Exhibit 10.6

FIFTH AMENDMENT
TO
FINANCING AGREEMENT

Dated as of January 15, 2004

among

ENCORE WIRE LIMITED,
as Borrower

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Agent,

BANK ONE, NA,
GUARANTY BANK
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Co-Syndication Agents

and

The Other Lenders Party Thereto

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager

 

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FIFTH AMENDMENT TO FINANCING AGREEMENT

     THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT TO FINANCING AGREEMENT (the “Fifth Amendment”) dated
as of January 15, 2004, is by and among ENCORE WIRE LIMITED, a Texas limited
partnership (“Borrower”), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. (“Bank of America”), BANK ONE,
NA (“Bank One”), GUARANTY BANK (“Guaranty Bank”), WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. (“Wells
Fargo”), COMERICA BANK, (“Comerica Bank”), and HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK
(“Hibernia”) (Bank One, Guaranty Bank, Wells Fargo and Hibernia are herein
sometimes collectively referred to as the “New Lenders”), in their individual
capacities as “Lenders” (as such term is defined herein), Bank One, Guaranty
Bank and Wells Fargo in their capacities as “Co-Syndication Agents” (as such
term is defined herein), and Bank of America, N.A., as agent for itself and
other Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity,
the “Agent”).

WITNESSETH:

     WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Agent and certain of the Lenders are parties to
the Financing Agreement, dated as of August 31, 1999, as amended by that certain
First Amendment to Financing Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2000, that certain
Second Amendment to Financing Statement, dated as of June 28, 2002, that certain
Third Amendment to Financing Statement, dated as of March 31, 2003, and that
certain Fourth Amendment to Financing Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2003
(said Financing Agreement, as amended, the “Financing Agreement”), pursuant to
which certain of the Lenders agreed to make certain loans available to the
Borrower upon the terms and conditions contained in the Financing Agreement;

     WHEREAS, the parties to the Financing Agreement desire to (a) add the New
Lenders as Lenders under the Financing Agreement and (b) amend the Financing
Agreement to make certain changes to the terms therein upon the terms and
conditions set forth below;

     NOW, THEREFORE, for valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
which are hereby acknowledged, the Borrower, the Lenders, the Co-Syndication
Agents and the Agent agree as follows:

Terms. All capitalized terms defined in the Financing Agreement and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the same definitions when used herein as
set forth in the Financing Agreement as amended.
Amendment of Paragraph 1.20. Paragraph 1.20 in ARTICLE I of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               “Comerica Bank” means Comerica Bank, successor by merger with
Comerica Bank — Texas, in its individual capacity as a Lender.

Amendment of Paragraph 1.21. Paragraph 1.21 in ARTICLE I of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               1.21 “Contract Term” means the period beginning on the effective
date specified in the preamble of this Agreement and continuing through May 31,
2007.

Amendment of Paragraph 1.22. Paragraph 1.22 in ARTICLE I of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               1.22 “Commitment” means, as to any Lender, the obligation of such
Lender to make or continue Loans and incur or participate in Letter of Credit
Liabilities hereunder in an aggregate principal amount at any one time
outstanding up to but not exceeding the amount set forth opposite the name of
such Lender on the signature pages of the Fifth Amendment under the heading
“Commitment” or, if such Lender is a party to an Assignment and Acceptance, the
amount of the “Commitment” set forth in the most recent Assignment and
Acceptance of such Lender, as the same may be reduced or terminated pursuant to
paragraph 2.9 or 9.2, and “Commitments” means such obligations of all Lenders.
As of the Fifth Amendment Closing Date, the aggregate principal amount of the
Commitments is $125,000,000.

Amendment of Paragraph 1.29. Paragraph 1.29 in ARTICLE I of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               1.29 “Eligible Assignee” means (a) any Affiliate of a Lender,
(b) a Lender, (c) an Approved Fund or (d) any commercial bank, savings and loan
association, savings bank, finance company, insurance company, pension fund,
mutual fund or other financial institution having combined capital

 

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and surplus of at least $100,000,000 (whether a corporation, partnership or
other entity) acceptable to Agent; provided however, so long as no Default
exists, any such entity described in (d) must also be approved by Borrower,
which approval may not be unreasonably withheld.

Amendment of Paragraph 1.30. Paragraph 1.30 in ARTICLE I of the Financing
Agreement is amended by adding the following sentence to the end thereof:

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall
work-in-progress be included in Eligible Inventory.

Amendment of Paragraph 1.55. Paragraph 1.55 in ARTICLE I of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               1.55 “Lender” and “Lenders” means each of Bank of America, Bank
One, Guaranty Bank, Wells Fargo, Comerica, and Hibernia, in their individual
capacities as lenders hereunder, and each other lending institution which may
from time to time become a party hereto or any successor or assignee of any
thereof.

Amendment of Paragraph 1.68. Paragraph 1.68 in ARTICLE I of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               1.68 “Maximum Rate” means the greater of (i) the “weekly ceiling”
as defined in Section 303.003 of the Texas Finance Code, as amended, or (ii) the
maximum rate of interest permitted from day to day by any other applicable state
or federal law.

Amendment of Paragraph 1.84. Paragraph 1.84 in ARTICLE I of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               1.84 “Required Lenders” means, at any date of determination,
Lenders having in aggregate at least 66-2/3% (in Dollar amount) of the aggregate
amount of the outstanding Commitments (or, if such Commitments have terminated
or expired, the aggregate principal amount of the Loans and the aggregate Letter
of Credit Liabilities).

Amendment of Paragraph 1.86. Paragraph 1.86 in ARTICLE I of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               1.86 “Revolving Credit Limit” means the amount of One-Hundred
Twenty-Five Million Dollars ($125,000,000) for the period commencing on the
Fifth Amendment Closing Date through and until the last day of the Contract
Term, as such amount may be decreased pursuant to paragraph 2.9 or increased
pursuant to paragraph 2.12.

Amendment of ARTICLE I. ARTICLE I of the Financing Agreement is amended by
adding the following defined terms thereto in proper alphabetical order to read
as follows:

               1.6A “Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or
managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an
Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

               1.13A “Bank One” means Bank One, NA, in its individual capacity
as a Lender.

               1.23A “Co-Syndication Agents” means each of Bank One, Guaranty
Bank and Wells Fargo, in their respective capacity as co-syndication agent under
this Agreement.

               1.40A “Fifth Amendment” means that certain Fifth Amendment to
Financing Agreement, dated as of January 15, 2004, among Borrower, Agent and the
lenders named therein.

               1.40B “Fifth Amendment Closing Date” means the date that all of
the conditions precedent set forth in Section 46 of the Fifth Amendment.

               1.42A “Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that
is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in
commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of
business.

               1.46A “Guaranty Bank” means Guaranty Bank, in its individual
capacity as a Lender.

 

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               1.48A “Hibernia” means Hibernia National Bank, in its individual
capacity as a Lender.

               1.48B “Increase Closing Date” shall have the meaning specified in
paragraph 2.12(b).

               1.89A “Wells Fargo” means Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., in its
individual capacity as a Lender.

               1.89B “Unused Portion” means an amount equal to the result of (a)
the Commitments minus (b) the sum of (i) the outstanding Loans and (ii) the
outstanding Letter of Credit Liabilities.

Paragraph 1.90 in ARTICLE I of the Financing Agreement is renumbered as
“Paragraph 1.70A” and inserted in proper numerical order in ARTICLE I.
Amendment of Paragraph 2.8. Paragraph 2.8 in ARTICLE II of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               2.8 Commitment Fee. Subject in all respects to the provisions of
paragraph 11.8, Borrower agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of each Lender
(based upon their respective Commitment Percentages) a commitment fee in an
amount equal to (i) 0.175% per annum if the Leverage Ratio is equal to or less
than 0.50 to 1, (ii) 0.250% if the Leverage Ratio is greater than 0.50 to 1 and
less than or equal to 2.75 to 1, (iii) 0.375% if the Leverage Ratio is greater
than 2.75 to 1 and less than or equal to 3.00 to 1, or (iv) 0.500% if the
Leverage Ratio is greater than 3.00 to 1, of the Unused Portion (calculated on a
daily basis for the applicable quarterly period or portion thereof), which shall
be payable quarterly in arrears on the first day of each April, July, October
and January during the term hereof and on the date of termination of the
Facility.

Amendment of Paragraph 2.10(a). Paragraph 2.10(a) in ARTICLE II of the
Financing Agreement is amended and restated as follows:

               (a) The Facility may be utilized by Borrower to support the
issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Borrower, subject to the
Availability, up to the maximum aggregate unfunded face amount at any time
outstanding of $5,000,000.00. The maximum term of any such Letter of Credit
shall be one (1) year, and no Letter of Credit shall be issued with an
expiration date which is later than seven (7) days prior to the expiration of
the Contract Term. Each Letter of Credit shall be governed and supported by a
duly executed application and reimbursement agreement in form and substance
satisfactory to the Issuing Bank, and subject in all respects to the provisions
of paragraph 11.8, Borrower agrees to pay to Agent, for the account of each
Lender (based on their respective Commitment Percentages) a Letter of Credit fee
for each Letter of Credit equal to 1% per annum of the maximum amount available
to be drawn under such Letter of Credit (calculated on a daily basis for the
applicable quarterly period or portion thereof), which shall be payable
quarterly in arrears on the first day of each April, July, October and January
during the term hereof and on the date of termination of the Facility.

Amendment of Paragraph 2.10(c). Paragraph 2.10(c) in ARTICLE II of the
Financing Agreement is amended by amending and restating the last sentence
thereof as follows:

Outstanding Reimbursement Obligations shall bear interest at a rate per annum
equal to the lesser of (i) the Prime Based Rate or (ii) the Maximum Rate.

Amendment of ARTICLE II. ARTICLE II of the Financing Agreement is amended by
adding a new paragraph 2.12 thereto to read as follows:

               2.12 Increase in Commitments. (a) Provided there exists no
Default, upon notice to Agent (which shall promptly notify Lenders), Borrower
may from time to time, request an increase in the Commitments by an amount (for
all such requests) not exceeding $25,000,000. At the time of sending such
notice, Borrower (in consultation with Agent) shall specify the time period
within which each Lender is requested to respond (which shall in no event be
less than ten Business Days from the date of delivery of such notice to Lender).
Each Lender shall notify Agent within such time period whether or not it agrees
to increase its Commitment and, if so, whether by an amount equal to, greater
than, or less than its pro rata share of such requested increase. Any Lender not
responding within such time period shall be deemed to have declined to increase
its Commitment. Agent shall notify Borrower and each Lender of Lenders’
responses to each request made hereunder. To achieve the full amount of a
requested increase as a result of all or a portion of Lenders at such time not
increasing their respective Commitments in an aggregate amount to the increased
amount of Commitments requested by

 

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Borrower, Borrower may also invite additional Eligible Assignees to become
Lenders pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance satisfactory to
Agent and its counsel.

               (b) If the Aggregate Commitments are increased in accordance with
this paragraph 2.12, Agent and Borrower shall determine the closing date (the
“Increase Closing Date”) and the final allocation of such increase. Agent shall
promptly notify Borrower and Lenders of the final allocation of such increase
and the Increase Closing Date. As a condition precedent to such increase,
Borrower shall deliver to Agent a certificate of Borrower and each Guarantor
dated as of the Increase Closing Date (in sufficient copies for each Lender)
signed by an officer of Borrower and each Guarantor (i) certifying and attaching
the resolutions adopted by Borrower and each Guarantor approving or consenting
to such increase, and (ii) in the case of Borrower, certifying that, before and
after giving effect to such increase, (A) the representations and warranties
contained in ARTICLE VI and the other Loan Documents are true and correct on and
as of such Increase Closing Date, except to the extent that such representations
and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are
true and correct as of such earlier date, and (B) no Default or Event of Default
exists or would result therefrom. On the Increase Closing Date, each Lender
shall, to the extent necessary, make a payment to Agent in an amount sufficient,
upon the application of such payments by all Lenders to the reduction of
outstanding Loans held by Lenders, to cause the principal amount of Loans
outstanding made by each Lender to be in the amount of its pro rata share (after
giving effect to the increase in the Commitments in accordance with this
paragraph 2.12) of all outstanding Loans. Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes
each Lender to fund to Agent the payment required to be made pursuant to the
immediately preceding sentence for application to the reduction of the
outstanding Loans held by the other Lenders. If, as a result of the repayment of
Loans provided for in this paragraph 2.12, any payment of LIBOR Based Loans
occurs on a day which is not the last day of the applicable Interest Period,
Borrower will pay to Agent for the benefit of any Lender holding a LIBOR Based
Loan any Lender’s Consequential Loss incurred by such Lender resulting therefrom
in accordance with paragraph 3.1.4 to the extent a LIBOR Based Loan is paid on
other than the last day of an Interest Period as a result thereof.

               (c) Upon the Increase Closing Date and the making of the payments
described in paragraph 2.12(b), each new Lender and/or increasing Lender shall
be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally purchased and received,
without recourse or warranty, an undivided participation in all outstanding
Letter of Credit Liabilities in accordance with its pro rata share.

               (d) This Section shall supersede any provisions in paragraph 4.2
or paragraph 11.18 to the contrary; provided that no Lender shall be obligated
to increase its Commitment.

Amendment of Paragraph 3.1.3 Paragraph 3.1.3 in ARTICLE III of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               3.1.3 Interest Payment Dates. Accrued interest under the Facility
shall be payable as follows: (a) accrued interest on Prime Based Loans shall be
payable quarterly on the first day of each calendar quarter and on the last day
of the Contract Term, and, if applicable, on the day the outstanding Obligations
are due and payable pursuant to paragraph 9.2, and (b) accrued interest on any
LIBOR Based Loan shall be payable on the last day of the Interest Period
applicable thereto and on the last day of the Contract Term and, if applicable,
on the day the outstanding Obligations are due and payable pursuant to paragraph
9.2; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a LIBOR Based Loan
exceeds three months, interest shall also be payable on the date that is three
months after the beginning of such Interest Period.

Amendment of “Applicable Margin” definition in Paragraph 3.1.6. The definition
of “Applicable Margin” contained in paragraph 3.1.6 of ARTICLE III of the
Financing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

               “Applicable Margin” means the per annum percentages, applicable
in the case of Prime Based Loans and LIBOR Based Loans, respectively, under the
specified conditions, as follows:

 

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                      APPLICABLE MARGIN   APPLICABLE MARGIN     FOR PRIME BASED
  FOR LIBOR BASED LEVERAGE RATIO

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  LOANS

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  LOANS

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Less than or equal to 0.50 to 1.0 Greater than 0.50 to 1.0 and less than or
equal to 1.50 to 1.0
    0
0 %
%     0.875
1.125 %
%
 
               
Greater than 1.50 to 1.0 and less than or equal to 2.25 to 1.0
    0 %     1.250 %
 
               
Greater than 2.25 to 1.0 and less than or equal to 2.75 to 1.0
    0 %     1.500 %
 
               
Greater than 2.75 to 1.0 and less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.0
    0.25 %     1.750 %
 
               
Greater than 3.00 to 1.0
    0.50 %     2.250 %

               The Applicable Margin shall be measured and determined according
to the quarterly consolidated financial statements delivered to Agent under
paragraph 7.6. Any adjustment in the Applicable Margin after the Effective Date
shall be deemed effective as of the first day following the receipt by the Agent
of the financial statements referred to in the immediately preceding sentence.

Amendment of “Interest Period” definition in Paragraph 3.1.6. The definition
of “Interest Period” contained in paragraph 3.1.6 of ARTICLE III of the
Financing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

               “Interest Period” means in the case of a LIBOR Based Loan, the
period commencing on the first effective Eurodollar Business Day of a LIBOR Rate
Option and ending one, two, three or six months thereafter (or with respect to
the initial LIBOR Based Loan made on the Fifth Amendment Closing Date, twelve
days thereafter), as designated by Borrower at the time of electing such LIBOR
Rate Option, provided that (i) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a
day which is not a Eurodollar Business Day, then such Interest Period shall be
extended to the next succeeding Eurodollar Business Day unless to do so would
extend such Interest Period into a subsequent calendar month, in which event
such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Eurodollar Business Day,
and (ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last day of a calendar month, or
on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar
month at the end of such Interest Period, shall end on the last Eurodollar
Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period, and provided
further, that no Interest Period may end on a day which is after the expiration
of the Contract Term.

Amendment of “London Interbank Offered Rate” definition in Paragraph 3.1.6.
The definition of “London Interbank Offered Rate” contained in paragraph 3.1.6
of ARTICLE III of the Financing Agreement is amended and restated in its
entirety to read as follows:

               “London Interbank Offered Rate” means for any Interest Period
with respect to any LIBOR Based Loan (rounded up to the next 1/100th of 1%):

               (a) the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by Agent to
be the offered rate that appears on the page of the Telerate screen (or any
successor thereto) that displays an average British Bankers Association Interest
Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such
Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, determined as
of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first
day of such Interest Period, or

 

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               (b) if the rate referenced in the preceding clause (a) does not
appear on such page or service or such page or service shall not be available,
the rate per annum equal to the rate determined by Agent to be the offered rate
on such other page or other service that displays an average British Bankers
Association Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery on
the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest
Period, determined as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business
Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, or

               (c) if the rates referenced in the preceding clauses (a) and
(b) are not available, the rate per annum determined by Agent as the rate of
interest at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such
Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the LIBOR Based
Loan being made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term
equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London
Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request
at approximately 4:00 p.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the first
day of such Interest Period.

Amendment of Prime Based Rate definition in Paragraph 3.1.6. The definition of
“Prime Based Rate” contained in paragraph 3.1.6 of ARTICLE III of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               “Prime Based Rate” means for any date a fluctuating rate per
annum equal to the sum of (a) the higher of the (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus
1/2 of 1% and (ii) the Prime Rate in effect for such day and (b) the Applicable
Margin.

Amendment of “Prime Rate” definition in Paragraph 3.1.6. The definition of
“Prime Rate” contained in paragraph 3.1.6 of ARTICLE III of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               “Prime Rate” means the rate of interest publicly announced from
time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate”. The Prime Rate is a rate
set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s
costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is
used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above,
or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of
America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the
public announcement of such change.

Amendment of Paragraph 5.2. Paragraph 5.2 in ARTICLE V of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               5.2 Loans and Letters of Credit Under Facility. As a condition to
each Loan and Letter of Credit under the Facility, each of the following
requirements must be satisfied in Agent’s discretion: (a) Borrower shall be
current with respect to the delivery of Borrowing Base Reports and all items as
required under paragraph 5.1, and the Borrowing Base must be confirmed by Agent,
(b) the amount of Loans or Letter of Credit requested does not exceed the
Availability as of the date of such Loans or Letter of Credit, (c) all
representations and warranties contained in Article VI shall be true, correct
and complete in all material respects except as supplemented pursuant to
paragraph 7.12, and (d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, or shall result from such Loans or Letter of Credit, and no other
event or condition which is reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect shall be in existence. Any request for Loans or a Letter of Credit under
the Facility at a time when any of the foregoing requirements is not satisfied
may be declined by Agent without prior notice.

Amendment of Paragraph 6.19. Paragraph 6.19 in ARTICLE VI of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               6.19 Solvency. (i) the fair saleable value of all assets of
Borrower and its Subsidiaries exceeds the amount of all of Borrower’s and its
Subsidiaries’ existing debts and liabilities (including contingent liabilities),
(ii) the assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries do not constitute an
unreasonably small capital for the operation of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’
business as now conducted and as intended to be conducted, taking into account
all known or projected capital requirements for such operations, (iii) neither
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries intend to incur debts beyond their
respective ability to pay as they mature, and (iv) Borrower’s and its
Subsidiaries’ consolidated cash flow is sufficient to pay all existing debts and
liabilities as they become due.

 

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Amendment of Paragraph 7.4. Paragraph 7.4 in ARTICLE VII of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               7.4 Existence. Borrower and each Guarantor shall preserve and
maintain its partnership or corporate existence, as appropriate, and shall
maintain its good standing and authority to transact business in all
jurisdictions where necessary for the proper conduct of its business, and
Borrower and each Guarantor shall maintain all of its properties, rights,
privileges and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its
business.

Amendment of Paragraph 7.8. Paragraph 7.8 in ARTICLE VII of the Financing
Agreement is amended by amending the first sentence thereof to read as follows:

          No later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the last day of each
calendar quarter, and at such other times as Agent may request, Borrower shall
execute and deliver to Agent, in form satisfactory to Agent and Borrower, a
Borrowing Base Report setting forth a certification of Eligible Accounts and
Eligible Inventory as of the last day of such calendar quarter and such other
date as may be specified in such other Borrowing Base Reports Borrower may
deliver to Agent, and calculation of the Borrowing Base. Each Borrowing Base
Report shall include a reconciliation of the calculation of the Borrowing Base
as certified in the most recent Borrowing Base Report delivered to Agent, and be
accompanied by such documents and supporting information relating to Eligible
Accounts and Eligible Inventory as Agent may request.

Amendment of Paragraph 7.14. Paragraph 7.14 in ARTICLE VII of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               7.14 Payment of Taxes. Borrower and each Guarantor shall promptly
pay, or cause to be paid, when due, any and all taxes except such taxes as may
be contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, provided, that adequate
reserves shall be maintained as are appropriate according to GAAP. At Agent’s
request pending resolution of any such contest and prior to the delinquency of
such tax, Borrower and each Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to
Agent a cash reserve in the amount of the tax, together with a reasonable
additional sum to pay all projected costs, interest and penalties in connection
therewith, conditioned that such tax, together with the applicable interest,
cost, and penalties, if any, be timely paid to the extent required upon
resolution of such contest. Borrower agrees that it shall immediately notify
Agent of the initiation of any such contest and advise Agent from time to time
of the status thereof. Borrower and each Guarantor shall promptly pay any
amounts adjudged to be due pursuant to any such contest, with all costs,
penalties, and interest thereon, before such judgment becomes final or any writ
or order is issued under which Borrower’s or such Guarantor’s property, or any
portion thereof, may become subject to any lien or encumbrance.

Amendment of Paragraph 7.15. Paragraph 7.15 in ARTICLE VII of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               7.15 Compliance with Laws. Borrower and each Guarantor shall
comply with all applicable laws, regulations and orders applicable to it or its
property, a violation of which would reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect. At Agent’s request, Borrower will provide Agent with
evidence of Borrower’s or any Guarantor’s compliance with Environmental
Requirements.

Amendment of Paragraph 7.21. Paragraph 7.21 in ARTICLE VII of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               (a) Borrower agrees that the following financial covenants must
be maintained as set forth herein. Borrower’s compliance shall be measured as of
the end of each Fiscal Quarter, unless the context provides otherwise.

1.   Fixed Charge Ratio. Fixed Charge Ratio shall not at any time be less than
3.50 to 1.00.

2.   Leverage Ratio. Leverage Ratio shall not at any time be more than (a) from
December 31, 2003, through and including June 30, 2004, 3.50 to 1.0, and
(b) thereafter, 3.00 to 1.0.

 

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3.   Capital Expenditures. Capital Expenditures shall not exceed (a) $7,500,000
during fiscal year 2003, (b) $25,000,000 during fiscal year 2004, (c)
$20,000,000 during fiscal year 2005 and (d) $15,000,000 during any fiscal year
thereafter.

               (b) For purposes of measuring the financial covenants under this
paragraph, the following definitions shall apply, each determined on a
consolidated basis for Borrower and the Subsidiaries according to GAAP.

1.   “Capital Expenditures” means all expenditures which are classified as
capital expenditures according to GAAP.   2.   “Cash Taxes” means, for any
period, all federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash during
such period.   3.   “Current Maturities of Long-Term Indebtedness” means, for
any period, the scheduled principal payments during such period in respect of
indebtedness having a final maturity date of more than one year (excluding
indebtedness under the Facility).   4.   “EBITDA” means an amount equal to the
sum of the following, determined for the preceding four (4) completed Fiscal
Quarters: (i) income before provision for income taxes plus (ii) all interest
charges paid or accrued plus (iii) depreciation and amortization.   5.   “Fixed
Charge Ratio” means the ratio of the following, determined for the preceding
four (4) Fiscal Quarters: (a) the sum of EBITDA less Cash Taxes less Maintenance
Capital Expenditures, (b) divided by the sum of Interest Expense plus Current
Maturities of Long-Term Indebtedness plus cash dividends paid by the Parent to
its shareholders.   6.   “Funded Debt” at any time means an amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount outstanding at such time under the Facility.   7.  
“Interest Expense” means all interest charges paid or assumed, excluding
capitalized interest, if any.   8.   “Leverage Ratio” means the ratio of the
following: (a) Funded Debt as of the end of a Fiscal Quarter, (b) divided by
EBITDA for the preceding four (4) Fiscal Quarters ending with such Fiscal
Quarter.   9.   “Maintenance Capital Expenditures” means, for any period of four
(4) Fiscal Quarters, an amount equal to $6,000,000.

Amendment of Paragraph 7.22. Paragraph 7.22 in ARTICLE VII of the Financing
Agreement is amended by amending the first sentence thereof to read as follows:

          Borrower and each Guarantor covenants and agrees that (i) it will not
grant, or suffer to exist, any security interest, lien or other encumbrance on
any of its assets other than liens with respect to indebtedness permitted by
paragraph 7.26(c) and Permitted Encumbrances and (ii) all such assets shall at
all times be and remain free and clear of security interests, liens or other
encumbrances other than Permitted Encumbrances.

Amendment of Paragraph 7.26. Paragraph 7.26 in ARTICLE VII of the Financing
Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               7.26 Limitation on Indebtedness. Neither Borrower nor any
Guarantor will be obligated, directly or indirectly, for borrowed money or
otherwise under any promissory note, bond, indenture or similar instrument,
other than (a) in favor of Agent and the Lenders hereunder, (b) trade
indebtedness incurred in the normal and ordinary course of Borrower’s or such
Guarantor’s business and not more

 

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          than ninety (90) days past due, (c)(i) indebtedness of Borrower or any
Guarantor under capitalized leases and (ii) purchase money indebtedness in
connection with the purchase of equipment, if the payments required in respect
of such capitalized leases and purchase money indebtedness do not exceed
$2,100,000.00 in the aggregate during any 12-month period, and (d) loans from
Borrower to any of the Parent, EWC LP or EWC GP, the proceeds of which shall be
used solely for reasonable operating expenses of Parent, EWC LP or EWC GP
incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided, however, that the
aggregate principal amount of such loans from Borrower to Parent, EWC LP or EWC
GP shall at no time during any fiscal year exceed an amount equal to the
difference between $2,000,000 and the dividends permitted and actually paid
during such fiscal year under paragraph 7.30(a).

Amendment of Paragraph 7.27. Paragraph 7.27 in ARTICLE VII of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               7.27 Limitation on Contingent Liabilities. Neither Borrower nor
any Guarantor will be directly or indirectly liable in connection with the
obligations of any Person, whether by guarantee, surety, endorsement (other than
endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of
business), agreement to purchase or repurchase, agreement to make investments,
agreement to provide funds or maintain working capital, or any agreement to
assure a credit against loss, other than (a) those in favor of Agent and the
Lenders hereunder, and (b) indemnities by Borrower or any Guarantor of
liabilities of directors and officers pursuant to provisions contained in
Borrower’s partnership agreement or any Guarantor’s governance documents or
otherwise permitted by applicable law and other contractual indemnities (such as
contractual indemnifications in favor of customers) typically entered into in
the normal course of business or in the course of the issuance and sale of
securities.

Amendment of Paragraph 7.30. Paragraph 7.30 in ARTICLE VII of the Financing
Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               7.30 Dividends, Distributions. Borrower will not declare, pay or
issue any dividends or other distributions in respect of its partnership
interests, or distribute, reserve, secure or otherwise commit distributions in
respect thereof, provided, however, that if no Default or Event of Default
exists or will result therefrom Borrower may make distributions to its
shareholders (a) in the aggregate amount equal to or less than $2,000,000 per
fiscal year, the proceeds of which shall be used solely for reasonable operating
expenses of Parent, EWC LP and EWC GP incurred in the ordinary course of
business or to repay intercompany loans permitted under paragraph 7.26(d), and
(b) in addition to the distributions permitted under clause (a) of this
paragraph, in an aggregate amount during any period of four (4) Fiscal Quarters
not to exceed 25% of net income of Borrower during such period, it being agreed
that such distributions shall be made to either EWC GP or EWC LP who shall then
distribute such distributions to Parent, provided, further, that the proceeds of
the distributions permitted under clause (b) above shall be used solely for
dividends to the shareholders of the Parent and/or for repurchasing shares of
Parent to be held as treasury shares.

Amendment of Paragraph 7.33. Paragraph 7.33 in ARTICLE VII of the Financing
Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               7.33 Loans to Employees. Except for usual and customary
extensions of credit to customers of Borrower made in the ordinary course of its
business, Borrower will not make any loans or advances to or for the benefit of
any employee or any officer, director or shareholder of Borrower or its
corporate general partner or any other Guarantor other than (i) usual expense
allowances for employees in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) loans to
employees (who are not executive officers or the equivalent or directors) in
excess of an aggregate amount of $200,000 at any one time outstanding.

Amendment of Paragraph 8.1(d). Paragraph 8.1(d) in ARTICLE VIII of the
Financing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               (d) The filing of any petition or proceeding by or against
Borrower or any Guarantor under the United States Bankruptcy Code, as amended
from time to time, or any other applicable state or federal law relating to
bankruptcy reorganization or other relief for debtors, or the appointment of a
conservator, receiver, trustee, or liquidator of all or a substantial part of
the assets of Borrower or any Guarantor; provided that if any such petition,
proceeding or appointment is filed or made without the

 

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          consent of Borrower or any Guarantor, an Event of Default shall not
occur unless such petition, proceeding or appointment shall continue undismissed
or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) consecutive calendar days;

Amendment of Paragraph 8.1(h). Paragraph 8.1(h) in ARTICLE VIII of the
Financing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               (h) (i) Any breach or default in the payment or performance of
any material obligation, or any defined event of default, under the terms,
provisions or conditions of any contract or instrument pursuant to which
Borrower or any Guarantor has incurred any indebtedness or obligation or other
liability to any Person, the effect of which is to have caused, or to create an
enforceable right to cause, indebtedness in a principal amount in excess of
$100,000.00 to be declared to be due and payable prior to stated maturity; or
(ii) any other event occurs with respect to indebtedness of Borrower or any
Guarantor in a principal amount in excess of $100,000.00, the effect of which is
to cause, or create an enforceable right to cause, such indebtedness to be
demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed or
an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem to be made, prior to its
stated maturity.

Amendment of Paragraph 8.1(i). Paragraph 8.1(i) in ARTICLE VIII of the
Financing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               (i) Borrower fails to have discharged within a period of thirty
(30) days after the signing or entry of any judgment against Borrower or any
Guarantor in an amount equal to or exceeding $500,000.00;

Amendment of Paragraph 8.1(j). Paragraph 8.1(j) in ARTICLE VIII of the Financing
Agreement is
amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               (j) The dissolution or liquidation of Borrower or any Guarantor,
or the taking of any action by the board of directors, shareholders or any
partner of Borrower or any Guarantor to dissolve or liquidate;

Amendment of Paragraph 9.2. Paragraph 9.2 in ARTICLE IX of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               9.2 Remedies. Should an Event of Default occur at any time, Agent
may at its option, and shall if directed by all the Required Lenders, terminate
the Commitments upon written notice to Borrower and/or declare the entire
outstanding principal amount and unpaid accrued interest of any part of the
Obligations to be immediately due and payable and, in addition, may exercise and
avail itself of any and all other remedies as may be available under the Loan
Documents or as otherwise may be available according to law; provided, however,
upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under paragraph 8.1(d), the
Commitments shall automatically terminate and the entire outstanding principal
amount and unpaid accrued interest of any part of the Obligations shall
automatically become due and payable, without further action by Agent or any
Lender.

Amendment of Paragraph 10.1. Paragraph 10.1 in ARTICLE X of the Financing
Agreement is amended by adding the following sentence to the end thereof to
read as follows:

          Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term
“agent” herein and in the other Loan Documents with references to Agent is not
intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations
arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law.

Amendment of ARTICLE X. ARTICLE X of the Financing Agreement is amended by
adding a new paragraph 10.8 thereto to read as follows:

               10.8 Co-Syndication Agent. None of the Lenders identified herein
as a “Co-Syndication Agent” shall have any right, power, obligation, liability,
responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than, in the case of such
Lenders, those applicable to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the
foregoing, none of the Co-Syndication Agents shall have or be deemed to have any
fiduciary relationship with any Lender.

 

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Amendment of Paragraph 11.3. Paragraph 11.3 in ARTICLE XI of the Financing
Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               11.3 Use of Proceeds. No portion of the proceeds of any Loans or
Letters of Credit under the Facility shall be used to purchase or carry any
“margin stock” as defined under Regulation “U” of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, or to repay or refinance any debt previously incurred by
Borrower for such purpose.

Amendment of Paragraph 11.9(b). Paragraph 11.9(b) in ARTICLE XI of the
Financing Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

               (b) Each of the Loan Parties and each of the Lenders agree that
any Lender (the “Assigning Lender”) may at any time assign to one or more
Eligible Assignees all, or a proportionate part of all, of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including,
without limitation, its Commitments and Loans) (each an “Assignee”); provided,
however, that (i) each such assignment may be of a varying percentage of the
Assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents and may relate to some but not all of such rights and/or
obligations, (ii) except in the case of an assignment of all of a Lender’s
rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the
amount of the Commitment and Loans of the Assigning Lender being assigned
pursuant to each assignment (determined s of the date of the Assignment and
Acceptance with respect to such assignment) shall in no event be less than
$5,000,000, and (iii) the parties to each such assignment shall execute and
deliver to Agent for its acceptance and recording in the Register (as defined
below), an Assignment and Acceptance, together with the Revolving Note subject
to such assignment, and a processing and recordation fee of $2,500 (provided no
processing and recordation fee shall be payable for assignments made between
Affiliates). Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and
after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, which
effective date shall be at least five (5) Business Days after the execution
thereof or such other date as may be approved by Agent, (1) the Assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto as a “Lender” and, to the extent that rights
and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment
and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder and under
the Loan Documents, and (2) the Assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent
that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such
Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its rights and be released from its
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and, in the case
of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or the remaining portion of a
Lender’s rights and obligations under the Loan Documents, such Lender shall
cease to be a party thereto, provided that such Lender’s rights under paragraph
3.1.4, paragraph 11.5 and paragraph 11.11 accrued through the date of assignment
shall continue).

Amendment of ARTICLE XI. ARTICLE XI of the Financing Agreement is amended by
adding a new Paragraph 11.29 thereto to read as follows:

               11.29 USA Patriot Act Notice. Each Lender and Agent (for itself
and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies Borrower that pursuant to the
requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into
law October 26, 2003)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record
information that identifies Borrower, which information includes the name and
address of Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the
Agent, as applicable, to identify Borrower in accordance with the Act.

Representations and Warranties True; No Event of Default. By its execution and
delivery hereof, Borrower represents and warrants that, as of the date hereof:
the representations and warranties contained in the Financing Agreement and the
other Loan Documents are true and correct on and as of the date hereof as made
on and as of such date;
no event has occurred and is continuing which constitutes a Default or an Event
of Default;
(i) Borrower has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Fifth
Amendment, the Revolving Note payable to the order of each New Lender
(collectively, the “New Notes”) and the replacement Revolving Note payable to
the order of each Lender whose Commitment has been amended pursuant to this
Fifth Amendment (collectively, the “Replacement Notes”), (ii) this Fifth
Amendment, the New Notes and the Replacement Notes have been duly executed and
delivered by Borrower, and (iii) this Fifth Amendment, the New Notes, and the
Replacement Notes and the Financing Agreement, as amended hereby, constitute
the legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower, enforceable in accordance
with their respective terms, except as enforceability may be limited by
applicable debtor

 

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relief laws and by general principals of equity (regardless of whether
enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and except as rights
to indemnity may be limited by federal or state securities laws;
neither the execution, delivery and performance of this Fifth Amendment, the
New Notes, the Replacement Notes, or the Financing Agreement, as amended
hereby, nor the consummation of any transactions contemplated herein or
therein, will conflict with any law or any articles of incorporation, bylaws or
other governing documents of Borrower or any Guarantor, or any indenture,
agreement or other instrument to which Borrower or any Guarantor or any of
their respective properties are subject;
and
no authorization, approval, consent, or other action by, notice to, or filing
with, any governmental authority or other Person not previously obtained is
required for (i) the execution, delivery or performance by Borrower of this
Fifth Amendment, the New Notes or the Replacement Notes or (ii) the
acknowledgment by each Guarantor of this Fifth Amendment.
Conditions to Effectiveness. This Fifth Amendment shall be effective (and the
Applicable Margins set forth in Section 18 of this Fifth Amendment will go into
effect notwithstanding anything in the last paragraph thereof to the contrary)
upon satisfaction or completion of the following:
Agent shall have received counterparts of this Fifth Amendment executed by all
Lenders; Agent shall have received counterparts of this Fifth Amendment executed
by
Borrower and acknowledged by each Guarantor;
Agent shall have received a certified resolution of the Board of Directors of
Borrower authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Fifth
Amendment, the New Notes and the Replacement Notes;
Agent shall have received an opinion of Borrower’s counsel, in form and
substance satisfactory to Agent, with respect to matters set forth in Section
45(c), (d) and (e) of this Fifth Amendment;
Agent shall have received a duly executed (i) New Note for each New Lender and
(ii) Replacement Note for each Lender whose Commitment is being amended by this
Fifth Amendment;
Agent shall have received an amendment to the Guaranty executed by the Parent,
in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent;
Agent shall have received from Borrower in immediately available funds for (i)
each Lender whose original commitment amount as set forth in such Lender’s
commitment letter to Agent with respect to this Fifth Amendment was less than
$25,000,000, an amount equal to the product of (A) 0.125% and (B) the amount of
each such Lender’s Commitment (after giving effect to this Fifth Amendment),
and (ii) for each Lender whose original commitment amount as set forth in such
Lender’s commitment letter to Agent with respect to this Fifth Amendment was
equal to or greater than $25,000,000, an amount equal to the product of (A)
0.175% and (B) the amount of each such Lender’s Commitment (after giving effect
to this Fifth Amendment); Agent shall have received from Borrower in immediately
available funds all
other fees and amounts due and payable pursuant to that certain letter, dated
November 25, 2003, among Borrower, Agent and Banc of America Securities LLC;
Agent shall have received from Borrower a Borrowing Base Report setting forth a
certification of Eligible Accounts and Eligible Inventory as of December 31,
2003; and Agent shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent
and its
counsel, such other documents, certificates and instruments as Agent shall
require.
Payments by Lenders. Upon the effectiveness of this Fifth Amendment, each
Lender shall, to the extent necessary, make a payment to Agent in an am ount
sufficient, upon the application of such payments by all Lenders to the
reduction of outstanding Loans held by Lenders, to cause the principal amount
of Loans outstanding made by each Lender to be in the amount of its pro rata
share (after giving effect to this Fifth Amendment) of all outstanding Loans.
Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes each Lender to fund to Agent the payment
required to be made pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence for
application to the reduction of the outstanding Loans held by other Lenders.
If, as a result of the repayment of Loans provided for in this Section 47, any
payment of LIBOR Based Loans occurs on a day which is not the last day of the
applicable Interest Period, Borrower will pay to Agent for the benefit of any
Lender holding a LIBOR Based Loan any Lender’s Consequential Loss incurred by
such Lender resulting therefrom in accordance with paragraph 3.1.4 to the
extent a LIBOR Based Loan is paid on other than the last day of an Interest
Period as a result thereof. Upon the effective date of this Fifth Amendment,
each New Lender and each Lender whose Commitment is increased as a result of
this Fifth Amendment, shall be deemed to have irrevocably and unconditionally
purchased and received, without recourse or warranty, an undivided
participation in all outstanding

 

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Letter of Credit Liabilities in accordance with its pro rata share (after
giving effect to this Fifth Amendment).
Addition of New Lenders. The parties hereto agree that the provisions of
paragraph 11.9 of the Financing Agreement shall not be applicable to the
addition of the New Lenders pursuant to this Fifth Amendment. Each New Lender
represents, warrants and acknowledges to Agent as follows:
such New Lender confirms that is has received a copy of the Financing Agreement
and all amendments thereto, together with copies of the financial statements
and other information referred to in paragraphs 7.5 and 7.6 of the Financing
Agreement and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate
to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Fifth
Amendment;
such New Lender will, independently and without reliance upon Agent or any
Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate
at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking
action under the Financing Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
such New Lender confirms that it is an Eligible Assignee;
such New Lender appoints and authorizes Agent to take such action as agent on
its behalf and exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are delegated
to Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto;
such New Lender agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all
of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be
performed by it as a Lender;
neither Agent nor any Lender has made any representation or warranty or accrued
any responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or
representations made in or in connection with this Fifth Amendment or any of
the Loan Documents or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability or
genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Fifth Amendment or any of the Loan
Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or
thereto; and
neither Agent nor any Lender has made any representation or warranty or assumed
any responsibility with respect to the financial condition or results of
operations of any Loan Party or the performance or observance by any Loan Party
of its obligations under this Fifth Amendment or under the Loan Documents.
Reference to the Financing Agreement.
Upon the effectiveness of this Fifth Amendment, each reference in the Financing
Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, or words of like import shall mean
and be a reference to the Financing Agreement, as affected and amended hereby.
The Financing Agreement, as amended by the amendments referred to above, and
the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and is hereby
ratified and confirmed.
Further Assurances. Borrower shall execute and deliver such further
agreements, documents, instruments, and certificates in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent, as Agent or any Lender may deem necessary or appropriate
in connection with this Fifth Amendment.
No Waiver. Nothing contained in this Fifth Amendment shall be construed as a
waiver by Agent or Lenders of any covenants or provisions of the Financing
Agreement, the other Loan Documents, this Fifth Amendment, or of any other
contract or instrument between Borrower, Agent and/or Lenders, and the failure
of Agent or Lenders at any time or times hereafter to require strict
performance by Borrower of any provisions thereof shall not waive, affect or
diminish any right of Agent or Lenders to thereafter demand strict compliance
therewith. Agent and Lenders hereby reserve all rights granted under the
Financing Agreement, and the other Loan Documents, this Fifth Amendment and an y
other contract or instrument between Borrower, Agent and/or Lenders.
Costs, Expenses and Taxes. Borrower agrees to pay on demand all costs and
expenses of Agent in connection with the preparation, reproduction, execution
and delivery of this Fifth Amendment and the other instruments and documents to
be delivered hereunder (including the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket
expenses of counsel for Agent with respect thereto).
Guarantor’s Acknowledgment. By signing below, each Guarantor (a) acknowledges,
consents and agrees to the execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of
this Fifth Amendment, (b) acknowledges and agrees that its obligations in
respect of its Guaranty (i) are not released, diminished, waived, modified,
impaired or affected in any manner by this Fifth Amendment or any of the
provisions contemplated herein and (ii) cover the Commitments as increased by
this Fifth Amendment, (c) ratifies and confirms its obligations under its
Guaranty, and (d) acknowledges and agrees that it has no claims or offsets
against, or defenses or counterclaims to, its Guaranty.
Execution in Counterparts. This Fifth Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered

 

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shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when taken together shall
constitute but one and the same instrument. For purposes of this Fifth
Amendment, a counterpart hereof (or signature page thereto) signed and
transmitted by any Person party hereto to Agent (or its counsel) by facsimile
machine, telecopies or electronic mail is to be treated as an original. The
signature of such Person thereon, for purposes hereof, is to be considered as
an original signature, and the counterpart (or signature page thereto) so
transmitted is to be considered to have the same binding effect as an original
signature on an original document.
Governing Law; Binding Effect. This Fifth Amendment shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas applicable to
agreements made and to be performed entirely within such state, provided that
each party shall retain all rights arising under federal law, and shall be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.
Headings. Section headings in this Fifth Amendment are included herein for
convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Fifth
Amendment for any other purpose.
Entire Agreement. THE FINANCING AGREEMENT, AS AMENDED BY THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT,
AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES
AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT
ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN AGREEMENTS AMONG THE
PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.
Waiver of Trial by Jury. THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE THAT NO PARTY HERETO SHALL
REQUEST A TRIAL BY JURY IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM
CONCERNING THIS FIFTH AMENDMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY CLAIMS OR
TRANSACTIONS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, IN EITHER A STATE OR FEDERAL COURT, THE
RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY BEING EXPRESSLY WAIVED BY ALL PARTIES HERETO. AGENT,
EACH LENDER AND BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SUCH WAIVER IS MADE WITH FULL
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE OF THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS WAIVED
HEREBY, AND WITH THE BENEFIT OF ADVICE OF COUNSEL OF ITS CHOOSING.

REMAINDER OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK

 

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Fifth Amendment to be
executed by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first
written above.

              BORROWER:               ENCORE WIRE LIMITED               By: EWC
GP Corp., its general partner               By:   /s/ Daniel L. Jones        

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        Daniel L. Jones, President

 

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                  LENDERS AND AGENT:                   BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as
Agent                   By:   /s/ Authorized Signatory        

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        Name:                

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        Title:                

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    BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender Commitment: $38,000,000                
By:   /s/ Steven Mackenzie        

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        Steven Mackenzie         Vice President

 

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                  BANK ONE, NA, as Co-Syndication Agent and as a Lender
Commitment: $20,500,000                               By:   /s/ Authorized
Signatory        

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        Name:                

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        Title:                

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                  GUARANTY BANK, as Co-Syndication Agent and as a     Lender    
          Commitment:$20,500,000                               By:   /s/
Authorized Signatory        

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        Name:                

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        Title:                

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                  WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agent     and as a
Lender               Commitment: $20,500,000                               By:  
/s/ Authorized Signatory        

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        Name:                

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        Title:                

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                  COMERICA BANK, as a Lender              
Commitment:$12,750,000                                             By:   /s/
Authorized Signatory        

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        Name:                

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        Title:                

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                  HIBERNIA NATIONAL BANK, as a Lender              
Commitment:$12,750,000                               By:   /s/ Authorized
Signatory        

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        Name:                

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        Title:                

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ACKNOWLEDGED AND
AGREED:

              EWC GP CORP.               By:   /s/ Daniel L. Jones        

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        Daniel L. Jones, President               EWC AVIATION, INC.            
  By:   /s/ Daniel L. Jones        

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        Daniel L. Jones, President               ENCORE WIRE CORPORATION        
      By:   /s/ Daniel L. Jones        

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        Daniel L. Jones, President               EWC LP CORP.               By:
  /s/ Christopher J. Monigle        

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        Christopher J. Monigle, Vice President