Exhibit 10.1

 

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Execution Version

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179

 

November 14, 2010

 

Caterpillar Inc.

100 NE Adams Street

Peoria, Illinois  61629

Attention:  Edward J. Scott, Treasurer

 

PROJECT BADGER

$8.6 Billion Senior Bridge Term Loan Credit Facility

Commitment Letter

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Caterpillar Inc. (“you” or “Caterpillar”) have advised J.P. Morgan Securities
LLC (“J.P. Morgan”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan Chase Bank”;
together with J.P. Morgan, the “Commitment Parties”) that you, directly or
through one of your wholly owned domestic subsidiaries, intend to acquire (the
“Acquisition”) all of the equity interests of a company previously identified to
us as “Badger” (the “Company”), and to consummate the other Transactions (such
term and each other capitalized term used but not defined herein having the
meaning assigned to such term in the Summary of Principal Terms and Conditions
attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Term Sheet”)).

 

You have further advised us that, in connection therewith, Caterpillar wishes to
obtain the senior bridge term loan credit facility (the “Bridge Facility”)
described in the Term Sheet, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $8.6
billion.

 

J.P. Morgan is pleased to advise you that it is willing to act as the sole lead
arranger and sole bookrunner for the Bridge Facility, and JPMorgan Chase Bank is
pleased to advise you of its commitment to provide the entire amount of the
Bridge Facility.  This Commitment Letter and the Term Sheet set forth the
principal terms and conditions on and subject to which JPMorgan Chase Bank is
willing to make available the Bridge Facility.

 

It is agreed that J.P. Morgan will act as the sole lead arranger and sole
bookrunner in respect of the Bridge Facility (in such capacity, the “Lead
Arranger”), and that JPMorgan Chase Bank will act as the sole administrative
agent in respect of the Bridge Facility.  You agree that, as a condition to the
commitment and agreements hereunder, no other agents, co-agents or arrangers
will be appointed, no other titles will be awarded and no compensation (other
than that expressly contemplated by the Term Sheet and Fee Letter referred to
below) will be paid in connection with the Bridge Facility unless you and we
shall so agree.

 

We intend, prior to and/or after the execution of the Bridge Facility
Documentation (as defined below), to syndicate the Bridge Facility to a group of
lenders (together with JPMorgan Chase Bank, the “Lenders”) to be mutually agreed
by us and you.  We intend to commence syndication efforts promptly upon the
execution of this Commitment Letter and public announcement of the Transactions,
and you agree to actively assist us in completing a Successful

 

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Syndication (as defined in the Fee Letter).  Such assistance shall include,
until the earlier to occur of (i) a Successful Syndication and (ii) sixty (60)
days after execution and delivery of this Commitment Letter by you and the
Commitment Parties or such longer period as you and we may mutually agree,
(a) your using commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any syndication
efforts benefit materially from your existing lending and investment banking
relationships and the existing lending and investment banking relationships of
the Company, (b) direct contact between senior management, representatives and
advisors of you (and your using commercially reasonable efforts to cause direct
contact between senior management, representatives and advisors of the Company)
and the proposed Lenders, (c) assistance by you (and your using commercially
reasonable efforts to cause the assistance by the Company) in the preparation of
a customary confidential information memorandum for the Bridge Facility and
other marketing materials and presentations to be used in connection with the
syndication, in each case in form and substance customary for transactions of
this type and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Lead Arranger (the
“Information Materials”), (d) your promptly preparing and providing (and use of
commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Company to promptly prepare and
provide) to us all customary information with respect to Caterpillar, the
Company and their respective subsidiaries, the Transactions and the other
transactions contemplated hereby, including all financial information and
projections giving pro forma effect to the Transactions (the “Projections”), as
we may reasonably request, (e) prior to the launch of the syndication, having an
indicative pro forma ratings assessment giving effect to the Transactions from
each of Standard & Poor’s Ratings Service (“S&P”) and Moody’s Investors
Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), (f) if requested, the hosting, with the Lead
Arranger, of one or more meetings of prospective Lenders, and (g) your using
commercially reasonable efforts to execute and deliver definitive documentation
with respect to the Bridge Facility, consistent with the terms set forth herein
and in the Term Sheet and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to you and the Lead
Arranger (the “Bridge Facility Documentation”) or, if applicable, one or more
Joinder Agreements (as defined below), in each case as soon as reasonably
practicable following commencement of syndication of the Bridge Facility.  You
agree, at the request of the Lead Arranger, to assist in the preparation of a
version of the Information Materials to be used in connection with the
syndication of the Bridge Facility, consisting exclusively of information and
documentation that is either (i) publicly available or (ii) not material with
respect to Caterpillar, the Company or their respective affiliates or any of
their respective securities for purposes of United States federal and state
securities laws.  Without limiting your obligations to assist with syndication
efforts as set forth above, JPMorgan Chase Bank agrees that the completion of a
Successful Syndication (as defined in the Fee Letter) is not a condition to the
initial funding under the Bridge Facility.

 

J.P. Morgan, in its capacity as Lead Arranger will manage all aspects of any
syndication in consultation with Caterpillar, including decisions as to the
selection of institutions to be approached and when they will be approached,
when their commitments will be accepted, which institutions identified by the
two of us will participate, the allocation of the commitments among the Lenders,
and any naming rights.  In its capacity as Lead Arranger, J.P. Morgan will have
no responsibility other than to arrange the syndication as set forth herein and
in no event shall be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties.

 

You hereby represent and covenant that (with respect to Information (as defined
below) and Projections relating to the Company and its affiliates, to the best
of your knowledge) (a) all written information, taken as a whole (and including
Caterpillar’s and the Company’s public filings with the SEC that have been
delivered to us or are otherwise publicly available at the time such Information
is furnished), other than the Projections and information of a general economic
or industry nature (the “Information”) that has been or will be made available
to us by or on behalf of you or any of your representatives is or will be, when
furnished, complete and correct in

 

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all material respects and does not or will not, when furnished, contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in
light of the circumstances under which such statements are made and (b) the
Projections that have been or will be made available to us by or on behalf of
you or any of your representatives have been or will be prepared in good faith
based upon accounting principles consistent in all material respects with the
historical audited financial statements of Caterpillar (except as otherwise
expressly disclosed in such Projections) and upon assumptions that you believe
to have been reasonable at the time made and at the time the related Projections
are made available to us (it being understood that any such Projections are
subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond
your control, that no assurance can be given that such Projections will be
realized and that actual results may differ from such Projections and that such
differences may be material).  You agree that if at any time prior to the
Closing Date, any of the representations in the preceding sentence would be
incorrect in any material respect if the Information and Projections were being
furnished, and such representations were being made, at such time, then you will
promptly supplement the Information and the Projections so that (with respect to
Information and Projections relating to the Company and its affiliates, to the
best of your knowledge) such representations will be correct in all material
respects under those circumstances.  You understand that, in arranging and
syndicating the Bridge Facility, we may use and rely on the Information and the
Projections without independent verification thereof.

 

As consideration for the commitment and agreements of the Commitment Parties
hereunder, you agree to cause to be paid the nonrefundable fees set forth in
this Commitment Letter and in the fee letter dated the date hereof and delivered
herewith (the “Fee Letter”).

 

Each Commitment Party’s commitment and agreements hereunder are subject to:

 

(a)           since the date hereof there shall not have occurred and be
continuing as of or otherwise arisen before the Effective Time (as defined in
the Merger Agreement) any Closing Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined
below);

 

(b)           such Commitment Party’s satisfaction that, prior to Successful
Syndication (as defined in the Fee Letter), there shall be no competing
offering, placement or arrangement of any of debt securities or commercial bank
or other credit facilities of Caterpillar, the Company or their respective
subsidiaries (including engaging in discussions concerning such offering,
placement or arrangement) (other than (i) the Permanent Financing,
(ii) indebtedness of the Company and its subsidiaries permitted to be incurred
pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof
without giving effect to any consents granted thereunder), (iii) indebtedness of
Caterpillar’s captive finance subsidiaries, (iv) indebtedness under the existing
credit facilities of Caterpillar, (v) indebtedness incurred by Caterpillar and
its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and (vi) any other financing
reasonably agreed by the Lead Arranger);

 

(c)           the negotiation, execution and delivery of the Bridge Facility
Documentation;

 

(d)           one or more investment banks reasonably satisfactory to the Lead
Arranger (collectively, the “Investment Bank”) shall have been engaged to
publicly sell or privately place the Permanent Financing and other debt and
equity securities for the purpose of replacing or refinancing the Bridge
Facility;

 

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(e)           (i) compliance by you with your agreement in the fourth and fifth
paragraphs of this Commitment Letter (except to the extent noncompliance
therewith has not materially impeded the syndication of the Bridge Facility) and
(ii) no event of default (as set forth in the Term Sheet) or event that, given
the passage of time or notice, would result in an event of default; and

 

(f)            the other conditions set forth on Exhibit B.

 

For the purposes hereof, “Company Material Adverse Effect” means any state of
facts, change, development, event, effect, condition, occurrence, action or
omission that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be likely to
(i) result in a material adverse effect on the business, assets, properties,
financial condition or  results of operations of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) prevent, substantially impede or
substantially delay the consummation by the Company of the Merger or the other
transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, other than, any such state of
facts, change, development, event, effect, condition, occurrence, action or
omission to the extent relating to or resulting from (A) changes or conditions
affecting the economy or financial markets in general or changes in political or
regulatory conditions generally, (B) changes in the businesses and industries in
which the Company and its Subsidiaries operate, to the extent such changes do
not affect the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in a materially
disproportionate manner relative to other participants of similar size and scope
in such businesses and industries, (C) the announcement of the Merger Agreement
(including any impact on or disruptions in relationships with customers,
suppliers, distributors, dealers, employees or other similar relationships),
(D) changes in Law or GAAP, or any interpretation thereof, (E) any failure to
meet financial projections, forecasts, estimates or budgets, provided, that, the
exception in this clause shall not exclude a determination that a fact, change,
effect, development, event, condition, occurrence, action or omission underlying
such failure has resulted in a Company Material Adverse Effect, (F) any action
or forbearance from taking an action, required by the terms of the Merger
Agreement or to which Caterpillar otherwise consents in writing, or which
Caterpillar requests, (G) change in prices or trading volume of the Company
Common Stock, provided, that, the exception in this clause shall not exclude a
determination that a fact, change, effect, development, event, condition,
occurrence, action or omission underlying such decline has resulted in a Company
Material Adverse Effect or (H) acts of terrorism or war not directed at the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not declared) or natural
disasters occurring after the date hereof, and “Closing Company Material Adverse
Effect” means a Company Material Adverse Effect, but not taking into account in
such determination any adverse effect from any state of facts, change,
development, event, effect, condition, occurrence, action or omission that is
reasonably apparent from the Company Letter  (except as otherwise provided
therein) or from the description of the factual matters set forth in the Filed
SEC Documents (excluding for this purpose disclosures in the Filed SEC Documents
that are (x) in the “Risk Factors” sections of the Filed SEC Documents or
(y) cautionary, predictive or forward-looking in nature).  The capitalized terms
used in this paragraph and not otherwise defined in this Commitment Letter shall
have the meanings set forth in the Merger Agreement as in effect on the date
hereof.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter or the Bridge
Facility Documentation to the contrary, (a) the only representations relating to
the Company and its subsidiaries and their respective businesses, assets and
liabilities the making of which shall be a condition to availability of the
Bridge Facility on the Closing Date shall be such of the representations made by
or on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries in the Merger Agreement as are
material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that you have
(or a subsidiary has) the right to terminate your (or its) obligations under the
Merger Agreement as a

 

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result of a breach of such representations in the Merger Agreement, (b) the only
other representations of Caterpillar the making of which shall be a condition to
availability of the Bridge Facility on the Closing Date shall be the Specified
Representations (as defined below) and (c) the terms of the Bridge Facility
Documentation shall be in a form such that they do not impair availability of
the Bridge Facility on the Closing Date if the conditions set forth in this
paragraph, the preceding paragraph and Exhibit B are satisfied.  For purposes
hereof, “Specified Representations” means the representations and warranties set
forth in the Term Sheet relating to corporate existence and power, corporate
authorization and no contravention, governmental authorization with respect to
the Bridge Facility, binding effect and margin regulations.

 

You agree (a) to indemnify and hold harmless the Commitment Parties, their
affiliates and their respective directors, employees, advisors, and agents
(each, an “indemnified person”), members and successors and assigns from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities to which any such
indemnified person may become subject arising out of or in connection with this
Commitment Letter, the Bridge Facility, the use of proceeds thereof, the
Transactions or any related transaction or any claim, litigation, investigation
or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, and to reimburse each
indemnified person upon demand for any reasonable legal or other expenses
incurred in connection with investigating or defending any of the foregoing;
provided that the foregoing indemnity will not, as to any indemnified person,
apply to losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses to the extent
they arise from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such indemnified
person, and (b) to reimburse each Commitment Party and its affiliates from time
to time, upon presentation of a summary statement, for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses (including, but not limited to, due diligence expenses,
consultants’ fees and expenses, syndication expenses, travel expenses and fees,
charges and disbursements of counsel identified in the Term Sheet (and, if
reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction for all
indemnified persons unless, in the reasonable opinion of an indemnified person,
representation of all indemnified persons by such counsel would be inappropriate
due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest)), in each
case, incurred in connection with the Bridge Facility and the related
documentation (including this Commitment Letter and the Bridge Financing
Documentation) or the administration, amendment, modification or waiver thereof,
whether or not the Closing Date occurs or any Bridge Facility Documentation is
executed and delivered or any extensions of credit are made under the Bridge
Facility.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Commitment Letter, no
indemnified person shall be liable for any indirect, special, punitive or
consequential damages in connection with its activities related to the Bridge
Facility.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Commitment Letter, no indemnified
person shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of
Information or other materials obtained through electronic telecommunications or
other information transmission systems, other than for direct, actual damages
resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such indemnified
person.  You shall not, without the prior written consent of an indemnified
person (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), effect any settlement
of any pending or threatened proceeding against an indemnified person in respect
of which indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified person
unless (i) such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified
person from all liability or claims that are the subject matter of such
proceeding and (ii) does not include any statement as to any admission of fault,
culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified person.

 

You acknowledge that each Commitment Party and its affiliates (the term
“Commitment Party” as used below in this paragraph being understood to include
such affiliates) may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other
services (including financial advisory services)

 

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to other companies in respect of which you may have conflicting interests
regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise.  No Commitment Party
will use confidential information obtained from you by virtue of the
transactions contemplated hereby or its other relationships with you in
connection with the performance by such Commitment Party of services for other
companies, and no Commitment Party will furnish any such information to other
companies.  You also acknowledge that no Commitment Party has any obligation to
use in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, or to furnish to
you, confidential information obtained by us from other companies.  You further
acknowledge that J.P. Morgan is a full service securities firm and J.P. Morgan
may from time to time effect transactions, for its own or its affiliates’
account or the account of customers, and hold positions in loans, securities or
options on loans or securities of Caterpillar and its affiliates, of the Company
and its affiliates and of other companies that may be the subject of the
transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter.

 

Each Commitment Party may employ the services of its affiliates in providing
certain services hereunder and, in connection with the provision of such
services, may exchange with such affiliates information concerning you and the
other companies that may be the subject of the transactions contemplated by this
Commitment Letter, and, to the extent so employed, such affiliates shall be
subject to the obligations of and entitled to the benefits afforded such
Commitment Party hereunder; and provided that no Commitment Party shall be
relieved of any of its obligations hereunder or under the applicable financing
documentation, including any obligation in respect of its commitment in respect
of the Bridge Facility, in the event such affiliates shall fail to perform such
obligation in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

You further acknowledge and agree that (a) each of us, on the one hand, and you,
on the other hand, have an arm’s-length business relationship that does not
directly or indirectly give rise to, nor do you rely on, any fiduciary duty on
the part of any of us, (b) you are capable of evaluating and understanding, and
you understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions
contemplated by this Commitment Letter, and (c) you waive, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, any claims you may have against any of us for breach of
fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agree that none of us
shall have any liability (whether direct or indirect) to you in respect of such
a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on
behalf of or in right of you, including your stockholders, employees or
creditors.  Additionally, you acknowledge and agree that each of us is not
advising you as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters
in any jurisdiction (including, without limitation, with respect to any consents
needed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby).  You shall
consult with your own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible
for making your own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions
contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, with respect to any consents
needed in connection therewith), and we shall have no responsibility or
liability to you with respect thereto.  Any review by us of Caterpillar, the
Company, the Transactions, the other transactions contemplated hereby or other
matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for our benefit
and shall not be on behalf of you or any of your affiliates.

 

This Commitment Letter shall not be assignable by you without the prior written
consent of each Commitment Party (and any purported assignment without such
consent shall be null and void), is intended to be solely for the benefit of the
parties hereto and is not intended to confer any benefits upon, or create any
rights in favor of, any person other than the parties hereto and the indemnified
persons.

 

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Each Commitment Party may assign all or a portion of its commitment hereunder to
one or more prospective Lenders (i) that are accepted by you in writing, or
(ii) that you have identified to us in writing on or prior to the date hereof
(each, a “Permitted Assignee”), whereupon such Commitment Party shall be
released from all or the portion of its commitment hereunder so assigned;
provided that no such assignment shall relieve the Commitment Parties of their
obligations hereunder, except to the extent such assignment is evidenced by, at
our election, (i) a customary joinder agreement (a “Joinder Agreement”) pursuant
to which such lender agrees to become party to this agreement and extend
commitments directly to you on the terms set forth herein, and which shall not
add any conditions to the availability of the Bridge Facility or change the
terms of the Bridge Facility or increase compensation payable by you in
connection therewith except as set forth in the Commitment Letter and the Fee
Letter and which shall otherwise be reasonably satisfactory to you and us, or
(ii) the Bridge Facility Documentation. The Joinder Agreements will include a
provision allowing Caterpillar, at Caterpillar’s expense, to replace any such
additional Lender party thereto that has (or is controlled by or under common
control with any person or entity that has) been deemed insolvent or become
subject to a bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, conservatorship or other
similar proceeding, or that refuses to execute, or materially delays in
executing, the Bridge Facility Documentation agreed with the Lead Arranger with
respect to the Bridge Facility, with another financial institution selected by
Caterpillar in consultation with the Lead Arranger.  Each Commitment Party shall
maintain the confidentiality of the information received from you or the Company
or any of your respective subsidiaries that is not available to that Commitment
Party on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by you or the Company or
any of your respective subsidiaries, except that information may be disclosed
(a) to its affiliates and to its and its affiliates’ respective managers,
administrators, trustees, partners, directors, members, officers, employees,
agents, advisors and other representatives who are involved in the transactions
contemplated hereby or otherwise have a need to know (it being understood that
the persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential
nature of such information and instructed to keep such information
confidential), (b) to the extent required, in the reasonable determination of
the disclosing party, by any regulatory authority purporting to have
jurisdiction over it, (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or
regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party
to this Commitment Letter, (e) in connection with the administration of the
Commitment Letter, (f) with your consent or (g) to the extent such information
(x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this
provision or any other breach of an obligation of confidentiality or (y) become
available on a non-confidential basis to the Commitment Party from a source
other than you or the Company.  Any person required to maintain the
confidentiality of information as provided in the preceding sentence shall be
considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such person has
exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such
information as such person would accord to its own confidential information, but
in no event less than a reasonable degree of care.

 

This Commitment Letter may not be amended or waived except by an instrument in
writing signed by you and each Commitment Party.  This Commitment Letter may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original and
all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement.  Delivery of
an executed signature page of this Commitment Letter by facsimile or other
electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed
counterpart hereof.  You acknowledge that information and documents relating to
the Bridge Facility may be transmitted through SyndTrak, Intralinks, the
internet, e-mail or similar electronic transmission systems, and that none of us
shall be liable for any damages arising from the unauthorized use by others of
information or documents transmitted in such manner, other than for direct,
actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
indemnified person.  With the prior written consent of Caterpillar, the Lead

 

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Arranger may place advertisements in financial and other newspapers and
periodicals or on a home page or similar place for dissemination of information
on the Internet or worldwide web as it may choose, and circulate similar
promotional materials, after the closing of the Transactions in the form of a
“tombstone” or otherwise describing the names of you and your affiliates (or any
of them), and the amount, type and closing date of such Transactions, all at the
expense of the Lead Arranger.  This Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter are the
only agreements that have been entered into among us with respect to the Bridge
Facility and set forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect
thereto.  THIS COMMITMENT LETTER AND ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY OR DISPUTE ARISING
UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS COMMITMENT LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  EACH PARTY HERETO
IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR
COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY OR ON BEHALF OF ANY PARTY RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF
THIS COMMITMENT LETTER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES HEREUNDER; provided,
however, that the interpretation of the definition of “Company Material Adverse
Effect” for purposes of this Commitment Letter shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of
the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of
laws.

 

Each party hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the exclusive
jurisdiction of (a) any state or federal court sitting in the County and City of
New York and (b) any state or federal court sitting in the City of
Chicago, Illinois over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating
to this letter agreement.  Service of any process, summons, notice or document
by registered mail addressed to you or us shall be effective service of process
against such person for any suit, action or proceeding brought in any such
court.  You and we irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the
laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court
and any claim that any such suit action or proceeding has been brought in an
inconvenient forum.  A final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding
brought in any such court may be enforced in any other courts to whose
jurisdiction you or we are or may be subject, by suit upon judgment.

 

This Commitment Letter is delivered to you on the understanding that neither
this Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet or the Fee Letter nor any of their terms
or substance shall be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other person
(including, without limitation, other potential providers or arrangers of
financing) except (a) to your officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents,
accountants and advisors who are directly involved in the consideration of this
matter on a confidential basis, (b) (i) in any legal, judicial or administrative
proceeding, (ii) as otherwise required by applicable law, regulation or
compulsory legal process or as requested by a governmental authority, or
(iii) in the case of this Commitment Letter and the contents hereof (but not the
Fee Letter and the contents thereof) as you may determine is reasonably
advisable to comply with your obligations under securities and other applicable
laws and regulations (in each case pursuant to this clause (b), you agree, to
the extent permitted by law, to inform us promptly thereof prior to such
disclosure), and (c) to the Company and its officers, directors, employees,
attorneys, accountants and advisors on a confidential and need-to-know basis
(but not the Fee Letter and the contents thereof unless redacted in a form
acceptable to the Commitment Parties in their absolute discretion); provided
that you may disclose this Commitment Letter and the contents hereof (but not
the Fee Letter or the contents thereof) (x) in any prospectus or other offering
memorandum relating to any offering of the Permanent Financing or (y) to any
rating agency in connection with the Acquisition; provided, further, that the
foregoing restrictions shall cease to apply (except in respect of the Fee Letter
and the contents thereof) after this

 

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Commitment Letter has been accepted by you and this Commitment Letter has become
publicly available as a result of its disclosure in accordance with the terms of
this paragraph.

 

Each of the Commitment Parties hereby notifies you that, pursuant to the
requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into
law on October 26, 2001) (the “PATRIOT Act”), it is required to obtain, verify
and record information that identifies the Borrower (as defined in the Term
Sheet), which information includes names and addresses and other information
that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the
PATRIOT Act.

 

The compensation, reimbursement, indemnification and confidentiality provisions
contained herein and in the Fee Letter and any other provision herein or therein
which by its terms expressly survives the termination of this Commitment Letter
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of whether definitive financing
documentation shall be executed and delivered and notwithstanding the
termination of this Commitment Letter or the commitment hereunder; provided that
your obligations with respect to indemnification of Lenders and the
Administrative Agent (in each case, in such capacity) shall automatically
terminate and be superseded by the provisions of the Bridge Facility
Documentation upon the execution thereof.

 

If the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement, please indicate your
acceptance of the terms hereof and of the Term Sheet and the Fee Letter by
returning to us executed counterparts hereof and of the Fee Letter not later
than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on November 15, 2010.  This offer will
automatically expire at such time if we have not received such executed
counterparts in accordance with the preceding sentence.  In the event that
(i) the Closing Date does not occur on or before November 30, 2011; provided
that in the event the Termination Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement) is
extended pursuant to Section 7.01(b)(i) of the Merger Agreement, such date shall
be similarly extended, but no later than June 30, 2012, (ii) the Merger
Agreement is terminated without the consummation of the Acquisition having
occurred or (iii) the closing of the Acquisition shall occur without use of the
Bridge Facility, then this Commitment Letter and our commitment hereunder and
our agreements to perform the services described herein shall automatically
terminate without further action or notice and without further obligation to you
unless the Commitment Parties shall, in their discretion, agree to an
extension.  Before such date and subject to the preceding paragraph, you may
terminate the commitments hereunder by written notice to us at any time.

 

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

 

9

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We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to assist you in connection
with this important financing.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

 

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Thomas D. Cassin

 

 

Name: Thomas D. Cassin

 

 

Title: Managing Director

 

 

 

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ Robert P. Kellas

 

 

Name: Robert P. Kellas

 

 

Title: Executive Director

 

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Accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written:

 

CATERPILLAR INC.

 

By

/s/ Edward J. Scott

 

 

Name: Edward J. Scott

 

 

Title: Corporate Treasurer

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

PROJECT BADGER

$8.6 Billion Senior Bridge Term Loan Credit Facility

Summary of Principal Terms and Conditions

 

Borrower:

Caterpillar Inc. (the “Borrower”).

 

 

Transactions:

The Borrower intends to acquire (the “Acquisition”) all of the equity interests
of a company previously identified to us as “Badger” (the “Company”), pursuant
to an Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 14, 2010(as amended,
the “Merger Agreement”), among the Borrower, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Borrower and the Company for an aggregate cash consideration (the “Cash
Consideration”), all as set forth in the Merger Agreement. In connection with
the Acquisition, the Borrower intends to (a) obtain a senior bridge term loan
credit facility described below under the caption “Bridge Facility”, (b) repay
outstanding indebtedness of the Company and its subsidiaries and (c) pay the
fees and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing (the “Transaction
Costs”). It is anticipated that some or all of the Bridge Facility will be
replaced or refinanced by (i) the issuance of senior unsecured notes (the
“Senior Notes”) and/or equity securities by the Borrower through a public
offering or in a private placement (the “Permanent Financing”) and (ii) certain
cash available on the balance sheet of the Borrower. The transactions described
in this paragraph are collectively referred to herein as the “Transactions”.

 

 

Administrative Agent:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan Chase Bank” and, in such capacity, the
“Administrative Agent”).

 

 

Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Bookrunner:

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (in such capacity, the “Lead Arranger”).

 

 

Lenders:

A syndicate of banks, financial institutions and other entities, including
JPMorgan Chase Bank, arranged by the Lead Arranger (collectively, the
“Lenders”).

 

 

Bridge Facility:

A senior bridge term loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of up
to $8.6 billion (the “Bridge Facility”).

 

 

Purpose:

The proceeds of the Bridge Facility will be used by the Borrower (a) to pay the
Cash Consideration and (b) to pay the Transaction Costs.

 

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Availability:

The Bridge Facility may be drawn in a single drawing on the closing date of the
Acquisition (the date of such drawing being the “Closing Date”), which shall
occur on or prior to November 30, 2011; provided that in the event the
Termination Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement) is extended pursuant to
Section 7.01(b)(i) of the Merger Agreement, such date shall be similarly
extended, but no later than June 30, 2012. Amounts borrowed under the Bridge
Facility that are repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.

 

 

Interest Rates and Fees:

As set forth on Annex I hereto.

 

 

Final Maturity and Amortization:

The Bridge Facility will mature on the first anniversary of the Closing Date.
There will be no scheduled amortization.

 

 

Mandatory Prepayments and Commitment Reductions:

On or prior to the Closing Date, the aggregate commitments in respect of the
Bridge Facility under the Commitment Letter or under the Bridge Facility
Documentation (as applicable) shall be permanently reduced, and after the
Closing Date, the aggregate loans under the Bridge Facility shall be prepaid, in
each case, dollar-for-dollar, by the following amounts:

 

 

 

(a) 100% of the net cash proceeds of all asset sales or other dispositions of
property by the Borrower and its subsidiaries (including proceeds from the sale
of stock of any subsidiary of the Borrower and insurance and condemnation
proceeds), subject to exceptions and reinvestment provisions to be agreed upon;
and

 

 

 

(b) 100% of the net cash proceeds received from any issuance of debt, equity or
equity-linked securities (in a public offering or private placement) by the
Borrower or any of its subsidiaries (subject to exceptions to be agreed,
including, without limitation, (i) indebtedness of Caterpillar’s captive finance
subsidiaries, (ii) indebtedness under the existing credit facilities of
Caterpillar, (iii) indebtedness incurred by Caterpillar and its subsidiaries in
the ordinary course of business and (iv) any other financing reasonably agreed
by the Lead Arranger).

 

 

Voluntary Prepayments and Reductions in Commitments:

Voluntary reductions of the unutilized portion of the commitments under the
Bridge Facility and prepayments of borrowings thereunder will be permitted at
any time, in minimum principal amounts to be agreed upon, without premium or
penalty, subject to reimbursement of the Lenders’ redeployment costs in the case
of a prepayment of Adjusted LIBOR borrowings other than on the last day of the
relevant interest period.

 

A-2

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Representations and Warranties:

Substantially the same as those contained in the Borrower’s Credit Agreement
(Four-Year Facility) dated as of September 16, 2010 (as in effect on the date
hereof and disregarding any amendment or modification thereto made after the
date hereof) (the “Existing Credit Agreement”), including: (a) corporate
existence and power; (b) corporate authorization and no contravention;
(c) governmental authorization; (d) binding effect; (e) accuracy of information
and no material adverse change; (f) litigation; (g) use of proceeds and margin
regulations; (h) ERISA; and (i) taxes.

 

 

Conditions Precedent to Borrowing on the Closing Date:

A borrowing under the Bridge Facility on the Closing Date will be subject solely
to the conditions precedent set forth in paragraph 11 of the Commitment Letter
and Exhibit B to the Commitment Letter.

 

 

Affirmative Covenants:

Substantially similar to those found in the Existing Credit Agreement including
preservation of existence; compliance with laws; maintenance of properties;
payment of taxes and other claims; use of proceeds; delivery of financial
statements; delivery of certificates and other information; provision of notices
for events of default, proceedings, ERISA events, or ratings changes.

 

 

Negative Covenants:

Substantially similar to those found in the Existing Credit Agreement including
limitation on liens; and limitation on consolidations, mergers and dispositions
of all or substantially all assets.

 

 

Financial Covenant:

Consolidated Net Worth (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) of
Caterpillar shall not be less than $9,000,000,000.

 

 

Events of Default:

Change of control and others substantially similar to (and no more restrictive
as to the Borrower than) those found in the Existing Credit Agreement (including
notice and grace periods), including, without limitation, non-payment of
principal, when due, or interest or fee payments; failure of any representation
or warranty to be true and correct in any material respect when made or deemed
made (subject to the provisions of paragraph 11 of the Commitment Letter);
failure to perform or observe covenants or agreements in the loan documents,
including the Fee Letter; cross-default to other material Debt for the Borrower
or any subsidiary; bankruptcy or insolvency of the Borrower or any material
subsidiary; judgments; defaults arising with respect to requirements of ERISA
and invalidity of

 

A-3

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any Bridge Facility Documentation.

 

 

Voting:

Actions/amendments/waivers requiring the consent of all Lenders include:
increase in aggregate commitments; reduction of principal, interest rates, or
fees; postponement of dates fixed for payment of principal, interest or fees;
modification of “Required Lenders” definition and other voting provisions;
change of “pro rata” sharing provisions. Otherwise the instructions/approval of
Required Lenders (i.e., Lenders holding a majority of the aggregate commitments
prior to the Closing Date; thereafter, Lenders holding a majority of the
aggregate principal balance outstanding) shall control.

 

 

Cost and Yield Protection:

Usual for facilities and transactions of this type, including customary tax
gross-up provisions.

 

 

Assignments and Participations:

Prior to the Closing Date, the Lenders will be permitted to assign commitments
under the Bridge Facility with the consent of the Borrower (not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that such consent of the Borrower
shall not be required (i) if such assignment is made to another Lender under the
Bridge Facility or an affiliate or approved fund of any such Lender or (ii) if
such assignment is made to a Permitted Assignee. From the Closing Date, the
Lenders will be permitted to assign loans under the Bridge Facility with the
consent of the Borrower (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided
that no consent of the Borrower shall be required in connection with an
assignment (x) to another Lender or Lender’s affiliate or (y) to a Permitted
Assignee. All assignments require the consent of the Administrative Agent (not
to be unreasonably withheld or delayed). Each assignment shall be (i) of all or
a proportionate part of all rights and obligations of the assigning Lender,
(ii) in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and increments of $1,000,000 in excess
thereof, (iii) evidenced by an executed assignment and acceptance form delivered
to the Administrative Agent, and (iv) accompanied by the payment of a $3,500
assignment processing fee to Administrative Agent. No such assignment shall
result in any Lender having a commitment which is greater than 20% of the total
commitment without the consent of the Borrower.

 

Lenders may sell participations without the consent of any person, so long as
any such participation does not create rights in participants to approve
amendments or waivers, except amendments, modifications, or

 

A-4

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waivers with respect to a decrease in fees, principal, or interest rates, or an
extension of any date fixed for payments.

 

 

Defaulting Lenders:

Usual for facilities and transactions of this type, including the suspension of
voting rights and rights to receive certain fees, and the termination or
assignment of commitments or loans of defaulting Lenders, including the right of
the Borrower to replace defaulting Lenders.

 

 

Expenses and Indemnification:

The Borrower will indemnify the Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the
Lenders, their respective affiliates, successors and assigns and the officers,
directors, employees, agents, advisors, controlling persons and members of each
of the foregoing (each, an “Indemnified Person”) and hold them harmless from and
against all costs, expenses (including reasonable fees, disbursements and other
charges of counsel) and liabilities of such Indemnified Person arising out of or
relating to any claim or any litigation or other proceeding that relates to the
Transactions, including the financing contemplated hereby, the Acquisition or
any transactions in connection therewith; provided that no Indemnified Person
will be indemnified for any cost, expense or liability that resulted from
(i) its gross negligence or willful misconduct or (ii) the violation by such
Indemnified Person of any law, regulation, ordinance, or judicial or
governmental agency order. In addition, the Borrower shall pay all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees,
disbursements and other charges of counsel identified in the Term Sheet (and, if
reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction for all
Indemnified Persons unless, in the reasonable opinion of an Indemnified Person,
representation of all Indemnified Persons by such counsel would be inappropriate
due to the existence of an actual or potential conflict of interest)) of (a) the
Lead Arranger and the Administrative Agent in connection with the syndication of
the Bridge Facility and the preparation and administration of the definitive
documentation, and amendments, modifications and waivers thereto, and (b) the
Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for enforcement costs
associated with the Bridge Facility.

 

 

Governing Law and Forum:

Governing law: New York.
Forum: New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois

 

A-5

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Lead Arranger’s Counsel:

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

 

A-6

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ANNEX I

 

Interest Rates:

The interest rates under the Bridge Facility will be, at the option of the
Borrower, (a) Adjusted LIBOR plus the Applicable Adjusted LIBOR Margin (as
defined below) or (b) ABR plus the Applicable Adjusted LIBOR Margin minus 1.00%.

 

 

 

The Borrower may elect interest periods of 1, 2 or 3 months for Adjusted LIBOR
borrowings. Calculation of interest shall be on the basis of the actual number
of days elapsed in a year of 360 days (or 365 or 366 days, as the case may be,
in the case of ABR loans based on the prime rate) and interest shall be paid
(i) at the end of each interest period and no less frequently than quarterly, in
the case of Adjusted LIBOR advances and (ii) quarterly, in the case of ABR
advances.

 

 

 

ABR is the Alternate Base Rate, which is the highest of (a) the Administrative
Agent’s Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus ½ of 1.0%, and
(c) Adjusted LIBOR for a one-month interest period, plus 1.0%.

 

 

 

Adjusted LIBOR will at all times include statutory reserves.

 

Applicable Adjusted LIBOR Margin:

 

Ratings(1)

 

A/A2

 

A-/A3

 

BBB+/Baa1

 

BBB/Baa2

Closing Date until 89 days following the Closing Date.

 

125.0 bps

 

150.0 bps

 

175.0 bps

 

200.0 bps

90th day following the Closing Date until 179th day following the Closing Date

 

150.0 bps

 

175.0 bps

 

200.0 bps

 

225.0 bps

180th day following the Closing Date until 269th day following the Closing Date

 

187.5 bps

 

212.5 bps

 

237.5 bps

 

262.5 bps

From the 270th day following the Closing Date.

 

237.5 bps

 

262.5 bps

 

287.5 bps

 

312.5 bps

 

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(1)  Based on ratings of long-term senior unsecured debt of the Borrower from
S&P and Moody’s.  If the Borrower is split rated, the Applicable Adjusted LIBOR
Margin will be determined based on the higher of the two ratings, except if the
lower of such ratings is more than one level below the higher of such ratings,
in which case the Applicable Adjusted LIBOR Margin will be determined based on
the level that is one level below the higher of such ratings.

 

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Default Rate:

At any time when the Borrower is in default in the payment of any amount of
principal due under the Bridge Facility, the overdue amount shall bear interest
at 2% above the rate otherwise applicable thereto.  Overdue interest, fees and
other amounts shall bear interest at 2% above the rate applicable to ABR loans.

 

 

Undrawn Commitment Fee:

The Borrower will pay a fee (the “Undrawn Commitment Fee”) on the undrawn
portion of the commitments in respect of the Bridge Facility for the ratable
benefit of the Lenders, payable quarterly in arrears and upon the termination of
such commitments, at a rate per annum of 15.0 bps.

 

 

Duration Fees:

The Borrower will pay a fee (the “Duration Fee”), for the ratable benefit of the
Lenders, in an amount equal to (i) 0.50% of the aggregate principal amount of
the loans under the Bridge Facility outstanding on the date which is 90 days
after the Closing Date, due and payable in cash on such 90th day (or if such day
is not a business day, the next business day); (ii) 0.75% of the aggregate
principal amount of the loans under the Bridge Facility outstanding on the date
which is 180 days after the Closing Date, due and payable in cash on such 180th
day (or if such day is not a business day, the next business day); and
(iii) 1.25% of the aggregate principal amount of the loans under the Bridge
Facility outstanding on the date which is 270 days after the Closing Date, due
and payable in cash on such 270th day (or if such day is not a business day, the
next business day).

 

2

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EXHIBIT B

 

PROJECT BADGER

$8.6 Billion Senior Bridge Term Loan Credit Facility

Summary of Additional Conditions Precedent(2)

 

The initial borrowing under the Bridge Facility shall be subject to the
following additional conditions precedent:

 

1.                                       The Acquisition shall be consummated
simultaneously (or substantially simultaneously) with the closing of the Bridge
Facility in accordance with the Merger Agreement and the Merger Agreement shall
not have been amended or modified, and no condition shall have been waived or
consent granted, in any respect that is materially adverse to the Lenders
without the Lead Arranger’s prior written consent (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

2.                                       All governmental and third-party
approvals necessary in connection with the Transactions and the financing
thereof (except for those with respect to which the failure to have obtained
approval could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on
Caterpillar and its subsidiaries or the Transactions) shall have been obtained
on satisfactory terms and be in full force and effect.

 

3.                                       The Lead Arranger shall have received
(a) U.S. GAAP audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of
income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of Caterpillar and the
Company for the three most recent fiscal years ended at least 90 days prior to
the Closing Date and (b) U.S. GAAP unaudited consolidated and (to the extent
available) consolidating balance sheets and related statements of income,
stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of Caterpillar and the Company for
each subsequent fiscal quarter ended at least 60 days before the Closing Date,
which financial statements shall meet the requirements of Regulation S-X under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all other accounting rules and
regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to a registration
statement under such Act on Form S-1.

 

4.                                       The Administrative Agent shall have
received legal opinions, corporate organizational documents, good standing
certificates, resolutions and other customary closing certificates as are
customary for transactions of this type and reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent.

 

5.                                       Caterpillar shall have a minimum rating
of its senior unsecured long-term indebtedness giving effect to the Transactions
from each of S&P and Moody’s of BBB+ and Baa1 respectively, in each case with
stable/stable or better outlook.

 

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(2)  All capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given
to them in the Commitment Letter to which this Exhibit B is attached, including
Exhibits A thereto.

 

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6.                                       The Commitment Parties shall have
received all fees and invoiced expenses required to be paid on or prior to the
Closing Date pursuant to the Fee Letter or otherwise.

 

7.                                       The Commitment Parties shall have
received, at least five business days prior to the Closing Date, all
documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under
applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations,
including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act.

 

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