements, opinions and certificates similar to those described in Sections 3.1(j), 3.1(k) and 3.1(n) with respect to each such Material Real Estate Asset that Collateral Agent shall reasonably request to create in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, a valid and, subject to any filing and/or recording referred to herein, perfected First Priority security interest in such Material Real Estate Assets. In addition to the foregoing, the Credit Parties shall, at the request of Requisite Lenders, deliver, from time to time, to Administrative Agent such appraisals as are required by law or regulation of Real Estate Assets with respect to which Collateral Agent has been granted a Lien.

 

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5.12. Reserved.

 

5.13. Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time upon the request of Administrative Agent, each Credit Party will, at its expense, promptly execute, acknowledge and deliver such further documents and do such other acts and things as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may reasonably request in order to effect fully the purposes of the Credit Documents, including providing Lenders with any information reasonably requested pursuant to Section 10.21. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each Credit Party shall take such actions as Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations remain the joint and several obligations of each and all Companies, remain guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by substantially all of the assets of Holdings, and its Subsidiaries and all of the outstanding Capital Stock of the Companies and their respective Subsidiaries. No Credit Party (other than Holdings) shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue any Capital Stock after the Restatement Date unless concurrently with such issuance, the Credit Parties shall cause such Capital Stock to be subject to a perfected First Priority Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall deliver all such documents, opinions, filings, searches and other deliverables as the Collateral Agent shall require in connection therewith.

 

5.14. Miscellaneous Business Covenants. Unless otherwise consented to by Agents and Requisite Lenders:

 

(a) Non-Consolidation . Holdings will and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to: (i) maintain entity records and books of account separate from those of any other entity which is an Affiliate of such entity; (ii) not commingle its funds or assets with those of any other entity which is an Affiliate of such entity; and (iii) provide that its board of directors or other analogous governing body will hold all appropriate meetings to authorize and approve such entity’s actions, which meetings will be separate from those of other entities.

 

(b) Cash Management Systems . Holdings and its Subsidiaries shall establish and maintain cash management systems reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, including, without limitation, with respect to blocked account arrangements.

 

(c) Communication with Accountants . Each Credit Party executing this Agreement authorizes Administrative Agent to communicate directly with such Credit Party’s independent certified public accountants and authorizes and shall instruct those accountants to communicate (including the delivery of audit drafts and letters to management) with Administrative Agent and each Lender information relating to any Credit Party with respect to the business, results of operations and financial condition of any Credit Party; provided however, that Administrative Agent or the applicable Lender, as the case may be, shall provide such Credit Party with notice at least two (2) Business Days prior to first initiating any such communication.

 

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(d) Activities of Management . Each member of the senior management team of each Credit Party shall devote all or substantially all of his or her professional working time, attention, and energies to the management of the businesses of the Credit Parties.

 

5.15. Post Closing Matters . The Companies shall, and shall cause each of the Credit Parties to, satisfy the requirements set forth on Schedule 5.15 on or before the date specified for such requirement or such later date to be determined by the Agent.

 

SECTION 6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

Each Credit Party covenants and agrees that, so long as any Commitment is in effect and until payment in full of all Obligations, such Credit Party shall perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in this Section 6.

 

6.1. Indebtedness. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or guaranty, or otherwise become or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a) the Obligations;

 

(b) Indebtedness of any Company to any other Company; provided, (i) all such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by promissory notes and all such notes shall be subject to a First Priority Lien pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement, (ii) all such Indebtedness shall be unsecured and subordinated in right of payment to the payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the applicable promissory notes or an intercompany subordination agreement that in any such case, is reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, and (iii) any payment by any such Company under any guaranty of the Obligations shall result in a pro tanto reduction of the amount of any Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to such Company or to any of its Subsidiaries for whose benefit such payment is made;

 

(c) Indebtedness incurred by any Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising from agreements providing for indemnification or from guaranties or letters of credit, surety bonds or performance bonds securing the performance of any Company or any such Subsidiary pursuant to such agreements, in connection with Permitted Acquisitions or permitted dispositions of any business, assets or Subsidiary of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(d) Indebtedness which may be deemed to exist pursuant to any guaranties, performance, surety, statutory or appeal bonds or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e) Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and otherwise in connection with Deposit Accounts;

 

(f) guaranties in the ordinary course of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees and licensees of any Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

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(g) guaranties by any Company of Indebtedness of another Company or guaranties by a Subsidiary of any Company of Indebtedness of such Company with respect, in each case, to Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred pursuant to this Section 6.1; provided, that if the Indebtedness that is being guarantied is unsecured and/or subordinated to the Obligations, the guaranty shall also be unsecured and/or subordinated to the Obligations;

 

(h) Indebtedness described in Schedule 6.1, but not any extensions, renewals or replacements of such Indebtedness except (i) renewals and extensions expressly provided for in the agreements evidencing any such Indebtedness as the same are in effect on the date of this Agreement, and (ii) refinancings and extensions of any such Indebtedness if the terms and conditions thereof are not less favorable to the obligor thereon or to the Lenders than the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended, and the average life to maturity thereof is greater than or equal to that of the Indebtedness being refinanced or extended; provided , such Indebtedness permitted under the immediately preceding clause (i) or (ii) above shall not (A) include Indebtedness of an obligor that was not an obligor with respect to the Indebtedness being extended, renewed or refinanced, (B) exceed in a principal amount the Indebtedness being renewed, extended or refinanced, or (C) be incurred, created or assumed if any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

 

(i) Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $1,000,000 with respect to (x) Capital Leases and (y) purchase money Indebtedness (including any Indebtedness acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition); provided, in the case of clause (x), that any such Indebtedness shall be secured only by the asset subject to such Capital Lease, and, in the case of clause (y), that any such Indebtedness shall (i) be secured only by the asset acquired in connection with the incurrence of such Indebtedness and (ii) constitute not less than 85% of the aggregate consideration paid with respect to such asset;

 

(j) Subordinated Debt in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,500,000 at any time outstanding (other than any interest paid in kind in accordance with the subordination terms applicable to such Subordinated Debt);

 

(k) Indebtedness of any Person that became a Subsidiary of Holdings after the Closing Date and prior to the Restatement Date in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $3,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided, that (x) no Credit Party shall be obligated with respect to such Indebtedness (whether as a borrower, guarantor or otherwise) except for the original obligor with respect thereto and (y) such Indebtedness existed at the time such Person became a Subsidiary of Holdings and was not created in anticipation thereof; and

 

(l) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Companies and their Subsidiaries other than the types listed in Section 6.1(a) – (k), which is unsecured and subordinated to the Obligations in a manner satisfactory to Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $250,000.

 

No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, issue any Capital Stock other than Qualified Capital Stock. To the extent any other Capital Stock of the issuing Credit Party or Subsidiary is pledged to secure the Obligations, such additional Capital Stock shall also be pledged to secure the Obligations pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

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6.2. Liens. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any kind (including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts receivable) of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or file or permit the filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property, asset, income or profits under the UCC of any State or under any similar recording or notice statute, except:

 

(a) Liens in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties granted pursuant to any Credit Document;

 

(b) Liens for Taxes if obligations with respect to such Taxes are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted (in a manner that causes the enforcement of any such Lien to be stayed) so long as the aggregate amount of such Taxes does not exceed $250,000;

 

(c) statutory Liens of landlords, banks (and rights of set-off), of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, repairmen, workmen and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law (other than any such Lien imposed pursuant to Section 401 (a)(29) or 412(n) of the Internal Revenue Code or by ERISA), in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business (i) for amounts not yet overdue, or (ii) for amounts that are overdue and that (in the case of any such amounts overdue for a period in excess of five days) are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings instituted and diligently conducted (in a manner that causes the enforcement of any such Lien to be stayed), so long as such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made for any such contested amounts;

 

(d) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, trade contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money or other Indebtedness), so long as no foreclosure, sale or similar proceedings have been commenced with respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof; provided , that the aggregate amount secured by Liens in connection with surety bonds and to secure the performance of tenders shall not exceed the sum of (x) $250,000 and (y) with respect to bonds posted in connection with customer contracts or the Credit Parties’ closure and post-closure obligations with respect to any landfill site, the minimum amount required by the bonding company (which shall be nationally or regionally recognized and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) with respect to such bond;

 

(e) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, and other minor defects or irregularities in title, in each case which do not and will not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

(f) any interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any lease of real estate permitted hereunder;

 

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(g) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted hereunder;

 

(h) purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to operating leases of personal property entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods;

 

(j) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any real property;

 

(k) licenses of patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights granted by any Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of such Company or such Subsidiary;

 

(l) Liens existing as of the Restatement Date and described in Schedule 6.2;

 

(m) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.1(i); provided , any such Lien shall encumber only the asset acquired with the proceeds of such Indebtedness; and

 

(n) Liens on assets of Credit Parties acquired after the Closing Date and prior to the Restatement Date securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.1(j); provided, that such Lien (i) existed prior to the date such Person became a Subsidiary of Holdings, (ii) such Lien was not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary of Holdings, (iii) such Lien does shall not apply to any other asset of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and (iv) such Lien secures only those obligations that it secured on the date such Person became a Subsidiary of Holdings; and

 

(o) other Liens on assets other than the Collateral and other than the types listed in Section 6.2(a) – (n) securing Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 at any time outstanding.

 

6.3. Equitable Lien. If any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall create or assume any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Permitted Liens, it shall make or cause to be made effective provisions whereby the Obligations will be secured by such Lien equally and ratably with any and all other Indebtedness secured thereby as long as any such Indebtedness shall be so secured; provided , notwithstanding the foregoing, this covenant shall not be construed as a consent by Requisite Lenders to the creation or assumption of any such Lien not otherwise permitted hereby.

 

6.4. No Further Negative Pledges. Except with respect to (a) specific property encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness or to be sold pursuant to an executed agreement with respect to a permitted Asset Sale, (b) restrictions by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business (provided that such restrictions are limited to the property or assets secured by such Liens or the property or assets subject to such leases, licenses or similar agreements, as the case may be) and (c) agreements with respect to Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.2(m) (provided that such restrictions are limited to the property or assets secured by such Liens), no Credit Party nor any of its Subsidiaries shall enter into any agreement prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

 

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6.5. Restricted Junior Payments. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates through any manner or means or through any other Person to, directly or indirectly, declare, order, pay, make or set apart, or agree to declare, order, pay, make or set apart, any sum for any Restricted Junior Payment except that so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall be caused thereby, the Companies may make Restricted Junior Payments (i) to Holdings in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 in any trailing twelve month period, to the extent necessary to permit Holdings to pay general administrative costs and expenses, (ii) to Holdings to the extent necessary to permit Holdings to discharge the consolidated tax liabilities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries, in each case so long as Holdings applies the amount of any such Restricted Junior Payment for such purpose, (iii) by any Credit Party to any Credit Party other than Holdings, and (iv) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and such payment is otherwise permitted under the applicable subordination terms, regularly scheduled interest payments on Subordinated Debt at a rate not to exceed 8.00% per annum. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no amount shall be permitted to be distributed by any Credit Party to pay, or otherwise in connection with, any Tax resulting from the cancellation or discharge of Indebtedness.

 

6.6. Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions. Except as provided herein, no Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability of any Subsidiary of Holdings to (a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on any of such Subsidiary’s Capital Stock owned by Holdings or any of its other Subsidiaries, (b) repay or prepay any Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to Holdings or any of its other Subsidiaries, (c) make loans or advances to any Credit Party, or (d) transfer any of its property or assets to any Credit Party other than restrictions (i) in agreements evidencing purchase money Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.1(j) that impose restrictions on the property so acquired, (ii) by reason of customary provisions restricting assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses, joint venture agreements and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) that are or were created by virtue of any transfer of, agreement to transfer or option or right with respect to any property, assets or Capital Stock not otherwise prohibited under this Agreement.

 

6.7. Investments. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or own any Investment in any Person, including without limitation any Joint Venture and any Foreign Subsidiary, except:

 

(a) Investments in Cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

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(b) equity Investments owned as of the Restatement Date in any Subsidiary and Investments made after the Restatement Date in any wholly owned Subsidiary of Holdings that becomes a Company as required hereunder;

 

(c) Investments in deposits, prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business consistent with the past practices of Holdings and its Subsidiaries;

 

(d) intercompany loans to the extent permitted under Section 6.1(b);

 

(e) Consolidated Capital Expenditures permitted by Section 6.8(e);

 

(f) loans and advances to employees of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (i) made in the ordinary course of business and described on Schedule 6.7, and (ii) any refinancings of such loans after the Restatement Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000;

 

(g) Investments made in connection with Permitted Acquisitions permitted pursuant to Section 6.9;

 

(h) Investments described in Schedule 6.7; and

 

(i) other Investments in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $250,000.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party make any Investment which results in or facilitates in any manner any Restricted Junior Payment not otherwise permitted under the terms of Section 6.5.

 

6.8. Financial Covenants .

 

(a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA . Holdings shall not permit Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as at the end of any Fiscal Quarter, beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2018, for the four Fiscal Quarter period then ended to be less than the correlative amount indicated:

 

Fiscal Quarter   Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA  
September 30, 2018   $ 0  
December 31, 2018   $ 500,000  
March 31, 2019   $ 1,000,000  
June 30, 2019   $ 2,000,000  
September 30, 2019   $ 3,000,000  
December 31, 2019 and each Fiscal Quarter ending thereafter   $ 4,000,000  

 

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(b) Minimum Consolidated Liquidity . Holdings shall not permit Consolidated Liquidity on any date to be less than $500,000.

 

(c) Certain Calculations . With respect to any period during which a Permitted Acquisition or an Asset Sale has occurred (each, a “Subject Transaction”), for purposes of determining compliance with the financial covenants set forth in this Section 6.8 (but not for purposes of determining the Applicable Margin), Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA shall be calculated with respect to such period on a pro forma basis (including pro forma adjustments approved by Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) using the historical financial statements of any business so acquired or to be acquired or sold or to be sold and the consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries which shall be reformulated as if such Subject Transaction, and any Indebtedness incurred or repaid in connection therewith, had been consummated or incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period (and assuming that such Indebtedness bears interest during any portion of the applicable measurement period prior to the relevant acquisition at the weighted average of the interest rates applicable to outstanding Loans incurred during such period.

 

(d) For the purposes of determining compliance with the covenant set forth at Section 6.8(c) following consummation of a Permitted Acquisition, each of the minimum Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA amounts set forth in Section 6.8(c) shall be increased by 100% of EBITDA of the entity or assets being acquired for the four quarter period most recently ended prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition.

 

6.9. Fundamental Changes; Disposition of Assets; Acquisitions. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease or sub-lease (as lessor or sublessor), exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any part of its business, assets or property of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or acquire by purchase or otherwise (other than purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, materials and equipment and Capital Expenditures in the ordinary course of business) the business, property or fixed assets of, or stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or any division or line of business or other business unit of any Person, except:

 

(a) any Subsidiary of Holdings may be merged with or into any Company, or be liquidated, wound up or dissolved, or all or any part of its business, property or assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, to any Company; provided, in the case of such a merger, such Company shall be the continuing or surviving Person;

 

(b) sales or other dispositions of assets that do not constitute Asset Sales;

 

(c) Asset Sales, the proceeds of which (i) are less than $150,000 with respect to any single Asset Sale or series of related Asset Sales, and (ii) when aggregated with the proceeds of all other Asset Sales made within the trailing twelve month period, are less than $250,000; provided (1) the consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof (determined in good faith by the board of directors of the applicable Company or Subsidiary (or similar governing body)), (2) no less than 100% thereof shall be paid in Cash, and (3) the Net Asset Sale Proceeds thereof shall be applied as required by Section 2.13(a);

 

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(d) disposals of obsolete or worn out property;

 

(e) Permitted Acquisitions, the aggregate consideration (including without limitation, all transaction costs, assumed Indebtedness and other liabilities and deferred payments, including earnouts) for which constitutes less than (i) $1,000,000 with respect to any single Permitted Acquisition, and (iii) $3,000,000 in any trailing twelve month period; and

 

(f) Investments made in accordance with Section 6.7.

 

6.10. Disposal of Subsidiary Interests. Except for any sale of all of its interests in the Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries in compliance with the provisions of Section 6.9, no Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) directly or indirectly sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries, except to qualify directors if required by applicable law; or (b) permit any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly to sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries, except to another Credit Party (subject to the restrictions on such disposition otherwise imposed hereunder), or to qualify directors if required by applicable law.

 

6.11. Sales and Lease-Backs. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or other surety with respect to any lease of any property (whether real, personal or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, which such Credit Party (a) has sold or transferred or is to sell or to transfer to any other Person (other than Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries), or (b) intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other property which has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Credit Party to any Person (other than Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries) in connection with such lease.

 

6.12. Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, permit to exist or fail to enforce any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any holder of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (or any Affiliate of such holder) or with any Affiliate of Holdings (solely for purposes of this Section 6.12, including each Non-Management Shareholder) or of any such holder; provided, however, that the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries may enter into or permit to exist any such transaction if both (x) the Administrative Agent has consented thereto in writing prior to the consummation thereof and (y) the terms of such transaction are not less favorable to Holdings or that Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that might be obtained at the time from a Person who is not such a holder or Affiliate; further, provided, that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (a) any transaction between and among any Company and any other Company; (b) reasonable and customary fees paid to members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of Holdings and its Subsidiaries; (c) compensation arrangements for officers and other employees of Holdings and its Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business; and (d) transactions described in Schedule 6.12. The Credit Parties shall disclose in writing each transaction with any holder of 5% or more of any class of Capital Stock of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or with any Affiliate of Holdings or of any such holder to Administrative Agent.

 

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6.13. Conduct of Business; Foreign Subsidiaries . From and after the Restatement Date, no Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than the businesses engaged in by any Credit Party on the Restatement Date. No Credit Party shall form, create, or incorporate any Foreign Subsidiary.

 

6.14. Permitted Activities of Holdings. Holdings shall not (a) incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness or any other obligation or liability whatsoever other than the Indebtedness and obligations under the Credit Documents; (b) create or suffer to exist any Lien upon any property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired by it other than the Liens created under the Collateral Documents to which it is a party or permitted pursuant to Section 6.2; (c) engage in any business or activity or own any assets other than (i) holding 100% of the Capital Stock of the Companies; (ii) performing its obligations and activities incidental thereto under the Credit Documents; and (iii) making Restricted Junior Payments and Investments to the extent permitted by this Agreement; (d) consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to, any Person; (e) sell or otherwise dispose of any Capital Stock of any of its Subsidiaries; (f) create or acquire any Subsidiary or make or own any Investment in any Person other than the Credit Parties; (g) issue any Capital Stock after the Restatement Date, other than common shares of Capital Stock; or (h) fail to hold itself out to the public as a legal entity separate and distinct from all other Persons.

 

6.15. Amendments or Waivers of Certain Material Agreements. No Credit Party shall nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, agree to any material amendment, restatement, supplement or other modification to, or waiver of, any of its material rights under any material agreement without in each case obtaining the prior written consent of Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders to such amendment, restatement, supplement or other modification or waiver.

 

6.16. Compliance with Reporting Requirements. From and after the Restatement Date, to the extent applicable to Holdings, Holdings shall comply with the Securities Act, Exchange Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and each other law, rule and regulation applicable to Holdings due to its status as a publicly traded company. Holdings shall at all times maintain systems of internal controls and corporate governance standards consistent with best practices for a publicly traded company of its size. Without limiting the foregoing, Holdings shall ensure that all filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission required under the Securities Act, Exchange Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are made on or prior to the date required thereunder without giving effect to any extension or possible extension of such dates permitted thereunder.

 

6.17. Fiscal Year. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to change its Fiscal Year-end from December 31.

 

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6.18. Deposit Accounts. Subject to Section 5.15, no Credit Party shall establish or maintain a Deposit Account that is not a Controlled Account and no Credit Party will deposit proceeds in a Deposit Account which is not a Controlled Account.

 

6.19. Amendments to Organizational Agreements and Material Contracts. No Credit Party shall (a) amend or permit any amendments to any Credit Party's Organizational Documents; or (b) amend or permit any amendments to, or terminate or waive any provision of, any Material Contract if such amendment, termination, or waiver would be adverse to Administrative Agent or the Lenders.

 

6.20. Prepayments of Certain Indebtedness. No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Affiliates to, directly or indirectly, purchase, redeem, defease or prepay any principal of, premium, if any, interest or other amount payable in respect of any Indebtedness prior to its scheduled maturity, other than (i) the Obligations, and (ii) Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Lien if the asset securing such Indebtedness has been sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with Section 6.9 .

 

6.21 Limitations on LGMG . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless and until all Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 6.1 shall have been paid in full and all Liens securing such Indebtedness shall have been released, no Credit Party shall make any Investment in LGMG or transfer any assets to LGMG.

 

SECTION 7. GUARANTY

 

7.1. Guaranty of the Obligations.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 7.2, each Company, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Beneficiaries the due and punctual payment in full of all Obligations of the other Companies when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)) (collectively, the “ Company Guaranteed Obligations ”) and agrees that all Obligations, including all interest, fees and expenses with respect thereto and all indemnity and reimbursement obligations hereunder, constitute one joint and several direct and general obligation of all Companies. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, each Company shall be jointly and severally, with each other Company, directly and unconditionally, liable for all Obligations, it being understood that the advances to each Company inure to the benefit of all Companies, and that the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are relying on the joint and several liability of the Companies as co-makers in extending the Loans hereunder. Each Company hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that upon default in the payment when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of any principal of, or interest on, any Obligation, it will forthwith pay the same, without notice or demand, unless such payment is then prohibited by applicable law.

 

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(b) Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally guaranty to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Beneficiaries the due and punctual payment in full of all Obligations when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)) (collectively with the Company Guaranteed Obligations, the “ Guaranteed Obligations ”).

 

7.2. Contribution by Credit Parties. All Credit Parties desire to allocate among themselves (collectively, the “ Contributing Credit Parties ”), in a fair and equitable manner, their obligations arising under this Guaranty. Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any date by any Credit Party, as applicable (a “ Funding Credit Party ”) under this Guaranty such that its Aggregate Payments exceeds its Fair Share as of such date, such Funding Credit Party shall be entitled to a contribution from each of the other Contributing Credit Parties in an amount sufficient to cause each Contributing Credit Party’s Aggregate Payments to equal its Fair Share as of such date. “ Fair Share ” means, with respect to a Contributing Credit Party as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the ratio of (i) the Fair Share Contribution Amount with respect to such Contributing Credit Party, to (ii) the aggregate of the Fair Share Contribution Amounts with respect to all Contributing Credit Parties multiplied by, (b) the aggregate amount paid or distributed on or before such date by all Funding Credit Parties under this Guaranty in respect of the obligations Guaranteed. “Fair Share Contribution Amount” means, with respect to a Contributing Credit Party as of any date of determination, the maximum aggregate amount of the obligations of such Contributing Credit Party under this Guaranty that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any comparable applicable provisions of state law; provided, solely for purposes of calculating the “ Fair Share Contribution Amount ” with respect to any Contributing Credit Party for purposes of this Section 7.2, any assets or liabilities of such Contributing Credit Party arising by virtue of any rights to subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification or any rights to or obligations of contribution hereunder shall not be considered as assets or liabilities of such Contributing Credit Party. “Aggregate Payments” means, with respect to a Contributing Credit Party as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (1) the aggregate amount of all payments and distributions made on or before such date by such Contributing Credit Party in respect of this Guaranty (including, without limitation, in respect of this Section 7.2), minus (2) the aggregate amount of all payments received on or before such date by such Contributing Credit Party from the other Contributing Credit Parties as contributions under this Section 7.2. The amounts payable as contributions hereunder shall be determined as of the date on which the related payment or distribution is made by the applicable Funding Credit Party. The allocation among Contributing Credit Parties of their obligations as set forth in this Section 7.2 shall not be construed in any way to limit the liability of any Contributing Credit Party hereunder. Each Credit Party is a third party beneficiary to the contribution agreement set forth in this Section 7.2.

 

7.3. Payment by Credit Parties. Subject to Section 7.2, the Credit Parties hereby jointly and severally agree, in furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Beneficiary may have at law or in equity against any Credit Party by virtue hereof, that upon the failure of any Credit Party to pay any of the Guaranteed Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)), the other Credit Parties will upon demand pay, or cause to be paid, in Cash, to Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of Beneficiaries, an amount equal to the sum of the unpaid principal amount of all Guaranteed Obligations then due as aforesaid, accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (including interest which, but for any Credit Party’s becoming the subject of a case under the Bankruptcy Code, would have accrued on such Guaranteed Obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against any Credit Party for such interest in the related bankruptcy case) and all other Guaranteed Obligations then owed to Beneficiaries as aforesaid.

 

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7.4. Liability of Credit Parties Absolute. Each Credit Party agrees that its obligations hereunder are irrevocable, absolute, independent and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance which constitutes a legal or equitable discharge of a guarantor or surety other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, each Credit Party agrees as follows:

 

(a) this Guaranty is a guaranty of payment when due and not of collectability. This Guaranty is a primary obligation of each Credit Party and not merely a contract of surety;

 

(b) Administrative Agent may enforce this Guaranty upon the occurrence of an Event of Default notwithstanding the existence of any dispute between Company and any Beneficiary with respect to the existence of such Event of Default;

 

(c) the obligations of each Credit Party hereunder are independent of the obligations of the other Credit Parties and the obligations of any other guarantor of the obligations of the Companies, and a separate action or actions may be brought and prosecuted against such Credit Party whether or not any action is brought against any other Credit Party or any of such other guarantors and whether or not any Credit Party is joined in any such action or actions;

 

(d) payment by any Credit Party of a portion, but not all, of the Guaranteed Obligations shall in no way limit, affect, modify or abridge any Credit Party's liability for any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which has not been paid. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if Administrative Agent is awarded a judgment in any suit brought to enforce any Credit Party's covenant to pay a portion of the Guaranteed Obligations, such judgment shall not be deemed to release such Credit Party from its covenant to pay the portion of the Guaranteed Obligations that is not the subject of such suit, and such judgment shall not, except to the extent satisfied by such Credit Party, limit, affect, modify or abridge any other Credit Party's liability hereunder in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

(e) any Beneficiary, upon such terms as it deems appropriate, without notice or demand and without affecting the validity or enforceability hereof or giving rise to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination of any Credit Party's liability hereunder, from time to time may (i) renew, extend, accelerate, increase the rate of interest on, or otherwise change the time, place, manner or terms of payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) settle, compromise, release or discharge, or accept or refuse any offer of performance with respect to, or substitutions for, the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto and/or subordinate the payment of the same to the payment of any other obligations; (iii) request and accept other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations and take and hold security for the payment hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations; (iv) release, surrender, exchange, substitute, compromise, settle, rescind, waive, alter, subordinate or modify, with or without consideration, any security for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, any other guaranties of the Guaranteed Obligations, or any other obligation of any Person (including any other Credit Party) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) enforce and apply any security now or hereafter held by or for the benefit of such Beneficiary in respect hereof or the Guaranteed Obligations and direct the order or manner of sale thereof, or exercise any other right or remedy that such Beneficiary may have against any such security, in each case as such Beneficiary in its discretion may determine consistent herewith or the applicable Interest Rate Agreement and any applicable security agreement, including foreclosure on any such security pursuant to one or more judicial or nonjudicial sales, whether or not every aspect of any such sale is commercially reasonable, and even though such action operates to impair or extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of any Credit Party against any other Credit Party or any security for the Guaranteed Obligations; and (vi) exercise any other rights available to it under the Credit Documents or Interest Rate Agreements; and

 

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(f) this Guaranty and the obligations of Credit Parties hereunder shall be valid and enforceable and shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment, discharge or termination for any reason (other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations), including the occurrence of any of the following, whether or not any Credit Party shall have had notice or knowledge of any of them: (i) any failure or omission to assert or enforce or agreement or election not to assert or enforce, or the stay or enjoining, by order of court, by operation of law or otherwise, of the exercise or enforcement of, any claim or demand or any right, power or remedy (whether arising under the Credit Documents or any Interest Rate Agreement, at law, in equity or otherwise) with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement relating thereto, or with respect to any other guaranty of or security for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms or provisions (including provisions relating to events of default) hereof, any of the other Credit Documents, any of the Interest Rate Agreements or any agreement or instrument executed pursuant thereto, or of any other guaranty or security for the Guaranteed Obligations, in each case whether or not in accordance with the terms hereof or such Credit Document, such Interest Rate Agreement or any agreement relating to such other guaranty or security; (iii) the Guaranteed Obligations, or any agreement relating thereto, at any time being found to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect; (iv) the application of payments received from any source (other than payments received pursuant to the other Credit Documents or any of the Interest Rate Agreements or from the proceeds of any security for the Guaranteed Obligations, except to the extent such security also serves as collateral for indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations) to the payment of indebtedness other than the Guaranteed Obligations, even though any Beneficiary might have elected to apply such payment to any part or all of the Guaranteed Obligations; (v) any Beneficiary's consent to the change, reorganization or termination of the corporate structure or existence of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries and to any corresponding restructuring of the Guaranteed Obligations; (vi) any failure to perfect or continue perfection of a security interest in any collateral which secures any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (vii) any defenses, set offs or counterclaims which any Credit Party may allege or assert against any Beneficiary in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations, including failure of consideration, breach of warranty, payment, statute of frauds, statute of limitations, accord and satisfaction and usury; and (viii) any other act or thing or omission, or delay to do any other act or thing, which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Credit Party as an obligor in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

7.5. Waivers by Credit Parties. Each Credit Party hereby waives, for the benefit of Beneficiaries: (a) any right to require any Beneficiary, as a condition of payment or performance by such Credit Party, to (i) proceed against any Credit Party, any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other Person, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any security held from any Credit Party, any such other guarantor or any other Person, (iii) proceed against or have resort to any balance of any Deposit Account or credit on the books of any Beneficiary in favor of any Credit Party or any other Person, or (iv) pursue any other remedy in the power of any Beneficiary whatsoever; (b) any defense arising by reason of the incapacity, lack of authority or any disability or other defense of any Credit Party including any defense based on or arising out of the lack of validity or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement or instrument relating thereto or by reason of the cessation of the liability of any Credit Party from any cause other than payment in full of the Guaranteed Obligations; (c) any defense based upon any statute or rule of law which provides that the obligation of a surety must be neither larger in amount nor in other respects more burdensome than that of the principal; (d) any defense based upon any Beneficiary’s errors or omissions in the administration of the Guaranteed Obligations, except behavior which amounts to bad faith; (e) (i) any principles or provisions of law, statutory or otherwise, which are or might be in conflict with the terms hereof and any legal or equitable discharge of such Credit Party’s obligations hereunder, (ii) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting such Credit Party’s liability hereunder or the enforcement hereof, (iii) any rights to set offs, recoupments and counterclaims, and (iv) promptness, diligence and any requirement that any Beneficiary protect, secure, perfect or insure any security interest or lien or any property subject thereto; (f) notices, demands, presentments, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and notices of any action or inaction, including acceptance hereof, notices of default hereunder, the Interest Rate Agreements or any agreement or instrument related thereto, notices of any renewal, extension or modification of the Guaranteed Obligations or any agreement related thereto, notices of any extension of credit to any Company and notices of any of the matters referred to in Section 7.4 and any right to consent to any thereof; and (g) any defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by law which limit the liability of or exonerate guarantors or sureties, or which may conflict with the terms hereof.

 

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7.6. Credit Parties’ Rights of Subrogation, Contribution, etc. Until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or been cancelled, each Credit Party hereby waives any claim, right or remedy, direct or indirect, that such Guarantor now has or may hereafter have against any other Credit Party or any of its assets in connection with this Guaranty or the performance by such Credit Party of its obligations hereunder, in each case whether such claim, right or remedy arises in equity, under contract, by statute, under common law or otherwise and including without limitation (a) any right of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification that such Credit Party now has or may hereafter have against any other Credit Party with respect to the Guaranteed Obligations, (b) any right to enforce, or to participate in, any claim, right or remedy that any Beneficiary now has or may hereafter have against any other Credit Party, and (c) any benefit of, and any right to participate in, any collateral or security now or hereafter held by any Beneficiary. In addition, until the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or been cancelled, each Credit Party shall withhold exercise of any right of contribution such Credit Party may have against any other obligor (including any other Credit Party) of the Guaranteed Obligations, including, without limitation, any such right of contribution as contemplated by Section 7.2. Each Credit Party further agrees that, to the extent the waiver or agreement to withhold the exercise of its rights of subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification and contribution as set forth herein is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or voidable for any reason, any rights of subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification such Credit Party may have against any other Credit Party or against any collateral or security, and any rights of contribution such Credit Party may have against any such other guarantor, shall be junior and subordinate to any rights any Beneficiary may have against any Credit Party, to all right, title and interest any Beneficiary may have in any such collateral or security, and to any right any Beneficiary may have against such other guarantor. If any amount shall be paid to any Credit Party on account of any such subrogation, reimbursement, indemnification or contribution rights at any time when all Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been finally and indefeasibly paid in full, such amount shall be held in trust for Administrative Agent on behalf of Beneficiaries and shall forthwith be paid over to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Beneficiaries to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

7.7. Subordination of Other Obligations. Any Indebtedness of any Credit Party now or hereafter held by any other Credit Party (the “ Obligee Credit Party ”) is hereby subordinated in right of payment to the Guaranteed Obligations, and any such indebtedness collected or received by the Obligee Credit Party after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing shall be held in trust for Administrative Agent on behalf of Beneficiaries and shall forthwith be paid over to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Beneficiaries to be credited and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations but without affecting, impairing or limiting in any manner the liability of the Obligee Credit Party under any other provision hereof.

 

7.8. Continuing Guaranty. This Guaranty is a continuing guaranty and shall remain in effect until all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full. Each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any right to revoke this Guaranty as to future transactions giving rise to any Guaranteed Obligations.

 

7.9. Authority of Credit Parties. It is not necessary for any Beneficiary to inquire into the capacity or powers of any Credit Party or the officers, directors or any agents acting or purporting to act on behalf of any of them.

 

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7.10. Financial Condition of Credit Parties. Any Credit Extension may be made to any Company or continued from time to time, and any Interest Rate Agreements may be entered into from time to time, in each case without notice to or authorization from any other Credit Party regardless of the financial or other condition of any Credit Party at the time of any such grant or continuation or at the time such Interest Rate Agreement is entered into, as the case may be. No Beneficiary shall have any obligation to disclose or discuss with any Credit Party its assessment, or any Credit Party’s assessment, of the financial condition of any other Credit Party. Each Credit Party has adequate means to obtain information from each other Credit Party on a continuing basis concerning the financial condition of such Credit Party and its ability to perform its obligations under the Credit Documents and the Interest Rate Agreements, and each Credit Party assumes the responsibility for being and keeping informed of the financial condition of each other Credit Party and of all circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Credit Party hereby waives and relinquishes any duty on the part of any Beneficiary to disclose any matter, fact or thing relating to the business, operations or conditions of any other Credit Party now known or hereafter known by any Beneficiary.

 

7.11. Bankruptcy, etc. (a)  So long as any Guaranteed Obligations remain outstanding, no Credit Party shall, without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent acting pursuant to the instructions of Requisite Lenders, commence or join with any other Person in commencing any bankruptcy, reorganization or insolvency case or proceeding of or against any other Credit Party. The obligations of the Credit Parties hereunder shall not be reduced, limited, impaired, discharged, deferred, suspended or terminated by any case or proceeding, voluntary or involuntary, involving the bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization, liquidation or arrangement of any other Credit Party or by any defense which any other Credit Party may have by reason of the order, decree or decision of any court or administrative body resulting from any such proceeding.

 

(b) Each Credit Party acknowledges and agrees that any interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding referred to in clause (a) above (or, if interest on any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations ceases to accrue by operation of law by reason of the commencement of such case or proceeding, such interest as would have accrued on such portion of the Guaranteed Obligations if such case or proceeding had not been commenced) shall be included in the Guaranteed Obligations because it is the intention of the Credit Parties and Beneficiaries that the Guaranteed Obligations which are guaranteed by the Credit Parties pursuant hereto should be determined without regard to any rule of law or order which may relieve any Credit Party of any portion of such Guaranteed Obligations. The Credit Parties will permit any trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, debtor in possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar person to pay Administrative Agent, or allow the claim of Administrative Agent in respect of, any such interest accruing after the date on which such case or proceeding is commenced.

 

(c) In the event that all or any portion of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid by any Credit Party, the obligations of the other Credit Parties hereunder shall continue and remain in full force and effect or be reinstated, as the case may be, in the event that all or any part of such payment(s) are rescinded or recovered directly or indirectly from any Beneficiary as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, and any such payments which are so rescinded or recovered shall constitute Guaranteed Obligations for all purposes hereunder.

 

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7.12. Discharge of Guaranty Upon Sale of Guarantor. If all of the Capital Stock of any Credit Party or any of its successors in interest hereunder shall be sold or otherwise disposed of (including by merger or consolidation) in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof, the Guaranty of such Credit Party or such successor in interest, as the case may be, hereunder shall automatically be discharged and released without any further action by any Beneficiary or any other Person effective as of the time of such Asset Sale.

 

7.13. Qualified ECP Credit Party. Each Qualified ECP Credit Party hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Credit Party to honor all of its obligations under this Guaranty in respect of Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Credit Party shall only be liable under this Section 7.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 7.13 or otherwise under this Guaranty voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Credit Party under this Section 7.13 shall remain in full force and effect until a payment in full in Cash of the Guaranteed Obligations. Each Qualified ECP Credit Party intends that this Section 7.13 constitute, and this Section 7.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Credit Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

8.1. Events of Default. If any one or more of the following conditions or events shall occur:

 

(a) Failure to Make Payments When Due . Failure by Companies to pay (i) when due the principal of and premium, if any, on any Loan whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise; (ii) when due any installment of principal of any Loan, by notice of voluntary prepayment, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise; or (iii) within one Business Day of when due any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount due hereunder or under any other Credit Document.

 

(b) Default in Other Agreements . (i) Failure of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries to pay when due any principal of or interest on or any other amount payable in respect of one or more items of (x) the Subordinated Debt or (y) any other Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness referred to in Section 8.1(a)) in an individual principal amount of $50,000 or more or with an aggregate principal amount of $100,000 or more, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor; or (ii) breach or default by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any other material term of (1) one or more items of Subordinated Debt or other Indebtedness in the individual or aggregate principal amounts referred to in clause (i) above, or (2) any loan agreement, mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such item(s) of Indebtedness, in each case beyond the grace period, if any, provided therefor, if the effect of such breach or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that Indebtedness (or a trustee on behalf of such holder or holders), to cause, that Indebtedness to become or be declared due and payable (or subject to a compulsory repurchase or redeemable) prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying obligation, as the case may be; or

 

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(c) Breach of Certain Covenants . Failure of any Credit Party to perform or comply with any term or condition contained in Section 2.5, Section 5.1, Section 5.2, Section 5.3, Section 5.4, Section 5.5, Section 5.6, Section 5.7, Section 5.8, Section 5.9, Section 5.10, Section 5.11, Section 5.14, Section 5.15 or Section 6; or

 

(d) Breach of Representations, etc. Any representation, warranty, certification or other statement made or deemed made by any Credit Party in any Credit Document or in any statement or certificate at any time given by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries in writing pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall be false in any material respect as of the date made or deemed made; or

 

(e) Other Defaults Under Credit Documents . Any Credit Party shall default in the performance of or compliance with any term contained herein or any of the other Credit Documents, other than any such term referred to in any other Section of this Section 8.1, and such default shall not have been remedied or waived within thirty days after the earlier of (i) an officer of such Credit Party becoming aware of such default, or (ii) receipt by the Company of notice from Administrative Agent or any Lender of such default; or

 

(f) Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc. (i) A court of competent jurisdiction shall enter a decree or order for relief in respect of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, which decree or order is not stayed; or any other similar relief shall be granted under any applicable federal or state law; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian or other officer having similar powers over Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, or over all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered; or there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver, trustee or other custodian of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries for all or a substantial part of its property; or a warrant of attachment, execution or similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of the property of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and any such event described in this clause (ii) shall continue for sixty days without having been dismissed, bonded or discharged; or

 

(g) Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc . (i) Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall have an order for relief entered with respect to it or shall commence a voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary case, under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial part of its property; or Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall make any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii) Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due; or the board of directors (or similar governing body) of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof) shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of the actions referred to herein or in Section 8.1(f); or

 

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(h) Judgments and Attachments . Any money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process involving (i) in any individual case an amount in excess of $100,000 or (ii) in the aggregate at any time an amount in excess of $200,000 (in either case to the extent not adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has acknowledged coverage) shall be entered or filed against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets and shall remain undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of sixty days (or in any event later than five days prior to the date of any proposed sale thereunder); or

 

(i) Dissolution . Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries decreeing the dissolution or split up of such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries and such order shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period in excess of thirty days; or

 

(j) Employee Benefit Plans . (i) There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the aggregate results in or might reasonably be expected to result in liability of Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in excess of $100,000 during the term hereof; or (ii) there exists any fact or circumstance that reasonably could be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien or security interest under Section 430(k) of the Internal Revenue Code or under Section 303(k) of ERISA; or

 

(k) Change of Control . A Change of Control shall occur; or

 

(l) Guaranties, Collateral Documents and other Credit Documents . At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) the Guaranty for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of all Obligations, shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms) or shall be declared to be null and void or any Guarantor shall repudiate its obligations thereunder, (ii) this Agreement or any Collateral Document ceases to be in full force and effect (other than by reason of a release of Collateral in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or the satisfaction in full of the Obligations in accordance with the terms hereof) or shall be declared null and void, or Collateral Agent shall not have or shall cease to have a valid and perfected Lien in any Collateral purported to be covered by the Collateral Documents with the priority required by the relevant Collateral Document, in each case for any reason other than the failure of Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to take any action within its control, or (iii) any Credit Party shall contest the validity or enforceability of any Credit Document in writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future advances by Lenders, under any Credit Document to which it is a party; or

 

(m) Termination of Material Contract . At any time any Material Contract is terminated by the counterparty thereto prior to the stated expiration or termination date of such Material Contract (other than a termination without cause by such counterparty which constitutes a breach of the applicable Material Contract);

 

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THEN , (1) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.1(f) or 8.1(g), automatically, and (2) upon the occurrence of any other Event of Default, at the request of (or with the consent of) Requisite Lenders, upon notice to the Company Representative by Administrative Agent, (A) the Commitments, if any, of each Lender having such Commitments shall immediately terminate; (B) each of the following shall immediately become due and payable, in each case without presentment, demand, protest or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by each Credit Party: (I) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued interest on the Loans and (II) all other Obligations; and (C) Administrative Agent may cause Collateral Agent to enforce any and all Liens and security interests created pursuant to Collateral Documents.

 

SECTION 9. AGENTS

 

9.1. Appointment of Agents. GSSLG is hereby appointed Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents and each Lender hereby authorizes GSSLG, in such capacity, to act as its agent in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Credit Documents. Each Agent hereby agrees to act upon the express conditions contained herein and the other Credit Documents, as applicable. The provisions of this Section 9 are solely for the benefit of Agents and Lenders and no Credit Party shall have any rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions thereof. In performing its functions and duties hereunder, each Agent shall act solely as an agent of Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation towards or relationship of agency or trust with or for Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

9.2. Powers and Duties. Each Lender irrevocably authorizes each Agent to take such action on such Lender’s behalf and to exercise such powers, rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Credit Documents as are specifically delegated or granted to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such powers, rights and remedies as are reasonably incidental thereto. Each Lender further irrevocably authorizes each of the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent to execute and deliver the Credit Documents to which it is a party and to exercise its rights and remedies thereunder. Each Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are expressly specified herein and the other Credit Documents. Each Agent may exercise such powers, rights and remedies and perform such duties by or through its agents or employees. No Agent shall have, by reason hereof or any of the other Credit Documents, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender; and nothing herein or any of the other Credit Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon any Agent any obligations in respect hereof or any of the other Credit Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.

 

9.3. General Immunity .

 

(a) No Responsibility for Certain Matters . No Agent shall be responsible to any Lender for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability or sufficiency hereof or any other Credit Document or for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or any other documents furnished or made by any Agent to Lenders or by or on behalf of any Credit Party to any Agent or any Lender in connection with the Credit Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby or for the financial condition or business affairs of any Credit Party or any other Person liable for the payment of any Obligations, nor shall any Agent be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or agreements contained in any of the Credit Documents or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or as to the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or Default or to make any disclosures with respect to the foregoing. Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, Administrative Agent shall not have any liability arising from confirmations of the amount of outstanding Loans or the component amounts thereof.

 

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(b) Exculpatory Provisions . No Agent nor any of its officers, partners, directors, employees or agents shall be liable to Lenders for any action taken or omitted by any Agent under or in connection with any of the Credit Documents except to the extent caused by such Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order. Each Agent shall be entitled to refrain from any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in connection herewith or any of the other Credit Documents or from the exercise of any power, discretion or authority vested in it hereunder or thereunder unless and until such Agent shall have received instructions in respect thereof from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.5) and, upon receipt of such instructions from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders, as the case may be), such Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed) refrain from acting, or to exercise such power, discretion or authority, in accordance with such instructions. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, (i) each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any communication, instrument or document believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person or Persons, and shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on opinions and judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for Holdings and its Subsidiaries), accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by it; and (ii) no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result of such Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting hereunder or any of the other Credit Documents in accordance with the instructions of Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such instructions under Section 10.5).

 

9.4. Agents Entitled to Act as Lender. The agency hereby created shall in no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties or obligations upon, any Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender hereunder. With respect to its participation in the Loans, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as if it were not performing the duties and functions delegated to it hereunder, and the term “Lender” shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include each Agent in its individual capacity. Any Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own Securities of, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with Holdings or any of its Affiliates as if it were not performing the duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from Company for services in connection herewith and otherwise without having to account for the same to Lenders.

 

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9.5. Lenders’ Representations, Warranties and Acknowledgment .

 

(a) Each Lender represents and warrants that it has made its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Holdings and its Subsidiaries in connection with Credit Extensions hereunder and that it has made and shall continue to make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries. No Agent shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Lenders or to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at any time or times thereafter, and no Agent shall have any responsibility with respect to the accuracy of or the completeness of any information provided to Lenders.

 

(b) [reserved].

 

(c) Each Lender (i) represents and warrants that as of the Restatement Date neither such Lender nor its Affiliates or Related Funds owns or controls, or owns or controls any Person owning or controlling, any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Credit Party other than the Obligations or any Capital Stock of any Credit Party (other than the Capital Stock held by Goldman Sachs & Co.) and (ii) covenants and agrees that from and after the Restatement Date neither such Lender nor its Affiliates and Related Funds shall purchase any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Credit Party other than the Obligations or Capital Stock described in clause (i) above without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

9.6. Right to Indemnity. Each Lender, in proportion to its Pro Rata Share, severally agrees to indemnify each Agent, their Affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors, trustees, employees and agents of each Agent (each, an “Indemnitee Agent Party” ), to the extent that such Indemnitee Agent Party shall not have been reimbursed by any Credit Party, for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such Indemnitee Agent Party in exercising its powers, rights and remedies or performing its duties hereunder or under the other Credit Documents or otherwise in its capacity as such Indemnitee Agent Party in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory, or sole negligence of such INDEMNITEE Agent PARTY ; provided , no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such Indemnitee Agent Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order. If any indemnity furnished to any Indemnitee Agent Party for any purpose shall, in the opinion of such Indemnitee Agent Party, be insufficient or become impaired, such Indemnitee Agent Party may call for additional indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional indemnity is furnished; provided , in no event shall this sentence require any Lender to indemnify any Indemnitee Agent Party against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement in excess of such Lender’s Pro Rata Share thereof; and provided further , this sentence shall not be deemed to require any Lender to indemnify any Indemnitee Agent Party against any liability, obligation, loss, damage, penalty, action, judgment, suit, cost, expense or disbursement described in the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence.

 

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9.7. Successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent .

 

(a) Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may resign at any time by giving thirty days’ prior written notice thereof to Lenders and the Company Representative. Upon any such notice of resignation, Requisite Lenders shall have the right, upon five Business Days’ notice to the Company Representative, to appoint a successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent. If, after 30 days after the date of the retiring Agent’s notice of resignation, no successor Agent has been appointed by the Requisite Lenders that has accepted such appointment, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent from among the Lenders. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, that successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and the retiring Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent all sums, Securities and other items of Collateral held under the Collateral Documents, together with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent under the Credit Documents, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent such amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent of the security interests created under the Collateral Documents, whereupon such retiring Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s and Collateral Agent’s resignation hereunder as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent may assign their rights and duties as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder to an Affiliate of GSSLG without the prior written consent of, or prior written notice to, the Company Representative or the Lenders; provided that the Credit Parties and the Lenders may deem and treat such assigning Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent as the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for all purposes hereof, unless and until such assigning Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be, provides written notice to the Company Representative and the Lenders of such assignment. Upon such assignment such Affiliate shall succeed to and become vested with all rights, powers, privileges and duties as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Credit Documents.

 

9.8. Collateral Documents and Guaranty .

 

(a) Agents under Collateral Documents and Guaranty . Each Lender hereby further authorizes Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable, on behalf of and for the benefit of Lenders, to be the agent for and representative of Lenders with respect to the Guaranty, the Collateral and the Collateral Documents. Subject to Section 10.5, without further written consent or authorization from Lenders, Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent, as applicable may execute any documents or instruments necessary to (i) release any Lien encumbering any item of Collateral that is the subject of a sale or other disposition of assets permitted hereby or to which Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 10.5) have otherwise consented, or (ii) release any Credit Party from the Guaranty pursuant to Section 7.12 or with respect to which Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such consent under Section 10.5) have otherwise consented.

 

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(b) Right to Realize on Collateral and Enforce Guaranty . Anything contained in any of the Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, each Credit Party, Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and each Lender hereby agree that (i) no Lender shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guaranty, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof and all powers, rights and remedies under the Collateral Documents may be exercised solely by Collateral Agent, and (ii) in the event of a foreclosure by Collateral Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a public or private sale, Collateral Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser of any or all of such Collateral at any such sale and Collateral Agent, as agent for and representative of Secured Parties (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective individual capacities unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any collateral payable by Collateral Agent at such sale.

 

SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.1. Notices. Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given to a Credit Party, Collateral Agent or Administrative Agent shall be sent to such Person’s address as set forth on Appendix B or in the other relevant Credit Document, and in the case of any Lender, the address as indicated on Appendix B or otherwise indicated to Administrative Agent in writing. Each notice hereunder shall be in writing and may be personally served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service and signed for against receipt thereof, upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed; provided , no notice to any Agent shall be effective until received by such Agent.

 

10.2. Expenses. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, the Companies agree to pay promptly (a) all the Administrative Agent’s actual and reasonable costs and expenses of preparation of the Credit Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto; (b) all the Agents’ costs of furnishing all opinions by counsel for the Credit Parties; (c) all the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel to Agents in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and administration of the Credit Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and any other documents or matters requested by any Company; (d) all the actual costs and reasonable expenses of creating and perfecting Liens in favor of Collateral Agent, for the benefit of Secured Parties, including filing and recording fees, expenses and taxes, stamp or documentary taxes, search fees, title insurance premiums and reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel to each Agent and of counsel providing any opinions that any Agent or Requisite Lenders may request in respect of the Collateral or the Liens created pursuant to the Collateral Documents; (e) all the Administrative Agent’s actual costs and reasonable fees, expenses for, and disbursements of any of Administrative Agent’s, auditors, accountants, consultants or appraisers whether internal or external, and all reasonable attorneys’ fees (including allocated costs of internal counsel and expenses and disbursements of outside counsel) incurred by Administrative Agent; (f) all the actual costs and reasonable expenses (including the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any appraisers, consultants, advisors and agents employed or retained by Collateral Agent and its counsel) in connection with the custody or preservation of any of the Collateral; (g) all other actual and reasonable costs and expenses incurred by each Agent in connection with the syndication of the Loans and Commitments and the negotiation, preparation and execution of the Credit Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (h) after the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees (including allocated costs of internal counsel) and costs of settlement, incurred by any Agent and Lenders in enforcing any Obligations of or in collecting any payments due from any Credit Party hereunder or under the other Credit Documents by reason of such Default or Event of Default (including in connection with the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranty) or in connection with any refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided hereunder in the nature of a “work out” or pursuant to any insolvency or bankruptcy cases or proceedings.

 

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10.3. Indemnity .

 

(a) In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to Section 10.2, whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated, each Credit Party agrees to defend (subject to Indemnitees’ selection of counsel), indemnify, pay and hold harmless, each Agent and Lender, their Affiliates and their respective officers, partners, directors, trustees, employees and agents of each Agent and each Lender (each, an “Indemnitee” ), from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory, or sole negligence of such INDEMNITEE ; provided , no Credit Party shall have any obligation to any Indemnitee hereunder with respect to any Indemnified Liabilities to the extent such Indemnified Liabilities arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final, non-appealable order, of that Indemnitee. To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold harmless set forth in this Section 10.3 may be unenforceable in whole or in part because they are violative of any law or public policy, the applicable Credit Party shall contribute 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 Indemnitees or any of them.

 

(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Credit Party shall assert, and each Credit Party hereby waives, any claim against Lenders, Agents and their respective Affiliates, directors, employees, attorneys or agents, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) (whether or not the claim therefor is based on contract, tort or duty imposed by any applicable legal requirement) arising out of, in connection with, as a result of, or in any way related to, this Agreement or any Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby or referred to herein or therein, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof or any act or omission or event occurring in connection therewith, and each Credit Party hereby waives, releases and agrees not to sue upon any such claim or any such damages, whether or not accrued and whether or not known or suspected to exist in its favor.

 

10.4. Set-Off. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default each Lender and its Affiliates each of is hereby authorized by each Credit Party at any time or from time to time subject to the consent of Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), without notice to any Credit Party or to any other Person (other than Administrative Agent), any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including Indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, but not including trust accounts (in whatever currency)) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Credit Party (in whatever currency) against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of any Credit Party to such Lender hereunder, and under the other Credit Documents, including all claims of any nature or description arising out of or connected hereto or with any other Credit Document, irrespective of whether or not (a) such Lender shall have made any demand hereunder, (b) the principal of or the interest on the Loans or any other amounts due hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to Section 2 and although such obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured or (c) such obligation or liability is owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligation or such Indebtedness.

 

10.5. Amendments and Waivers .

 

(a) Requisite Lenders’ Consent . Subject to Sections 10.5(b) and 10.5(c), no amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of the Credit Documents (other than the Fee Letter), or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders.

 

(b) Affected Lenders’ Consent . Without the written consent of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) that would be affected thereby, no amendment, modification, termination of, or any consent to departure from, any of the Credit Documents (other than the Fee Letter) shall be effective if the effect thereof would:

 

(i) extend the scheduled final maturity of any Loan or Note;

 

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(ii) waive, reduce or postpone any scheduled repayment (but not prepayment);

 

(iii) reduce the rate of interest on any Loan (other than any waiver of any increase in the interest rate applicable to any Loan pursuant to Section 2.9) or any fee payable hereunder;

 

(iv) extend the time for payment of any such interest or fees;

 

(v) reduce the principal amount of any Loan;

 

(vi) amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of this Section 10.5(b) or Section 10.5(c);

 

(vii) amend the definition of “Requisite Lenders” or “Pro Rata Share”; provided , with the consent of Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant hereto may be included in the determination of “Requisite Lenders” or “Pro Rata Share” on substantially the same basis as the Term Loan Commitments and the Term Loans are included on the Restatement Date;

 

(viii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or all or substantially all of the Credit Parties from the Guaranty except as expressly provided in the Credit Documents; or

 

(ix) consent to the assignment or transfer by any Credit Party of any of its rights and obligations under any Credit Document.

 

(c) Other Consents . No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of the Credit Documents (other than the Fee Letter), or consent to any departure by any Credit Party therefrom, shall:

 

(i) [reserved];

 

(ii) amend the definition of “Requisite Class Lenders without the consent of Requisite Class Lenders of each Class; provided , with the consent of Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders, additional extensions of credit pursuant hereto may be included in the determination of such “Requisite Class Lenders” on substantially the same basis as the Term Loan Commitments and the Term Loans are included on the Restatement Date;

 

(iii) amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of Section 3.2(a) with regard to any Credit Extension without the consent of Requisite Class Lenders of the affected Class;

 

(iv) alter the required application of any repayments or prepayments as between Classes pursuant to Section 2.14 without the consent of Requisite Class Lenders of each Class which is being allocated a lesser repayment or prepayment as a result thereof; provided , Administrative Agent and the Requisite Lenders may waive, in whole or in part, any prepayment so long as the application, as between Classes, of any portion of such prepayment which is still required to be made is not altered; or

 

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(v) amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of Section 9 as the same applies to any Agent, or any other provision hereof as the same applies to the rights or obligations of any Agent, in each case without the consent of such Agent.

 

(d) Execution of Amendments, etc. Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers or consents on behalf of such Lender. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance with this Section 10.5 shall be binding upon each Lender at the time outstanding, each future Lender and, if signed by a Credit Party, on such Credit Party.

 

10.6. Successors and Assigns; Participations .

 

(a) Generally . This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors and assigns of the Lenders. No Credit Party’s rights or obligations hereunder nor any interest therein may be assigned or delegated by any Credit Party without the prior written consent of all Lenders. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, Indemnitee Agent Parties under Section 9.6, Indemnitees under Section 10.3, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, Affiliates of each of the Agents and Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b) Register . The Companies, Administrative Agent and Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and owners of the corresponding Commitments and Loans listed therein for all purposes hereof, and no assignment or transfer of any such Commitment or Loan shall be effective, in each case, unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been delivered to and accepted by Administrative Agent and recorded in the Register as provided in Section 10.6(e). Prior to such recordation, all amounts owed with respect to the applicable Commitment or Loan shall be owed to the Lender listed in the Register as the owner thereof, and any request, authority or consent of any Person who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is listed in the Register as a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, assignee or transferee of the corresponding Commitments or Loans.

 

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(c) Right to Assign . Each Lender shall have the right at any time to sell, assign or transfer all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment or Loans owing to it or other Obligations ( provided , however , that each such assignment shall be of a uniform, and not varying, percentage of all rights and obligations under and in respect of any Loan and any related Commitments):

 

(i) to any Person meeting the criteria of clause (i)(a) or clause (ii)(a) of the definition of the term of “Eligible Assignee” upon the giving of notice to Administrative Agent; and

 

(ii) to any Person otherwise constituting an Eligible Assignee with the consent of Administrative Agent; provided , each such assignment pursuant to this Section 10.6(c)(ii) shall be in an aggregate amount of not less than $1,000,000 (or such lesser amount as may be agreed to by the Company Representative and Administrative Agent or as shall constitute the aggregate amount of the Term Loan of the assigning Lender) with respect to the assignment of Term Loans.

 

(d) Mechanics . The assigning Lender and the assignee thereof shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an Assignment Agreement, together with such forms, certificates or other evidence, if any, with respect to United States federal income tax withholding matters as the assignee under such Assignment Agreement may be required to deliver to Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.19(c).

 

(e) Notice of Assignment . Upon its receipt and acceptance of a duly executed and completed Assignment Agreement, any forms, certificates or other evidence required by this Agreement in connection therewith, Administrative Agent shall record the information contained in such Assignment Agreement in the Register, shall give prompt notice thereof to the Company Representative and shall maintain a copy of such Assignment Agreement.

 

(f) Representations and Warranties of Assignee . Each Lender, upon execution and delivery hereof or upon executing and delivering an Assignment Agreement, as the case may be, represents and warrants as of the Restatement Date or as of the applicable Effective Date (as defined in the applicable Assignment Agreement) that (i) it is an Eligible Assignee; (ii) it has experience and expertise in the making of or investing in commitments or loans such as the applicable Commitments or Loans, as the case may be; (iii) it will make or invest in, as the case may be, its Commitments or Loans for its own account in the ordinary course of its business and without a view to distribution of such Commitments or Loans within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other federal securities laws (it being understood that, subject to the provisions of this Section 10.6, the disposition of such Loans or any interests therein shall at all times remain within its exclusive control); and (iv) such Lender does not own or control, or own or control any Person owning or controlling, any trade debt or Indebtedness of any Credit Party other than the Obligations or any Capital Stock of any Credit Party.

 

(g) Effect of Assignment . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 10.6, as of the “Effective Date” specified in the applicable Assignment Agreement: (i) the assignee thereunder shall have the rights and obligations of a “Lender” hereunder to the extent such rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment Agreement and shall thereafter be a party hereto and a “Lender” for all purposes hereof; (ii) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned thereby pursuant to such Assignment Agreement, relinquish its rights (other than any rights which survive the termination hereof under Section 10.8) and be released from its obligations hereunder (and, in the case of an Assignment Agreement covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender’s rights and obligations hereunder, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto; provided , anything contained in any of the Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding such assigning Lender shall continue to be entitled to the benefit of all indemnities hereunder as specified herein with respect to matters arising out of the prior involvement of such assigning Lender as a Lender hereunder); (iii) the Commitments shall be modified to reflect the Commitment of such assignee and any Commitment of such assigning Lender, if any; and (iv) if any such assignment occurs after the issuance of any Note hereunder, the assigning Lender shall, upon the effectiveness of such assignment or as promptly thereafter as practicable, surrender its applicable Notes to Administrative Agent for cancellation, and thereupon Companies shall issue and deliver new Notes, if so requested by the assignee and/or assigning Lender, to such assignee and/or to such assigning Lender, with appropriate insertions, to reflect the new Commitments and/or outstanding Loans of the assignee and/or the assigning Lender.

 

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(h) Participations . Each Lender shall have the right at any time to sell one or more participations to any Person (other than Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Affiliates) in all or any part of its Commitments, Loans or in any other Obligation. The holder of any such participation, other than an Affiliate of the Lender granting such participation, shall not be entitled to require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except with respect to any amendment, modification or waiver that would (i) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Note in which such participant is participating, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or fees thereon (except in connection with a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in interest rates) or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase the amount of the participant’s participation over the amount thereof then in effect (it being understood that a waiver of any Default or Event of Default or of a mandatory reduction in the Commitment shall not constitute a change in the terms of such participation, and that an increase in any Commitment or Loan shall be permitted without the consent of any participant if the participant’s participation is not increased as a result thereof), (ii) consent to the assignment or transfer by any Credit Party of any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, or (iii) release all or substantially all of the Collateral under the Collateral Documents or all or substantially all of the Credit Parties from the Guaranty (in each case, except as expressly provided in the Credit Documents) supporting the Loans hereunder in which such participant is participating. The Companies agrees that each participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.17(c), 2.18 and 2.19 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to clause (c) of this Section; provided , (i) a participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 2.18 or 2.19 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such participant, unless the sale of the participation to such participant is made with the Company Representative’s prior written consent, and (ii) a participant that would be a Non-US Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.19 unless the Company Representative is notified of the participation sold to such participant and such participant agrees, for the benefit of the Companies, to comply with Section 2.19 as though it were a Lender. To the extent permitted by law, each participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.4 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.16 as though it were a Lender.

 

(i) Certain Other Assignments . In addition to any other assignment permitted pursuant to this Section 10.6, any Lender may assign, pledge and/or grant a security interest in, all or any portion of its Loans, the other Obligations owed by or to such Lender, and its Notes, if any, to secure obligations of such Lender including, without limitation, any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any operating circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank; provided , no Lender, as between Companies and such Lender, shall be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any such assignment and pledge, and provided further , in no event shall the applicable Federal Reserve Bank, pledgee or trustee be considered to be a “Lender” or be entitled to require the assigning Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder.

 

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10.7. Independence of Covenants. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists.

 

10.8. Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements. All representations, warranties and agreements made herein shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and the making of any Credit Extension. Notwithstanding anything herein or implied by law to the contrary, the agreements of each Credit Party set forth in Sections 2.17(c), 2.18, 2.19, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, and 10.10 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in Sections 2.16, 9.3(b) and 9.6 shall survive the payment of the Loans, and the termination hereof.

 

10.9. No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of any Agent or any Lender in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege. The rights, powers and remedies given to each Agent and each Lender hereby are cumulative and shall be in addition to and independent of all rights, powers and remedies existing by virtue of any statute or rule of law or in any of the other Credit Documents or any of the Interest Rate Agreements. Any forbearance or failure to exercise, and any delay in exercising, any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver thereof, nor shall it preclude the further exercise of any such right, power or remedy.

 

10.10. Marshalling; Payments Set Aside. Neither any Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal any assets in favor of any Credit Party or any other Person or against or in payment of any or all of the Obligations. To the extent that any Credit Party makes a payment or payments to Administrative Agent or Lenders (or to Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders), or Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or Lenders enforce any security interests or exercise their rights of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, any other state or federal law, common law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and remedies therefor or related thereto, shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or payments had not been made or such enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

 

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10.11. Severability. In case any provision in or obligation hereunder or any Note or other Credit Document shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

10.12. Obligations Several; Actions in Concert. The obligations of Lenders hereunder are several and no Lender shall be responsible for the obligations or Commitment of any other Lender hereunder. Nothing contained herein or in any other Credit Document, and no action taken by Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Lenders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. Anything in this Agreement or any other Credit Document to the contrary notwithstanding, each Lender hereby agrees with each other Lender that no Lender shall take any action to protect or enforce its rights arising out of this Agreement or any Note or otherwise with respect to the Obligations without first obtaining the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or Requisite Lenders (as applicable), it being the intent of Lenders that any such action to protect or enforce rights under this Agreement and any Note or otherwise with respect to the Obligations shall be taken in concert and at the direction or with the consent of Administrative Agent or Requisite Lenders (as applicable).

 

10.13. Headings. Section headings herein are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part hereof for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

 

10.14. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER (INCLUDING ANY CLAIMS SOUNDING IN CONTRACT LAW OR TORT LAW ARISING OUT OF THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND ANY DETERMINATIONS WITH RESPECT TO POST-JUDGMENT INTEREST) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES (OTHER THAN SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW) THEREOF.

 

10.15. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. SUBJECT TO CLAUSE (V) OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE, ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ANY PARTY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING HERETO OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT, OR ANY OF THE OBLIGATIONS, SHALL BE BROUGHT IN ANY FEDERAL COURT OF THE U.S. SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN OR, IF THAT COURT DOES NOT HAVE SUBJECT MATTER JURISDICTION, IN ANY STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF NEW YORK. BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, EACH CREDIT PARTY, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY (I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE EXCLUSIVE (SUBJECT TO CLAUSE (V) BELOW) JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS; (II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS; (III) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO THE APPLICABLE CREDIT PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 10.1; (IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER THE APPLICABLE CREDIT PARTY IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT; AND (V) AGREES THAT AGENTS, ISSUING BANK, AND LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ANY CREDIT PARTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXERCISE OF ANY RIGHTS UNDER ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT OR AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND HEREBY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF, AND CONSENTS TO VENUE IN, ANY SUCH COURT.

 

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10.16. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING HEREUNDER OR UNDER ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR THE LENDER/BORROWER RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. THE SCOPE OF THIS WAIVER IS INTENDED TO BE ALL-ENCOMPASSING OF ANY AND ALL DISPUTES THAT MAY BE FILED IN ANY COURT AND THAT RELATE TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS TRANSACTION, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW AND STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP, THAT EACH HAS ALREADY RELIED ON THIS WAIVER IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT, AND THAT EACH WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THIS WAIVER IN ITS RELATED FUTURE DEALINGS. EACH PARTY HERETO FURTHER WARRANTS AND REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 10.16 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS HERETO OR ANY OF THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

   

10.17. Confidentiality. Each Lender shall hold all non-public information regarding Companies and their respective Subsidiaries and their businesses identified as such by the Company Representative and obtained by such Lender pursuant to the requirements hereof in accordance with such Lender’s customary procedures for handling confidential information of such nature, it being understood and agreed by Companies that, in any event, a Lender may make (i) disclosures of such information to Affiliates of such Lender and to their agents and advisors (and to other Persons authorized by a Lender or Agent to organize, present or disseminate such information in connection with disclosures otherwise made in accordance with this Section 10.17), (ii) disclosures of such information reasonably required by any bona fide or potential assignee, transferee or participant in connection with the contemplated assignment, transfer or participation by such Lender of any Loans or any participations therein or by any direct or indirect contractual counterparties (or the professional advisors thereto) in Interest Rate Agreements (provided, such counterparties and advisors are advised of and agree to be bound by the provisions of this Section 10.17), (iii) disclosure to any rating agency when required by it, provided that, prior to any disclosure, such rating agency shall undertake in writing to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential information relating to the Credit Parties received by it from any of the Agents or any Lender, (iv) disclosure to any Lender’s financing sources, provided that prior to any disclosure, such financing source is informed of the confidential nature of the information, and (v) disclosures required or requested by any Governmental Authority or representative thereof or by the NAIC or pursuant to legal or judicial process or other legal proceeding; provided , unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender shall make reasonable efforts to notify Company Representative of any request by any Governmental Authority or representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with any examination of the financial condition or other routine examination of such Lender by such Governmental Authority) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on or after the Restatement Date, Administrative Agent may, at its own expense issue news releases and publish “tombstone” advertisements and other announcements relating to this transaction in newspapers, trade journals and other appropriate media (which may include use of logos of one or more of the Credit Parties)(collectively, “ Trade Announcements ”). No Credit Party shall issue any Trade Announcement except (i) disclosures required by applicable law, regulation, legal process or the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission or (ii) with the prior approval of Administrative Agent.

 

10.18. Usury Savings Clause. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the aggregate interest rate charged or agreed to be paid with respect to any of the Obligations, including all charges or fees in connection therewith deemed in the nature of interest under applicable law shall not exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. If the rate of interest (determined without regard to the preceding sentence) under this Agreement at any time exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder shall bear interest at the Highest Lawful Rate until the total amount of interest due hereunder equals the amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect. In addition, if when the Loans made hereunder are repaid in full the total interest due hereunder (taking into account the increase provided for above) is less than the total amount of interest which would have been due hereunder if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect, then to the extent permitted by law, the Companies shall pay to Administrative Agent an amount equal to the difference between the amount of interest paid and the amount of interest which would have been paid if the Highest Lawful Rate had at all times been in effect. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intention of Lenders and the Companies to conform strictly to any applicable usury laws. Accordingly, if any Lender contracts for, charges, or receives any consideration which constitutes interest in excess of the Highest Lawful Rate, then any such excess shall be cancelled automatically and, if previously paid, shall at such Lender’s option be applied to the outstanding amount of the Loans made hereunder or be refunded to the Companies. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Highest Lawful Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest, throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

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10.19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Signatures by facsimile or other electronic transmission (including by emailed “.pdf” file) to this Agreement and any other Credit Document shall bind the parties hereto and thereto to the same extent as would a manually executed counterpart.

 

10.20. Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt by Companies and Administrative Agent of written or telephonic notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof.

 

10.21. Patriot Act. Each Lender and Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Credit Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of such Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender or Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Credit Party in accordance with the Act.

 

10.22. Amendment and Restatement.

 

(a) Effective upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 3.1, this Agreement amends, restates, supersedes and replaces the Prior Credit Agreement in its entirety. This Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Prior Credit Agreement and is not, and is not intended by the parties to be, a novation of the Prior Credit Agreement. All rights and obligations of the parties shall continue in effect, except as otherwise expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the foregoing, except as expressly set forth herein, no Default or Event of Default existing under the Prior Credit Agreement as of the Restatement Date shall be deemed waived or cured by this amendment and restatement thereof, except to the extent that such Default or Event of Default would not otherwise be a Default or Event of Default hereunder after giving effect to the provisions hereof. After giving effect to this amendment and restatement, as of the Restatement Date, the Term Loan Commitments of the Lenders under this Agreement are set forth on Appendix A. All references in the other Credit Documents to the Prior Credit Agreement shall be deemed to refer to and mean this Agreement, as the same may be further amended, supplemented, and restated from time to time. In addition to the foregoing, each Collateral Document, as amended or amended and restated as contemplated herein, shall remain in full force and effect and shall continue to secure the Obligations.

 

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(b) Each Credit Party ratifies and confirms the terms of the Credit Documents executed prior to the date hereof, and its obligations hereunder and thereunder, after giving effect to the amendment and restatement of this Agreement and the modifications contemplated hereby. Each Guarantor acknowledges that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other document evidencing any indebtedness of Companies to the Lenders or any other obligation of the Companies, or any actions now or hereafter taken by the Lenders with respect to any obligation of the Companies, the obligations of the Guarantors under Article 7 of this Agreement (i) are and shall continue to be a primary obligation of the Guarantors, (ii) are and shall continue to be an absolute, unconditional, joint and several, continuing and irrevocable guaranty of payment, and (iii) are and shall continue to be in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. Nothing contained herein to the contrary shall release, discharge, modify, change or affect the original liability of the Guarantors under Article 7 of this Agreement. Each Credit Party hereby reaffirms the security interests and liens granted under the Credit Documents and acknowledges that, as of the date hereof and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the security interests and liens granted to the Agents and the other Secured Parties under the Credit Documents are in full force and effect, are properly perfected and are enforceable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

 

(c) As of the date hereof, the Events of Default set forth on Schedule 10.22 (the “ Specified Events of Default ”) have occurred and are continuing. The Lenders hereby waive the Specified Events of Default. Nothing herein, nor any communications among Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Credit Party shall be deemed a waiver with respect to any Events of Default (other than the Specified Events of Default), or any future failure of any Credit Party to comply fully with any provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Credit Document (including, but not limited to, any possible future Event of Default of which the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have been advised).

 

(d) On the date hereof, each of MOBILE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Georgia corporation, ATTIS HEALTHCARE, LLC, a South Carolina limited liability company, INTEGRITY LAB SOLUTIONS, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, RED X MEDICAL LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, WELNESS BENEFITS, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, LGMG, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, ATTIS INNOVATIONS, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, and ADVANCED LIGNIN BIOCOMPOSITES LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company, ATTIS ENVICARE MEDICAL WASTE, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, ATTIS GENETICS, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company, ATTIS FEDERAL LABS, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, ATTIS COMMERCIAL LABS, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company, hereby confirms that (i) by the execution and delivery hereof, the undersigned becomes a Credit Party under this Agreement and agrees to be bound by all of the terms thereof; (ii) represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and each other Credit Document and applicable to the undersigned is true and correct after giving effect to this Agreement, except to the extent that any such representation and warranty relates solely to any earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty is true and correct as of such earlier date; (iii) after giving effect to the amendment and restatement of the Prior Credit Agreement pursuant to this Agreement, no event has occurred or is continuing as of the date hereof, or will result from the transactions contemplated hereby on the date hereof, that would constitute an Event of Default or a Default; (iv) agrees to irrevocably and unconditionally guaranty the due and punctual payment in full of all Obligations when the same shall become due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. § 362(a)) and in accordance with Section 7 of the Credit Agreement; and (v) further agrees that it will comply with all the terms and conditions of the Pledge and Security Agreement as if it were an original signatory thereto, grants to Collateral Agent a security interest in all of such Person’s right, title and interest in and to all “Collateral” (as such term is defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement), in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which such Person now has or hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located. All such Collateral shall be deemed to be part of the “Collateral” and hereafter subject to each of the terms and conditions of the Pledge and Security Agreement.

 

(e) Notwithstanding the terms of this Agreement or the Collateral Documents to the contrary, it is understood and agreed that the Lien created under the Collateral Documents shall not attach to the assets of LGMG that are subject to a Lien in favor of FirstStar Bank unless and until the earliest of (x) FirstStar Bank’s consent to such Lien, (ii) the repayment of all Indebtedness owed to FirstStar Bank and (iii) the date that the documents evidencing the Lien in favor of FirstStar Bank permit the grant by LGMG of a Lien in its assets to secure the Obligations.

 

[ 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 respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

  MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC., as Holdings
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  MERIDIAN WASTE OPERATIONS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  MOBILE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Vice President
     
  ATTIS HEALTHCARE, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  ADVANCED LIGNIN BIOCOMPOSITES LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager

 

[ Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement ]

 

 

 

 

  INTEGRITY LAB SOLUTIONS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  RED X MEDICAL LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  WELNESS BENEFITS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  LGMG, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  ATTIS INNOVATIONS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  ATTIS COMMERCIAL LABS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager

 

[ Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement ]

 

 

 

 

  ATTIS FEDERAL LABS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  ATTIS ENVICARE MEDICAL WASTE, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  ATTIS GENETICS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager

   

 

 

 

[ Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement ]

 

 

 

 

  GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING GROUP, L.P.,
  as Administrative Agent, Lead Arranger and Collateral Agent
     
  By: /s/ Justin Betzen
    Name: Justin Betzen
    Title: Senior Vice President
     
  GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING HOLDINGS, INC.,
  as a Lender
     
  By: /s/ Justin Betzen
    Name: Justin Betzen
    Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

[ Signature Page to Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement ]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.3 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED TERM LOAN NOTE

 

$8,158,333.79  
April 20, 2018 New York, New York

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, each of MERIDIAN WASTE OPERATIONS, INC. , a New York corporation (“ Operations ”), MOBILE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. , a Georgia corporation (“ Mobile ”), ATTIS HEALTHCARE, LLC , a South Carolina limited liability company (“ Healthcare ”), INTEGRITY LAB SOLUTIONS, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ Integrity ”), RED X MEDICAL LLC , a Georgia limited liability company (“ Red X ”), WELNESS BENEFITS, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ Welness ”), LGMG, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ LGMG ”), ATTIS INNOVATIONS, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“ Innovations ”), ADVANCED LIGNIN BIOCOMPOSITES LLC, a Minnesota limited liability company (“ Advanced Lignin ”), ATTIS ENVICARE MEDICAL WASTE, LLC , a Georgia limited liability company (“ Envicare ”), ATTIS GENETICS, LLC , a Georgia limited liability company (“ Genetics ”), ATTIS FEDERAL LABS, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ Federal Labs ”), and ATTIS COMMERCIAL LABS, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ Commercial Labs ”, and together with Operations, Mobile, Healthcare, Integrity, Red X, Welness, LGMG, Innovations, Advanced Lignin, Envicare, Genetics, and Federal Labs, the “ Companies ” and each, a “Company ”), jointly and severally promise to pay GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING HOLDINGS, INC. ( “Payee” ) or its registered assigns the principal amount of EIGHT MILLION ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED THIRTY-THREE DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-NINE CENTS ($8,158,333.79) in the installments referred to below.

 

Companies also jointly and severally promise to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof, from the date hereof until paid in full, at the rates and at the times which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2018 (as amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement” ; the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among Companies, MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC. , a New York corporation (“ Holdings” ), certain Subsidiaries of Holdings, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, and GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING GROUP, L.P. , as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Lead Arranger.

 

Companies shall make scheduled principal payments on this Note as set forth in Section 2.11 of the Credit Agreement.

 

This Note is one of the “Term Loan Notes” in the aggregate principal amount of $8,158,333.79 and is issued pursuant to and entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made for a more complete statement of the terms and conditions under which the Term Loan evidenced hereby was made and is to be repaid.

 

All payments of principal and interest in respect of this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America in same day funds at the Principal Office of Administrative Agent or at such other place as shall be designated in writing for such purpose in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. Unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting the assignment or transfer of the obligations evidenced hereby shall have been accepted by Administrative Agent and recorded in the Register, Companies, each Agent and Lenders shall be entitled to deem and treat Payee as the owner and holder of this Note and the obligations evidenced hereby. Payee hereby agrees, by its acceptance hereof, that before disposing of this Note or any part hereof it will make a notation hereon of all principal payments previously made hereunder and of the date to which interest hereon has been paid; provided, the failure to make a notation of any payment made on this Note shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Companies hereunder with respect to payments of principal of or interest on this Note.

 

This Note is subject to mandatory prepayment and to prepayment at the option of Companies, each as provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

THIS NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANIES AND PAYEE HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF.

 

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the unpaid balance of the principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, may become, or may be declared to be, due and payable in the manner, upon the conditions and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

The terms of this Note are subject to amendment only in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and no provision of this Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or impair the obligations of Companies, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency herein prescribed.

 

Companies jointly and severally promise to pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, all as provided in the Credit Agreement, incurred in the collection and enforcement of this Note. Companies and any endorsers of this Note hereby consent to renewals and extensions of time at or after the maturity hereof, without notice, and hereby waive diligence, presentment, protest, demand notice of every kind and, to the full extent permitted by law, the right to plead any statute of limitations as a defense to any demand hereunder.

 

[signature page follows]

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , Companies have caused this Note to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date and at the place first written above.

 

  MERIDIAN WASTE OPERATIONS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Chief Executive Officer
     
  MOBILE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Vice President
     
  ATTIS HEALTHCARE, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager
     
  ADVANCED LIGNIN BIOCOMPOSITES LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager
     
  INTEGRITY LAB SOLUTIONS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager
     
  RED X MEDICAL LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager
     
  WELNESS BENEFITS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager

 

[ Signature Page to A&R Term Loan Note ]

 

 

 

 

  LGMG, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager
     
  ATTIS INNOVATIONS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager
     
  ATTIS ENVICARE MEDICAL WASTE, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager
     
  ATTIS GENETICS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager
     
  ATTIS FEDERAL LABS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager
     
  ATTIS COMMERCIAL LABS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title:  Manager

 

[ Signature Page to A&R Term Loan Note ]

 

 

 

Exhibit 4.4

 

Execution Version

  

AMENDED AND RESTATED

 

PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

dated as of April 20, 2018

 

between

 

EACH OF THE GRANTORS PARTY HERETO

 

and

 

GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING GROUP, L.P.,

 

as Collateral Agent

 

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    PAGE
     
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS; GRANT OF SECURITY. 2
1.1 General Definitions 2
1.2 Definitions; Interpretation 8
   
SECTION 2. GRANT OF SECURITY. 9
2.1 Grant of Security 9
2.2 Certain Limited Exclusions 9
     
SECTION 3. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS; GRANTORS REMAIN LIABLE. 10
3.1 Security for Obligations 10
3.2 Continuing Liability Under Collateral 10
     
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS. 10
4.1 Generally. 10
4.2 Equipment and Inventory 14
4.3 Receivables 15
4.4 Investment Related Property. 17
4.5 Material Contracts 24
4.6 Letter of Credit Rights 25
4.7 Intellectual Property . 26
4.8 Commercial Tort Claims 29
     
SECTION 5. ACCESS; RIGHT OF INSPECTION AND FURTHER ASSURANCES; ADDITIONAL GRANTORS 29
5.1 Access; Right of Inspection 29
5.2 Further Assurances 30
5.3 Additional Grantors 31
     
SECTION 6. COLLATERAL AGENT APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT. 31
6.1 Power of Attorney 31
6.2 No Duty on the Part of Collateral Agent or Secured Parties 32
     
SECTION 7. REMEDIES. 34
7.1 Generally . 34
7.2 Application of Proceeds 35
7.3 Sales on Credit 35
7.4 Deposit Accounts . 35
7.5 Investment Related Property . 36
7.6 Intellectual Property . 37
7.7 Cash Proceeds 38
     
SECTION 8. COLLATERAL AGENT. 39
     
SECTION 9. CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS. 40
     
SECTION 10. STANDARD OF CARE; COLLATERAL AGENT MAY PERFORM. 40
     
SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS. 41

 

  i

 

 

SCHEDULE 4.1 — GENERAL INFORMATION
 
SCHEDULE 4.2  — LOCATION OF EQUIPMENT AND INVENTORY
 
SCHEDULE 4.3 — ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE DUE FROM GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
 
SCHEDULE 4.4 — INVESTMENT RELATED PROPERTY
 
SCHEDULE 4.5 — MATERIAL CONTRACTS
 
SCHEDULE 4.6 — DESCRIPTION OF LETTERS OF CREDIT
 
SCHEDULE 4.7 — INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY - EXCEPTIONS
 
SCHEDULE 4.8 — COMMERCIAL TORT CLAIMS
 
EXHIBIT A — PLEDGE SUPPLEMENT
 
EXHIBIT B — UNCERTIFICATED SECURITIES CONTROL AGREEMENT
 
EXHIBIT C — SECURITIES ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT
 
EXHIBIT D — DEPOSIT ACCOUNT CONTROL AGREEMENT
 
EXHIBIT E — TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT
 
EXHIBIT F — COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT
 
EXHIBIT G — PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT
 
EXHIBIT H — IRREVOCABLE PROXY
 
EXHIBIT I — REGISTRATION PAGE
 
EXHIBIT J — PLEDGE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 

  ii

 

 

This AMENDED AND RESTATED PLEDGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT , dated as of April 20, 2018 (this “ Agreement ”), between EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED , whether as an original signatory hereto or as an Additional Grantor (as herein defined) (each, a “ Grantor ”), and GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING GROUP, L.P. , as collateral agent for the Secured Parties (as herein defined) (in such capacity as collateral agent, the “ Collateral Agent ”).

 

RECITALS:

 

WHEREAS , reference is made to that certain Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2017 (as amended prior to the date hereof, the “ Prior Credit Agreement ”), by and among certain of the Companies (as defined below), Holdings, the lenders party thereto from time to time (the “ Lenders ”), and GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING GROUP, L.P. (“ GSSLG ”), as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and Lead Arranger;

 

WHEREAS , in connection with the Prior Credit Agreement, certain Grantors and the Collateral Agent entered into that certain Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of February 15, 2017 (as amended prior to the date hereof, the “ Prior Security Agreement ”), whereby the Grantors party to the Prior Security Agreement granted to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties, a lien on and a security interest in certain of each of such Grantor’s personal property in accordance with the Prior Credit Agreement in order to the secure the payment and performance of the obligations under the Prior Credit Agreement;

 

WHEREAS , the parties are amending and restating the Prior Credit Agreement pursuant to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), by and among MERIDIAN WASTE OPERATIONS, INC. , a New York corporation (“ Operations ”), MOBILE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC. , a Georgia corporation (“ Mobile ”), ATTIS HEALTHCARE, LLC , a South Carolina limited liability company (“ Healthcare ”), INTEGRITY LAB SOLUTIONS, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ Integrity ”), RED X MEDICAL LLC , a Georgia limited liability company (“ Red X ”), WELNESS BENEFITS, LLC, an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ Welness ”), LGMG, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ LGMG ”), ATTIS INNOVATIONS, LLC, a Georgia limited liability company (“ Innovations ”), ADVANCED LIGNIN BIOCOMPOSITES LLC , a Minnesota limited liability company (“ Advanced Lignin ”), ATTIS ENVICARE MEDICAL WASTE, LLC , a Georgia limited liability company (“ Envicare ”), ATTIS GENETICS, LLC , a Georgia limited liability company (“ Genetics ”), ATTIS FEDERAL LABS, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ Federal Labs ”), ATTIS COMMERCIAL LABS, LLC , an Oklahoma limited liability company (“ Commercial Labs ”, and together with Operations, Mobile, Healthcare, Integrity, Red X, Welness, LGMG, Innovations, Advanced Lignin, Envicare, Genetics, and Federal Labs, the “ Companies ” and each, a “ Company ”), MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC ., a New York corporation (“Holdings”), certain Subsidiaries of Holdings, as Guarantors, the Lenders party thereto from time to time, and GSSLG , as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, “ Administrative Agent ”), Collateral Agent and Lead Arranger;

 

WHEREAS , it is a condition precedent to the Credit Agreement that the Grantors and the Collateral Agent enter into this Agreement to amend and restate the Prior Security Agreement; and

 

  1  

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent agree that the Prior Security Agreement is amended and restated as follows:

 

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS; GRANT OF SECURITY.

 

1.1 General Definitions .   In this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

“Account Debtor” shall mean each Person who is obligated on a Receivable or any Supporting Obligation related thereto.

 

“Accounts” shall mean all “accounts” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

“Additional Grantors” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 5.3.

 

Administrative Agent ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

“Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Assigned Agreements” shall mean all agreements and contracts to which such Grantor is a party as of the date hereof, or to which such Grantor becomes a party after the date hereof, including, without limitation, each Material Contract, as each such agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Cash Proceeds” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 7.7.

 

“Chattel Paper” shall mean all “chattel paper” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, including, without limitation, “electronic chattel paper” or “tangible chattel paper”, as each term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

“Collateral” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.1.

 

“Collateral Account” shall mean any account established by the Collateral Agent.

 

“Collateral Agent” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Collateral Records” shall mean books, records, ledger cards, files, correspondence, customer lists, blueprints, technical specifications, manuals, computer software, computer printouts, tapes, disks and related data processing software and similar items that at any time evidence or contain information relating to any of the Collateral or are otherwise necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization thereupon.

 

“Collateral Support” shall mean all property (real or personal) assigned, hypothecated or otherwise securing any Collateral and shall include any security agreement or other agreement granting a lien or security interest in such real or personal property.

 

“Commercial Tort Claims” shall mean all “commercial tort claims” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, including, without limitation, all commercial tort claims listed on Schedule 4.8 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

 

  2  

 

 

“Commodities Accounts” (i) shall mean all “commodity accounts” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC and (ii) shall include, without limitation, all of the accounts listed on Schedule 4.4.4(a)(i) under the heading “Commodities Accounts” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

 

“Companies” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

“Controlled Foreign Corporation” shall mean “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in the Tax Code.

 

“Copyright Licenses” shall mean any and all agreements providing for the granting of any right in or to Copyrights (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement referred to in Schedule 4.7(a)(i)(B)(4) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

 

Copyrights ” shall mean all United States, and foreign copyrights (including Community designs), including but not limited to copyrights in software and databases, and all Mask Works (as defined under 17 U.S.C. 901 of the U.S. Copyright Act), whether registered or unregistered, and, with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor including, without limitation, the registrations and applications referred to in Schedule 4.7(a)(i)(A)(3) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all extensions and renewals thereof, (iii) all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world, (iv) all rights to sue for past, present and future infringements thereof, and (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit.

 

“Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

“Deposit Accounts” (i) shall mean all “deposit accounts” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC and (ii) shall include, without limitation, all of the accounts listed on Schedule 4.4.4(a)(ii) under the heading “Deposit Accounts” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

 

“Documents” shall mean all “documents” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

“Equipment” shall mean: (i) all “equipment” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, (ii) all machinery, manufacturing equipment, data processing equipment, computers, office equipment, furnishings, furniture, appliances, fixtures and tools (in each case, regardless of whether characterized as equipment under the UCC) and (iii) all accessions or additions thereto, all parts thereof, whether or not at any time of determination incorporated or installed therein or attached thereto, and all replacements therefor, wherever located, now or hereafter existing, including any fixtures.

 

“General Intangibles” (i) shall mean all “general intangibles” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, including “payment intangibles” also as defined in Article 9 of the UCC and (ii) shall include, without limitation, all interest rate or currency protection or hedging arrangements, all tax refunds, all licenses, permits, concessions and authorizations, all Assigned Agreements and all Intellectual Property (in each case, regardless of whether characterized as general intangibles under the UCC).

 

  3  

 

 

“Goods” (i) shall mean all “goods” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC and (ii) shall include, without limitation, all Inventory and Equipment (in each case, regardless of whether characterized as goods under the UCC).

 

“Grantors” shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.

 

“Instruments” shall mean all “instruments” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

“Insurance” shall mean (i) all insurance policies covering any or all of the Collateral (regardless of whether the Collateral Agent is the loss payee thereof) and (ii) any key man life insurance policies.

 

“Intellectual Property” shall mean, collectively, the Copyrights, the Copyright Licenses, the Patents, the Patent Licenses, the Trademarks, the Trademark Licenses, the Trade Secrets, and the Trade Secret Licenses.

 

“Inventory” shall mean (i) all “inventory” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC and (ii) all goods held for sale or lease or to be furnished under contracts of service or so leased or furnished, all raw materials, work in process, finished goods, and materials used or consumed in the manufacture, packing, shipping, advertising, selling, leasing, furnishing or production of such inventory or otherwise used or consumed in any Grantor’s business; all goods in which any Grantor has an interest in mass or a joint or other interest or right of any kind; and all goods which are returned to or repossessed by any Grantor, all computer programs embedded in any goods and all accessions thereto and products thereof (in each case, regardless of whether characterized as inventory under the UCC).

 

“Investment Accounts” shall mean the Collateral Account, Securities Accounts, Commodities Accounts and Deposit Accounts.

 

“Investment Related Property” shall mean: (i) all “investment property” (as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC) and (ii) all of the following (regardless of whether classified as investment property under the UCC): all Pledged Equity Interests, Pledged Debt, the Investment Accounts and certificates of deposit.

 

“Irrevocable Proxy” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.4.1(b)(i).

 

“Issuer” shall mean the issuer of any Pledged Equity Interests.

 

“Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

“Letter of Credit Right” shall mean “letter-of-credit right” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

“Money” shall mean “money” as defined in the UCC.

 

“Non-Assignable Contract” shall mean any agreement, contract or license to which any Grantor is a party that by its terms purports to restrict or prevent the assignment or granting of a security interest therein (either by its terms or by any federal or state statutory prohibition or otherwise irrespective of whether such prohibition or restriction is enforceable under Section 9-406 through 409 of the UCC).

 

  4  

 

 

“Patent Licenses” shall mean all agreements providing for the granting of any right in or to Patents (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement referred to in Schedule 4.7(a)(i)(B)(1) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

 

“Patents” shall mean all United States and foreign patents and certificates of invention, or similar industrial property rights, and applications for any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to: (i) each patent and patent application referred to in Schedule 4.7(a)(i)(A)(1) hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, extensions, renewals, and reexaminations thereof, (iii) all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world, (iv) all inventions and improvements described therein, (v) all rights to sue for past, present and future infringements thereof, (vi) all licenses, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit arising therefrom, and (vii) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit.

 

“Pledge Supplement” shall mean any supplement to this agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A.

 

“Pledged Debt” shall mean all Indebtedness owed to such Grantor, including, without limitation, all Indebtedness described on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(i) under the heading “Pledged Debt” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), issued by the obligors named therein, the instruments evidencing such Indebtedness, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such Indebtedness.

 

“Pledged Equity Interests” shall mean (i) all Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests owned by any Grantor, (ii) all rights, privileges, authorities, and powers of such Grantor as an owner or holder of such Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests, including, without limitation, all economic rights, all control rights, authority, and powers, all status rights of such Grantor as a member, shareholder, or other owner (as applicable), and all rights and interests, if any, to participate in the management of each applicable Issuer, (iii) all of such Grantor’s options and other rights and interests, contractual or otherwise, in respect of the Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests, (iv) all of the certificates and/or instruments, if any, evidencing or representing the Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests from time to time, (v) all other property hereafter delivered to, or in the possession or custody of, Collateral Agent in substitution for, or in addition to, the Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests, and (vi) any other property of such Grantor in connection with the Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests now or hereafter delivered to, or in the possession or custody of, Grantors.

 

“Pledged LLC Interests” shall mean all interests in any limited liability company including, without limitation, all limited liability company interests listed on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(i) under the heading “Pledged LLC Interests” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the certificates, if any, representing such limited liability company interests and any interest of such Grantor on the books and records of such limited liability company or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interest and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such limited liability company interests.

 

  5  

 

 

“Pledged Partnership Interests” shall mean all interests in any general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership or other partnership including, without limitation, all partnership interests listed on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(i) under the heading “Pledged Partnership Interests” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the certificates, if any, representing such partnership interests and any interest of such Grantor on the books and records of such partnership or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interest and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such partnership interests.

 

“Pledged Stock” shall mean all shares of capital stock owned by such Grantor, including, without limitation, all shares of capital stock described on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(i) under the heading “Pledged Stock” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), and the certificates, if any, representing such shares and any interest of such Grantor in the entries on the books of the issuer of such shares or on the books of any securities intermediary pertaining to such shares, and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such shares.

 

“Pledged Trust Interests” shall mean all interests in a Delaware business trust or other trust including, without limitation, all trust interests listed on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(i) under the heading “Pledged Trust Interests” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and the certificates, if any, representing such trust interests and any interest of such Grantor on the books and records of such trust or on the books and records of any securities intermediary pertaining to such interest and all dividends, distributions, cash, warrants, rights, options, instruments, securities and other property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such trust interests.

 

Prior Credit Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

Prior Security Agreement ” shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals.

 

“Proceeds” shall mean: (i) all “proceeds” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC, (ii) payments or distributions made with respect to any Investment Related Property and (iii) whatever is receivable or received when Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or involuntary.

 

“Receivables” shall mean all rights to payment, whether or not earned by performance, for goods or other property sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise disposed of, or services rendered or to be rendered, including, without limitation all such rights constituting or evidenced by any Account, Chattel Paper, Instrument, General Intangible or Investment Related Property, together with all of Grantor’s rights, if any, in any goods or other property giving rise to such right to payment and all Collateral Support and Supporting Obligations related thereto and all Receivables Records.

 

  6  

 

 

“Receivables Records” shall mean (i) all original copies of all documents, instruments or other writings or electronic records or other Records evidencing the Receivables, (ii) all books, correspondence, credit or other files, Records, ledger sheets or cards, invoices, and other papers relating to Receivables, including, without limitation, all tapes, cards, computer tapes, computer discs, computer runs, record keeping systems and other papers and documents relating to the Receivables, whether in the possession or under the control of Grantor or any computer bureau or agent from time to time acting for Grantor or otherwise, (iii) all evidences of the filing of financing statements and the registration of other instruments in connection therewith, and amendments, supplements or other modifications thereto, notices to other creditors or secured parties, and certificates, acknowledgments, or other writings, including, without limitation, lien search reports, from filing or other registration officers, (iv) all credit information, reports and memoranda relating thereto and (v) all other written or nonwritten forms of information related in any way to the foregoing or any Receivable.

 

“Record” shall have the meaning specified in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

“Registration Page” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 4.4.1.

 

“Secured Obligations” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 3.1.

 

“Secured Parties” shall mean the Agents, Lenders and the Lender Counterparties and shall include, without limitation, all former Agents, Lenders and Lender Counterparties to the extent that any Obligations owing to such Persons were incurred while such Persons were Agents, Lenders or Lender Counterparties and such Obligations have not been paid or satisfied in full.

 

“Securities” shall mean 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.

 

“Securities Accounts” (i) shall mean all “securities accounts” as defined in Article 8 of the UCC and (ii) shall include, without limitation, all of the accounts listed on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(i) under the heading “Securities Accounts” (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

 

“Supporting Obligation” shall mean all “supporting obligations” as defined in Article 9 of the UCC.

 

“Trademark Licenses” shall mean any and all agreements providing for the granting of any right in or to Trademarks (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement referred to in Schedule 4.7(a)(i)(B)(2) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

 

  7  

 

 

“Trademarks” shall mean all United States, and foreign trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, Internet domain names, service marks, certification marks, collective marks, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of a like nature, all registrations and applications for any of the foregoing including, but not limited to: (i) the registrations and applications referred to in Schedule 4.7(a)(i)(A)(2) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), (ii) all extensions or renewals of any of the foregoing, (iii) all of the goodwill of the business connected with the use of and symbolized by the foregoing, (iv) the right to sue for past, present and future infringement or dilution of any of the foregoing or for any injury to goodwill, and (v) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit.

 

“Trade Secret Licenses” shall mean any and all agreements providing for the granting of any right in or to Trade Secrets (whether such Grantor is licensee or licensor thereunder) including, without limitation, each agreement referred to in Schedule 4.7(a)(i)(B)(3) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time).

 

“Trade Secrets” shall mean all trade secrets and all other confidential or proprietary information and know-how whether or not such Trade Secret has been reduced to a writing or other tangible form, including all documents and things embodying, incorporating, or referring in any way to such Trade Secret, including but not limited to: (i) the right to sue for past, present and future misappropriation or other violation of any Trade Secret, and (ii) all Proceeds of the foregoing, including, without limitation, licenses, royalties, income, payments, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit.

 

“UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or, when the context implies, the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in any other applicable jurisdiction.

 

“United States” shall mean the United States of America.

 

1.2 Definitions; Interpretation

 

All capitalized terms used herein (including the preamble and recitals hereto) and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the UCC. References to “Sections,” “Exhibits” and “Schedules” shall be to Sections, Exhibits and Schedules, as the case may be, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically provided. Section headings in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference. The use herein of the word “include” or “including”, when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or matters, whether or not nonlimiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto, but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter. If any conflict or inconsistency exists between this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall govern. All references herein to provisions of the UCC shall include all successor provisions under any subsequent version or amendment to any Article of the UCC.

 

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SECTION 2. GRANT OF SECURITY.

 

2.1 Grant of Security

 

As security for the payment and performance in full of all Secured Obligations, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent a security interest in and continuing lien on all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in, to and under all personal property of such Grantor including, but not limited to the following, in each case whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising and wherever located (all of which being hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Collateral” ):

 

(a) Accounts;

 

(b) Chattel Paper;

 

(c) Documents;

 

(d) General Intangibles;

 

(e) Goods;

 

(f) Instruments;

 

(g) Insurance;

 

(h) Intellectual Property;

 

(i) Investment Related Property;

 

(j) Letter of Credit Rights;

 

(k) Money;

 

(l) Receivables and Receivable Records;

 

(m) Commercial Tort Claims;

 

(n) to the extent not otherwise included above, all Collateral Records, Collateral Support and Supporting Obligations relating to any of the foregoing; and

 

(o) to the extent not otherwise included above, all Proceeds, products, accessions, rents and profits of or in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

2.2 Certain Limited Exclusions

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall the Collateral include or the security interest granted under Section 2.1 hereof attach to (a) any lease, license, contract, property rights or agreement to which any Grantor is a party or any of its rights or interests thereunder if and for so long as the grant of such security interest shall constitute or result in (i) the abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability of any right, title or interest of any Grantor therein or (ii) in a breach or termination pursuant to the terms of, or a default under, any such lease, license, contract property rights or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions) of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law (including the Bankruptcy Code) or principles of equity), provided however that the Collateral shall include and such security interest shall attach immediately at such time as the condition causing such abandonment, invalidation or unenforceability shall be remedied and to the extent severable, shall attach immediately to any portion of such lease, license, contract, property rights or agreement that does not result in any of the consequences specified in (i) or (ii) above; or (b) in any of the outstanding capital stock of a Controlled Foreign Corporation in excess of 65% of the voting power of all classes of capital stock of such Controlled Foreign Corporation entitled to vote; provided that immediately upon the amendment of the Tax Code to allow the pledge of a greater percentage of the voting power of capital stock in a Controlled Foreign Corporation without adverse tax consequences, the Collateral shall include, and the security interest granted by each Grantor shall attach to, such greater percentage of capital stock of each Controlled Foreign Corporation.

 

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SECTION 3. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS; GRANTORS REMAIN LIABLE.

 

3.1 Security for Obligations

 

This Agreement secures, and the Collateral is collateral security for, the prompt and complete payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. §362(a) (and any successor provision thereof)), of all Obligations with respect to every Grantor (the “Secured Obligations” ).

 

3.2 Continuing Liability Under Collateral

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) each Grantor shall remain liable for all obligations under the Collateral and nothing contained herein is intended or shall be a delegation of duties to the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party, (ii) each Grantor shall remain liable under each of the agreements included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any agreements relating to Pledged Equity Interests, to perform all of the obligations undertaken by it thereunder all in accordance with and pursuant to the terms and provisions thereof and neither the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any of such agreements by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or any other document related thereto nor shall the Collateral Agent nor any Secured Party have any obligation to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by it or have any obligation to take any action to collect or enforce any rights under any agreement included in the Collateral, including, without limitation, any agreements relating to Pledged Equity Interests, and (iii) the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any of its rights hereunder shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral.

 

SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS.

 

4.1 Generally.

 

(a)   Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Restatement Date and on each Credit Date, that:

                 

(i) except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(a)(i), it owns the Collateral purported to be owned by it or otherwise has the rights it purports to have in each item of Collateral and, as to all Collateral whether now existing or hereafter acquired, will continue to own or have such rights in each item of the Collateral, in each case free and clear of any and all Liens, rights or claims of all other Persons, including, without limitation, liens arising as a result of such Grantor becoming bound (as a result of merger or otherwise) as debtor under a security agreement entered into by another Person, other than Permitted Liens;

 

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(ii) it has indicated on Schedule 4.1(a)(ii) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time): (w) the type of organization of such Grantor, (x) the jurisdiction of organization of such Grantor, (y) its organizational identification number and (z) the jurisdiction where the chief executive office or its sole place of business is (or the principal residence if such Grantor is a natural person), and for the one-year period preceding the date hereof has been, located;

 

(iii) the full legal name of such Grantor is as set forth on Schedule 4.1(a)(ii) and it has not done in the last five (5) years, and does not do, business under any other name (including any trade-name or fictitious business name) except for those names set forth on Schedule 4.1(a)(iii) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time);

 

(iv) except as provided on Schedule 4.1(a)(iv), it has not changed its name, jurisdiction of organization, chief executive office or sole place of business (or principal residence if such Grantor is a natural person) or its corporate structure in any way (e.g., by merger, consolidation, change in corporate form or otherwise) within the past five (5) years;

 

(v) it has not within the last five (5) years become bound (whether as a result of merger or otherwise) as debtor under a security agreement entered into by another Person, which has not heretofore been terminated or will be terminated on the date hereof concurrently with the funding of the initial Loans;

 

(vi) (u) upon the filing of all UCC financing statements naming each Grantor as “debtor” and the Collateral Agent as “secured party” and describing the Collateral in the filing offices set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule 4.1(a)(vi) hereof (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) and other filings delivered by each Grantor, (v) upon delivery of all Instruments, Chattel Paper and certificated Pledged Equity Interests and Pledged Debt, (w) upon sufficient identification of Commercial Tort Claims, (x) upon execution of a control agreement establishing the Collateral Agent’s “control” (within the meaning of Section 8-106, 9-106 or 9-104 of the UCC, as applicable) with respect to any Investment Account, (y) upon consent of the issuer with respect to Letter of Credit Rights, and (z) to the extent not subject to Article 9 of the UCC, upon recordation of the security interests granted hereunder in Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights in the applicable intellectual property registries, including but not limited to the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, the security interests granted to the Collateral Agent hereunder constitute valid and perfected first priority Liens (subject in the case of priority only to Permitted Liens and to the rights of the United States government (including any agency or department thereof) with respect to United States government Receivables) on all of the Collateral;

 

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(vii) all actions and consents, including all filings, notices, registrations and recordings necessary or desirable for the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement or the exercise of remedies in respect of the Collateral have been made or obtained;

 

(viii) other than the financing statements filed in favor of the Collateral Agent, no effective UCC financing statement, fixture filing or other instrument similar in effect under any applicable law covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in any filing or recording office except for (x) financing statements for which proper termination statements have been delivered to the Collateral Agent for filing and (y) financing statements filed in connection with Permitted Liens;

 

(ix) no authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or regulatory body is required for either (i) the pledge or grant by any Grantor of the Liens purported to be created in favor of the Collateral Agent hereunder or (ii) the exercise by Collateral Agent of any rights or remedies in respect of any Collateral (whether specifically granted or created hereunder or created or provided for by applicable law), except (A) for the filings contemplated by clause (vii) above and (B) as may be required, in connection with the disposition of any Investment Related Property, by laws generally affecting the offering and sale of Securities;

 

(x) all information supplied by any Grantor with respect to any of the Collateral (in each case taken as a whole with respect to any particular Collateral) is accurate and complete in all material respects;

 

(xi) none of the Collateral constitutes, or is the Proceeds of, “farm products” (as defined in the UCC);

 

(xii) it does not own any “as extracted collateral” (as defined in the UCC) or any timber to be cut;

 

(xiii) except as described on Schedule 4.1(a)(xiii), such Grantor has not become bound as a debtor, either by contract or by operation of law, by a security agreement previously entered into by another Person; and

 

(xiv) such Grantor has been duly organized as an entity of the type as set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule 4.1(a)(ii) solely under the laws of the jurisdiction as set forth opposite such Grantor’s name on Schedule 4.1(a)(ii) and remains duly existing as such. Such Grantor has not filed any certificates of domestication, transfer or continuance in any other jurisdiction.

 

(b)  Covenants and Agreements . Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

 

(i) except for the security interest created by this Agreement, it shall not create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral, except Permitted Liens, and such Grantor shall defend the Collateral against all Persons at any time claiming any interest therein;

 

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(ii) it shall not produce, use or permit any Collateral to be used unlawfully or in violation of any provision of this Agreement or any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance or any policy of insurance covering the Collateral;

 

(iii) it shall not change such Grantor’s name, identity, corporate structure (e.g., by merger, consolidation, change in corporate form or otherwise) sole place of business (or principal residence if such Grantor is a natural person), chief executive office, type of organization or jurisdiction of organization or establish any trade names unless it shall have (a) notified the Collateral Agent in writing, by executing and delivering to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto, at least thirty (30) days prior to any such change or establishment, identifying such new proposed name, identity, corporate structure, sole place of business (or principal residence if such Grantor is a natural person), chief executive office, jurisdiction of organization or trade name and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and (b) taken all actions necessary or advisable to maintain the continuous validity, perfection and the same or better priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Collateral intended to be granted and agreed to hereby;

 

(iv) if the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party gives value to enable Grantor to acquire rights in or the use of any Collateral, it shall use such value for such purposes and such Grantor further agrees that repayment of any Obligation shall apply on a “first-in, first-out” basis so that the portion of the value used to acquire rights in any Collateral shall be paid in the chronological order such Grantor acquired rights therein;

 

(v) it shall pay promptly when due all property and other taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon, and all claims (including claims for labor, materials and supplies) against, the Collateral, except to the extent the validity thereof is being contested in good faith; provided, such Grantor shall in any event pay such taxes, assessments, charges, levies or claims not later than five (5) days prior to the date of any proposed sale under any judgment, writ or warrant of attachment entered or filed against such Grantor or any of the Collateral as a result of the failure to make such payment;

 

(vi) upon such Grantor or any officer of such Grantor obtaining knowledge thereof, it shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any event that may have a material adverse effect on the value of the Collateral or any portion thereof, the ability of any Grantor or the Collateral Agent to dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof, or the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent in relation thereto, including, without limitation, the levy of any legal process against the Collateral or any portion thereof;

 

(vii) it shall not take or permit any action which could impair the Collateral Agent’s rights in the Collateral; and

 

(viii) it shall not sell, transfer or assign (by operation of law or otherwise) any Collateral except as otherwise in accordance with the Credit Agreement.

 

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4.2 Equipment and Inventory

       

(a)   Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor represents and warrants, on the Restatement Date and on each Credit Date, that:

 

(i) all of the Equipment and Inventory included in the Collateral is kept for the past four (4) years only at the locations specified in Schedule 4.2 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time);

 

(ii) any Goods now or hereafter produced by any Grantor included in the Collateral have been and will be produced in compliance with the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended; and

 

(iii) none of the Inventory or Equipment is in the possession of an issuer of a negotiable document (as defined in Section 7-104 of the UCC) therefor or otherwise in the possession of a bailee or a warehouseman.

 

(b) Covenants and Agreements . Each Grantor covenants and agrees that:

 

(i) it shall keep the Equipment, Inventory and any Documents evidencing any Equipment and Inventory in the locations specified on Schedule 4.2 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) unless it shall have (a) notified the Collateral Agent in writing, by executing and delivering to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto, at least thirty (30) days prior to any change in locations, identifying such new locations and providing such other information in connection therewith as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request and (b) taken all actions necessary or advisable to maintain the continuous validity, perfection and the same or better priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Collateral intended to be granted and agreed to hereby, or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder, with respect to such Equipment and Inventory;

 

(ii) it shall keep correct and accurate records of the Inventory, as is customarily maintained under similar circumstances by Persons of established reputation engaged in similar business, and in any event in conformity with GAAP;

 

(iii) it shall not deliver any Document evidencing any Equipment and Inventory to any Person other than the issuer of such Document to claim the Goods evidenced therefor or the Collateral Agent;

 

(iv) if any Equipment or Inventory is in possession or control of any third party, each Grantor shall join with the Collateral Agent in notifying the third party of the Collateral Agent’s security interest and obtaining an acknowledgment from the third party that it is holding the Equipment and Inventory for the benefit of the Collateral Agent; and

 

(v) with respect to any item of Equipment which is covered by a certificate of title under a statute of any jurisdiction under the law of which indication of a security interest on such certificate is required as a condition of perfection thereof, upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, (A) provide information with respect to any such Equipment in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate, (B) execute and file with the registrar of motor vehicles or other appropriate authority in such jurisdiction an application or other document requesting the notation or other indication of the security interest created hereunder on such certificate of title, and (C) deliver to the Collateral Agent copies of all such applications or other documents filed during such calendar quarter and copies of all such certificates of title issued during such calendar quarter indicating the security interest created hereunder in the items of Equipment covered thereby.

 

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4.3 Receivables

 

(a) Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor represents and warrants, on the Restatement Date and on each Credit Date, that:

 

(i) each Receivable (a) is and will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Account Debtor in respect thereof, representing an unsatisfied obligation of such Account Debtor, (b) is and will be enforceable in accordance with its terms, (c) is not and will not be subject to any setoffs, defenses, taxes, counterclaims (except with respect to refunds, returns and allowances in the ordinary course of business with respect to damaged merchandise) and (d) is and will be in compliance with all applicable laws, whether federal, state, local or foreign;

 

(ii) other than hauling contracts with municipalities entered into in the ordinary course of business, none of the Account Debtors in respect of any Receivable is the government of the United States, any agency or instrumentality thereof, any state or municipality or any foreign sovereign. No Receivable in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate requires the consent of the Account Debtor in respect thereof in connection with the pledge hereunder, except any consent which has been obtained;

 

(iii) no Receivable is evidenced by, or constitutes, an Instrument or Chattel Paper which has not been delivered to, or otherwise subjected to the control of, the Collateral Agent to the extent required by, and in accordance with Section 4.3(c); and

 

(iv) each Grantor has delivered to the Collateral Agent a complete and correct copy of each standard form of document under which a Receivable may arise.

 

(b) Covenants and Agreements : Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

 

(i) it shall keep and maintain at its own cost and expense satisfactory and complete records of the Receivables, including, but not limited to, the originals of all documentation with respect to all Receivables and records of all payments received and all credits granted on the Receivables, all merchandise returned and all other dealings therewith;

 

(ii) it shall mark conspicuously, in form and manner reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, all Chattel Paper, Instruments and other evidence of Receivables (other than any delivered to the Collateral Agent as provided herein), as well as the Receivables Records with an appropriate reference to the fact that the Collateral Agent has a security interest therein;

 

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(iii)   it shall perform in all material respects all of its obligations with respect to the Receivables;

 

(iv)    it shall not amend, modify, terminate or waive any provision of any Receivable in any manner which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the value of such Receivable as Collateral. Other than in the ordinary course of business as generally conducted by it on and prior to the date hereof, and except as otherwise provided in subsection (v) below, following an Event of Default, such Grantor shall not (w) grant any extension or renewal of the time of payment of any Receivable, (x) compromise or settle any dispute, claim or legal proceeding with respect to any Receivable for less than the total unpaid balance thereof, (y) release, wholly or partially, any Person liable for the payment thereof, or (z) allow any credit or discount thereon;

 

(v)      except as otherwise provided in this subsection, each Grantor shall continue to collect all amounts due or to become due to such Grantor under the Receivables and any Supporting Obligation and diligently exercise each material right it may have under any Receivable any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support, in each case, at its own expense, and in connection with such collections and exercise, such Grantor shall take such action as such Grantor or the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or advisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time to notify, or require any Grantor to notify, any Account Debtor of the Collateral Agent’s security interest in the Receivables and any Supporting Obligation and, in addition, at any time following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may: (1) direct the Account Debtors under any Receivables to make payment of all amounts due or to become due to such Grantor thereunder directly to the Collateral Agent; (2) notify, or require any Grantor to notify, each Person maintaining a lockbox or similar arrangement to which Account Debtors under any Receivables have been directed to make payment to remit all amounts representing collections on checks and other payment items from time to time sent to or deposited in such lockbox or other arrangement directly to the Collateral Agent; and (3) enforce, at the expense of such Grantor, collection of any such Receivables and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as such Grantor might have done. If the Collateral Agent notifies any Grantor that it has elected to collect the Receivables in accordance with the preceding sentence, any payments of Receivables received by such Grantor shall be forthwith (and in any event within two (2) Business Days) deposited by such Grantor in the exact form received, duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent if required, in the Collateral Account maintained under the sole dominion and control of the Collateral Agent, and until so turned over, all amounts and proceeds (including checks and other instruments) received by such Grantor in respect of the Receivables, any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent hereunder and shall be segregated from other funds of such Grantor and such Grantor shall not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment of any Receivable, or release wholly or partly any Account Debtor or obligor thereof, or allow any credit or discount thereon; and

 

(vi)    it shall use its best efforts to keep in full force and effect any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support relating to any Receivable.

 

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(c)  Delivery and Control of Receivables . With respect to any Receivables in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate that is evidenced by, or constitutes, Chattel Paper or Instruments, each Grantor shall cause each originally executed copy thereof to be delivered to the Collateral Agent (or its agent or designee) appropriately indorsed to the Collateral Agent or indorsed in blank: (i) with respect to any such Receivables in existence on the date hereof, on or prior to the date hereof and (ii) with respect to any such Receivables hereafter arising, within ten (10) days of such Grantor acquiring rights therein. With respect to any Receivables in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate which would constitute “electronic chattel paper” under Article 9 of the UCC, each Grantor shall take all steps necessary to give the Collateral Agent control over such Receivables (within the meaning of Section 9-105 of the UCC): (i) with respect to any such Receivables in existence on the date hereof, on or prior to the date hereof and (ii) with respect to any such Receivables hereafter arising, within ten (10) days of such Grantor acquiring rights therein. Any Receivable not otherwise required to be delivered or subjected to the control of the Collateral Agent in accordance with this subsection (c) shall be delivered or subjected to such control upon request of the Collateral Agent.

 

4.4 Investment Related Property.

 

4.4.1 Investment Related Property Generally

 

(a)   Covenants and Agreements . Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

 

(i) in the event it acquires rights in any Investment Related Property after the date hereof, it shall deliver to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto, reflecting such new Investment Related Property and all other Investment Related Property. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that the security interest of the Collateral Agent shall attach to all Investment Related Property immediately upon any Grantor’s acquisition of rights therein and shall not be affected by the failure of any Grantor to deliver a supplement to Schedule 4.4 as required hereby;

 

(ii) except as provided in the next sentence, in the event such Grantor receives any dividends, interest or distributions on any Investment Related Property, or any securities or other property upon the merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of any issuer of any Investment Related Property, then (a) such dividends, interest or distributions and securities or other property shall be included in the definition of Collateral without further action and (b) such Grantor shall immediately take all steps, if any, necessary or advisable to ensure the validity, perfection, priority and, if applicable, control of the Collateral Agent over such Investment Related Property (including, without limitation, delivery thereof to the Collateral Agent) and pending any such action such Grantor shall be deemed to hold such dividends, interest, distributions, securities or other property in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent and shall segregate such dividends, distributions, Securities or other property from all other property of such Grantor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent authorizes each Grantor to retain all ordinary cash dividends and distributions paid in the normal course of the business of the issuer and consistent with the past practice of the issuer and all scheduled payments of interest;

 

(iii) each Grantor consents to the grant by each other Grantor of a Security Interest in all Investment Related Property to the Collateral Agent.

 

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(b)  Delivery and Control .

 

(i) Each Grantor agrees that with respect to any Investment Related Property in which it currently has rights it shall comply with the provisions of this Section 4.4.1(b) on or before the Credit Date and with respect to any Investment Related Property hereafter acquired by such Grantor it shall comply with the provisions of this Section 4.4.1(b) immediately upon acquiring rights therein, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent. With respect to any Investment Related Property that is represented by a certificate or that is an “instrument” (other than any Investment Related Property credited to a Securities Account) it shall cause such certificate or instrument to be delivered to the Collateral Agent, indorsed in blank by an “effective indorsement” (as defined in Section 8-107 of the UCC), regardless of whether such certificate constitutes a “certificated security” for purposes of the UCC. With respect to any Investment Related Property that is an “uncertificated security” for purposes of the UCC (other than any “uncertificated securities” credited to a Securities Account), it shall cause the issuer of such uncertificated security to either (i) register the Collateral Agent as the registered owner thereof on the books and records of the issuer or (ii) execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, pursuant to which such issuer agrees to comply with the Collateral Agent’s instructions with respect to such uncertificated security without further consent by such Grantor. In addition to the foregoing, with respect to all Investment Related Property (including, without limitation, Investment Related Property acquired after the Restatement Date), each Grantor shall deliver to Collateral Agent (x) a duly executed irrevocable proxy coupled with an interest, in substantially the form of Exhibit H hereto (“ Irrevocable Proxy ”), (y) a duly acknowledged equity interest registration page, in blank, from each Issuer, substantially in the form of Exhibit I hereto, or otherwise in form and substance satisfactory to Collateral Agent (“ Registration Page ”) and (z) cause each Issuer to execute and deliver a pledge acknowledgement substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto (“ Pledge Acknowledgement ”).

 

(c) Voting and Distributions .

 

(i) So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

 

(1) except as otherwise provided under the covenants and agreements relating to Investment Related Property in this Agreement or elsewhere herein or in the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall be entitled to exercise or refrain from exercising any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Investment Related Property or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement; provided, no Grantor shall exercise or refrain from exercising any such right if the Collateral Agent shall have notified such Grantor that, in the Collateral Agent’s reasonable judgment, such action would have a Material Adverse Effect on the value of the Investment Related Property or any part thereof; and provided further, such Grantor shall give the Collateral Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice of the manner in which it intends to exercise, or the reasons for refraining from exercising, any such right; it being understood, however, that neither the voting by such Grantor of any Pledged Stock for, or such Grantor’s consent to, the election of directors (or similar governing body) at a regularly scheduled annual or other meeting of stockholders or with respect to incidental matters at any such meeting, nor such Grantor’s consent to or approval of any action otherwise permitted under this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, shall be deemed inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or the Credit Agreement within the meaning of this Section 4.4(c)(i)(1), and no notice of any such voting or consent need be given to the Collateral Agent; and

 

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(2) the Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to each Grantor all proxies, and other instruments as such Grantor may from time to time reasonably request for the purpose of enabling such Grantor to exercise the voting and other consensual rights when and to the extent which it is entitled to exercise pursuant to clause (1) above;

 

(3) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

 

(A) all rights of each Grantor to exercise or refrain from exercising the voting and other consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled to exercise pursuant hereto shall cease and Collateral Agent (personally or through an agent) shall thereupon be solely authorized and empowered to (i) transfer and register in the Collateral Agent’s name, or in the name of the Collateral Agent’s nominee, the whole or any part of the Investment Related Property, it being acknowledged by each Grantor (in its capacity as a Grantor and, if such Grantor is an Issuer, in its capacity as an Issuer) that such transfer and registration may be effected by the Collateral Agent by the delivery of a Registration Page to the applicable Issuer, reflecting the Collateral Agent or its designee as the holder of such Investment Related Property, or otherwise by the Collateral Agent through its irrevocable appointment as attorney-in-fact pursuant to the terms hereof, (ii) exchange certificates or instruments evidencing or representing Investment Related Property for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations, (iii) exercise the voting and all other rights in respect of the Investment Related Property as a holder with respect thereto with or without actually becoming the holder thereof (including, without limitation, all economic rights, all control rights, authority and powers, and all status rights of such Grantor as a member, shareholder, or other owner of any Issuer) with full power of substitution to do so, (iv) collect and receive all dividends and other payments and distributions made thereon, (v) notify the parties obligated on any of the Investment Related Property to make payment to the Collateral Agent of any amounts due or to become due thereunder, (vi) endorse instruments in the name of such Grantor to allow collection of any of the Investment Related Property, (vii) enforce collection of any of the Investment Related Property by suit or otherwise, and surrender, release, or exchange all or any part thereof, or compromise or renew for any period (whether or not longer than the original period) any liabilities of any nature of any Person with respect thereto, (viii) consummate any sales of Investment Related Property or exercise other rights as set forth herein, (ix) otherwise act with respect to the Investment Related Property as though the Collateral Agent was the outright owner thereof, and/or (x) exercise any other rights or remedies the Collateral Agent may have under the UCC or other applicable law; and; and

 

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(B) in order to permit the Collateral Agent to exercise the voting and other consensual rights which it may be entitled to exercise pursuant hereto and to receive all dividends and other distributions which it may be entitled to receive hereunder: (1) each Grantor shall promptly execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to the Collateral Agent all proxies, dividend payment orders and other instruments as the Collateral Agent may from time to time reasonably request and (2) each Grantor acknowledges that the Collateral Agent may utilize the power of attorney and proxy set forth in Section 6.1.

 

4.4.2 Pledged Equity Interests

 

(a)   Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Restatement Date and on each Credit Date, that:

 

(i)   Schedule 4.4.2(a)(i) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the headings “Pledged Stock, “Pledged LLC Interests,” “Pledged Partnership Interests” and “Pledged Trust Interests,” respectively, all of the Pledged Stock, Pledged LLC Interests, Pledged Partnership Interests and Pledged Trust Interests owned by any Grantor and such Pledged Equity Interests constitute the percentage of issued and outstanding shares of stock, percentage of membership interests, percentage of partnership interests or percentage of beneficial interest of the respective issuers thereof indicated on such Schedule;

 

(ii)   except as set forth on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(ii), it has not acquired any equity interests of another entity or substantially all the assets of another entity within the past five (5) years;

 

(iii)   it is the record and beneficial owner of the Pledged Equity Interests free of all Liens, rights or claims of other Persons and there are no outstanding warrants, options or other rights to purchase, or shareholder, voting trust or similar agreements outstanding with respect to, or property that is convertible into, or that requires the issuance or sale of, any Pledged Equity Interests;

 

(iv)   except as set forth on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(iv), it has the requisite authority to pledge, assign, transfer, deliver, deposit and set over the Pledged Equity Interests to the Collateral Agent as provided herein;

 

(v)   except as set forth on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(v),the pledge by such Grantor of the Pledged Equity Interests pursuant to this Agreement does not violate (1) the Organizational Documents of such Grantor or any Issuer of such Pledged Equity Interests, or any indenture, mortgage or material agreement to which such Grantor is a party or by which such Grantor’s properties or assets may be bound, (2) any restriction on such transfer or encumbrance of such Pledged Equity Interests or (3) any applicable securities law or other applicable law;

 

(vi)   without limiting the generality of Section 4.1(a)(v), except as set forth on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(vi),no consent of any Person including any other general or limited partner, any other member of a limited liability company, any other shareholder or any other trust beneficiary is necessary or desirable in connection with the creation, perfection or first priority status of the security interest of the Collateral Agent in any Pledged Equity Interests or the exercise by the Collateral Agent of the voting or other rights provided for in this Agreement or the exercise of remedies in respect thereof;

 

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(vii)   such Grantor has caused each Issuer to amend or to otherwise modify its Organizational Documents, books, records, and related agreements, documents, and instruments, as applicable, to reflect the rights and interests of the Collateral Agent hereunder, and to the extent required to enable and empower the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder in respect of the Pledged Equity Interests;

 

(viii) no material authorization or approval or other action by, and no material notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority is required to be obtained or made by such Grantor for (a) the due execution, delivery, and performance by such Grantor of this Agreement, (b) the grant by such Grantor, or the perfection, of the Liens and security interests created hereby in the Pledged Equity Interests, or (c) the exercise by the Collateral Agent in all material respects of its rights and remedies hereunder, except as may be required in connection with any sale of any Pledged Equity Interests by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities generally;

 

(ix)   none of the Pledged Equity Interests are or represent interests in Issuers that: (a) are registered as investment companies or (b) are dealt in or traded on securities exchanges or markets;

 

(x)   except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 4.4.2(a)(x), none of the Pledged Equity Interests are or represent interests in Issuers that have opted to be treated as securities under the uniform commercial code of any jurisdiction; and

 

(xi)   with respect to any Pledged Equity Interests constituting uncertificated securities, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the applicable Grantor and Issuer will perfect Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Pledged Equity Interests and proceeds thereof by “control”, and with respect to any Pledged Equity Interest constituting certificated securities, the delivery of the certificate representing such Pledged Equity Interest endorsed to Collateral Agent or in blank will perfect Collateral Agent’s security interest in such Pledged Equity Interests and any proceeds thereof by “control”.

 

(b)   Covenants and Agreements . Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

 

(i)   without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, it shall not vote to enable or take any other action to: (a) amend or terminate any partnership agreement, limited liability company agreement, certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational documents in any way that materially changes the rights of such Grantor with respect to any Investment Related Property or adversely affects the validity, perfection or priority of the Collateral Agent’s security interest, (b) permit any Issuer of any Pledged Equity Interest to issue any additional stock, partnership interests, limited liability company interests or other equity interests of any nature or to issue securities convertible into or granting the right of purchase or exchange for any stock or other equity interest of any nature of such issuer, (c) other than as permitted under the Credit Agreement, permit any Issuer of any Pledged Equity Interest to dispose of all or a material portion of their assets, (d) waive any default under or breach of any terms of organizational document relating to the issuer of any Pledged Equity Interest or the terms of any Pledged Debt, (e) cause any issuer of any Pledged Equity Interests which are not securities (for purposes of the UCC) on the date hereof to elect or otherwise take any action to cause such Pledged Equity Interests to be treated as securities for purposes of the UCC; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Issuer of any Pledged Equity Interests takes any such action in violation of the foregoing in this clause (e), such Grantor shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent in writing of any such election or action and, in such event, shall take all steps necessary or advisable to establish the Collateral Agent’s “control” thereof, or (f) alter the voting rights with respect to any of the Pledged Equity Interests;

 

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(ii)   it shall comply with all of its obligations under any partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement relating to Pledged Partnership Interests or Pledged LLC Interests and shall enforce all of its rights with respect to any Investment Related Property;

 

(iii)   without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent, it shall not permit any issuer of any Pledged Equity Interest to merge or consolidate unless (i) such issuer creates a security interest that is perfected by a filed financing statement (that is not effective solely under section 9-508 of the UCC) in collateral in which such new debtor has or acquires rights, and (ii) all the outstanding capital stock or other equity interests of the surviving or resulting corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other entity is, upon such merger or consolidation, pledged hereunder and no cash, securities or other property is distributed in respect of the outstanding equity interests of any other constituent Grantor; provided that if the surviving or resulting Grantors upon any such merger or consolidation involving an issuer which is a Controlled Foreign Corporation, then such Grantor shall only be required to pledge equity interests in accordance with Section 2.2; and

 

(iv)   each Grantor consents to the grant by each other Grantor of a security interest in all Investment Related Property to the Collateral Agent and, without limiting the foregoing, consents to the transfer of any Pledged Partnership Interest and any Pledged LLC Interest to the Collateral Agent or its nominee following an Event of Default and to the substitution of the Collateral Agent or its nominee as a partner in any partnership or as a member in any limited liability company with all the rights and powers related thereto.

 

4.4.3   Pledged Debt

 

(a)   Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Restatement Date and each Credit Date, that:

 

(i)   Schedule 4.4.3 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the heading “Pledged Debt” all of the Pledged Debt owned by any Grantor and all of such Pledged Debt has been duly authorized, authenticated or issued, and delivered and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the issuers thereof and is not in default and constitutes all of the issued and outstanding inter-company Indebtedness;

 

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(b)   Covenants and Agreements . Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

 

(i)   it shall notify the Collateral Agent of any default under any Pledged Debt that has caused, either in any individual case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.4.4   Investment Accounts

 

(a)   Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Restatement Date and each Credit Date, that:

 

(i)   Schedule 4.4.4(a)(i) hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the headings “Securities Accounts” and “Commodities Accounts,” respectively, all of the Securities Accounts and Commodities Accounts in which each Grantor has an interest. Each Grantor is the sole entitlement holder of each such Securities Account and Commodity Account, and such Grantor has not consented to, and is not otherwise aware of, any Person (other than the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto) having “control” (within the meanings of Sections 8-106 and 9-106 of the UCC) over, or any other interest in, any such Securities Account or Commodity Account or securities or other property credited thereto;

 

(ii)   Schedule 4.4.4(a)(ii) hereto (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth under the headings “Deposit Accounts” all of the Deposit Accounts in which each Grantor has an interest. Each Grantor is the sole account holder of each such Deposit Account and such Grantor has not consented to, and is not otherwise aware of, any Person (other than the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto) having either sole dominion and control (within the meaning of common law) or “control” (within the meanings of Section 9-104 of the UCC) over, or any other interest in, any such Deposit Account or any money or other property deposited therein; and

 

(iii)   Each Grantor has taken all actions necessary or desirable, including those specified in Section 4.4.4(c), to: (a) establish Collateral Agent’s “control” (within the meanings of Sections 8-106 and 9-106 of the UCC) over any portion of the Investment Related Property constituting Certificated Securities, Uncertificated Securities, Securities Accounts, Securities Entitlements or Commodities Accounts (each as defined in the UCC); (b) establish the Collateral Agent’s “control” (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC) over all Deposit Accounts; and (c) deliver all Instruments to the Collateral Agent.

 

(b)   Covenant and Agreement . Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees with the Collateral Agent and each other Secured Party that it shall not close or terminate any Investment Account without the prior consent of the Collateral Agent and unless a successor or replacement account has been established with the consent of the Collateral Agent with respect to which successor or replacement account a control agreement has been entered into by the appropriate Grantor, Collateral Agent and securities intermediary or depository institution at which such successor or replacement account is to be maintained in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.4.4(c).

 

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(c)   Delivery and Control

 

(i)   With respect to any Investment Related Property consisting of Securities Accounts or Securities Entitlements, it shall cause the securities intermediary maintaining such Securities Account or Securities Entitlement to enter into an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto pursuant to which it shall agree to comply with the Collateral Agent’s “entitlement orders” without further consent by such Grantor. With respect to any Investment Related Property that is a “Deposit Account,” it shall cause the depositary institution maintaining such account to enter into an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, pursuant to which the Collateral Agent shall have both sole dominion and control over such Deposit Account (within the meaning of the common law) and “control” (within the meaning of Section 9-104 of the UCC) over such Deposit Account. Each Grantor shall have entered into such control agreement or agreements with respect to: (i) any Securities Accounts, Securities Entitlements or Deposit Accounts that exist on the Credit Date, as of or prior to the Credit Date and (ii) any Securities Accounts, Securities Entitlements or Deposit Accounts that are created or acquired after the Credit Date, as of or prior to the deposit or transfer of any such Securities Entitlements or funds, whether constituting moneys or investments, into such Securities Accounts or Deposit Accounts.

 

In addition to the foregoing, if any issuer of any Investment Related Property is located in a jurisdiction outside of the United States, each Grantor shall take such additional actions, including, without limitation, causing the issuer to register the pledge on its books and records or making such filings or recordings, in each case as may be necessary or advisable, under the laws of such issuer’s jurisdiction to insure the validity, perfection and priority of the security interest of the Collateral Agent. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent shall have the right, without notice to any Grantor, to transfer all or any portion of the Investment Related Property to its name or the name of its nominee or agent. In addition, the Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time, without notice to any Grantor, to exchange any certificates or instruments representing any Investment Related Property for certificates or instruments of smaller or larger denominations.

 

4.5 Material Contracts

 

(a) Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Restatement Date and on each Credit Date, that:

 

(i)   Schedule 4.5 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth all of the Material Contracts to which such Grantor has rights;

 

(ii)   the Material Contracts, true and complete copies (including any amendments or supplements thereof) of which have been furnished to the Collateral Agent, have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all parties thereto, are in full force and effect and are binding upon and enforceable against all parties thereto in accordance with their respective terms. There exists no default under any Material Contract by any party thereto and neither such Grantor, nor to its best knowledge, any other Person party thereto is likely to become in default thereunder and no Person party thereto has any defenses, counterclaims or right of set-off with respect to any Material Contract.

 

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(b)   Covenants and Agreements . Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that:

 

(i)   in addition to any rights under the Section of this Agreement relating to Receivables, the Collateral Agent may, upon notice to the Grantor or Company Representative on behalf of Grantors, at any time notify, or require any Grantor to so notify, the counterparty on any Material Contract of the security interest of the Collateral Agent therein. In addition, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Collateral Agent may upon written notice to the applicable Grantor, notify, or require any Grantor to notify, the counterparty to make all payments under the Material Contracts directly to the Collateral Agent;

 

(ii)   each Grantor shall deliver promptly to the Collateral Agent a copy of each material demand, notice or document received by it relating in any way to any Material Contract;

 

(iii)   each Grantor shall deliver promptly to the Collateral Agent, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days, after (1) any Material Contract of such Grantor is terminated or amended in a manner that is materially adverse to such Grantor or (2) any new Material Contract is entered into by such Grantor, a written statement describing such event, with copies of such material amendments or new contracts, delivered to the Collateral Agent (to the extent such delivery is permitted by the terms of any such Material Contract, provided, no prohibition on delivery shall be effective if it were bargained for by such Grantor with the intent of avoiding compliance with this Section 4.5(b)(iii)), and an explanation of any actions being taken with respect thereto;

 

(iv)   it shall perform in all material respects all of its obligations with respect to the Material Contracts;

 

(v)   it shall promptly and diligently exercise each material right (except the right of termination) it may have under any Material Contract, any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support, in each case, at its own expense, and in connection with such collections and exercise, such Grantor shall take such action as such Grantor or the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or advisable;

 

(vi)   it shall use its best efforts to keep in full force and effect any Supporting Obligation or Collateral Support relating to any Material Contract; and

 

(vii)   each Grantor shall, within thirty (30) days of the date hereof with respect to any Non-Assignable Contract in effect on the date hereof and within thirty (30) days after entering into any Non-Assignable Contract after the Restatement Date, request in writing the consent of the counterparty or counterparties to the Non-Assignable Contract pursuant to the terms of such Non-Assignable Contract or applicable law to the assignment or granting of a security interest in such Non-Assignable Contract to Secured Party and use its best efforts to obtain such consent as soon as practicable thereafter.

 

4.6 Letter of Credit Rights .

 

(a)   Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Restatement Date and on each Credit Date, that:

 

(i)   all material letters of credit to which such Grantor has rights is listed on Schedule 4.6 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) hereto; and

 

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(ii)   it has obtained the consent of each issuer of any material letter of credit to the assignment of the proceeds of the letter of credit to the Collateral Agent.

 

(b)   Covenants and Agreements . Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that with respect to any material letter of credit hereafter arising it shall obtain the consent of the issuer thereof to the assignment of the proceeds of the letter of credit to the Collateral Agent and shall deliver to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto.

 

4.7   Intellectual Property .

 

(a)   Representations and Warranties . Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.7(a) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Restatement Date and on each Credit Date, that:

 

(i)   Schedule 4.7(a)(i) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth a true and complete list of (A) all United States, state and foreign registrations of and applications for Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights owned by each Grantor and (B) all Patent Licenses, Trademark Licenses, Trade Secret Licenses and Copyright Licenses material to the business of such Grantor;

 

(ii)   it is the sole and exclusive owner of the entire right, title, and interest in and to all Intellectual Property listed on Schedule 4.7(a) (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time), and owns or has the valid right to use all other Intellectual Property used in or necessary to conduct its business, free and clear of all Liens, claims, encumbrances and licenses, except for Permitted Liens and the licenses set forth on Schedule 4.7(a)(i)(B)(1)-(4) (as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time);

 

(iii)   all Intellectual Property is subsisting and has not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and each Grantor has performed all acts and has paid all renewal, maintenance, and other fees and taxes required to maintain each and every registration and application of Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks in full force and effect;

 

(iv)   all Intellectual Property is valid and enforceable; no holding, decision, or judgment has been rendered in any action or proceeding before any court or administrative authority challenging the validity of, such Grantor’s right to register, or such Grantor’s rights to own or use, any Intellectual Property and no such action or proceeding is pending or, to the best of such Grantor’s knowledge, threatened;

 

(v)   all registrations and applications for Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks are standing in the name of each Grantor, and none of the Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights or Trade Secrets has been licensed by any Grantor to any Affiliate or third party, except as disclosed in Schedule 4.7(a)(i)(B)(1)-(4) (as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time);

 

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(vi)   each Grantor has been using appropriate statutory notice of registration in connection with its use of registered Trademarks, proper marking practices in connection with the use of Patents, and appropriate notice of copyright in connection with the publication of Copyrights material to the business of such Grantor;

 

(vii)   each Grantor uses adequate standards of quality in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of all products sold and in the provision of all services rendered under or in connection with all Trademark Collateral and has taken all action necessary to insure that all licensees of the Trademark Collateral owned by such Grantor use such adequate standards of quality;

 

(viii)   the conduct of such Grantor’s business does not infringe upon or otherwise violate any trademark, patent, copyright, trade secret or other intellectual property right owned or controlled by a third party; no claim has been made that the use of any Intellectual Property owned or used by Grantor (or any of its respective licensees) violates the asserted rights of any third party;

 

(ix)   to the best of each Grantor’s knowledge, no third party is infringing upon or otherwise violating any rights in any Intellectual Property owned or used by such Grantor, or any of its respective licensees;

 

(x)   no settlement or consents, covenants not to sue, nonassertion assurances, or releases have been entered into by Grantor or to which Grantor is bound that adversely affect Grantor’s rights to own or use any Intellectual Property; and

 

(xi)   each Grantor has not made a previous assignment, sale, transfer or agreement constituting a present or future assignment, sale, transfer or agreement of any Intellectual Property that has not been terminated or released. There is no effective financing statement or other document or instrument now executed, or on file or recorded in any public office, granting a security interest in or otherwise encumbering any part of the Intellectual Property, other than in favor of the Collateral Agent.

 

(b)   Covenants and Agreements . Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees as follows:

 

(i)   it shall not do any act or omit to do any act whereby any of the Intellectual Property which is material to the business of Grantor may lapse, or become abandoned, dedicated to the public, or unenforceable, or which would adversely affect the validity, grant, or enforceability of the security interest granted therein;

 

(ii)   it shall not, with respect to any Trademarks which are material to the business of any Grantor, cease the use of any of such Trademarks or fail to maintain the level of the quality of products sold and services rendered under any of such Trademark at a level at least substantially consistent with the quality of such products and services as of the date hereof, and each Grantor shall take all steps necessary to insure that licensees of such Trademarks use such consistent standards of quality;

 

(iii)   it shall, within thirty (30) days of the creation or acquisition of any Copyrightable work which is material to the business of Grantor, apply to register the Copyright in the United States Copyright Office;

 

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(iv)   it shall promptly notify the Collateral Agent if it knows or has reason to know that any item of the Intellectual Property that is material to the business of any Grantor may become (a) abandoned or dedicated to the public or placed in the public domain, (b) invalid or unenforceable, or (c) subject to any adverse determination or development (including the institution of proceedings) in any action or proceeding in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, any state registry, any foreign counterpart of the foregoing, or any court;

 

(v)   it shall take all reasonable steps in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, any state registry or any foreign counterpart of the foregoing, to pursue any application and maintain any registration of each Trademark, Patent, and Copyright owned by any Grantor and material to its business which is now or shall become included in the Intellectual Property including, but not limited to, those items on Schedule 4.7(a)(i)(A)(1)-(3) (as each may be amended or supplemented from time to time);

 

(vi)   in the event that any Intellectual Property owned by or exclusively licensed to any Grantor is infringed, misappropriated, or diluted by a third party, such Grantor shall promptly take all reasonable actions to stop such infringement, misappropriation, or dilution and protect its rights in such Intellectual Property including, but not limited to, the initiation of a suit for injunctive relief and to recover damages;

 

(vii)   it shall promptly (but in no event more than thirty (30) days after any Grantor obtains knowledge thereof) report to the Collateral Agent (i) the filing of any application to register any Intellectual Property with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, or any state registry or foreign counterpart of the foregoing (whether such application is filed by such Grantor or through any agent, employee, licensee, or designee thereof) and (ii) the registration of any Intellectual Property by any such office, in each case by executing and delivering to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto;

 

(viii)   it shall, promptly upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent any document required to acknowledge, confirm, register, record, or perfect the Collateral Agent’s interest in any part of the Intellectual Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired;

 

(ix)   except with the prior consent of the Collateral Agent or as permitted under the Credit Agreement, each Grantor shall not execute, and there will not be on file in any public office, any financing statement or other document or instruments, except financing statements or other documents or instruments filed or to be filed in favor of the Collateral Agent and each Grantor shall not sell, assign, transfer, license, grant any option, or create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to the Intellectual Property, except for the Lien created by and under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents;

 

(x)   it shall hereafter use best efforts so as not to permit the inclusion in any contract to which it hereafter becomes a party of any provision that could or might in any way materially impair or prevent the creation of a security interest in, or the assignment of, such Grantor’s rights and interests in any property included within the definitions of any Intellectual Property acquired under such contracts;

 

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(xi)   it shall take all steps reasonably necessary to protect the secrecy of all Trade Secrets, including, without limitation, entering into confidentiality agreements with employees and labeling and restricting access to secret information and documents;

 

(xii)   it shall use proper statutory notice in connection with its use of any of the Intellectual Property; and

 

(xiii)   it shall continue to collect, at its own expense, all amounts due or to become due to such Grantor in respect of the Intellectual Property or any portion thereof. In connection with such collections, each Grantor may take (and, at the Collateral Agent’s reasonable direction, shall take) such action as such Grantor or the Collateral Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to enforce collection of such amounts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time, to notify, or require any Grantor to notify, any obligors with respect to any such amounts of the existence of the security interest created hereby.

 

4.8 Commercial Tort Claims

 

(a)   Representations and Warranties . Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants, on the Restatement Date and on each Credit Date, that Schedule 4.8 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) sets forth all Commercial Tort Claims of each Grantor in excess of $250,000; and

 

(b)   Covenants and Agreements . Each Grantor hereby covenants and agrees that with respect to any Commercial Tort Claim in excess of $250,000 hereafter arising it shall deliver to the Collateral Agent a completed Pledge Supplement, substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, together with all Supplements to Schedules thereto, identifying such new Commercial Tort Claims.

 

SECTION 5. ACCESS; RIGHT OF INSPECTION AND FURTHER ASSURANCES; ADDITIONAL GRANTORS.

 

5.1   Access; Right of Inspection . The Collateral Agent shall at all times have full and free access during normal business hours to all the books, correspondence and records of each Grantor, and the Collateral Agent and its representatives may examine the same, take extracts therefrom and make photocopies thereof, and each Grantor agrees to render to the Collateral Agent, at such Grantor’s cost and expense, such clerical and other assistance as may be reasonably requested with regard thereto. The Collateral Agent and its representatives shall at all times also have the right to enter any premises of each Grantor and inspect any property of each Grantor where any of the Collateral of such Grantor granted pursuant to this Agreement is located for the purpose of inspecting the same, observing its use or otherwise protecting its interests therein. Unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Collateral Agent shall provide the applicable Grantor with reasonable prior notice prior to exercising its rights under this Section 5.1.

 

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5.2   Further Assurances .

 

(a)   Each Grantor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of such Grantor, that it shall promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to create and/or maintain the validity, perfection or priority of and protect any security interest granted hereby or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor shall:

 

(i)   file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and execute and deliver such other agreements, instruments, endorsements, powers of attorney or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect and preserve the security interests granted or purported to be granted hereby;

 

(ii)   take all actions necessary to ensure the recordation of appropriate evidence of the liens and security interest granted hereunder in the Intellectual Property with any intellectual property registry in which said Intellectual Property is registered or in which an application for registration is pending including, without limitation, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office, the various Secretaries of State, and the foreign counterparts on any of the foregoing;

 

(iii)   at any reasonable time, upon request by the Collateral Agent, assemble the Collateral and allow inspection of the Collateral by the Collateral Agent, or persons designated by the Collateral Agent; and

 

(iv)   at the Collateral Agent’s request, appear in and defend any action or proceeding that may affect such Grantor’s title to or the Collateral Agent’s security interest in all or any part of the Collateral.

 

(b)   Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to file a Record or Records, including, without limitation, financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, in any jurisdictions and with any filing offices as the Collateral Agent may determine, in its sole discretion, are necessary or advisable to perfect the security interest granted to the Collateral Agent herein. Such financing statements may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described herein or may contain an indication or description of collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Collateral Agent may determine, in its sole discretion, is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral granted to the Collateral Agent herein, including, without limitation, describing such property as “all assets” or “all personal property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.” Each Grantor shall furnish to the Collateral Agent from time to time statements and schedules further identifying and describing the Collateral and such other reports in connection with the Collateral as the Collateral Agent may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

 

(c)   Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to modify this Agreement after obtaining such Grantor’s approval of or signature to such modification by amending Schedule 4.7 (as such schedule may be amended or supplemented from time to time) to include reference to any right, title or interest in any existing Intellectual Property or any Intellectual Property acquired or developed by any Grantor after the execution hereof or to delete any reference to any right, title or interest in any Intellectual Property in which any Grantor no longer has or claims any right, title or interest.

 

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5.3   Additional Grantors . From time to time subsequent to the date hereof, additional Persons may become parties hereto as additional Grantors (each, an “Additional Grantor”), by executing a Counterpart Agreement. Upon delivery of any such counterpart agreement to the Collateral Agent, notice of which is hereby waived by Grantors, each Additional Grantor shall be a Grantor and shall be as fully a party hereto as if Additional Grantor were an original signatory hereto. Each Grantor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Grantor hereunder, nor by any election of Collateral Agent not to cause any Subsidiary of Holdings to become an Additional Grantor hereunder. This Agreement shall be fully effective as to any Grantor that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Grantor hereunder.

 

SECTION 6. COLLATERAL AGENT APPOINTED PROXY ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.

 

6.1   Power of Attorney . Each Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent (such appointment being coupled with an interest and terminable only upon the payment in full of the Secured Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations arising under the Credit Documents for which no claims have been asserted)) as such Grantor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor, the Collateral Agent or otherwise, from time to time in the Collateral Agent’s discretion to take any action and to execute any instrument that the Collateral Agent may deem reasonably necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the following:

 

(a)   upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, to obtain and adjust insurance required to be maintained by such Grantor or paid to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Credit Agreement;

 

(b)   upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, to ask for, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in respect of any of the Collateral;

 

(c)   upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, to receive, endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents and chattel paper in connection with clause (b) above;

 

(d)   upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings that the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of the Collateral Agent with respect to any of the Collateral;

 

(e)   to prepare and file any UCC financing statements against such Grantor as debtor;

 

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(f)   to prepare, sign, and file for recordation in any intellectual property registry, appropriate evidence of the lien and security interest granted herein in the Intellectual Property in the name of such Grantor as debtor;

 

(g)   to take or cause to be taken all actions necessary to perform or comply or cause performance or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, access to pay or discharge taxes or Liens (other than Permitted Liens) levied or placed upon or threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity thereof and the amounts necessary to discharge the same to be determined by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion, any such payments made by the Collateral Agent to become obligations of such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, due and payable immediately without demand; and

 

(h)   generally to sell, transfer, pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and to do, at the Collateral Agent’s option and such Grantor’s expense, at any time or from time to time, all acts and things that the Collateral Agent deems reasonably necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and the Collateral Agent’s security interest therein in order to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as such Grantor might do.

 

6.2   Voting Rights; Proxy

 

(a) EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSTITUTES AND APPOINTS COLLATERAL AGENT AS ITS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT FOR SUCH GRANTOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS WITH THE RIGHT TO, DURING THE CONTINUANCE OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT, TAKE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS (I) TRANSFER AND REGISTER IN ITS NAME OR IN THE NAME OF ITS NOMINEE THE WHOLE OR ANY PART OF THE PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS, (II) VOTE THE PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS, WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION TO DO SO, (III) RECEIVE AND COLLECT ANY DIVIDEND OR OTHER PAYMENT OR DISTRIBUTION IN RESPECT OF OR IN EXCHANGE FOR THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL OR ANY PORTION THEREOF, TO GIVE FULL DISCHARGE FOR THE SAME AND TO INDORSE ANY INSTRUMENT MADE PAYABLE TO PLEDGOR FOR SAME, (IV) EXERCISE ALL OTHER RIGHTS, POWERS, PRIVILEGES AND REMEDIES TO WHICH A HOLDER OF THE PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS WOULD BE ENTITLED (INCLUDING, WITH RESPECT TO THE PLEDGED EQUITY INTERESTS, GIVING OR WITHHOLDING WRITTEN CONSENTS OF MEMBERS, CALLING SPECIAL MEETINGS OF MEMBERS AND VOTING AT SUCH MEETINGS), AND (V) TAKE ANY ACTION AND TO EXECUTE ANY INSTRUMENT WHICH COLLATERAL AGENT MAY DEEM NECESSARY OR ADVISABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSES OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE APPOINTMENT OF COLLATERAL AGENT AS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT IS COUPLED WITH AN INTEREST AND SHALL BE VALID AND IRREVOCABLE UNTIL (X) THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN INDEFEASIBLY PAID IN FULL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT and THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND, (Y) ALL THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN PAID IN FULL AND THE COMMITMENTS UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT HAVE EXPIRED OR BEEN TERMINATED (THE OCCURRENCE OF EACH OF THE FOREGOING, THE “ TERMINATION DATE ”); IT BEING UNDERSTOOD THAT SUCH SECURED OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE EFFECTIVE OR AUTOMATICALLY REINSTATED, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IF AT ANY TIME PAYMENT, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, OF ANY OF THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS IS RESCINDED OR MUST OTHERWISE BE RESTORED OR RETURNED BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER FOR ANY REASON, INCLUDING AS A PREFERENCE, FRAUDULENT CONVEYANCE, OR OTHERWISE UNDER ANY BANKRUPTCY, INSOLVENCY, OR SIMILAR LAW, ALL AS THOUGH SUCH PAYMENT HAD NOT BEEN MADE; IT BEING FURTHER UNDERSTOOD THAT IN THE EVENT PAYMENT OF ALL OR ANY PART OF THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS IS RESCINDED OR MUST BE RESTORED OR RETURNED, ALL REASONABLE OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS) INCURRED BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT IN DEFENDING AND ENFORCING SUCH REINSTATEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE INCLUDED AS A PART OF THE SECURED OBLIGATIONS). SUCH APPOINTMENT OF COLLATERAL AGENT AS PROXY AND ATTORNEY-IN-FACT SHALL BE VALID AND IRREVOCABLE AS PROVIDED HEREIN NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LIMITATIONS TO THE CONTRARY SET FORTH IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL DOCUMENTS OF ANY GRANTOR OR ANY ISSUER. In order to further affect the foregoing transfer of rights in favor of Collateral Agent, Collateral Agent shall have the right, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to present to any Grantor or any Issuer an Irrevocable Proxy and/or Registration Page.

 

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(b)   Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Collateral Agent (personally or through an agent) is hereby authorized and empowered to take any or all of the actions set forth in Section 4.4.1(c)(i)(3)(A) and exercise any other rights or remedies Collateral Agent may have under the UCC or other applicable law.

 

(c)   All prior proxies given by any Grantor with respect to any of the Investment Related Property (other than to Collateral Agent), are hereby revoked, and no subsequent proxies (other than to Collateral Agent) will be given with respect to any of the Investment Related Property, unless the Collateral Agent otherwise subsequently agrees in writing. The Collateral Agent, as proxy, will be empowered and may exercise the irrevocable proxy to vote the Investment Related Property at any and all times during the existence of an Event of Default, including, but not limited to, at any meeting of shareholders, partners, or members, as the case may be, however called, and at any adjournment thereof, or in any action by written consent, and may waive any notice otherwise required in connection therewith. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Collateral Agent shall have no agency, fiduciary, or other implied duties to any Grantor, any Credit Party, or any other Person when acting in its capacity as such proxy or attorney-in-fact. Each Grantor hereby waives and releases to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law any claims that it may otherwise have against the Collateral Agent with respect to any breach or alleged breach of any such agency, fiduciary, or other duty.

 

6.3   No Duty on the Part of Collateral Agent or Secured Parties . The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect the interests of the Secured Parties in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Collateral Agent or any Secured Party to exercise any such powers. The Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties shall be accountable only for amounts that they actually receive as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible to any Grantor for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for their own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

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SECTION 7. REMEDIES.

 

7.1   Generally .

 

(a)   If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it at law or in equity, all the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent on default under the UCC (whether or not the UCC applies to the affected Collateral) to collect, enforce or satisfy any Secured Obligations then owing, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and also may pursue any of the following separately, successively or simultaneously:

 

(i)   require any Grantor to, and each Grantor hereby agrees that it shall at its expense and promptly upon request of the Collateral Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as directed by the Collateral Agent and make it available to the Collateral Agent at a place to be designated by the Collateral Agent that is reasonably convenient to both parties;

 

(ii)   enter onto the property where any Collateral is located and take possession thereof with or without judicial process;

 

(iii)   prior to the disposition of the Collateral, store, process, repair or recondition the Collateral or otherwise prepare the Collateral for disposition in any manner to the extent the Collateral Agent deems appropriate; and

 

(iv)   without notice except as specified below or under the UCC, sell, assign, lease, license (on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis) or otherwise dispose of the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the Collateral Agent’s offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, at such time or times and at such price or prices and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem commercially reasonable.

 

(b)   The Collateral Agent or any Secured Party may be the purchaser of any or all of the Collateral at any public or private (to the extent to the portion of the Collateral being privately sold is of a kind that is customarily sold on a recognized market or the subject of widely distributed standard price quotations) sale in accordance with the UCC and the Collateral Agent, as collateral agent for and representative of the Secured Parties, shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at any such sale made in accordance with the UCC, to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by the Collateral Agent at such sale. Each purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of any Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. Each Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten (10) days notice to such Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable notification. The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned. Each Grantor agrees that it would not be commercially unreasonable for the Collateral Agent to dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof by using Internet sites that provide for the auction of assets of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capability of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets. Each Grantor hereby waives any claims against the Collateral Agent arising by reason of the fact that the price at which any Collateral may have been sold at such a private sale was less than the price which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if the Collateral Agent accepts the first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more than one offeree. If the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, Grantors shall be liable for the deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed by the Collateral Agent to collect such deficiency. Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section will cause irreparable injury to the Collateral Agent, that the Collateral Agent has no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no default has occurred giving rise to the Secured Obligations becoming due and payable prior to their stated maturities. Nothing in this Section shall in any way alter the rights of the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

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(c)   The Collateral Agent may sell the Collateral without giving any warranties as to the Collateral. The Collateral Agent may specifically disclaim or modify any warranties of title or the like. This procedure will not be considered to adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale of the Collateral.

 

(d)   The Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to marshal any of the Collateral.

 

7.2   Application of Proceeds . Except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, all proceeds received by the Collateral Agent in respect of any sale, any collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied in full or in part by the Collateral Agent against the Secured Obligations as set forth in Section 2.15(h) of the Credit Agreement.

 

7.3   Sales on Credit . If Collateral Agent sells any of the Collateral upon credit, Grantor will be credited only with payments actually made by purchaser and received by Collateral Agent and applied to indebtedness of the purchaser. In the event the purchaser fails to pay for the Collateral, Collateral Agent may resell the Collateral and Grantor shall be credited with proceeds of the sale.

 

7.4   Deposit Accounts . If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent may apply the balance from any Deposit Account or instruct the bank at which any Deposit Account is maintained to pay the balance of any Deposit Account to or for the benefit of the Collateral Agent.

 

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7.5   Investment Related Property .

 

(a)   Each Grantor recognizes that, by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, the Collateral Agent may be compelled, with respect to any sale of all or any part of the Investment Related Property conducted without prior registration or qualification of such Investment Related Property under the Securities Act and/or such state securities laws, to limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other things, to acquire the Investment Related Property for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof. Each Grantor acknowledges that any such private sale may be at prices and on terms less favorable than those obtainable through a public sale without such restrictions (including a public offering made pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act) and, notwithstanding such circumstances, each Grantor agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner and that the Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to engage in public sales and no obligation to delay the sale of any Investment Related Property for the period of time necessary to permit the issuer thereof to register it for a form of public sale requiring registration under the Securities Act or under applicable state securities laws, even if such issuer would, or should, agree to so register it. If the Collateral Agent determines to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Investment Related Property, upon written request, each Grantor shall and shall cause each Issuer of any Pledged Equity Interest to be sold hereunder from time to time to furnish to the Collateral Agent all such information as the Collateral Agent may request in order to determine the number and nature of interest, shares or other instruments included in the Investment Related Property which may be sold by the Collateral Agent in exempt transactions under the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, as the same are from time to time in effect.

 

(b)   Any transfer to Collateral Agent or its nominee, or registration in the name of Collateral Agent or its nominee, of the whole or any part of the Investment Related Property, whether by the delivery of a Registration Page to any issuer of Investment Related Property or otherwise, shall, absent the election of Collateral Agent to the contrary, be made solely for purposes of effectuating voting or other consensual rights with respect to the Investment Related Property in accordance with the terms hereof, and (absent the Collateral Agent’s election) is not intended to effectuate any transfer whatsoever of ownership of any of the Investment Related Property. Notwithstanding any transfer to the Collateral Agent or its nominee, or any registration in the name of the Collateral Agent or its nominee, or any delivery or any modification of a Registration Page, or any exercise of an Irrevocable Proxy, the Collateral Agent shall not be deemed the owner of, or assume any obligations of the owner or holder of, the Investment Related Property unless and until the Collateral Agent subsequently expressly accepts such obligations in a duly authorized and executed writing, or otherwise becomes the owner thereof under applicable law (including, without limitation, through a sale as described herein). In no event shall the acceptance of this Agreement by the Collateral Agent, or the exercise by the Collateral Agent of any rights hereunder or assigned hereby, constitute an assumption of any liability or obligation whatsoever of any Grantor, any Issuer, or any other Person to, under, or in connection with any Organizational Document thereof or any related agreements, documents, instruments, or otherwise.

 

(c)   Each Grantor agrees that it hereby waives any and all rights of subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration, contribution, and similar rights it may have against any Issuer of Investment Related Property, upon the sale or sales or dispositions of any portion or all of the Collateral by Collateral Agent.

 

(d)   Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in Section 4.4 and this Section 7.5 will cause irreparable injury to Collateral Agent, that Collateral Agent shall have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, agrees that each and every covenant contained in Section 4.4 and this Section 7.5 shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and each Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that the Secured Obligations are not then due and payable in accordance with the agreements and instruments governing and evidencing such obligations.

 

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7.6   Intellectual Property .

 

(a)   Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default:

 

(i)   the Collateral Agent shall have the right (but not the obligation) to bring suit or otherwise commence any action or proceeding in the name of any Grantor, the Collateral Agent or otherwise, in the Collateral Agent’s sole discretion, to enforce any Intellectual Property, in which event such Grantor shall, at the request of the Collateral Agent, do any and all lawful acts and execute any and all documents required by the Collateral Agent in aid of such enforcement and such Grantor shall promptly, upon demand, reimburse and indemnify the Collateral Agent as provided in Section 10 hereof in connection with the exercise of its rights under this Section, and, to the extent that the Collateral Agent shall elect not to bring suit to enforce any Intellectual Property as provided in this Section, each Grantor agrees to use all reasonable measures, whether by action, suit, proceeding or otherwise, to prevent the infringement or other violation of any of such Grantor’s rights in the Intellectual Property by others and for that purpose agrees to diligently maintain any action, suit or proceeding against any Person so infringing as shall be necessary to prevent such infringement or violation;

 

(ii)   upon written demand from the Collateral Agent, each Grantor shall grant, assign, convey or otherwise transfer to the Collateral Agent or such Collateral Agent’s designee all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest in and to the Intellectual Property and shall execute and deliver to the Collateral Agent such documents as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement;

 

(iii)   each Grantor agrees that such an assignment and/or recording shall be applied to reduce the Secured Obligations outstanding only to the extent that the Collateral Agent (or any Secured Party) receives cash proceeds in respect of the sale of, or other realization upon, the Intellectual Property;

 

(iv)   within five (5) Business Days after written notice from the Collateral Agent, each Grantor shall make available to the Collateral Agent, to the extent within such Grantor’s power and authority, such personnel in such Grantor’s employ on the date of such Event of Default as the Collateral Agent may reasonably designate, by name, title or job responsibility, to permit such Grantor to continue, directly or indirectly, to produce, advertise and sell the products and services sold or delivered by such Grantor under or in connection with the Trademarks, Trademark Licenses, such persons to be available to perform their prior functions on the Collateral Agent’s behalf and to be compensated by the Collateral Agent at such Grantor’s expense on a per diem, pro-rata basis consistent with the salary and benefit structure applicable to each as of the date of such Event of Default; and

 

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(v)   the Collateral Agent shall have the right to notify, or require each Grantor to notify, any obligors with respect to amounts due or to become due to such Grantor in respect of the Intellectual Property, of the existence of the security interest created herein, to direct such obligors to make payment of all such amounts directly to the Collateral Agent, and, upon such notification and at the expense of such Grantor, to enforce collection of any such amounts and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as such Grantor might have done;

 

(1) all amounts and proceeds (including checks and other instruments) received by Grantor in respect of amounts due to such Grantor in respect of the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral Agent hereunder, shall be segregated from other funds of such Grantor and shall be forthwith paid over or delivered to the Collateral Agent in the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement) to be held as cash Collateral and applied as provided by Section 7.7 hereof; and

 

(2) Grantor shall not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment of any such amount or release wholly or partly any obligor with respect thereto or allow any credit or discount thereon.

 

(b)   If (i) an Event of Default shall have occurred and, by reason of cure, waiver, modification, amendment or otherwise, no longer be continuing, (ii) no other Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (iii) an assignment or other transfer to the Collateral Agent of any rights, title and interests in and to the Intellectual Property shall have been previously made and shall have become absolute and effective, and (iv) the Secured Obligations shall not have become immediately due and payable, upon the written request of any Grantor, the Collateral Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to such Grantor, at such Grantor’s sole cost and expense, such assignments or other transfer as may be necessary to reassign to such Grantor any such rights, title and interests as may have been assigned to the Collateral Agent as aforesaid, subject to any disposition thereof that may have been made by the Collateral Agent; provided, after giving effect to such reassignment, the Collateral Agent’s security interest granted pursuant hereto, as well as all other rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent granted hereunder, shall continue to be in full force and effect; and provided further, the rights, title and interests so reassigned shall be free and clear of any other Liens granted by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent and the Secured Parties.

 

(c)   Solely for the purpose of enabling the Collateral Agent to exercise rights and remedies under this Section 7 and at such time as the Collateral Agent shall be lawfully entitled to exercise such rights and remedies, each Grantor hereby grants to the Collateral Agent, to the extent it has the right to do so, an irrevocable, nonexclusive license (exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation to such Grantor), subject, in the case of Trademarks, to sufficient rights to quality control and inspection in favor of such Grantor to avoid the risk of invalidation of said Trademarks, to use, operate under, license, or sublicense any Intellectual Property now owned or hereafter acquired by such Grantor, and wherever the same may be located.

 

7.7   Cash Proceeds . In addition to the rights of the Collateral Agent specified in Section 4.3 with respect to payments of Receivables, all proceeds of any Collateral received by any Grantor consisting of cash, checks and other non-cash items (collectively, “ Cash Proceeds ”) shall be held by such Grantor in trust for the Collateral Agent, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Grantor, unless otherwise provided pursuant to Section 4.4(a)(ii), be turned over to the Collateral Agent in the exact form received by such Grantor (duly indorsed by such Grantor to the Collateral Agent, if required) and held by the Collateral Agent in the Collateral Account. Any Cash Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent (whether from a Grantor or otherwise): (i) if no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, shall be held by the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for the Secured Obligations (whether matured or unmatured) and (ii) if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, may, in the sole discretion of the Collateral Agent, (A) be held by the Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as collateral security for the Secured Obligations (whether matured or unmatured) and/or (B) then or at any time thereafter may be applied by the Collateral Agent against the Secured Obligations then due and owing.

 

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SECTION 8. COLLATERAL AGENT.

 

The Collateral Agent has been appointed to act as Collateral Agent hereunder by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits hereof, the other Secured Parties. The Collateral Agent shall be obligated, and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including, without limitation, the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement; provided, the Collateral Agent shall, after payment in full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, exercise, or refrain from exercising, any remedies provided for herein in accordance with the instructions of the holders of a majority of the aggregate notional amount (or, with respect to any Interest Rate Agreement that has been terminated in accordance with its terms, the amount then due and payable (exclusive of expenses and similar payments but including any early termination payments then due) under such Interest Rate Agreement) under all Interest Rate Agreements. In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Secured Party, by its acceptance of the benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Secured Party that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties in accordance with the terms of this Section. Collateral Agent may resign at any time by giving thirty (30) days’ prior written notice thereof to Lenders and the Grantors, and Collateral Agent may be removed at any time with or without cause by an instrument or concurrent instruments in writing delivered to the Grantors and Collateral Agent signed by the Requisite Lenders. Upon any such notice of resignation or any such removal, Requisite Lenders shall have the right, upon five (5) Business Days’ notice to the Administrative Agent, to appoint a successor Collateral Agent. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Collateral Agent hereunder by a successor Collateral Agent, that successor Collateral Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Collateral Agent under this Agreement, and the retiring or removed Collateral Agent under this Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Collateral Agent all sums, Securities and other items of Collateral held hereunder, together with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of the successor Collateral Agent under this Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Collateral Agent or otherwise authorize the filing of such amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor Collateral Agent of the security interests created hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring or removed Collateral Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as the Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it under this Agreement while it was the Collateral Agent hereunder.

 

  39  

 

 

SECTION 9. CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS.

 

This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and shall remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments, be binding upon each Grantor, its successors and assigns, and inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and its successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise. Upon the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments, the security interest granted hereby shall automatically terminate hereunder and of record and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantors. Upon any such termination the Collateral Agent shall, at Grantors’ expense, execute and deliver to Grantors or otherwise authorize the filing of such documents as Grantors shall reasonably request, including financing statement amendments to evidence such termination. Upon any disposition of property permitted by the Credit Agreement, the Liens granted herein shall be deemed to be automatically released and such property shall automatically revert to the applicable Grantor with no further action on the part of any Person. The Collateral Agent shall, at Grantor’s expense, execute and deliver or otherwise authorize the filing of such documents as Grantors shall reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, including financing statement amendments to evidence such release.

 

SECTION 10. STANDARD OF CARE; COLLATERAL AGENT MAY PERFORM.

 

The powers conferred on the Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Collateral Agent accords its own property. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon all or any part of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any Grantor or otherwise. If any Grantor fails to perform any agreement contained herein, the Collateral Agent may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by each Grantor under Section 10.2 of the Credit Agreement.

 

  40  

 

 

SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS.

 

Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be given in accordance with Section 10.1 of the Credit Agreement. No failure or delay on the part of the Collateral Agent in the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available. In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition exists. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent and Grantors and their respective successors and assigns. No Grantor shall, without the prior written consent of the Collateral Agent given in accordance with the Credit Agreement, assign any right, duty or obligation hereunder. This Agreement and the other Credit Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding between Grantors and the Collateral Agent and supersede all prior agreements and understandings between such parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. Accordingly, the Credit Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties. There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same document.

 

This Agreement amends and restates the Prior Security Agreement.  Each Grantor party to the Prior Security Agreement hereby reaffirms the liens and security interests granted pursuant to the terms of the Prior Security Agreement and its obligations thereunder, and each of the Companies hereby agrees to be fully bound by the Prior Security Agreement as if it had been party to and executed the Prior Security Agreement. Each Grantor confirms that the security interests granted pursuant to the terms of the Prior Security Agreement continue to secure the Secured Obligations and remain in full force and effect except as expressly modified hereby, and each Grantor agrees that the liens securing the Collateral are perfected first priority liens. No novation is intended or implied.

 

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS (OTHER THAN SECTION 5-1401 AND SECTION 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATION LAWS).

 

[ Signature Pages Follow ]

 

  41  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor and the Collateral Agent have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date first written above.

 

  MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC., as Holdings
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  MERIDIAN WASTE OPERATIONS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Chief Executive Officer
     
  MOBILE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Vice President
     
  ATTIS HEALTHCARE, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  ADVANCED LIGNIN BIOCOMPOSITES LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  INTEGRITY LAB SOLUTIONS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager

 

[ Signature Page to Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement ]

 

 

 

 

  RED X MEDICAL LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  WELNESS BENEFITS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  LGMG, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  ATTIS INNOVATIONS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  ATTIS ENVICARE MEDICAL WASTE, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  ATTIS GENETICS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     

 

[ Signature Page to Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement ]

 

 

 

 

  ATTIS FEDERAL LABS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     
  ATTIS COMMERCIAL LABS, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
    Title: Manager
     

 

[ Signature Page to Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement ]’

 

 

 

 

  GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING GROUP, L.P.,
  as the Collateral Agent
     
  By: /s/ Justin Betzen
    Name: Justin Betzen
    Title: Senior Vice President

 

 

 

[ Signature Page to Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement ]

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

RESIGNATION AND EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT TERMINATION AGREEMENT

 

This RESIGNATION AND EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT TERMINATION AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 20, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), by and among Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company”), Walter H. Hall, Jr., an individual (the “ Executive ” and, together with the Company, the “ Parties ” and each, a “ Party ”) and solely with respect to Section 3(g)(ii) hereof, Jeffrey S. Cosman (“ Cosman ”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, Executive serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Executive Employment Agreement, dated August 15, 2017, between the Parties (the “ Employment Agreement ”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company, Meridian Waste Operations, Inc. (the “ Seller ” and together with the Company, the “ Seller Parties ”) and Jeffrey S. Cosman are parties to that certain Equity Securities Purchase Agreement with Meridian Waste Acquisitions, LLC (the “ Buyer ”), dated February 20, 2018 (the “ ESPA ”);

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the ESPA, Buyer will acquire all of the membership interest of each of the direct wholly-owned subsidiaries of Seller (collectively, the “ Acquired Parent Entities ”), comprising, with the Acquired Parent Entities’ subsidiaries, Seller Parties’ solid waste management business and constituting all of the assets of Seller Parties (the “ Transaction ”);

 

WHEREAS, on or about the date hereof, the Seller Parties have sold all of its solid waste management business constituting substantially all of its assets;

 

WHEREAS, Executive desires to resign from employment by the Company as a result of the sale of substantially all assets of the Seller Parties;

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 7(d)(1) of the Employment Agreement in the event the Company sells all or substantially all of its assets and the Executive is not retained or otherwise has his employment terminated (a Change in Control ”), then Executive has the right to terminate his employment and receive (i) salary continuation through the end of the term of the Employment Agreement (the “ Term ”), (ii) vacation, expense reimbursement, health care, disability insurance and other benefits through the end of the Term and (iii) acceleration of vesting of all options granted to Executive to purchase shares of common stock of the Company and continuation of the exercise period until the end of the term of such stock option (items (i)-(iii) collectively, the “ Change in Control Payments ”);

 

WHEREAS, as a condition of closing the Transaction, the Executive and Buyer shall enter into an employment agreement for Executive’s services (the “ New Employment Agreement ”); and

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the consummation of the Transaction and the Executive’s execution of the New Employment Agreement, Executive desires to resign all positions with the Company effective upon the consummation of the Transaction, including his positions as a Director of the Company and as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and the Parties desire to terminate the Employment Agreement (subject to such obligations under the Employment Agreement that shall survive such termination).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. RESIGNATION

 

Upon the consummation of the Transaction and as a result of the transaction constituting a sale of substantially all assets of the Seller Parties, Executive hereby resigns from any and all positions with the Company, including but not limited to, as a director of the Company and the office of President and Chief Operating Officer. Executive and the Company further agree that upon the consummation of the Transaction, the Employment Agreement is hereby terminated under Paragraph 7(e) of the Employment Agreement, and shall be of no further force and effect (subject to such obligations under the Employment Agreement that shall survive such termination, with the exception of Paragraphs 8-9, which are hereby terminated and shall not survive the consummation of the Transaction, and the Company hereby waives all its rights under Paragraphs 8-9 of the Employment Agreement). Executive acknowledges that in consideration of the New Employment Agreement and the promises contained herein, such resignation and termination provided above waives any right the Executive may have to Change in Control Payments. The Company acknowledges and agrees that the Executive’s resignation is not a termination by the Company for cause or otherwise and further waives any rights under Paragraph 7(f) of the Employment Agreement to recoup the Initial Shares (as such term is defined in the Employment Agreement). Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the respective rights and obligations of Executive and the Company shall be governed exclusively by this Agreement.

 

2. ACCRUED SALARY, REIMBURSEMENT OF BUSINESS EXPENSES, DELIVERY OF STOCK AND VESTING OF STOCK

 

On, April 20, 2018 the next regular payroll date, Executive shall be paid his accrued and unpaid salary through and including the date of the consummation of the Transaction. Executive also shall be entitled to reimbursement of business expenses incurred by him prior to the date of this Agreement in accordance with the expense reimbursement policy of the Company to which Executive was subject immediately prior to the date of this Agreement. In addition, subject to approval by the Board of Directors of the Company (or an authorized committee thereof), immediately prior to Executive’s termination of employment pursuant to paragraph 1, Executive shall be awarded an option to acquire up to 857,910 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “ Stock Option ”), which includes for such purposes the issuance of a stock option to acquire up to 732,910 shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to Paragraph 3(b)(ii) of Executive’s Employment Agreement, which Stock Option shall be made fully vested simultaneously with delivery and may be exercised at a strike price of $1.06 per share. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the exercise of the Stock Option shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company (“ Shareholder Approval ”) pursuant to Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c), and (ii) the Stock Option shall be exercisable until the later of (a) the five year anniversary of the date on which Shareholder Approval is obtained and (b) the five year anniversary of the issue date of the Stock Option. Executive waives any other right the Executive may have to further payments under the Employment Agreement (other than as set forth herein or pursuant to Paragraph 10 of the Employment Agreement), including Paragraph 7(e) of the Employment Agreement.

 

  2  

 

 

3. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

 

(a) This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, and successors. The rights, obligations, duties and interests of the Company hereunder may be assigned to a successor business or successor business entity that is not a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company without the Executive’s prior written consent; provided, however, that in either case the assignee continues the same business of the Company and agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement. The rights, interests and obligations of Executive are non-assignable.

 

(b) If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such provision and shall not in any manner affect or render invalid or unenforceable any other severable provision of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be carried out as if any such invalid or unenforceable provision were not contained herein.

 

(c) The captions and headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be construed as a part of this Agreement.

 

(d) Wherever it appears appropriate from the context, each term stated in this the singular or the plural shall include the singular and the plural.

 

(e) The Parties hereto agree that they will take such action and execute and deliver such documents as may be reasonably necessary to fulfill the terms of this Agreement.

 

(f) Executive acknowledges and understands that Executive has the right to discuss all aspects of this Agreement with an attorney of Executive’s choosing and that, although whether to consult with an attorney or not is Executive’s decision, the Company encourages Executive to do so. By signing this Agreement, Executive acknowledges and agrees that he is entering into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily and that Executive has exercised the right to consult with an attorney to the full extent Executive desired.

 

(g) Shareholder Approval Action.

 

(i) The Company represents that it will seek Shareholder Approval of issuance of the securities issuable upon exercise of the Stock Option, by seeking such approval either: (1) at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company; or (2) by a written consent of Shareholders (collectively, “ Shareholder Approval Action ”) which Shareholder Approval Action will be sought on or before December 31, 2018.

 

(ii) Cosman hereby represents that he owns or controls voting stock sufficient to satisfy the Shareholder Approval Action in the Company (the “ Control Shares ”) and that he will not transfer any of the Control Shares in the Company until the Shareholder Approval Action is effective. Cosman further covenants that he will vote the Control Shares in favor of the resolutions submitted to the shareholders of the Company in the Shareholder Approval Action.

 

Governing Law. The Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey and any dispute under this Agreement will only be brought in the state and federal courts located in the State of New Jersey.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS]

 

  3  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Resignation and Executive Employment Agreement Termination Agreement on the date first above written.

 

  MERIDIAN WASTE SOLUTIONS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Title:  Chief Executive Officer
     
  EXECUTIVE
     
  By: /s/ Walter H. Hall
  Walter H. Hall, an individual
     
  Solely with respect to Section 3(g)(ii) hereof:
     
  JEFFREY S. COSMAN
     
  /s/ Jeffrey S. Cosman
  Name: Jeffrey S. Cosman

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO RESIGNATION AND EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT TERMINATION AGREEMENT