Document:

Exhibit 4.1

 

OSHKOSH CORPORATION

 

as Issuer

 

and

 

THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

 

 

5.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022

 

 

INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 21, 2014

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

as Trustee

 

 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

	
Trust Indenture Act Section
    	
 
    	
Indenture Section
    
	
310
    	
(a)(1)
    	
 
    	
7.1
    
	
 
    	
(a)(2)
    	
 
    	
7.1
    
	
 
    	
(a)(3)
    	
 
    	
N.A.
    
	
 
    	
(a)(4)
    	
 
    	
N.A.
    
	
 
    	
(a)(5)
    	
 
    	
7.1
    
	
 
    	
(b)
    	
 
    	
7.3; 7.10
    
	
 
    	
(c)
    	
 
    	
N.A.
    
	
311
    	
(a)
    	
 
    	
7.11
    
	
 
    	
(b)
    	
 
    	
7.11
    
	
 
    	
(c)
    	
 
    	
N.A.
    
	
312
    	
(a)
    	
 
    	
2.5
    
	
 
    	
(b)
    	
 
    	
11.3
    
	
 
    	
(c)
    	
 
    	
11.3
    
	
313
    	
(a)
    	
 
    	
7.6
    
	
 
    	
(b)(1)
    	
 
    	
7.6
    
	
 
    	
(b)(2)
    	
 
    	
7.6; 7.7
    
	
 
    	
(c)
    	
 
    	
7.6; 11.2
    
	
 
    	
(d)
    	
 
    	
7.6
    
	
314
    	
(a)
    	
 
    	
4.3; 11.5
    
	
 
    	
(b)
    	
 
    	
N.A.
    
	
 
    	
(c)(1)
    	
 
    	
11.4
    
	
 
    	
(c)(2)
    	
 
    	
11.4
    
	
 
    	
(c)(3)
    	
 
    	
N.A.
    
	
 
    	
(d)
    	
 
    	
N.A.
    
	
 
    	
(e)
    	
 
    	
11.5
    
	
 
    	
(f)
    	
 
    	
N.A.
    
	
315
    	
(a)
    	
 
    	
7.1
    
	
 
    	
(b)
    	
 
    	
1.1, 7.5; 11.2
    
	
 
    	
(c)
    	
 
    	
7.1
    
	
 
    	
(d)
    	
 
    	
7.1
    
	
 
    	
(e)
    	
 
    	
6.11
    
	
316
    	
(a) (last sentence)
    	
 
    	
2.9
    
	
 
    	
(a)(1)(A)
    	
 
    	
6.5
    
	
 
    	
(a)(1)(B)
    	
 
    	
6.4
    
	
 
    	
(a)(2)
    	
 
    	
N.A.
    
	
 
    	
(b)
    	
 
    	
6.7
    
	
 
    	
(c)
    	
 
    	
2.13
    
	
317
    	
(a)(1)
    	
 
    	
6.8
    
	
 
    	
(a)(2)
    	
 
    	
6.9
    
	
 
    	
(b)
    	
 
    	
2.3
    
	
318
    	
(a)
    	
 
    	
11.1
    
	
 
    	
(b)
    	
 
    	
N.A.
    
	
 
    	
(c)
    	
 
    	
11.1
    

 

N.A. means not applicable.

 

*   This Cross-Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE I
    
	
DEFINITIONS   AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 1.1
    	
Definitions
    	
1
    
	
SECTION 1.2
    	
Other Definitions
    	
37
    
	
SECTION 1.3
    	
Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
    	
37
    
	
SECTION 1.4
    	
Rules of Construction
    	
37
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE II
    
	
THE   NOTES
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 2.1
    	
Form and Dating
    	
38
    
	
SECTION 2.2
    	
Authentication and Execution
    	
41
    
	
SECTION 2.3
    	
Registrar; Paying Agent
    	
43
    
	
SECTION 2.4
    	
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust
    	
44
    
	
SECTION 2.5
    	
Holder Lists
    	
44
    
	
SECTION 2.6
    	
Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities
    	
44
    
	
SECTION 2.7
    	
Substituted Notes
    	
49
    
	
SECTION 2.8
    	
Outstanding Notes
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 2.9
    	
Treasury Notes
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 2.10
    	
Temporary Notes
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 2.11
    	
Cancellation
    	
51
    
	
SECTION 2.12
    	
Defaulted Interest
    	
51
    
	
SECTION 2.13
    	
Record Date
    	
51
    
	
SECTION 2.14
    	
Computation of Interest
    	
52
    
	
SECTION 2.15
    	
CUSIP Number
    	
52
    
	
SECTION 2.16
    	
Special Transfer Provisions
    	
52
    
	
SECTION 2.17
    	
Issuance of Additional Notes
    	
55
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE III
    
	
REDEMPTION   AND PREPAYMENT
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 3.1
    	
Notices to Trustee
    	
56
    
	
SECTION 3.2
    	
Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed
    	
56
    
	
SECTION 3.3
    	
Notice of Redemption
    	
57
    
	
SECTION 3.4
    	
Effect of Notice of Redemption
    	
58
    
	
SECTION 3.5
    	
Deposit of Redemption of Purchase Price
    	
58
    
	
SECTION 3.6
    	
Notes Redeemed in Part
    	
58
    
	
SECTION 3.7
    	
Optional Redemption
    	
58
    
	
SECTION 3.8
    	
Mandatory Redemption
    	
59
    
	
SECTION 3.9
    	
Offer to Purchase
    	
59
    

 

i

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IV
    
	
COVENANTS
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 4.1
    	
Payment of Notes
    	
61
    
	
SECTION 4.2
    	
Maintenance of Office or Agency
    	
61
    
	
SECTION 4.3
    	
Provision of Financial Information
    	
62
    
	
SECTION 4.4
    	
Compliance Certificate
    	
62
    
	
SECTION 4.5
    	
Taxes
    	
63
    
	
SECTION 4.6
    	
Stay, Extension and Usury Laws
    	
63
    
	
SECTION 4.7
    	
Limitation on Restricted Payments
    	
63
    
	
SECTION 4.8
    	
Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment   Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries
    	
67
    
	
SECTION 4.9
    	
Limitation on Incurrence of Debt
    	
70
    
	
SECTION 4.10
    	
Limitation on Asset Sales
    	
71
    
	
SECTION 4.11
    	
Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates
    	
73
    
	
SECTION 4.12
    	
Limitation on Liens
    	
75
    
	
SECTION 4.13
    	
Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions
    	
75
    
	
SECTION 4.14
    	
Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control Triggering   Event
    	
76
    
	
SECTION 4.15
    	
Corporate Existence
    	
77
    
	
SECTION 4.16
    	
[Reserved]
    	
77
    
	
SECTION 4.17
    	
Additional Note Guarantees
    	
77
    
	
SECTION 4.18
    	
Limitation on Creation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries
    	
78
    
	
SECTION 4.19
    	
Payments for Consent
    	
78
    
	
SECTION 4.20
    	
Suspension of Covenants
    	
78
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE V
    
	
SUCCESSORS
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 5.1
    	
Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease
    	
80
    
	
SECTION 5.2
    	
Successor Person Substituted
    	
82
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VI
    
	
DEFAULTS   AND REMEDIES
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 6.1
    	
Events of Default
    	
82
    
	
SECTION 6.2
    	
Acceleration
    	
84
    
	
SECTION 6.3
    	
Other Remedies
    	
85
    
	
SECTION 6.4
    	
Waiver of Past Defaults
    	
85
    
	
SECTION 6.5
    	
Control by Majority
    	
85
    
	
SECTION 6.6
    	
Limitation on Suits
    	
85
    
	
SECTION 6.7
    	
Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment
    	
86
    
	
SECTION 6.8
    	
Collection Suit by Trustee
    	
86
    
	
SECTION 6.9
    	
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
    	
86
    

 

ii

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 6.10
    	
Priorities
    	
87
    
	
SECTION 6.11
    	
Undertaking for Costs
    	
87
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VII
    
	
TRUSTEE
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 7.1
    	
Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 7.2
    	
Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.
    	
89
    
	
SECTION 7.3
    	
Trustee and Agents May Own Notes
    	
90
    
	
SECTION 7.4
    	
No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.
    	
90
    
	
SECTION 7.5
    	
Notice of Defaults
    	
91
    
	
SECTION 7.6
    	
Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes
    	
91
    
	
SECTION 7.7
    	
Compensation and Expenses of Trustee
    	
91
    
	
SECTION 7.8
    	
Resignation or Removal of Trustee and Successor   Trustee
    	
92
    
	
SECTION 7.9
    	
Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.
    	
94
    
	
SECTION 7.10
    	
Eligibility of Trustee
    	
94
    
	
SECTION 7.11
    	
Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor
    	
95
    
	
SECTION 7.12
    	
Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the   Issuer
    	
95
    
	
SECTION 7.13
    	
Conflicting Interest of Trustee
    	
95
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIII
    
	
DEFEASANCE   AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 8.1
    	
Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
    	
95
    
	
SECTION 8.2
    	
Defeasance and Discharge
    	
95
    
	
SECTION 8.3
    	
Covenant Defeasance
    	
97
    
	
SECTION 8.4
    	
Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
    	
97
    
	
SECTION 8.5
    	
Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held   in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions
    	
99
    
	
SECTION 8.6
    	
Repayment to Issuer
    	
99
    
	
SECTION 8.7
    	
Reinstatement
    	
100
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IX
    
	
AMENDMENT,   SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 9.1
    	
Without Consent of Holders of the Notes
    	
100
    
	
SECTION 9.2
    	
With Consent of Holders of Notes
    	
101
    
	
SECTION 9.3
    	
Compliance with Trust Indenture Act
    	
102
    
	
SECTION 9.4
    	
Revocation and Effect of Consents
    	
102
    
	
SECTION 9.5
    	
Notation on or Exchange of Notes
    	
103
    
	
SECTION 9.6
    	
Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.
    	
103
    

 

iii

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE X
    
	
NOTE   GUARANTEES
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 10.1
    	
Note Guarantees
    	
103
    
	
SECTION 10.2
    	
Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee
    	
105
    
	
SECTION 10.3
    	
Severability
    	
105
    
	
SECTION 10.4
    	
Limitation of Guarantors’ Liability
    	
105
    
	
SECTION 10.5
    	
Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on   Certain Terms
    	
105
    
	
SECTION 10.6
    	
Releases
    	
106
    
	
SECTION 10.7
    	
Release of a Guarantor
    	
107
    
	
SECTION 10.8
    	
Benefits Acknowledged
    	
107
    
	
SECTION 10.9
    	
Future Guarantors
    	
107
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE XI
    
	
MISCELLANEOUS
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 11.1
    	
Trust Indenture Act Controls
    	
108
    
	
SECTION 11.2
    	
Notices
    	
108
    
	
SECTION 11.3
    	
Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders   of Notes
    	
109
    
	
SECTION 11.4
    	
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent
    	
109
    
	
SECTION 11.5
    	
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion
    	
109
    
	
SECTION 11.6
    	
Rules by Trustee and Agents
    	
110
    
	
SECTION 11.7
    	
No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers,   Officers, Employees, Equity Owners and the Trustee
    	
110
    
	
SECTION 11.8
    	
Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial
    	
110
    
	
SECTION 11.9
    	
No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements
    	
111
    
	
SECTION 11.10
    	
Successors
    	
111
    
	
SECTION 11.11
    	
Severability
    	
111
    
	
SECTION 11.12
    	
Counterpart Originals
    	
111
    
	
SECTION 11.13
    	
Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.
    	
111
    
	
SECTION 11.14
    	
Qualification of Indenture
    	
111
    
	
SECTION 11.15
    	
U.S.A. Patriot Act
    	
111
    
	
SECTION 11.16
    	
Force Majeure
    	
112
    

 

iv

 

EXHIBITS

 

	
Exhibit A
    	
FORM OF 5.375% SENIOR NOTE
    
	
Exhibit B
    	
FORM OF NOTATIONAL GUARANTEE
    
	
Exhibit C
    	
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED IN   CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO RULE 144A
    
	
Exhibit D
    	
FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED IN   CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S
    

 

v

 

This Indenture, dated as of February 21, 2014, is by and among Oshkosh Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation (the “Company” or the “Issuer”), the Guarantors (as defined herein), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of (i) the Issuer’s 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 issued on the date hereof that contain the restrictive legend in Exhibit A (the “Initial Notes”), (ii) Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Initial Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act without the restrictive legends in Exhibit A (the “Exchange Notes”) and (iii) Additional Notes issued from time to time as either new Initial Notes or new Exchange Notes (together with the original Initial Notes and any  original Exchange Notes, the “Notes”).

 

ARTICLE I

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.1  Definitions.

 

“2020 Notes” means $250 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 81⁄2% Senior Notes due 2020 issued on March 3, 2010.

 

“Acquired Debt” means Debt (1) of a Person (including an Unrestricted Subsidiary) existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person.  Acquired Debt shall be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of assets.

 

“Additional Interest” means all additional interest owing on the Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Additional Notes” means Notes (other than the original Initial Notes or the original Exchange Notes) issued pursuant to Article II hereof and otherwise in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

“Affiliate” of any Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person.  For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings that correspond to the foregoing.

 

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent (so long as Trustee serves in such capacity) or co-registrar.

 

 

“Applicable Premium” means, at any redemption date, the greater of (i) 1.0% of the principal amount of Notes being redeemed and (ii) the excess of (A) the present value at such redemption date of (1) the Redemption Price with respect to such principal amount on March 1, 2017 (such Redemption Price being that calculated in accordance with Section 3.7(a)(i)) plus (2) all required remaining scheduled interest payments due with respect to such principal amount through such date (without regard to accrued and unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the principal amount being redeemed on such redemption date; and, as calculated by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate; provided that such calculation shall not be a duty or obligation of the Trustee.

 

“ASC” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Net Income.”

 

“Asset Acquisition” means:

 

(a)           an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary, or shall be merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

(b)           the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the assets of any Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person, any division or line of business of such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices.

 

“Asset Sale” means any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to any consolidation or merger) by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person (other than to the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries) in any single transaction or series of related transactions of:

 

(i)            Capital Interests in another Person (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals pursuant to local law); or

 

(ii)           any other property or assets (other than in the normal course of business, including any sale or other disposition of obsolete, worn out, permanently retired equipment or surplus assets);

 

provided, however, that the term “Asset Sale” shall exclude:

 

(a)           any asset disposition permitted by Article V that constitutes a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

 

(b)           any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition of property or assets, the gross proceeds of which (exclusive of indemnities) do not exceed in any one or related series of transactions $20.0 million;

 

(c)           sales or other dispositions of cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents;

 

2

 

(d)           sales of interests in Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

 

(e)           the sale and leaseback of any assets within 90 days of the acquisition thereof;

 

(f)            the disposition of assets that, in the good faith judgment of the Company, are no longer used or useful in the business of the applicable entity;

 

(g)           a Restricted Payment that is otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

 

(h)           any trade-in of equipment in exchange for other equipment; provided that in the good faith judgment of the Company, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives equipment having a Fair Market Value equal to or greater than the equipment being traded in;

 

(i)            the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of Related Business Assets or a combination of Related Business Assets between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person to the extent that the Related Business Assets received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries are of equivalent or better market value than the Related Business Assets transferred;

 

(j)            the creation of a Lien (but not the sale or other disposition of the property subject to such Lien);

 

(k)           leases or subleases in the ordinary course of business to third persons not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(l)            any disposition by a Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(m)          dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

 

(n)           licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in accordance with industry practice in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)           any transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition of property or assets consisting of auction rate securities;

 

(p)           any transfer of accounts receivable or other financial assets, or a fractional undivided interest therein, by a Receivable Subsidiary in a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

 

(q)           any sales of accounts receivable or other financial assets, directly or indirectly, to a Receivable Subsidiary pursuant to a Qualified Receivables Transaction

 

3

 

for the Fair Market Value thereof (including the issuance of equity by and/or an increase in the value of the equity of such Receivable Subsidiary); including cash or other financial accommodation, such as the provision of letters of credit by such Receivable Subsidiary on behalf of or for the benefit of the transferor of such accounts receivable or other financial assets, in an amount at least equal to 75% of the Fair Market Value thereof (for the purposes of this clause (q), Purchase Money Notes will be deemed to be cash);

 

(r)            foreclosures on assets to the extent it would not otherwise result in a Default or Event of Default;

 

(s)            transfers of Leasing Assets to or by a Leasing Subsidiary solely in connection with a Leasing Transaction in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice;

 

(t)            any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind; or

 

(u)           dispositions of property located outside of the United States (and not moved outside the United States in anticipation of such disposition).

 

For purposes of this definition, any series of related transactions that, if effected as a single transaction, would constitute an Asset Sale, shall be deemed to be a single Asset Sale effected when the last such transaction which is a part thereof is effected.

 

“Asset Sale Offer” means an Offer to Purchase required to be made by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 to all Holders.

 

“Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of interest implicit in such transaction) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended).

 

“Average Life” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Debt, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products of (x) the number of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment (including any sinking fund or mandatory redemption payment requirements) of such Debt multiplied by (y) the amount of such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments.

 

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

“Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person,” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, such “person” shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition.

 

4

 

“Board of Directors” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, its board of directors (or the substantial equivalent if such entity is not a corporation) or any duly authorized committee thereof, as applicable.

 

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by a Vice President, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

 

“Capital Interests” in any Person means any and all shares, interests (including Preferred Interests), participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person and any rights (other than Debt securities convertible into an equity interest), warrants or options to acquire an equity interest in such Person.

 

“Capital Lease Obligations” means any obligation of a Person under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of Debt represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

 

“Certificated Notes” means Notes that are in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, other than the Global Notes.

 

“Change of Control” means:

 

(1)           the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) the acquisition by any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), that is or becomes the ultimate “beneficial owner” (as such term is used in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (1) such person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that any such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Interests in the Company,

 

(2)           the Company sells, conveys, transfers or leases (either in one transaction or a series of related transactions), other than by merger or consolidation, all or substantially all of its consolidated assets to a Person other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, or

 

(3)           the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, in each case pursuant to a transaction or series of related transactions in which any of the outstanding Voting Interests of the Company are converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property, other than any such transaction or series of related transactions where the Voting Interests of

 

5

 

the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto are converted into or exchanged for Voting Interests of the surviving or continuing Person constituting a majority of the outstanding shares of such Voting Interests of such surviving or continuing Person (immediately after giving effect to such conversion or exchange).

 

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor thereto.

 

“Common Interests” of any Person means Capital Interests in such Person that do not rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to Capital Interests of any other class in such Person.

 

“Company” or “Issuer” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means the successor thereto.

 

“Company Request” and “Company Order” mean, respectively, a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by one of its Officers and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period:

 

(i)            the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period, taken as a single accounting period, of:

 

(a)           Consolidated Net Income;

 

(b)           Consolidated Non-cash Charges;

 

(c)           Consolidated Interest Expense to the extent the same was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income;

 

(d)           Consolidated Income Tax Expense;

 

(e)           (i)  any net loss from discontinued operations and (ii) any fees and expenses incurred in connection with the closing of any issuance of Debt or Capital Interests, acquisition or disposition permitted under this Indenture; and

 

(f)            any costs or expenses incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, any stock subscription

 

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or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Company or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Capital Interests of the Company (other than Redeemable Capital Interests); less

 

(ii)           (x) net income from discontinued operations and (y) the amount of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual gains.

 

“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, the ratio of the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters, treated as one period, for which financial information in respect thereof is available immediately preceding the date of the transaction (the “Transaction Date”) giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (such four full fiscal quarter period being referred to herein as the “Four Quarter Period”) to the aggregate amount of Consolidated Fixed Charges of such Person for the Four Quarter Period.  In addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, for purposes of this definition, “Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges” and “Consolidated Fixed Charges” shall be calculated after giving effect (i) to the cost of any compensation, remuneration or other benefit paid or provided to any employee, consultant, Affiliate or equity owner of the entity involved in any Asset Acquisition to the extent such costs are eliminated or reduced (or public announcement has been made of the intent to eliminate or reduce such costs) prior to the date of such calculation and not replaced; and (ii) on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation, to any Asset Sales or other dispositions or Asset Acquisitions, investments, mergers, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) occurring during the Four Quarter Period or any time subsequent to the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale or other disposition or Asset Acquisition (including the Incurrence or assumption of any such Acquired Debt), investment, merger, consolidation or disposed operation occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period.  For purposes of this definition, pro forma calculations shall be made in the good faith determination of the Company.

 

Furthermore, in calculating “Consolidated Fixed Charges” for purposes of determining the denominator (but not the numerator) of this “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”:

 

(i)            interest on outstanding Debt determined on a fluctuating basis as of the Transaction Date and which will continue to be so determined thereafter shall be deemed to have accrued at a fixed rate per annum equal to the rate of interest on such Debt in effect on the Transaction Date; and

 

(ii)           if interest on any Debt actually Incurred on the Transaction Date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in effect on the Transaction Date will be deemed to have been in effect during the Four Quarter Period.

 

If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly Guarantees Debt of a third Person (excluding credit support for third party customer financing in the ordinary course of business) and such Guarantee or the Debt subject thereto is not otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated Fixed Charges, the calculation of the Consolidated Fixed Charge

 

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Coverage Ratio shall give effect to the Incurrence of such Guaranteed Debt as if such Person or such Subsidiary had directly Incurred or otherwise assumed such Guaranteed Debt as if such Guarantee occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period.

 

“Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period of:

 

(i)            Consolidated Interest Expense; and

 

(ii)           the product of (a) all dividends and other distributions paid or accrued during such period in respect of Redeemable Capital Interests of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than dividends paid in Qualified Capital Interests), times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal.

 

“Consolidated Income Tax Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, (x) if such Person is not a corporation, the permitted tax payments of such Person for such period, or (y) if such Person is a corporation, the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP paid or accrued during such period, including any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from any tax examinations, to the extent the same were deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income.

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:

 

(i)            the total interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, including, without limitation or duplication:

 

(a)           any amortization of debt discount;

 

(b)           the net cost under any Hedging Obligation or Swap Contract in respect of interest rate protection (including any amortization of discounts);

 

(c)           the interest portion of any deferred payment obligation;

 

(d)           all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to financing activities or similar activities; and

 

(e)           all accrued interest;

 

(ii)           the interest component of Capital Lease Obligations paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or accrued by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; and

 

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(iii)          all capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period;

 

less interest income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period; provided, however, that Consolidated Interest Expense will exclude (I) the amortization or write-off of debt issuance costs and deferred financing fees, commissions, fees and expenses, (II) any expensing of interim loan commitment and other financing fees, (III) fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the Notes and (IV) capitalized costs incurred in connection with the initial closing of any Hedging Obligation or Swap Contract .

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such net income, by:

 

(A)          excluding, without duplication

 

(i)            all extraordinary gains or losses (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto), income, expenses or charges;

 

(ii)           the portion of net income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries allocable to minority or non-controlling interests in unconsolidated Persons or Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the extent that cash dividends or distributions have not actually been received by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Net Income shall be increased in amounts equal to the amounts of cash actually received;

 

(iii)          gains or losses in respect of any Asset Sales by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto), on an after-tax basis;

 

(iv)          the net income (loss) from any disposed or discontinued operations or any net gains or losses on disposed or discontinued operations, on an after-tax basis;

 

(v)           solely for purposes of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (c) of the first paragraph of Section 4.7, the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) or such Person to the extent that the declaration of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Net Income shall be increased in amounts equal to the amounts of cash actually received;

 

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(vi)          any gain or loss realized as a result of the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles;

 

(vii)         any fees and expenses paid in connection with the issuance of the Notes;

 

(viii)        non-cash compensation expense Incurred with any issuance of equity interests to an employee of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(ix)          any net after-tax gains or losses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Debt;

 

(x)           any non-cash impairment charges or asset write-off or write-down resulting from the application of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350 “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other” or ASC Topic 360 “Property, Plant and Equipment,” and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to ASC Topic 805 “Business Combinations” or any related subsequent Statement of Financial Accounting Standards;

 

(xi)          non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by ASC Topic 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” or any related subsequent Statement of Financial Accounting Standards;

 

(xii)         any net unrealized gains and losses relating to mark-to-market of amounts denominated in foreign currencies resulting from the application of ASC Topic 830 “Foreign Currency Matters” or any related subsequent Statement of Financial Accounting Standards;

 

(xiii)        accruals and reserves that are established within twelve months after the closing of any acquisition that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition in accordance with GAAP;

 

(xiv)        any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting from currency translation gains or losses related to currency remeasurements of Debt (including any net gain or loss resulting from obligations under Hedging Obligations for currency exchange risk) and any foreign currency translation gains or losses;

 

(xv)         any accruals and reserves that are established for expenses and losses, in respect of equity-based awards compensation expense (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall reduce Consolidated Net Income to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period);

 

(xvi)        any expenses, charges or losses that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any

 

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Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Issuer has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days);

 

(xvii)       to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Company has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within such 365 days), expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption; and

 

(B)          including, without duplication, dividends and distributions from joint ventures actually received in cash by the Company.

 

“Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” of any Person means the aggregate amount of assets of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom (to the extent otherwise included therein) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all as set forth on the most recent quarterly or annual (as the case may be) consolidated balance sheet (prior to the relevant date of determination) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Non-cash Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill, other intangibles, deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses) and other non-cash expenses, charges, losses and other items of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (excluding any such charges constituting an extraordinary item or loss and excluding any charge which requires an accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period).

 

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 11.2 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

 

“Credit Agreement” means the Company’s senior credit facilities, dated as of September 27, 2010 (and as amended as of July 13, 2012), between the Company and guarantors named therein and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other agents and lenders named therein, together with all related notes, letters of credit, collateral documents, guarantees, and any other related agreements and instruments executed and delivered in connection therewith, in each case as amended, modified, supplemented, restated, refinanced, refunded or replaced in whole or in part from time to time including by or pursuant to any agreement or

 

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instrument that extends the maturity of any Debt thereunder, or increases the amount of available borrowings thereunder (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under clause (i) of the definition of the term “Permitted Debt”), or adds Subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, in each case with respect to such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent, lender, group of lenders, purchasers or debt holders.

 

“Credit Facilities” means one or more credit facilities (including the Credit Agreement) and indentures with banks or other lenders or investors providing for revolving or term loans or debt or the issuance of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances.

 

“Debt” means at any time (without duplication), with respect to any Person, whether recourse is to all or a portion of the assets of such Person, or non-recourse, the following:  (i) all indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed or for the deferred purchase price of property, excluding any trade payables or other current liabilities Incurred in the normal course of business; (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments; (iii) all reimbursement obligations of such Person with respect to letters of credit (other than letters of credit that are secured by cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents), bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities (excluding obligations in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued in respect of trade payables) issued for the account of such Person; provided that such obligations shall not constitute Debt except to the extent drawn and not repaid within five Business Days; (iv) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement (other than operating leases) with respect to property or assets acquired by such Person; (v) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person; (vi) the maximum fixed redemption or repurchase price of Redeemable Capital Interests in such Person at the time of determination; (vii) any Swap Contracts and Hedging Obligations of such Person at the time of determination; (viii) Attributable Debt with respect to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction to which such Person is a party; and (ix) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) of this definition of another Person, the payment of which, in either case, (A) such Person has Guaranteed or (B) is secured by (or the holder of such Debt or the recipient of such dividends or other distributions has an existing right, whether contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon the property or other assets of such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Debt.  For purposes of the foregoing:  (a) the maximum fixed repurchase price of any Redeemable Capital Interests that do not have a fixed repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Redeemable Capital Interests as if such Redeemable Capital Interests were repurchased on any date on which Debt shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that, if such Redeemable Capital Interests are not then permitted to be repurchased, the repurchase price shall be the book value of such Redeemable Capital Interests; (b) the amount outstanding at any time of any Debt issued with original issue discount is the principal amount of such Debt less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Debt at such time as determined in conformity with GAAP, but such Debt shall be deemed Incurred only as of the date of original issuance thereof; (c) the amount of any Debt described in clause (vii) is the net amount payable (after giving effect to permitted set off) if such Swap Contracts or Hedging Obligations are terminated at that time due to default of such Person; (d) the amount of any Debt described in clause (ix)(A) above shall be the stated or determinable amount of or, if not stated or if indeterminable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability under any such Guarantee; (e)

 

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the amount of any Debt described in clause (ix)(B) above shall be the lesser of (I) the maximum amount of the obligations so secured and (II) the Fair Market Value of such property or other assets; (f) interest, fees, premium, and expenses and additional payments, if any, will not constitute Debt and (g) the amount of Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be calculated without duplication of Guarantees of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect thereof.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business or assets, the term “Debt” will exclude (x) customary indemnification obligations and (y) post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment is otherwise contingent; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 60 days thereafter, and (ii) the term “Debt” will exclude debt that has been defeased, satisfied and discharged, repaid, retired, repurchased or redeemed in accordance with its terms and, to the extent such defeasance, satisfaction and discharge, repayment, retirement, repurchase or redemption constitutes a Restricted Payment, in accordance with Section 4.7.

 

The amount of Debt of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations and Guarantees as described above and, only upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligations, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability of any contingent obligations (other than Guarantees) at such date; provided, however, that in the case of Debt sold at a discount, the amount of such Debt at any time will be the accreted value thereof at such time.  If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly Guarantees Debt of a third Person, the amount of Debt of such Person shall give effect to the Incurrence of such Guaranteed Debt (excluding credit support for third party customer financing in the ordinary course of business) as if such Person or such Subsidiary had directly Incurred or otherwise assumed such Guaranteed Debt.

 

“Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.3 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to Section 2.6 hereof, and, thereafter, “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

 

“Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration, including Related Business Assets and Capital Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary, received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

 

“DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

 

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“Eligible Bank” means a bank or trust company that (i) is licensed, chartered or organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or Canada, or any state, territory, province or possession thereof, (ii) as of the time of the making or acquisition of an Investment in such bank or trust company, has combined capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and (iii) the senior Debt of which is rated at least “A-2” by Moody’s or at least “A” by S&P.

 

“Eligible Cash Equivalents” means any of the following Investments:  (i) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof) maturing not more than one year after the date of acquisition; (ii) time deposits in and certificates of deposit of any Eligible Bank, provided that such Investments have a maturity date not more than two years after date of acquisition and that the Average Life of all such Investments is one year or less from the respective dates of acquisition; (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 180 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into with any Eligible Bank; (iv) direct obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision or public instrumentality thereof, provided that such Investments mature, or are subject to tender at the option of the holder thereof, within 365 days after the date of acquisition and, at the time of acquisition, have a rating of at least A from S&P or A-2 from Moody’s (or an equivalent rating by any other nationally recognized rating agency); (v) commercial paper of any Person other than an Affiliate of the Company and other than structured investment vehicles, provided that such Investments have one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s and mature within 180 days after the date of acquisition; (vi)(A) overnight and demand deposits in and bankers’ acceptances of any Eligible Bank and (B) overnight and demand deposits in any other bank or trust company to the extent insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation against the Bank Insurance Fund; (vii) corporate bonds rated A/A2 or better; (viii) money market funds substantially all of the assets of which comprise Investments of the types described in clauses (i) through (vii); and (ix) Investments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) above or funds equivalent to those referred to in clause (viii) above denominated in U.S. dollars, Euros or any other foreign currency issued by a foreign issuer or bank comparable in credit quality and tender to those referred to in such clauses and customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in jurisdictions outside the United States to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Restricted Subsidiary organized or operating in such jurisdiction, all as determined in good faith by the Company.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time.  References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any successor sections.

 

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

 

“Exchange Notes” has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 

“Exchange Offer” means an offer that may be made by the Issuer pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement to exchange Initial Notes for the Exchange Notes.

 

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“Expiration Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.9.

 

“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to the consideration received or paid in any transaction or series of transactions, the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Company.  In the case of a transaction between the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, on the one hand, and a Receivable Subsidiary, on the other hand, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that such determination is appropriate, a determination as to Fair Market Value may be made at the commencement of the transaction and be applicable to all dealings between the Receivable Subsidiary and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary during the course of such transaction.

 

“Floor Plan Financing Facility” means any facility entered or to be entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to which such Person may (i) incur Debt to purchase vehicles and/or related equipment from vendors for the prompt resale to customers in the ordinary course of business and (ii) grant a security interest in such vehicles and/or related equipment to secure such borrowings.

 

“Foreign Restricted Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Restricted Subsidiary incorporated or otherwise organized or existing under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia.

 

“Four Quarter Period” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, which are in effect from time to time; provided, that solely for purposes of calculating Capital Lease Obligations and determining whether a lease constitutes an operating lease or a capital lease, “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as used in the United States on December 31, 2013 consistently applied.

 

“Global Note Legend” means the legend identified as such in Section 2.6(e)(ii) hereto.

 

“Global Notes” means the Notes in global form and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that are in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

“Guarantee” means, as applied to any Debt of another Person, (i) a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the normal course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of such Debt, (ii) any direct or indirect obligation, contingent or otherwise, of a Person guaranteeing or having the effect of guaranteeing the Debt of any other Person in any manner and (iii) an agreement of a Person, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment (or payment of damages in the event of non-payment) of all or any part of such Debt of another Person (and “Guaranteed” and “Guaranteeing” shall have meanings that correspond to the foregoing).

 

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“Guarantor” means any Person that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and its respective successors and assigns (subject to release in accordance with this Indenture).

 

“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any interest rate agreement, currency agreement or commodity agreement, excluding commodity agreements relating to raw materials used in the ordinary course of the Company’s business.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered in the security register.

 

“Incur” means, with respect to any Debt of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP or other applicable accounting standards, of any such Debt on the balance sheet of such Person; provided, however, that a change in GAAP or an interpretation thereunder that results in an obligation of such Person that exists at such time becoming Debt shall not be deemed an Incurrence of such Debt.  Debt otherwise Incurred by a Person before it becomes a Subsidiary of the Company shall be deemed to be Incurred at the time at which such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company.  “Incurrence,” “Incurred,” “Incurrable” and “Incurring” shall have meanings that correspond to the foregoing.  A Guarantee by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of Debt Incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, shall not be a separate Incurrence of Debt.  In addition, the following shall not be deemed a separate Incurrence of Debt:

 

(1)           amortization of debt discount or accretion of principal with respect to a non-interest bearing or other discount security;

 

(2)           the payment of regularly scheduled interest in the form of additional Debt of the same instrument or the payment of regularly scheduled dividends on Capital Interests in the form of additional Capital Interests of the same class and with the same terms;

 

(3)           the obligation to pay a premium in respect of Debt arising in connection with the issuance of a notice of redemption or making of a mandatory offer to purchase such Debt; and

 

(4)           unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

“Initial Notes” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Indenture.

 

“Initial Purchasers” means J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, RBS Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and such other initial purchasers party to the Purchase Agreement entered into in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes on the Issue Date and any similar purchase agreement in connection with any Additional Notes.

 

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“Investment” by any Person means any direct or indirect loan, advance, guarantee for the benefit of (or other extension of credit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property or assets to another Person or any other payments for property or services for the account or use of another Person) another Person, including, without limitation, the following:  (i) the purchase or acquisition of any Capital Interest or other evidence of beneficial ownership in another Person; (ii) the purchase, acquisition or Guarantee of the Debt of another Person; and (iii) the purchase or acquisition of the business or assets of another Person substantially as an entirety but shall exclude:  (a) accounts receivable and other extensions of trade credit in accordance with the Company’s customary practices; (b) the acquisition of property and assets from suppliers and other vendors in the normal course of business; and (c) prepaid expenses and workers’ compensation, utility, lease and similar deposits, in the normal course of business.

 

“Investment Grade Rating” designates a rating of BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s or the equivalent of such ratings by S&P or Moody’s. In the event that the Issuer shall select any other Rating Agency as provided under the definition of the term “Rating Agencies,” the equivalent of such ratings by such Rating Agency shall be used.

 

“Issue Date” means February 21, 2014.

 

“Issuer” or “Company” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means the successor thereto.

 

“Leasing Assets” means, with respect to any lease, all of the following property and interests in property whether now existing or existing in the future or hereafter acquired or arising: (i) all vehicles or equipment manufactured or refurbished by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (and truck chassis, cement block boom trucks and similar vehicles or equipment manufactured or refurbished by third parties) and acquired by a Leasing Subsidiary in connection with such assets being contemporaneously leased to a third party; (ii) all leases and other contracts or agreements relating to the lease financing by a customer of vehicles or equipment manufactured or refurbished by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (iii) all accounts receivable and other obligations incurred by lessees in connection with the foregoing, no matter how evidenced; (iv) all rights to any vehicles or equipment subject to any of the foregoing after or in connection with creation of the foregoing, including, without limitation, returned or repossessed goods; (v) all reserves and credit balances with respect to any such lease contracts or agreements or lessees; (vi) all letters of credit, security or guarantees for any of the foregoing; (vii) all insurance policies or reports relating to any of the foregoing; and (viii) all books and records relating to any of the foregoing.

 

“Leasing Subsidiary” means Oshkosh/McNeilus Financial Services, Inc., Oshkosh Equipment Finance, L.L.C. and any other Subsidiary (or partnership of which a Subsidiary of the Company is a general or limited partner) that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as a Leasing Subsidiary and that is exclusively engaged in Leasing Transactions and activities incidental thereto. If at any time any Leasing Subsidiary should engage in a material transaction or activity other than those described above, it shall thereafter cease to be a Leasing Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture.

 

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“Leasing Transaction” means (i) the sale, lease or other disposition to a third party of Leasing Assets or an interest therein; (ii) the borrowing of money secured by Leasing Assets; or (iii) the sale or other disposition of Leasing Assets or an interest therein to a Leasing Subsidiary followed by a financing transaction in connection with such sale or disposition of such Leasing Assets (whether such financing transaction is effected by such Leasing Subsidiary or by a third party to whom such Leasing Subsidiary sells such Leasing Assets or interests therein); provided that in each of the foregoing, the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries receive or have received at least 95% of the aggregate sale price attributed to the vehicles and equipment that underlie the leases financed in such transaction.

 

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York, the city in which the designated Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee is located or at a place of payment are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.  If a payment date or a redemption date in a place of payment is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

“Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the total consolidated Debt of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent Four Quarter Period for which financial statements are publicly available, which would be reflected as a liability on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in the good faith determination of the Company, minus the cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities reflected as assets on such consolidated balance sheet, to (y) the Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges of such Person for the then most recent Four Quarter Period for which financial statements are publicly available, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to the amount of consolidated Debt and Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any property or other asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, pledge, hypothecation, assignment for security purposes, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, easement, encumbrance or other security agreement or arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or other asset (including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

“Net Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to Asset Sales of any Person, cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents received, net of:  (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of such Person incurred in connection with such a sale, including, without limitation, all legal, accounting, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred and all federal, state, foreign and local taxes arising in connection with such an Asset Sale that are paid or required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP by such Person; (ii) all payments made by such Person on any Debt that is secured by such properties or other assets in accordance 

 

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with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such properties or other assets or that must, by the terms of such Lien or such Debt, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such transaction or by applicable law, be repaid to any other Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof) in connection with such Asset Sale; and (iii) all contractually required distributions and other payments made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person as a result of such transaction; provided, however, that:  (a) in the event that any consideration for an Asset Sale (which would otherwise constitute Net Cash Proceeds) is required by (I) contract to be held in escrow pending determination of whether a purchase price adjustment will be made or (II) GAAP to be reserved against other liabilities in connection with such Asset Sale, such consideration (or any portion thereof) shall become Net Cash Proceeds only at such time as it is released to such Person from escrow or otherwise; and (b) any non-cash consideration received in connection with any transaction, which is subsequently converted to cash, shall become Net Cash Proceeds only at such time as it is so converted.

 

“Non-Recourse Receivable Subsidiary Indebtedness” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Receivable Subsidiary.”

 

“Note Custodian” means the Trustee when serving as custodian for the Depositary with respect to the Global Notes, or any successor entity thereto.

 

“Note Guarantee” means any guarantee of the Notes by any Guarantor pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Notes” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Indenture.

 

“Obligations” means any principal, premium, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Debt.

 

“Offer” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”

 

“Offer to Purchase” means a written offer (the “Offer”) sent by the Company by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder at such Holder’s address appearing in the Note Register on the date of the Offer, offering to purchase up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth in such Offer at the purchase price set forth in such Offer (as determined pursuant to this Indenture).  Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the offer shall specify an expiration date (the “Expiration Date”) of the Offer to Purchase which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 30 days or more than 60 days after the date of mailing of such Offer (or, if such Offer is conditioned upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, not more than 60 days after the date of such Change of Control Triggering Event) and a settlement date (the “Purchase Date”) for purchase of Notes within five Business Days after the Expiration Date.  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing at 

 

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least 15 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the mailing of the Offer of the Company’s obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the Offer shall be mailed by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.  The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase.  The Offer shall also state:

 

(1)                                 the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Offer to Purchase is being made;

 

(2)                                 the Expiration Date and the Purchase Date;

 

(3)                                 the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes offered to be purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase (including, if less than 100%, the manner by which such amount has been determined pursuant to Indenture covenants requiring the Offer to Purchase) (the “Purchase Amount”);

 

(4)                                 the purchase price to be paid by the Company for each $2,000 principal amount of Notes (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) accepted for payment (as specified pursuant to this Indenture) (the “Purchase Price”);

 

(5)                                 that the Holder may tender all or any portion of the Notes registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion of a Note tendered must be tendered in a minimum amount of $2,000 principal amount (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof);

 

(6)                                 the place or places where Notes are to be surrendered for tender pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, if applicable;

 

(7)                                 that, unless the Company defaults in making such purchase, any Note accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will cease to accrue interest on and after the Purchase Date, but that any Note not tendered or tendered but not purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will continue to accrue interest at the same rate;

 

(8)                                 that, on the Purchase Date, the Purchase Price will become due and payable upon each Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase;

 

(9)                                 that each Holder electing to tender a Note pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender such Note or cause such Note to be surrendered at the place or places set forth in the Offer prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date (such Note being, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing);

 

(10)                          that Holders will be entitled to withdraw all or any portion of Notes tendered if the Company (or its paying agent) receives, not later than the close of business on the Expiration Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name 

 

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of the Holder, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes the Holder tendered, the certificate number of the Note the Holder tendered and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing all or a portion of such Holder’s tender;

 

(11)                          that (a) if Notes having an aggregate principal amount less than or equal to the Purchase Amount are duly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase all such Notes and (b) if Notes having an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Purchase Amount are tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the Purchase Amount on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000 principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof shall be purchased); and

 

(12)                          if applicable, that, in the case of any Holder whose Note is purchased only in part, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in the aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unpurchased portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes so tendered.

 

“Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum related to the issuance of the Initial Notes on the Issue Date, dated February 6, 2014.

 

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary or any Vice President of such Person.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion in writing signed by legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Company and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Sections 2.1(f), 2.2(b), 11.4 and 11.5 to the extent required by the provisions of such Sections.

 

“Participant” means, with respect to DTC, a Person who has an account with DTC.

 

“Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Issuer to pay the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance, covenant defeasance or similar payment with respect to, any Notes on behalf of the Issuer.

 

“Permitted Business” means any business similar in nature to any business conducted by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and any business reasonably ancillary, incidental, complementary or related to, or a reasonable extension, development or 

 

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expansion of, the business conducted by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, in each case, as determined in good faith by the Company.

 

“Permitted Debt” means

 

(i)                                     Debt Incurred pursuant to any Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (A) $1,900.0 million minus any amount used to permanently repay such Obligations (or permanently reduce commitments with respect thereto) pursuant to Section 4.10, and (B) an amount equal to 3.5 multiplied by the Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recent Four Quarter Period, after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation to any Asset Sales or other dispositions or Asset Acquisitions, investments, mergers, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) occurring during the Four Quarter Period or any time subsequent to the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior to the determination date, as if such Asset Sale or other disposition or Asset Acquisition (including the Incurrence or assumption of any Acquired Debt), investment, merger, consolidation or disposed operation occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period. For purposes of this definition, pro forma calculations shall be made in the good faith determination of the Company;

 

(ii)                                  Debt under the Notes issued on the Issue Date (and any Exchange Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement) and contribution, indemnification and reimbursement obligations owed by the Company or any Guarantor to any of the other of them in respect of amounts paid or payable on such Notes;

 

(iii)                               Guarantees of the Notes (and any Exchange Notes pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement);

 

(iv)                              Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the Issue Date (other than clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above);

 

(v)                                 Debt owed to and held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(vi)                              Guarantees Incurred by the Company of Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture;

 

(vii)                           Guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including Guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary of Debt under the Credit Agreement, provided that (a) such Debt is Permitted Debt or is otherwise Incurred in accordance with Section 4.9 hereof and (b) if the Debt being guaranteed is subordinated to the Notes, such Guarantees are subordinated to the Notes to the same extent as the Debt being guaranteed;

 

(viii)                        Debt Incurred in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance and self-insurance obligations, and, for the avoidance of doubt, indemnity, bid, performance, warranty, release, appeal, surety and similar bonds, letters of credit for operating 

 

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purposes and completion guarantees provided or Incurred (including Guarantees thereof) by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(ix)                              Debt under Swap Contracts and Hedging Obligations;

 

(x)                                 Debt owed by the Company to any Restricted Subsidiary, or by any Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to any other Restricted Subsidiary, provided that if for any reason such Debt ceases to be held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, such Debt shall cease to be Permitted Debt under this clause (x) and shall be deemed Incurred as Debt of the Company for purposes of this Indenture;

 

(xi)                              Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Debt, provided that the aggregate principal amount of such Debt outstanding at the time of incurrence may not exceed the greater of $150.0 million and 5.50% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the aggregate;

 

(xii)                           Debt arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, contribution, earnout, adjustment of purchase price or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

 

(xiii)                        the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of Preferred Interests; provided, however, that:

 

(a)                                 any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Interests that results in any such Preferred Interests being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(b)                                 any sale or other transfer of any such Preferred Interests to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such Preferred Interests by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (xiii);

 

(xiv)                       Debt arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such Debt is extinguished within five Business Days of Incurrence and Debt arising from negative account balances in cash pooling arrangements arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xv)                          Debt owing to the Company by any Subsidiary or Debt owing to any Guarantor Subsidiary by the Company or another Subsidiary;

 

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(xvi)                       Debt incurred by the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to any Floor Plan Financing Facility that (A) is non-interest bearing and has a stated maturity of 120 days or less, or (B) does not exceed any time outstanding $100.0 million;

 

(xvii)                    obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries in respect of customer advances received and held in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xviii)                 Debt constituting credit support for third party customer financing in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xix)                       performance bonds or performance guaranties (or bank guaranties or letters of credit in lieu thereof) entered into in the ordinary course of business;

 

(xx)                          Debt incurred by a Leasing Subsidiary in a Leasing Transaction that is non-recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than Leasing Subsidiaries);

 

(xxi)                       Guarantees by the Company with respect to up to $10.0 million at any time outstanding of Debt of Leasing Subsidiaries;

 

(xxii)                    Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted pursuant to this definition, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed at the time of incurrence the greater of $250.0 million and 9.25% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

 

(xxiii)                 Refinancing Debt.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Debt permitted under clauses (i), (ii), (xi) and (xv) of this definition of “Permitted Debt” shall not constitute “Refinancing Debt” under clause (xxiii) of this definition of “Permitted Debt.”

 

“Permitted Liens” means:

 

(a)                                 Liens existing at the Issue Date;

 

(b)                                 Liens that secure (A) Debt under Credit Facilities permitted pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of “Permitted Debt,” (B) Hedging Obligations and Swap Contracts relating to such Credit Facilities and permitted under the agreements related thereto and (C) fees, expenses and other amounts payable under such Credit Facilities or payable pursuant to cash management agreements or agreements with respect to similar banking services relating to such Credit Facilities and permitted under the agreements related thereto;

 

(c)                                  any Lien for taxes or assessments or other governmental charges or levies not then delinquent for more than 90 days, that are then remaining payable without penalty or which are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves are being maintained to the extent required by GAAP and, in each case, to the extent no notice of lien has been filed or recorded under the Code;

 

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(d)                                 any warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, mechanic’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s or other similar Liens arising by law for sums not then due and payable (or which, if due and payable, remain payable without penalty or are being contested in good faith and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained, to the extent required by GAAP);

 

(e)                                  survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other similar restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not individually or in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole or materially impair the operation of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

 

(f)                                   pledges or deposits (i) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment and other insurance, other social security legislation and other types of statutory obligations or the requirements of any official body; (ii) to secure the performance of tenders, bids, surety or performance bonds, leases, purchase, construction, sales or servicing contracts (including utility contracts) and other similar obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business; (iii) to obtain or secure obligations with respect to letters of credit, Guarantees, bonds or other sureties or assurances given in connection with the activities described in clauses (i) and (ii) above, in each case not Incurred or made in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property or services or imposed by ERISA or the Code in connection with a “plan” (as defined in ERISA); or (iv) arising in connection with any attachment unless such Liens shall not be satisfied or discharged or stayed pending appeal within 60 days after the entry thereof or the expiration of any such stay;

 

(g)                                  Liens on property or assets of a Person existing at the time such Person acquires such property or assets, is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and not created or Incurred in anticipation of such transaction), provided that such Liens are not extended to the property and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the property or assets acquired and the proceeds thereof;

 

(h)                                 Liens securing Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary owed to and held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof;

 

(i)                                     for the avoidance of doubt, other Liens (not securing Debt) incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, or the ownership of their assets which do not individually or in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole or materially impair the operation of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

 

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(j)                                    Liens to secure any extension, renewal, refinancing or refunding (or successive extensions, renewals, refinancings or refundings), in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture of any Debt secured by Liens referred to in clauses (a), (b), (g), (m) and (w) hereof to the extent that such Liens do not extend to any other property or assets and the principal amount of the obligations secured by such Liens is not increased;

 

(k)                                 Liens in favor of customs or revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(l)                                     licenses and sublicenses of intellectual property granted in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)                             Liens to secure Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Debt permitted to be incurred pursuant to clause (xi) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”; provided that such Liens do not extend to or cover any assets other than such assets acquired or constructed after the Issue Date with the proceeds of such Capital Lease Obligation, Synthetic Lease Obligation or Purchase Money Debt and any assets that, in the ordinary course of business, are subject to Liens in favor of the same creditor for other assets subject to existing Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Debt;

 

(n)                                 Liens in favor of the Company or any Guarantor;

 

(o)                                 Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligation in respect of letters of credit and banker’s acceptances issued or created in the ordinary course of business for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

(p)                                 Liens securing Debt Incurred to finance the construction, purchase or lease of, or repairs, improvements or additions to, property, plant or equipment of such Person; provided, however, that the Lien may not extend to any property owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time the Lien is Incurred (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto and any proceeds thereof), and the Debt (other than any interest thereon) secured by the Lien may not be Incurred more than 180 days after the later of the acquisition, completion of construction, repair, improvement, addition or commencement of full operation of the property subject to the Lien;

 

(q)                                 Liens on property or shares of Capital Interests of another Person at the time such other Person becomes a Subsidiary of such Person; provided, however, that (i) the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto) and (ii) such Liens are not created or incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(r)                                    Liens (i) that are contractual rights of set-off (A) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the 

 

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issuance of Debt, (B) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations and other cash management activities incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (C) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and (ii) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (Y) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (Z) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law or pursuant to customary account agreements encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

 

(s)                                   Liens securing judgments or judicial attachment for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (7) of Section 6.1 so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

 

(t)                                    leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Debt;

 

(u)                                 any interest of title of (i) an owner of equipment or inventory on loan or consignment, or as part of a conditional sale, to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and (ii) a lessor or secured by a lessor’s interest under any lease permitted under this Indenture;

 

(v)                                 deposits in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

 

(w)                               Liens securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

 

(x)                                 Liens securing Hedging Obligations and Swap Contracts so long as any related Debt is permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture;

 

(y)                                 options, put and call arrangements, rights of first refusal and similar rights relating to Investments in joint ventures, partnerships and the like permitted to be made under this Indenture;

 

(z)                                  Liens attaching to earnest money deposits (or equivalent deposits otherwise named) made in connection with proposed acquisitions in an amount not to exceed $25.0 million;

 

(aa)                          (i) set-off rights not otherwise set forth in clause (r) above, or (ii) Liens arising in connection with repurchase agreements that constitute Investments;

 

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(bb)                          Liens on cash and other deposits or net worth imposed in connection with contracts entered into the ordinary course of business;

 

(cc)                            Liens on vehicles or related property securing Obligations under any Floor Plan Financing Facility permitted by this Indenture incurred in the ordinary course of business, provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Obligations at any time outstanding under all Floor Plan Financing Facilities after giving effect to such incurrence does not exceed the total cost of the vehicles and equipment securing such Obligations;

 

(dd)                          Liens on assets of a Leasing Subsidiary securing Debt under Leasing Transactions that was permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture, and Liens on Leasing Assets for which the applicable lessee is not permitted by applicable law to hold title to such Leasing Assets;

 

(ee)                            Liens on the Capital Interests of a Receivable Subsidiary and accounts receivable and other financial and related assets described in the definition of Qualified Receivables Transaction, in each case, incurred in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction and in an aggregate amount not to exceed at the time of creation the greater of $350.0 million and 12.75% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(ff)                              Liens securing Obligations for third party customer financing in the ordinary course of business;

 

(gg)                            Liens not otherwise permitted under this Indenture in an aggregate amount not to exceed at the time of creation the greater of $350.0 million and 12.75% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(hh)                          Liens on cash, Eligible Cash Equivalents or other property arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Debt; and

 

(ii)                                  Liens on the identifiable proceeds of any property or asset subject to a Lien otherwise permitted under this Indenture.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“Preferred Interests,” as applied to the Capital Interests in any Person, means Capital Interests in such Person of any class or classes (however designated) that rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of Common Interests in such Person.

 

“Purchase Agreement” means the purchase agreement dated February 6, 2014 by and among the Company, the Initial Purchasers and the Guarantors named therein.

 

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“Purchase Amount” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”

 

“Purchase Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”

 

“Purchase Money Debt” means Debt

 

(i)                                     Incurred to finance the purchase or construction (including additions and improvements thereto) of any assets (other than Capital Interests) of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(ii)                                  that is secured by a Lien on such assets where the lender’s sole security is to the assets so purchased or constructed or substantially similar assets leased or purchased from such lender under a master lease or similar agreement and proceeds of the foregoing; and in either case that does not exceed 100% of the cost and to the extent the purchase or construction prices for such assets are or should be included in “addition to property, plant or equipment” in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Purchase Money Note” means a promissory note of a Receivable Subsidiary to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, which note must be repaid from cash available to the Receivable Subsidiary, other than amounts required to be established as reserves pursuant to agreements, amounts paid to investors in respect of interest, principal and other amounts owing to such investors and amounts paid in connection with the purchase of newly generated receivables or other financial assets.  The repayment of a Purchase Money Note may be subordinated to the repayment of other liabilities of the Receivable Subsidiary on terms determined in good faith by the Company to be substantially consistent with market practice in connection with Qualified Receivables Transactions.

 

“Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”

 

“Qualified Capital Interests” in any Person means a class of Capital Interests other than Redeemable Capital Interests.

 

“Qualified Equity Offering” means (i) an underwritten public equity offering of Qualified Capital Interests pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act yielding gross proceeds to either of the Company, or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, of at least $25.0 million or (ii) a private equity offering of Qualified Capital Interests of the Company, or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, other than (x) any such public or private sale to an entity that is an Affiliate of the Company and (y) any public offerings registered on Form S-8; provided that, in the case of an offering or sale by a direct or indirect parent company of the Company, such parent company contributes to the capital of the Company the portion of the net cash proceeds of such offering or sale necessary to pay the aggregate Redemption Price (plus accrued interest to the redemption date) of the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Sections 3.7(a)(ii).

 

“Qualified Receivables Transaction” means any transaction or series of transactions entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers to (a) a Receivable Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or (b) any other Person (in the 

 

29

 

case of a transfer by a Receivable Subsidiary), or grants a security interest in, any accounts receivable or other financial assets (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto, including, without limitation, all collateral securing such accounts receivable or other financial assets, all contracts and all Guarantees or other obligations in respect of such accounts receivable or other financial assets, proceeds of such accounts receivable or other financial assets and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with an accounts receivable or other financial asset financing transaction; provided such transaction is on market terms as determined in good faith by the Company at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary enters into such transaction.

 

“Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P or if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available other than as a result of actions by the Company, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.

 

“Rating Category” means:

 

(1)                                 with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and

 

(2)                                 with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories).

 

“Rating Decline” means a decrease in the rating of the Notes by either of Moody’s or S&P by one or more gradations (including gradations within Rating Categories as well as between Rating Categories) on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control (which period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Rating Decline otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Rating Decline for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event hereunder) if the Rating Agency making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply does not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Company that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Rating Decline). In determining whether the rating of the Notes has decreased by one or more gradations, gradations within Rating Categories, namely + or —for S&P, and 1, 2, and 3 for Moody’s, will be taken into account; for example, in the case of S&P, a rating decline either from BB+ to BB or BB— to B+ will constitute a decrease of one gradation.

 

“Receivable Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary of the Company:

 

(1)                                 that is formed solely for the purpose of, and that engages in no activities other than activities in connection with, financing accounts receivable or other financial 

 

30

 

assets of the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries, including providing letters of credit on behalf of or for the benefit of the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(2)                                 that is designated by the Board of Directors as a Receivable Subsidiary pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate that is delivered to the Trustee;

 

(3)                                 that is either (a) a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) an Unrestricted Subsidiary designated in accordance with Section 4.18;

 

(4)                                 no portion of the Debt or any other obligation (contingent or otherwise) of which (a) is at any time Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding Guarantees of obligations (other than any Guarantee of Debt) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (b) is at any time recourse to or obligates the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any way, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, or (c) subjects any asset of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings (such Debt, “Non-Recourse Receivable Subsidiary Indebtedness”);

 

(5)                                 with which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than (a) contracts, agreements, arrangements and understandings entered into in the ordinary course of business on terms no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company, (b) fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with servicing accounts receivable or other financial assets in connection with such a Qualified Receivables Transaction as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company and (c) any Purchase Money Note or equity interest issued by such Receivable Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

(6)                                 with respect to which neither the Company nor any other Restricted Subsidiary has any obligation (a) to subscribe for additional shares of Capital Interests therein or make any additional capital contribution or similar payment or transfer thereto except in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction or (b) to maintain or preserve the solvency or any balance sheet term, financial condition, level of income or results of operations thereof.

 

“Redeemable Capital Interests” in any Person means any equity security of such Person that by its terms (or by terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or otherwise (including the passage of time or the happening of an event), is required to be redeemed, is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof in whole or in part (including by operation of a sinking fund), or is convertible or exchangeable for Debt of such Person at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, at any time prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided that only the portion of such equity security which is required to be redeemed, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder 

 

31

 

thereof before such date will be deemed to be Redeemable Capital Interests.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any equity security that would constitute Redeemable Capital Interests solely because the holders of the equity security have the right to require the Company to repurchase such equity security upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event or an Asset Sale will not constitute Redeemable Capital Interests if the terms of such equity security provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such equity security pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.7.  The amount of Redeemable Capital Interests deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Redeemable Capital Interests or portion thereof, exclusive of accrued dividends.

 

“Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Refinancing Debt” means Debt that refunds, refinances, renews, replaces or extends any Debt permitted to be Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, whether involving the same or any other lender or creditor or group of lenders or creditors (including, with respect to any Guarantee of Debt, the refinancing of the guaranteed Debt and incurrence of a Guarantee with respect to the new Debt), but only to the extent that

 

(i)                                     the Refinancing Debt is subordinated to the Notes to at least the same extent as the Debt being refunded, refinanced or extended, if such Debt was subordinated to the Notes,

 

(ii)                                  the Refinancing Debt is scheduled to mature either (a) no earlier than the Debt being refunded, refinanced or extended or (b) at least 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes,

 

(iii)                               the Refinancing Debt has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Debt is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended,

 

(iv)                              such Refinancing Debt is in an aggregate principal amount that is less than or equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal or accreted amount (in the case of any Debt issued with original issue discount, as such) then outstanding under the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended, (b) the amount of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and premiums owed, if any, not in excess of preexisting prepayment provisions on such Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended and (c) the amount of reasonable and customary fees, expenses and costs related to the Incurrence of such Refinancing Debt, and

 

(v)                                 such Refinancing Debt is Incurred by the same Person (or its successor) that initially Incurred the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended, except that the Company or any Guarantor may Incur Refinancing Debt to

 

32

 

 refund, refinance, renew, replace or extend Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

 

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, to be dated the date of this Indenture, among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers and any similar agreement entered into in connection with any Additional Notes.

 

“Related Business Assets” means assets (other than cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents) used or useful in a Permitted Business, provided that any assets received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such Person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note that is a Restricted Note.

 

“Restricted Note” has the meaning set forth in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act for the term “restricted securities”; provided, however, that the Trustee shall be entitled to request and conclusively rely upon an Opinion of Counsel with respect to whether any Note is a Restricted Note.  Restricted Notes are required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

“Restricted Notes Legend” means the legend identified as such in Section 2.6(e)(i) hereto.

 

“Restricted Payment” is defined to mean any of the following:

 

(a)                                 any dividend or other distribution declared and paid on the Capital Interests in the Company or on the Capital Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that are held by, or declared and paid to, any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than

 

(i)                                     dividends, distributions or payments made solely in Qualified Capital Interests in the Company and

 

(ii)                                  dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or to the holders of Capital Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis);

 

(b)                                 any payment made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to purchase, redeem, acquire or retire any Capital Interests in the Company (including the conversion into, or exchange for, Debt of any Capital Interests) other than any such

 

33

 

Capital Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a payment made solely in Qualified Capital Interests in the Company);

 

(c)                                  any payment made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a payment made solely in Qualified Capital Interests in the Company) to redeem, repurchase, defease (including an in substance or legal defeasance) or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including pursuant to mandatory repurchase covenants), prior to any scheduled maturity, scheduled sinking fund or mandatory redemption payment, Debt of the Company or any Guarantor that is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or Note Guarantees (excluding any Debt owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary); except payments of principal and interest in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case, within one year of the due date thereof; and

 

(d)                                 any designation of a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that has not been designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” in accordance with this Indenture.

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

 

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any direct or indirect arrangement pursuant to which property is sold or transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and is thereafter leased back as a capital lease by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Satisfaction of the 2020 Notes” means the repayment, repurchase, retirement or redemption of all of the outstanding principal amount of the 2020 Notes or defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the indenture governing the 2020 Notes.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

“Significant Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and Exchange Act, but shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which are reasonably customary in an accounts receivable or other financial asset securitization transaction as determined in good faith by the Company, including Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any of the foregoing obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to (i) any Note or any installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the principal amount of such Note or such installment of interest is due and payable and (ii) any other Debt or any installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in the instrument governing such Debt as the fixed date on which the principal of such Debt or such installment of interest is due and payable.

 

34

 

“Subordinated Obligations” means any Debt of the Company or any Guarantor that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes or the Notes Guarantees pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

 

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor.

 

“Successor Entity” means a corporation or other entity that succeeds to and continues the business of Oshkosh Corporation.

 

“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including, without limitation, any fuel price caps and fuel price collar or floor agreements and similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against or manage fluctuations in fuel prices and any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, but excluding fixed price commodity purchase contracts entered into with commodity suppliers in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

“Synthetic Lease Obligations” means any monetary obligation of a Person under (i) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (ii) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including Sale and Leaseback Transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any bankruptcy or insolvency laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as amended, as in effect on the date hereof, except as provided in Section 9.3.

 

“Transaction Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

 

35

 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to a redemption date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to March 1, 2017; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to such date is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United Stated Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to such date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

 

“Trustee” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that is an Unrestricted Note.

 

“Unrestricted Notes” means one or more Notes that do not and are not required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend including, without limitation, the Exchange Notes and any Notes registered under the Securities Act pursuant to and in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

 

(1)                                 any Subsidiary designated as such by an Officers’ Certificate as set forth below where neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (i) provides credit support for, or Guarantee of, any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument evidencing such Debt, but excluding in the case of a Receivable Subsidiary any Standard Securitization Undertakings and further excluding other Debt under which the lender has recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or to any of their assets (A) that does not exceed $30.0 million in the aggregate and/or (B) solely in circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions and/or included in separate guaranty or indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings) or (ii) is directly or indirectly liable for any Debt of such Subsidiary or any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary (except in the case of a Receivable Subsidiary any Standard Securitization Undertakings); and

 

(2)                                 any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

“Voting Interests” means, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Interests in such Person entitling the holders thereof generally to vote on the election of members of the Board of Directors or comparable body of such Person.

 

36

 

SECTION 1.2  Other Definitions.

 

	
Term
    	
 
    	
Defined in Section
    
	
“Affiliate Transaction”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
4.11
    
	
“Agent Members”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
2.6
    
	
“Change of Control Offer”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
4.14
    
	
“Change of Control Payment”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
4.14
    
	
“covenant defeasance”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
8.3
    
	
“Covenant Suspension Event”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
4.20
    
	
“defeasance”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
8.2
    
	
“Discharge”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
8.2
    
	
“Event of Default”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
6.1
    
	
“Excess Proceeds”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
4.10
    
	
“Expiration Date”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
3.9
    
	
“Note Register”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
2.3
    
	
“Offer Amount”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
3.9
    
	
“Purchase Date”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
3.9
    
	
“QIB”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
2.1
    
	
“QIB Global Note”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
2.1
    
	
“redemption date”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
3.1
    
	
“Registrar”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
2.3
    
	
“Regulation S”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
2.1
    
	
“Regulation S Global Note”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
2.1
    
	
“Reinstatement Date”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
4.20
    
	
“Rule 144A”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
2.1
    
	
“Suspended Covenants”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
4.20
    
	
“Suspension Period”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
4.20
    
	
“Surviving Entity”
    	
 
    	
 
    	
5.1
    

 

SECTION 1.3  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in, and made a part of, this Indenture.

 

The following TIA term used in this Indenture has the following meaning:

 

“obligor” on the Notes means the Issuer, the Guarantors and any successor obligor upon the Notes.

 

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by the Commission rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them therein.

 

SECTION 1.4  Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)                                 a term has the meaning assigned to it herein;

 

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(2)                                 an accounting term not otherwise defined herein has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP or a successor to GAAP;

 

(3)                                 “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)                                 words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(5)                                 unless otherwise specified, any reference to a Section or an Article refers to such Section or Article of this Indenture;

 

(6)                                 provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

 

(7)                                 references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or the TIA shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time; and

 

(8)                                 for the avoidance of doubt, any references to “interest” shall include any Additional Interest that may be payable.

 

ARTICLE II

 

THE NOTES

 

SECTION 2.1  Form and Dating.

 

(a)                                 The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture.  The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange agreements to which the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is subject, or usage.  Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.  The Notes initially shall be issued only in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.  The Trustee shall authenticate the Notes, upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Notes, which order shall set forth the number of separate notes, the principal amount of each such Note to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, the registered holders of each of the said Notes and delivery instructions.

 

(b)                                 The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby.  However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

The Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more Global Notes substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto and shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee as Note Custodian, and registered in the name of the 

 

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Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Issuer and upon receipt of a Company Order, authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.

 

Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, redemptions and transfers of interests.  Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.6 hereof.

 

Except as set forth in Section 2.6 hereof, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of the Depositary or to a successor of the Depositary or its nominee.

 

(c)                                  The Initial Notes are being issued by the Issuer only (i) to “qualified institutional buyers” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”)) (“QIBs”) and (ii) in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”).  After such initial offers, Initial Notes that are Restricted Notes may be transferred to QIBs, in reliance on Rule 144A, outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S or to the Company, in accordance with certain transfer restrictions.  Initial Notes that are offered in reliance on Rule 144A shall be issued in the form of one or more permanent Global Notes substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the “QIB Global Note”) deposited with the Trustee, as Note Custodian, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.  Initial Notes that are offered in offshore transactions in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued in the form of one or more Global Notes substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A (the “Regulation S Global Note”) deposited with the Trustee, as Note Custodian, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided.  The QIB Global Note and the Regulation S Global Note shall each be issued with separate CUSIP numbers.  The aggregate principal amount of each Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee, as Note Custodian.  Transfers of Notes between QIBs and to or by purchasers pursuant to Regulation S shall be represented by appropriate increases and decreases to the respective amounts of the appropriate Global Notes, as more fully provided in Section 2.16.

 

(d)                                 Section 2.1(c) shall apply only to Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.

 

The Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order, in accordance with Section 2.1(c) and this Section 2.1(d), authenticate and deliver the Global Notes that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary and (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instructions or held by the Trustee as Note Custodian.

 

Participants shall have no rights either under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or by the Note Custodian or under such Global Note,

 

39

 

and the Depositary may be treated by the Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any Agent or other agent of the Issuer or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Participants, the operation of customary practices of such Depositary governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

 

The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any Holder, any member of (or a participant in) DTC or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC (or its nominee) or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Notes (or other security or property) under or with respect to the Notes or with respect to any action taken or not taken by the Depositary.  The Trustee may conclusively rely (and shall be fully protected in relying) upon information furnished by DTC with respect to its members, participants and any Beneficial Owners in the Notes.

 

(e)                                  Notes issued in certificated form, including Global Notes, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

(f)                                   Prior to the delivery of a Note of any series in any such form to the Trustee for the Notes of such series for authentication, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee the following:

 

(i)                                     The Board Resolution approving Notes issued in certificated form pursuant to Section 2.1(e);

 

(ii)                                  An Officers’ Certificate dated the date such Certificate is delivered to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of Notes in such form have been complied with;

 

(iii)                               An Opinion of Counsel stating that Notes in such form, when (i) completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, (ii) authenticated and delivered by such Trustee in accordance with this Indenture within the authorization as to aggregate principal amount established from time to time by the Board of Directors, and (iii) sold in the manner specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Notes; and

 

(iv)                              A Company Order requesting the authentication and delivery of the Notes.

 

(g)                                  The definitive Notes shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Notes, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

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SECTION 2.2  Authentication and Execution.

 

(a)           Form of Authentication.

 

A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee.  The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture. The following is the form of the Certificate of Authentication of the Trustee to be endorsed on the face of all Notes substantially as follows:

 

This is one of the Notes of the series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

 

	
 
    	
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL 
    
	
 
    	
ASSOCIATION,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Authorized Signatory
    
				

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuer to authenticate Notes.  Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer.

 

(b)           Execution.

 

The Notes shall be executed manually or by facsimile in the name and on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board of Directors, its President, one of its Vice Presidents or its Treasurer and by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. Only such Notes as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, manually executed by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or become obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Note executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence that the Note so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

In case any officer of the Company who shall have executed any of the Notes shall cease to be such officer before the Notes so executed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Company, such Notes nevertheless shall be valid and binding and may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who executed such Notes had not ceased to be such officer of the Company; and any Notes may be executed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Note, shall 

 

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be the proper officers of the Company, although at the date of such Note or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such an officer.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Notes of any series, properly created pursuant to this Indenture and executed by the Company, to the Trustee for authentication; and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Notes upon receipt of a Company Order. In the event that any other Person performs the Trustee’s duties as an Agent pursuant to a duly executed agreement, the Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the issuance of any Notes hereunder, such notice to be delivered in accordance with the provisions of Section 11.2 on the date such Notes are delivered by the Company for authentication to such other Person.

 

Prior to any such authentication and delivery, the Trustee shall receive, and shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, in addition to the Opinion of Counsel to be furnished to the Trustee pursuant to Sections 2.1(f), 11.4 and 11.5 and the Officers’ Certificate relating to the issuance of any series of Notes, an Opinion of Counsel stating that:

 

(i)            all instruments furnished to the Trustee conform to the requirements of this Indenture and constitute sufficient authority hereunder for the Trustee to authenticate and deliver such Notes;

 

(ii)           all laws and requirements with respect to the form and execution by the Company of any indenture supplemental to this Indenture, if any, have been complied with, the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, if any, does not violate the terms of this Indenture, the supplemental indenture has been duly qualified under the TIA, the Company has the corporate or company power to execute and deliver any such supplemental indenture and has taken all necessary corporate action for those purposes and any such supplemental indenture has been executed and delivered and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, insolvency, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and general equitable principles and the qualification that certain provisions may be unenforceable in whole or in part but such unenforceability will not adversely effect the principal legal rights and benefits afforded thereby);

 

(iii)          the form and terms of such Notes have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(iv)          all laws and requirements with respect to the execution and delivery by the Company of such Notes have been complied with, the authentication and delivery of the Notes by the Trustee does not violate the terms of this Indenture, the Company has the corporate or company power to issue such Notes and such Notes, assuming due authentication and delivery by the Trustee, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, insolvency, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from 

 

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time to time in effect and general equitable principles and the qualification that certain provisions may be unenforceable in whole or in part but such unenforceability will not adversely effect the principal legal rights and benefits afforded thereby) and are entitled to the benefits of this Indenture, equally and ratably with all other Notes, if any, of such series.

 

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Notes if the issue thereof will adversely affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Notes and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee or such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the form of Note for any series, all Notes shall be dated the date of their authentication.

 

No Note shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless there appears on such Note a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any Note shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Note has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.

 

SECTION 2.3  Registrar; Paying Agent.

 

The Issuer shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment to a Paying Agent.  The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (the “Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange.  The Issuer may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents; provided, however, that at all times there shall be only one Note Register.  The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.  The Issuer may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder.  The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture.  The Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

The Issuer or any Guarantor may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.  The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the provisions of Section 317(b) of the TIA.  The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such Agent.  The Issuer shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any such Agent.

 

The Issuer initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and initially appoints the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the office or agency of the Company for such purposes and as the office or agency of the Company where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served and the Trustee, as the agent of the Issuer, to receive such notices and demands.

 

The Issuer initially appoints DTC to act as the Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

 

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SECTION 2.4  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any Default by the Issuer in making any such payment.  While any such Default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  The Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee.  Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money.  If the Issuer or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent.  Upon the occurrence of events specified in Section 6.1(8) hereof, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

 

SECTION 2.5  Holder Lists.

 

(a)           The Company covenants and agrees that it will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee, not more than 15 days prior to each interest payment date with respect to the Notes of any series, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of any such request, a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes of such series as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such information is furnished; provided, however, that no such list with respect to any particular series of Notes need be furnished at any such time if the Trustee is in possession thereof by reason of its acting as the Registrar for such series designated under Section 2.3 or otherwise.

 

(b)           The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in this Section or received by the Trustee in the capacity of the Registrar (if so acting) under Section 2.3. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in this Section upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

 

(c)           The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Notes of any series or of all Notes, and the corresponding rights and duties of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the TIA.

 

(d)           Every Holder of Notes, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the TIA.

 

SECTION 2.6  Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities.

 

(a)           Each Global Note constituting a Restricted Note shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary, (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as Note Custodian and (iii) bear legends as required by Section 2.6(e).

 

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Members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Note, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Note.

 

(b)           Transfers of a Global Note shall be limited to transfers of such Global Note in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees.  Interests of Beneficial Owners (or the requesting Beneficial Owners in the case of clause (ii) immediately below) in a Global Note may be transferred in accordance with Section 2.16 and the rules and procedures of the Depositary.  In addition, Certificated Notes shall be transferred to all Beneficial Owners in exchange for their beneficial interests if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Notes or the Depositary ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within ninety (90) days of such notice or (ii) an Event of Default of which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual notice has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary or a Beneficial Owner in a Global Note to issue such Certificated Notes.

 

(c)           In connection with the transfer of the entire Global Note to beneficial owners pursuant to clause (b) of this Section, such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each Beneficial Owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note an equal aggregate principal amount of Certificated Notes of authorized denominations.

 

(d)           The registered holder of a Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interest through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.

 

(e)           Legends.  The following legends shall appear on the face of all Global Notes and Certificated Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture:

 

(i)            Private Placement Legend.

 

(1)           Unless and until (x) a Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective registration statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (y) the Company determines and there is delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and a letter of representation of the Company reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee to the effect that the following legend and the related restrictions on transfer are not required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of 

 

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the Securities Act, each Global Note and each Certificated Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution therefor) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM.  EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.  THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ISSUER THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY MAY BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED ONLY (i) (a) TO A PERSON WHO IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (b) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (c) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO NON-U.S. PERSON IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR (d) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IF THE ISSUER SO REQUESTS), (ii) TO THE ISSUER, OR (iii) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE JURISDICTION, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER FROM IT OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN (A) ABOVE.  NO REPRESENTATION CAN BE MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF THE EXEMPTION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 FOR RESALE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.”

 

(ii)           Global Note Legend.  Each Global Note, whether or not an Exchange Note, Restricted Global Note or Unrestricted Global Note, shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY 

 

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MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.6(e)(v) OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.6(b) OF THE INDENTURE, (III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE ISSUER.  UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY.  UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (“DTC”) TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

 

(iii)          Each Global Note shall bear the Global Note Legend on the face thereof.

 

(iv)          Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend.  Each temporary Note that is a Global Note issued pursuant to Regulation S shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR DEFINITIVE NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE.  THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE BY ACCEPTANCE HEREOF ALSO AGREES, REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IF IT IS A PURCHASER IN A SALE THAT OCCURS OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S OF THE SECURITIES ACT, IT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, UNTIL EXPIRATION OF THE “40-DAY DISTRIBUTION COMPLIANCE PERIOD” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 903 OF REGULATION S, ANY OFFER OR SALE OF THIS NOTE SHALL NOT BE MADE BY IT TO A U.S. PERSON TO OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF A U.S. PERSON WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 902(k) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

 

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(v)           At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Notes have been exchanged for Certificated Notes, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, all Global Notes shall be returned to or retained and cancelled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.  At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Certificated Notes, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note, by the Trustee or the Note Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, to reflect such reduction.

 

(f)            General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

 

(i)            To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Certificated Notes at the Registrar’s request.

 

(ii)           No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such stamp or transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.2, 2.10, 3.6, 4.10, 4.14 and 9.5 hereto).

 

(iii)          All Global Notes and Certificated Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Certificated Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Certificated Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(iv)          The Trustee shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange Notes during a period beginning at the opening of fifteen (15) days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes under Section 3.2 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, (B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part, or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date.

 

(v)           [Reserved].

 

(vi)          Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Issuer may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and neither the Trustee, any Agent nor the Issuer shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(vii)         The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Certificated Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2 hereof.  Except as provided in Section 2.6(b), neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall authenticate or deliver any Certificated Note in exchange for a Global Note.

 

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(viii)        Each Holder agrees to provide satisfactory indemnity to the Issuer and the Trustee against any liability that may result from the transfer, exchange or assignment of such Holder’s Note in violation of any provision of this Indenture and/or applicable United States federal or state securities law.

 

(ix)          The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Agent Members or Beneficial Owners of interests in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by the terms of, this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

(x)           Affiliates of the Company are prohibited from taking beneficial interest in one or more Restricted Global Notes.

 

SECTION 2.7  Substituted Notes.

 

In case any temporary or Certificated Notes shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company in its discretion may execute, and upon a Company Request delivered to the Trustee, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, a new Note, bearing a number, letter or other distinguishing mark not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated Note, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Note so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case, the applicant for a substituted Note shall furnish to the Company and to the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and to the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft, of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

 

In the absence of notice to the Trustee or the Company that such Note has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Trustee shall authenticate any such substituted Note and deliver the same upon any Company Request. Upon the issuance of any substituted Note, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Note which has matured or is about to mature shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substituted Note, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Note) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Company and to the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them harmless and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence satisfactory to the Company and to the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Note and of the ownership thereof.

 

Every substituted Note issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.7 by virtue of the fact that any Note is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Note shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately 

 

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with any and all other Notes duly issued hereunder. All Notes shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and shall preclude (to the extent permitted by law) any and all other rights or remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.

 

SECTION 2.8  Outstanding Notes.

 

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those paid pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.8 as not outstanding.  Except as set forth in Section 2.9 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer holds the Note.

 

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.7 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.1 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

If the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

 

SECTION 2.9  Treasury Notes.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer or by any Affiliate of the Issuer shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Notes that are to be acquired by the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer pursuant to an exchange offer, tender offer or other agreement shall not be deemed to be owned by such entity until legal title to such Notes passes to such entity; provided, however, the Trustee shall not be charged with such knowledge until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee is so informed in writing.

 

SECTION 2.10  Temporary Notes.

 

Pending the preparation of Certificated Notes of any series, the Company may execute, and upon receipt of the documents required by Sections 2.1 and 2.2(b), together with a Company Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, such temporary Notes which may be printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denominations, substantially of the tenor of such Certificated Notes in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the 

 

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officers executing such temporary Notes may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Notes.

 

If temporary Notes of any series are issued, the Company will cause Certificated Notes of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Certificated Notes of any series, the temporary Notes of such series shall be exchangeable for Certificated Notes of such series, upon surrender of the temporary Notes of such series at any office or agency maintained by the Company for such purposes as provided in Section 4.2, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of Certificated Notes of such series having the same interest rate and Stated Maturity and bearing interest from the same date of any authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Notes of such series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Certificated Notes of such series.

 

Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.11  Cancellation.

 

The Issuer at any time may deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Notes previously authenticated and delivered hereunder or which the Issuer may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and all Notes so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee.  All Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation.  Subject to Section 2.7 hereof, the Issuer may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that they have redeemed or paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.  All cancelled Notes held by the Trustee shall be cancelled and disposed of in accordance with its customary practice, and certification of their cancellation shall be delivered to the Issuer promptly upon receipt by the Trustee of a Company Request.

 

SECTION 2.12  Defaulted Interest.

 

If the Issuer defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, which date shall be at the earliest practicable date but in all events at least five (5) Business Days prior to the payment date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.1 hereof.  The Issuer shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date and shall promptly thereafter notify the Trustee of any such date.  At least fifteen (15) days before the special record date, the Issuer (or the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.13  Record Date.

 

The record date shall be set forth in the Notes.

 

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SECTION 2.14  Computation of Interest.

 

Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 2.15  CUSIP Number.

 

The Issuer in issuing the Notes may use a “CUSIP” and/or ISIN or other similar number, and if it does so, the Company may use the CUSIP and/or ISIN or other similar number in notices of redemption or exchange as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP and/or ISIN or other similar number printed in the notice or on the Notes and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes.  The Issuer shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP and/or ISIN or other similar number.

 

SECTION 2.16  Special Transfer Provisions.

 

Unless and until (i) a Restricted Note is exchanged for an Exchange Note or sold in connection with an effective shelf registration statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement or (ii) the Restricted Notes Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.6(e), the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)           Transfers to QIBs.  The following provisions shall apply with respect to the registration of any proposed transfer of a Restricted Note (other than pursuant to Regulation S):

 

(i)            The Registrar shall register the transfer of a Restricted Note by a Holder to a QIB if such transfer is being made by a proposed transferor who has provided the Registrar with (a) an appropriately completed certificate of transfer in the form attached to the Note and (b) a letter substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto.

 

(ii)           If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member and the Restricted Note to be transferred consists of an interest in the Regulation S Global Note, upon receipt by the Registrar of (x) the items required by paragraph (i) above and (y) instructions given in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures therefor, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the QIB Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an appropriate decrease in the principal amount of such Regulation S Global Note.

 

(b)           Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S.  The following provisions shall apply with respect to registration of any proposed transfer of a Restricted Note pursuant to Regulation S:

 

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(i)            The Registrar shall register any proposed transfer of a Restricted Note pursuant to Regulation S by a Holder upon receipt of (a) an appropriately completed certificate of transfer in the form attached to the Note and (b) a letter substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit D hereto from the proposed transferor.

 

(ii)           If the proposed transferee is an Agent Member holding a beneficial interest in a QIB Global Note and the Restricted Note to be transferred consists of an interest in a QIB Global Note, upon receipt by the Registrar of (x) the letter, if any, required by paragraph (i) above and (y) instructions in accordance with the Depositary’s and the Registrar’s procedures therefor, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the QIB Global Note to be transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an appropriate decrease in the principal amount of the QIB Global Note.

 

(c)           Exchange Offer.  Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Issuer shall issue and, upon receipt of an authentication order in accordance with Section 2.2, the Trustee shall authenticate, one or more Global Notes not bearing the Restricted Notes Legend in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Global Notes that are Restricted Notes tendered for acceptance in accordance with the Exchange Offer and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer.  Concurrently with the issuance of such Global Notes, the Registrar shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Registrar shall deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Restricted Notes so accepted Global Notes not bearing the Restricted Notes Legend in the appropriate principal amount.

 

(d)           Restricted Notes Legend.  Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Unrestricted Notes, the Registrar shall deliver Unrestricted Notes that do not bear the Restricted Notes Legend.  Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Restricted Notes, the Registrar shall deliver only Restricted Notes that bear the Restricted Notes Legend unless the Restricted Notes Legend is no longer required by Section 2.6(e), or the Company determines and there is delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and a letter of representation of the Issuer reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required or appropriate in order to ensure that subsequent transfers of the Notes are effected in compliance with the Securities Act.  Upon receipt of such Opinion of Counsel and letter of representation as provided above, the Trustee shall direct the Registrar to exchange the Restricted Notes for Unrestricted Notes with such exchange to occur in accordance with Section 2.16(f) (in the case of Global Notes).

 

(e)           General.  By its acceptance of any Note bearing the Restricted Notes Legend, each Holder of such a Note acknowledges receipt of a Restricted Note with restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture and in the Restricted Notes Legend and agrees that it shall transfer such Note only as provided in this Indenture until 

 

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such time as the Restricted Note Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.6(e) and such Holder transfers such a Restricted Note to an Unrestricted Note.  The Registrar shall not register a transfer of any Note unless such transfer complies with the restrictions on transfer of such Note set forth in this Indenture.  In connection with any transfer of Notes, each Holder agrees by its acceptance of the Notes to furnish the Registrar or the Company such certifications, legal opinions or other information as either of them may reasonably require to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act until such time as the Restricted Note Legend is no longer required pursuant to Section 2.6(e) and such Holder transfers such a Restricted Note to an Unrestricted Note; provided that the Registrar shall not be required to determine (but may rely on a determination made by the Company with respect to) the sufficiency of any such certifications, legal opinions or other information.

 

(f)            Mandatory Exchange from Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Global Note.  Upon compliance with the following procedures, all of the beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note shall be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Unrestricted Global Note.  In order to effect such exchange, the Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee no later than 45 days prior to the date of such mandatory exchange instructing the Trustee to (i) direct the Depositary to transfer all of the outstanding beneficial interests in a particular Restricted Global Note to the Unrestricted Global Note and provide the Depositary with all such information as is necessary for the Depositary to appropriately credit and debit the relevant Holder accounts and (ii) provide prior written notice to all Holders no later than 45 days prior to the date of such mandatory exchange, which notice must include the date such exchange is to occur, the CUSIP number of the relevant Restricted Global Note and the CUSIP number of the Unrestricted Global Note into which such Holders’ beneficial interests will be exchanged and (iii) on or prior to the date of the mandatory exchange, deliver to the Trustee for authentication upon Company Order, one or more Unrestricted Global Notes, duly executed by the Company in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Restricted Global Notes to be exchanged.  As a condition to any such exchange pursuant to this Section 2.16(f), the Trustee shall be entitled to receive from the Company, and rely upon conclusively, without liability, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, in form and in substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that such transfer of beneficial interests to the Unrestricted Global Note shall be effected in compliance with the Securities Act.  Upon such exchange of beneficial interests pursuant to this Section 2.16(f), the Registrar shall endorse Schedule A to the relevant Notes and reflect on its books and records the date of such transfer and a decrease and increase, respectively, in the principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Note(s) and the Unrestricted Global Note, respectively, equal to the principal amount of beneficial interests transferred.  Following any such transfer pursuant to this Section 2.16(f), the relevant Restricted Global Note shall be cancelled.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.16(f), during the 45 day period between the mandatory exchange notice date and the mandatory exchange date, no transfers or exchanges other than pursuant to this Section 2.16(f) shall be permitted without the prior written consent of the Company.

 

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The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to this Section 2.16(f).  The Company, at its sole cost and expense, shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.

 

SECTION 2.17  Issuance of Additional Notes.

 

The Company shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes under this Indenture that shall have identical terms as the Initial Notes, other than with respect to the date of issuance, issue price, amount of interest payable on the first interest payment date applicable thereto and any customary escrow provisions (and, if such Additional Notes shall be issued in the form of Restricted Notes, other than with respect to transfer restrictions, any Registration Rights Agreement and additional interest with respect thereto); provided that such issuance is not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture, including Section 4.9.  The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes and all Exchange Notes shall be, without limitation, treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

With respect to any Additional Notes, the Company shall set forth in a resolution of its Board of Directors and in an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of each of which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

 

(1)           the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

 

(2)           the issue price, the issue date, the CUSIP number of such Additional Notes, the first interest payment date and the amount of interest payable on such first interest payment date applicable thereto and the date from which interest shall accrue;

 

(3)           whether such Additional Notes shall be Restricted Notes;

 

(4)           the Board Resolution approving such Additional Notes issued in certificated form pursuant to Section 2.1(e);

 

(5)           an Officers’ Certificate dated the date such Certificate is delivered to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of such Additional Notes in such form have been complied with; and

 

(6)           an Opinion of Counsel stating that such Additional Notes in such form, when (i) completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, (ii) authenticated and delivered by such Trustee in accordance with this Indenture within the authorization as to aggregate principal amount established from time to time by the Board of Directors, and (iii) sold in the manner specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will be the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency and other similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Additional Notes.

 

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ARTICLE III

 

REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT

 

SECTION 3.1  Notices to Trustee.

 

If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.7 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least forty-five (45) days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) before a date fixed for redemption (the “redemption date”), an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date (which need not be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the Redemption Price.

 

If the Issuer is required to make an Offer to Purchase pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least thirty (30) days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) before the scheduled purchase date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth (i) the section of this Indenture pursuant to which the offer to purchase shall occur, (ii) the terms of the offer, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be purchased, (iv) the purchase price and (v) the purchase date (which need not be a Business Day) and further setting forth a statement to the effect that (a) the Issuer or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries has effected an Asset Sale and there are Excess Proceeds aggregating more than $100.0 million or (b) a Change of Control Triggering Event has occurred, as applicable.

 

SECTION 3.2  Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

 

The Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed among the Holders in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the Notes are listed or, if the Notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in a manner that complies with applicable requirements of the Depositary); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part.  Notices of redemption shall be sent electronically (to the extent permitted by applicable procedures or regulations) or mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days before the redemption date if the notice is delivered pursuant to Article VIII of this Indenture.  If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.  In the case of Certificated Notes, a new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note.  Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption.  On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption.  The Trustee shall make the selection from the Notes outstanding and not previously called for redemption and shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Notes selected for redemption.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions (equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal of the Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000.

 

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SECTION 3.3  Notice of Redemption.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 3.9, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, except in the case of a notice of redemption delivered pursuant to Article VIII of this Indenture, which may be more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Issuer shall send or cause to be sent by electronic transmission or by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed.

 

The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP number) and shall state:

 

(1)           the redemption date;

 

(2)           the Redemption Price;

 

(3)           if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Notes to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion shall be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

 

(4)           the name, telephone number and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(5)           that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price;

 

(6)           that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment, interest, if any, on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

 

(7)           the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

 

(8)           that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

 

At the Issuer’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Issuer’s name and at the Issuer’s expense; provided, however, that the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in the notices as provided in the preceding paragraph.  The notice sent in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not a Holder receives such notice.  In any case, failure to give such notice by electronic transmission or by mail or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note shall not affect the validity of the proceeding for the redemption of any other Note.

 

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SECTION 3.4  Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is sent in accordance with Section 3.3 hereof, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date at the Redemption Price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption.  A notice of redemption may be conditional.

 

SECTION 3.5  Deposit of Redemption of Purchase Price.

 

On or before 10:00 am  (New York City time) on each redemption date or the date on which Notes must be accepted for purchase pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14, the Issuer shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer) money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date.  The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Issuer any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Issuer in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the Redemption Price of (including any applicable premium), and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

 

If Notes called for redemption or tendered in an Asset Sale Offer or Change of Control Offer are paid or if the Issuer has deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and unpaid and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased, on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest, if any, shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or tendered and not withdrawn in an Asset Sale Offer or Change of Control Offer (regardless of whether certificates for such securities are actually surrendered).  If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date.  If any Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case, at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.1 hereof.

 

SECTION 3.6  Notes Redeemed in Part.

 

Upon surrender of a Certificated Note that is redeemed in part, the Issuer shall issue and, upon the receipt by the Trustee of a Company Request, the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Issuer a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Certificated Note surrendered.

 

SECTION 3.7  Optional Redemption.

 

(a)           Optional Redemption of the Notes.

 

(i)            The Notes are subject to redemption, at the option of the Issuer, in whole or from time to time in part, at any time on or after March 1, 2017 at the Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date 

 

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(subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on March 1 of the years indicated below:

 

	
Year
    	
 
    	
Redemption Price
    	
 
    
	
2017 
    	
 
    	
104.031
    	
%
    
	
2018 
    	
 
    	
102.688
    	
%
    
	
2019 
    	
 
    	
101.344
    	
%
    
	
2020 and thereafter 
    	
 
    	
100.000
    	
%
    

 

(ii)           Prior to March 1, 2017, the Issuer may from time to time, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes) at a Redemption Price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to but not including, the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date); provided that at least 65% of the principal amount of Notes then outstanding (including Additional Notes) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of any such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company or its Subsidiaries) and that any such redemption occurs within 90 days following the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering.

 

(iii)          At any time or from time to time prior to March 1, 2017, the Notes may also be redeemed in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at the Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption or purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

 

(b)           The Issuer may, at any time and from time to time, purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise, subject to compliance with applicable securities laws.

 

SECTION 3.8  Mandatory Redemption.

 

The Issuer shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

SECTION 3.9  Offer to Purchase.

 

In the event that the Issuer shall be required to commence an Offer to Purchase pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer or a Change of Control Offer, the Issuer shall follow the procedures specified below.

 

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, an Offer to Purchase shall specify an expiration date (the “Expiration Date”) of the Offer to Purchase, which shall be, subject to any 

 

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contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than 30 days or more than 60 days after the date of delivering of such Offer, and a settlement date (the “Purchase Date”) for purchase of Notes within five Business Days after the Expiration Date.  On the Purchase Date, the Company shall purchase the aggregate principal amount of Notes required to be purchased pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof or Section 4.14 hereof (the “Offer Amount”), or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Offer to Purchase.  Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.  If the Purchase Date is on or after the interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, shall be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest, if any, shall be payable to the Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase.  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing at least 15 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee in its sole discretion) prior to the delivering of the Offer of the Company’s obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the Offer shall be sent electronically or mailed by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.  The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase.

 

On or before 10:00 am (New York City time) on each Purchase Date, the Issuer shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or Paying Agent (other than the Issuer or an Affiliate of the Issuer) in immediately available funds the aggregate purchase price equal to the Offer Amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to be held for payment in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.9.  On the Purchase Date, the Issuer shall, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, (ii) deliver or cause the Paying Agent or depositary, as the case may be, to deliver to the Trustee Notes so accepted and (iii) deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.9.  The Issuer, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than three (3) Business Days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Issuer for purchase, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, and the Issuer shall promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, shall authenticate and mail or deliver at the expense of the Issuer such new Note to such Holder, equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of such Holder’s Notes surrendered; provided that each such new Note will be in a principal amount of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.  Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuer to the Holder thereof.  The Issuer shall publicly announce in a newspaper of general circulation or in a press release provided to a nationally recognized financial wire service the results of the Offer to Purchase on the Purchase Date.

 

The Issuer shall comply with the requirements of any applicable securities laws and any regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of an Asset Sale Offer or Change of Control Offer.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with Sections 3.9, 4.10 or 4.14 of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and 

 

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regulations and will be deemed to have complied with its obligations under Section 3.9, 4.10 or 4.14, as applicable, by virtue of such compliance.

 

Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.9, any purchase pursuant to this Section 3.9 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.1 through 3.6 hereof.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.1  Payment of Notes.

 

(a)           The Issuer shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes.  Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid for all purposes hereunder on the date the Paying Agent, if other than the Issuer or a Subsidiary thereof, holds, as of 10:00 am (New York City time), money deposited by the Issuer in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all such principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

 

(b)           The Issuer shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

SECTION 4.2  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

The Issuer shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served.  The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.  The Issuer hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Issuer in accordance with Section 2.3 hereof.  If at any time the Issuer shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

The Issuer may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations.  The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

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SECTION 4.3  Provision of Financial Information.

 

Whether or not required by the Commission, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to the Trustee and to the Holders of Notes within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same under the Commission’s rules and regulations, or file electronically with the Commission through the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (or any successor system):

 

(1)                                 all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and

 

(2)                                 all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.

 

Whether or not required by the Commission, the Company will also file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the Commission for public availability within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations (unless the Commission will not accept such a filing) and make such information available to prospective investors.  In addition, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors have agreed that, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding, they will furnish to the Holders and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

 

If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

 

The Trustee shall have no responsibility whatsoever to determine if any filings with the Commission, or otherwise, have taken place.  Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

SECTION 4.4  Compliance Certificate.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing 

 

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Officers with a view to determining whether each has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that, to his or her knowledge, each entity is not in Default (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that, to his or her knowledge, no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes is prohibited or if such event has occurred and is continuing, a description of the event and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, promptly after becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.5  Taxes.

 

The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency all material taxes, assessments and governmental levies, except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate action and with respect to which appropriate reserves have been taken in accordance with GAAP or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes.

 

SECTION 4.6  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.7  Limitation on Restricted Payments.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment unless, at the time of and after giving effect to the proposed Restricted Payment:

 

(a)                                 no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or will result as a consequence thereof;

 

(b)                                 after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the Company would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the provisions described in the first paragraph under Section 4.9; and

 

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(c)                                  after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the aggregate amount expended or declared for all Restricted Payments made on or after March 3, 2010 (excluding Restricted Payments permitted by any one or more of clauses (ii) through (vii) and (xi) of the next succeeding paragraph) shall not exceed the sum (without duplication) of:

 

(1)                                 50% of the Consolidated Net Income (or, if Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit) of the Company accrued on a cumulative basis during the period (taken as one accounting period) from January 1, 2010 and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of such proposed Restricted Payment, plus

 

(2)                                 100% of the aggregate net proceeds (including the Fair Market Value of property other than cash) received by the Company subsequent to March 3, 2010 either (i) as a contribution to its common equity capital or (ii) from the issuance and sale (other than to a Subsidiary) of its Qualified Capital Interests, including Qualified Capital Interests issued upon the conversion of Debt or Redeemable Capital Interests of the Company, and from the exercise of options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Qualified Capital Interests (other than, in each case, Capital Interests or Debt sold to a Subsidiary of the Company), plus

 

(3)                                 to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such on and after the Issue Date is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary, the lesser of (i) the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investment in such Subsidiary as of the date of such redesignation or (ii) such Fair Market Value as of the date on which such Subsidiary was originally designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus

 

(4)                                 100% of any dividends or interest payments received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary on and after the Issue Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, to the extent such dividends or interest payments were not otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period.

 

Notwithstanding whether the foregoing provisions would prohibit the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from making a Restricted Payment, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make the following Restricted Payments:

 

(i)                                     the payment of any dividend or distribution on Capital Interests in the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption of Subordinated Obligations, within 60 days after declaration thereof or the delivery of any irrevocable notice of redemption, as the case may be, if at the declaration date or date of the notice of redemption as the case may be, such payment or redemption was permitted by this Section 4.7;

 

(ii)                                  the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of any Qualified Capital Interests of the Company by conversion into, or by or 

 

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in exchange for, Qualified Capital Interests, or out of net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of other Qualified Capital Interests of the Company, with a sale being deemed substantially concurrent if such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement occurs not more than 120 days after such sale;

 

(iii)                               the redemption, defeasance, repurchase or acquisition or retirement for value of any Debt of the Company or a Guarantor that is subordinate in right of payment to the Notes or the applicable Note Guarantee by conversion into, or in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent issue and sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of (x) new subordinated Debt of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, Incurred in accordance with this Indenture or (y) Qualified Capital Interests of the Company, in each case with an issue and sale being deemed substantially concurrent if such redemption, defeasance, repurchase, acquisition or retirement occurs not more than 120 days after such issue and sale;

 

(iv)                              the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition for value of Capital Interests in the Company held by any current or former director, officer or employee of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (or their estates or beneficiaries under their estates) upon death, disability, retirement or termination of employment or alteration of employment status or pursuant to the terms of any agreement or plan under which such Capital Interests were issued; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for such purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of such Capital Interests does not exceed $30.0 million in any calendar year, provided, further, that any unused amounts in any calendar year may be carried forward to one or more future periods subject to a maximum aggregate amount of repurchases made pursuant to this clause (iv) in any calendar year (including both such calendar year’s $30.0 million basket plus any unused carried forward amounts with respect to one or more prior calendar years not to exceed $30.0 million in the aggregate) not to exceed $60.0 million in the aggregate; provided, however, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed (A) the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Qualified Capital Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company (to the extent contributed to the Company) to directors, officers or employees of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that occurs after the Issue Date; provided, however, that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (c) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.7; plus (B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (provided, however, that the Company may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by the proviso of this clause (iv) in any calendar year and, to the extent any payment described under this clause (iv) is made by delivery of Debt and not in cash, such payment shall be deemed to occur only when, and to the extent, the obligor on such Debt makes payments with respect to such Debt);

 

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(v)                                 repurchase of Capital Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, warrants or other convertible or exchangeable securities;

 

(vi)                              cash payment, in lieu of issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for the Capital Interests of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(vii)                           the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Redeemable Capital Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued or Incurred in compliance with Section 4.9 to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of Consolidated Fixed Charges;

 

(viii)                        to the extent no default in any payment in respect of principal or interest under the Notes or the Credit Agreement or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will occur as a consequence thereof, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event or an Asset Sale, the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of any subordinated Debt pursuant to provisions substantially similar to those contained in Section 4.10 and Section 4.14 at a Purchase Price not greater than 101% of the principal amount thereof (in the case of a Change of Control Triggering Event) or at a percentage of the principal amount thereof not higher than the principal amount applicable to the Notes (in the case of an Asset Sale), plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that prior to or contemporaneously with such defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition, the Company has made an Offer to Purchase with respect to the Notes and has repurchased all Notes validly tendered for payment and not withdrawn in connection therewith;

 

(ix)                              to the extent no default in any payment in respect of principal or interest under the Notes or the Credit Agreement or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will result as a consequence thereof, the payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock and the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of any Qualified Capital Interests of the Company in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of $150.0 million and 5.50% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in any calendar year;

 

(x)                                 to the extent no default in any payment in respect of principal or interest under the Notes or the Credit Agreement or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or will occur as a consequence thereof, other Restricted Payments that do not exceed in the aggregate at the time such Restricted Payments are made, the greater of $150.0 million and 5.50% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(xi)                              any Restricted Payment so long as on the date of such Restricted Payment, after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any related transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the Company’s most recently ended Four Quarter Period for 

 

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which financial statements are publicly available, the Company’s Leverage Ratio would not have exceeded 2.5 to 1;

 

(xii)                           the payment of cash dividends on shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock; provided that (A) the amount of such dividends in any fiscal quarter of the Company shall not exceed $0.15 per share (such per share amount subject to pro rata adjustment for any stock splits, stock dividends, stock combinations, reverse stock splits or similar events) and (B) the aggregate dollar amount of such dividends in any fiscal quarter shall not exceed $15 million; and

 

(xiii)                        the distribution or dividend of assets or Capital Interests of any Person in connection with any full or partial “spin-off” of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or similar transactions; provided that the Company would, on the date of such distribution after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the provisions described in the first paragraph of Section 4.9.

 

If the Company makes a Restricted Payment which, at the time of the making of such Restricted Payment, in the good faith determination of the Company, would be permitted under the requirements of this Indenture, such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to have been made in compliance with this Indenture notwithstanding any subsequent adjustment made in good faith to the Company’s financial statements.

 

For purposes of this Section 4.7, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment.

 

SECTION 4.8  Limitation on Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, cause or suffer to exist or become effective or enter into any encumbrance or restriction (other than pursuant to this Indenture or any law, rule, regulation or order) on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or pay any Debt or other obligation owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) make loans or advances to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary thereof or (iii) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to the following encumbrances or restrictions (including those existing under or by reason of):

 

(a)                                 any encumbrance or restriction in existence on the Issue Date, including those required by the Credit Agreement or by any other agreements or documents entered into in connection with the Credit Agreement and any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements, or refinancings, of any of the agreements or documents providing for such existing 

 

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encumbrances and restrictions, provided that the amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings, in the good faith judgment of the Company, are no more restrictive in any material respect, taken as a whole, with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those contained in these agreements and documents on the Issue Date.

 

(b)                                 any encumbrance or restriction existing at the time of the acquisition of property, so long as the encumbrances or restrictions relate solely to the property so acquired (and are not or were not created in anticipation of or in connection with the acquisition thereof);

 

(c)                                  any encumbrance or restriction which exists with respect to a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or merges with or into a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company on or after the Issue Date, which is in existence at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or merges with or into a Restricted Subsidiary, but not created in connection with or in anticipation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or merging with or into a Restricted Subsidiary, and which is not applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Person or the property or assets of such Person;

 

(d)                                 any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a permitted renewal, refunding, replacement, refinancing or extension of Debt issued pursuant to an agreement containing any encumbrance or restriction referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (c), so long as such encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such agreement are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those contained in the agreements governing the Debt being renewed, refunded, replaced, refinanced or extended in the good faith judgment of the Company;

 

(e)                                  customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease, sublease, contract, or license of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or provisions in agreements that restrict the assignment of such agreement or any rights thereunder;

 

(f)                                   any encumbrance or restriction by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation, order, approval, license, permit or similar restriction;

 

(g)                                  any encumbrance or restriction under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

 

(h)                                 any encumbrance or restriction in connection with the sale of assets or Capital Interests, including, without limitation, any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;

 

(i)                                     restrictions on cash and other deposits or net worth imposed by direct or indirect customers or suppliers under contracts entered into the ordinary course of business;

 

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(j)                                    encumbrances or restrictions that are customary provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements, sale leaseback agreements and other similar agreements;

 

(k)                                 encumbrances and restrictions under any instrument governing Debt or Capital Interests of a Person acquired by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Debt or Capital Interests were incurred or issued in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, provided that, in the case of Debt, such Debt was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be Incurred;

 

(l)                                     encumbrances and restrictions arising in respect of purchase money obligations (including Capital Lease Obligations) for property acquired in the ordinary course of business to the extent such restrictions and encumbrances apply to the property so acquired (and proceeds thereof) and are of the nature described in clause (iii) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.8;

 

(m)                             Liens securing Debt or other obligations otherwise permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture, including pursuant to Section 4.12, that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

 

(n)                                 encumbrances or restrictions relating to any Non-Recourse Receivable Subsidiary Indebtedness or other contractual requirements of a Receivable Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Receivables Transaction; provided that such restrictions apply only to such Receivable Subsidiary or the accounts receivable and other financial assets described in the definition of Qualified Receivables Transaction which are subject to such Qualified Receivables Transaction;

 

(o)                                 any other agreement governing Debt entered into after the Issue Date that contains encumbrances and restrictions that are not materially more restrictive with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date;

 

(p)                                 restrictions on the sale, lease or transfer of property or assets arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Debt, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and

 

(q)                                 encumbrances or restrictions arising under deferred compensation arrangements or any “rabbi trust” formed in connection with any such arrangement.

 

Nothing contained in this Section 4.8 shall prevent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from (i) creating, incurring, assuming or suffering to exist any Liens otherwise permitted under Section 4.12 or (ii) restricting the sale or other disposition of property or assets 

 

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of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that secure Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred in accordance with Section 4.9 and Section 4.12 hereof.

 

SECTION 4.9  Limitation on Incurrence of Debt.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, Incur any Acquired Debt or any other Debt; provided that the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur any Acquired Debt or any other Debt if, immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom, (a) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a pro forma basis as if any such Debt (including any other Debt being Incurred contemporaneously, other than Debt Incurred under the revolving portion of a Credit Facility), and any other Debt Incurred since the beginning of the Four Quarter Period (other than Debt Incurred under the revolving portion of a Credit Facility), had been Incurred and the proceeds thereof had been applied at the beginning of the Four Quarter Period, and any other Debt repaid (other than Debt Incurred under the revolving portion of a Credit Facility) since the beginning of the Four Quarter Period had been repaid at the beginning of the Four Quarter Period, would, (i) with respect to any Incurred Acquired Debt, either (A) be greater than 2.00 to 1.00 or (B) increase, and, (ii) with respect to any other Incurred Debt, be greater than 2.00 to 1.00 and (b) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time or as a consequence of the Incurrence of such Debt.

 

If, during the Four Quarter Period or subsequent thereto and prior to the date of determination, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall have engaged in any Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition, Investment, merger, consolidation, discontinued operation (as determined in accordance with GAAP) or shall have designated any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary, Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges and Consolidated Interest Expense for the Four Quarter Period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis giving effect to such Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition, Investment, merger, consolidation, discontinued operation or designation, as the case may be, and the application of any proceeds therefrom as if such Asset Sale or Asset Acquisition, Investment, merger, consolidation, discontinued operation or designation had occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period.

 

If the Debt which is the subject of a determination under this provision is Acquired Debt, or Debt Incurred in connection with the substantially contemporaneous acquisition of any Person, business, property or assets, or Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary being designated as a Restricted Subsidiary, then such ratio shall be determined by giving effect (on a pro forma basis, as if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the Four Quarter Period) to (x) the Incurrence of such Acquired Debt or such other Debt by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (y) the inclusion, in Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges, of the Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges of the acquired Person, business, property or assets or redesignated Subsidiary.

 

Notwithstanding the first paragraph above, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur Permitted Debt.

 

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For purposes of determining any particular amount of Debt under this Section 4.9, Guarantees or obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting Debt otherwise included in the determination of such particular amount shall not be included.  For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.9, in the event that an item of Debt meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Debt described above, including categories of Permitted Debt and under clause (a) of the first paragraph of this Section 4.9, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify, and from time to time may reclassify, all or any portion of such item of Debt.  For purposes of determining compliance of any non-U.S. dollar-denominated Debt with this Section 4.9, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Debt denominated in a foreign currency shall at all times be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Debt was Incurred, in the case of term Debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Debt, provided, however, that if such Debt is Incurred to refinance other Debt denominated in the same or different currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Debt does not exceed the principal amount of such indebtedness being refinanced.

 

The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount and the payment of interest on Debt in the form of additional Debt or payment of dividends on Capital Interests in the forms of additional shares of Capital Interests with the same terms will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Debt for purposes of this Section 4.9.

 

The Company and any Guarantor will not Incur any Debt that pursuant to its terms is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Debt unless such Debt is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes and the Note Guarantees at least to the same extent; provided that Debt will not be considered subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Debt solely by virtue of being unsecured or secured to a greater or lesser extent or with greater or lower priority or by virtue of structural subordination.

 

SECTION 4.10  Limitation on Asset Sales.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

 

(1)                                 the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the assets or Capital Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

 

(2)                                 at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents.  For purposes of this provision, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

 

(a)                                 any liabilities, as shown on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any 

 

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Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary assignment and assumption or novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability with respect thereto;

 

(b)                                 any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 450 days of their receipt to the extent of the cash received in that conversion; and

 

(c)                                  any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (c) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $75.0 million and 2.75% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

 

Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from an Asset Sale, or, if with respect to clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) below, within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from any Asset Sale the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary entered into a contractual commitment, pursuant to a binding agreement, to apply any such Net Cash Proceeds, then, within 540 days after the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may apply such Net Cash Proceeds at its option:

 

(i)                                     to permanently prepay, repay, redeem, purchase or repurchase Debt (other than Subordinated Obligations) and, if the Obligation repaid is revolving credit Debt, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;

 

(ii)                                  to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Interests of, another Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Interests, the Permitted Business is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(iii)                               to make capital expenditures in or that are used or useful in a Permitted Business or to make expenditures for maintenance, repair or improvement of existing properties and assets in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(iv)                              to acquire other assets (other than inventory) that are used or useful in a Permitted Business;

 

(v)                                 to prepay, repay, redeem, purchase or repurchase Debt secured by the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

(vi)                              any combination of the foregoing.

 

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Pending the final application of any Net Cash Proceeds, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings under the Credit Agreement or otherwise invest the Net Cash Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.  Any Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph of this Section 4.10 will constitute “Excess Proceeds.”  When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $100.0 million, the Company will, within 30 days, make an Offer to Purchase to all Holders of Notes (on a pro rata basis among the Notes), and to all holders of other Debt ranking pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to assets sales, equal to the Excess Proceeds.  The offer price in any Offer to Purchase will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash.  If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Offer to Purchase, the Company may use those funds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture and they will no longer constitute Excess Proceeds.  If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Debt tendered into such Offer to Purchase exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order, will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis among the Notes (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof will be purchased).  Upon completion of each Offer to Purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

 

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will be deemed to have complied with its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

 

SECTION 4.11  Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of related transactions, contract, agreement, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving with respect to each such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions aggregate consideration in excess of $10.0 million, unless:

 

(i)                                     such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to the Company or the relevant Subsidiary than those that could reasonably have been obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction by the Company or such Subsidiary with an unaffiliated party; and

 

(ii)                                  with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted by the majority of the Board of Directors of 

 

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the Company approving such Affiliate Transaction together with an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (i) above.

 

The foregoing limitations do not limit, and shall not apply to:

 

(1)                                 Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 4.7;

 

(2)                                 the provision of reasonable and customary compensation, indemnities, insurance and other benefits to members of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and others who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company;

 

(3)                                 the provision of reasonable and customary compensation and other benefits (including retirement, health, option, severance, deferred compensation and other benefit plans), indemnities and insurance to officers and employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business to the extent permitted by law;

 

(4)                                 transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries and transactions between or among the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any Leasing Subsidiary, on the other hand, (including the contribution of overhead costs) in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or constituting undertakings customary in lease securitization transactions for the benefit of any Leasing Subsidiary;

 

(5)                                 any agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendment or modification thereto so long as such amendment or modification is not more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes;

 

(6)                                 any contribution of capital to the Company;

 

(7)                                 transactions permitted by, and complying with, Article V and Section 10.5 hereof;

 

(8)                                 any transaction with a joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or other entity that constitutes an Affiliate solely because the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in such joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or other entity;

 

(9)                                 transactions with Unrestricted Subsidiaries, Affiliates, customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or lessors or lessees of property, in each case, in the ordinary course of business that are, in the aggregate (taking into account all of the costs and benefits associated with such transactions), on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as determined in good faith by the Company, than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company;

 

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(10)                          transactions effected as part of a Qualified Receivables Transaction;

 

(11)                          sales or leases of goods to joint ventures and Affiliates (but excluding any officers or directors) in the ordinary course of business for less than fair market value but not for less than cost;

 

(12)                          any employment, severance or consulting agreement or other compensation agreement, arrangement or plan, or any amendment thereto, entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

(13)                          sales of Capital Interests (excluding Capital Interests constituting Debt) to Affiliates of the Company;

 

(14)                          any transaction in which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, deliver to the Trustee (a) a letter from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or that such transaction complies with clause (i) of the initial paragraph above and (b) an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such transaction complies with clause (i) of the initial paragraph above; and

 

(15)                          transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person, a director of which is also a director of the Company; provided that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Company on any matter involving such other Person.

 

SECTION 4.12  Limitation on Liens.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) on or with respect to any of its property or assets now owned or hereafter acquired or any of its interest therein or any income or profits therefrom, which Liens secure Debt, without securing the Notes and all other amounts due under this Indenture equally and ratably with (or prior to) the Debt secured by such Lien until such time as such Debt is no longer secured by such Lien; provided that if the Debt so secured is subordinated by its terms to the Notes or a Note Guarantee, the Lien securing such Debt will also be so subordinated by its terms to the Notes and the Guarantees at least to the same extent.

 

SECTION 4.13  Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless:

 

(i)                                     the consideration received in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction is at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the property sold, as confirmed by an Officers’ Certificate,

 

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(ii)                                  prior to and after giving effect to the Attributable Debt in respect of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the Company and such Restricted Subsidiary comply with Section 4.9, and

 

(iii)                               at or after such time the Company and such Restricted Subsidiary also comply with Section 4.10.

 

SECTION 4.14  Offer to Purchase upon Change of Control Triggering Event.

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, unless the Company has given a notice of redemption with respect to all of the Notes in accordance with Section 3.7, the Company will make an Offer to Purchase (the “Change of Control Offer”) all of the outstanding Notes at a Purchase Price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount tendered, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but not including the Purchase Date (the “Change of Control Payment”).  For purposes of the foregoing, an Offer to Purchase shall be deemed to have been made if (i) within 60 days following the date of the Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company commences an Offer to Purchase all outstanding Notes at the Purchase Price (provided that the running of such 60-day period shall be suspended, for up to a maximum of 30 days, during any period when the commencement of such Offer to Purchase is delayed or suspended by reason of any court’s or governmental authority’s review of or ruling on any materials being employed by the Company to effect such Offer to Purchase, so long as the Company has used and continues to use its commercially reasonable efforts to make and conclude such Offer to Purchase promptly) and (ii) all Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase are purchased on the terms of such Offer to Purchase.

 

If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in an Offer to Purchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event and the Company, or any third party making an Offer to Purchase the Notes upon a Change of Control Triggering Event in lieu of the Company purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company shall have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice, given not more than 30 days following the Purchase Date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption.

 

The Change of Control Triggering Event provisions described above will be applicable whether or not any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable.  Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control Triggering Event, this Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the Holders to require that the Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

 

The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control Triggering Event if (i) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer contemporaneously with or upon a Change of Control Triggering Event, in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth herein applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not 

 

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withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or (ii) a notice of redemption of all outstanding Notes has been given in accordance with this Indenture.

 

To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control Triggering Event provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control Triggering Event provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

 

In addition, an Offer to Purchase may be made in advance of a Change of Control Triggering Event, conditional upon such Change of Control Triggering Event, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of launching the Offer to Purchase.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction or series of related transactions will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (i) as a result of such transaction or series of related transactions the Company becomes a direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of a holding company or a holding company becomes the successor to the Company in accordance with Section 5.1 and (ii) the direct or indirect holders of the Voting Interests of such holding company immediately following that transaction or series of related transactions are the same or substantially the same as the holders of the Company’s Voting Interests immediately prior to that transaction or series of related transactions.

 

SECTION 4.15  Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Section 4.14 and Article V hereof, as the case may be, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary and the material rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

 

SECTION 4.16  [Reserved].

 

SECTION 4.17  Additional Note Guarantees.

 

If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Subsidiary after the Issue Date and such Subsidiary Guarantees any Debt under the Credit Agreement or any other Debt for borrowed money of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of at least $50.0 million, then that newly acquired or created Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor by execution of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture within 60 days of the date on which it Guaranteed such other Debt; provided, that no Unrestricted Subsidiary or Restricted Subsidiary that is a Foreign Restricted Subsidiary shall be required to become a Guarantor unless it provides a Guarantee of Debt under the Credit Agreement or any other Debt 

 

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for borrowed money of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of at least $50.0 million that is Incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Foreign Restricted Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 4.18  Limitation on Creation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

 

The Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company to be an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” as provided below, in which event such Subsidiary and each other Person that is then or thereafter becomes a Subsidiary of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

The Company may designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary owns any Capital Interests of, or owns or holds any Lien on any property of, any other Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, provided that either:

 

(x)                                 the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $5,000 or less; or

 

(y)                                 the Company could make a Restricted Payment at the time of designation in an amount equal to the greater of the Fair Market Value or book value of such Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.7 and such amount is thereafter treated as a Restricted Payment for the purpose of calculating the amount available for Restricted Payments thereunder.

 

An Unrestricted Subsidiary may be designated as a Restricted Subsidiary if (i) all the Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiary could be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.9 and (ii) all the Liens on the property and assets of such Unrestricted Subsidiary could be incurred pursuant to Section 4.12.

 

SECTION 4.19  Payments for Consent.

 

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

SECTION 4.20  Suspension of Covenants.

 

(a)                                 During any period of time (a “Suspension Period”) that: (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies and (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the following provisions of this Indenture (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”), and during a Suspension Period, but prior to the Satisfaction of the 2020 Notes, the Company may not designate any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries unless the Company could have designated such Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in compliance with this 

 

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Indenture assuming the following provisions of this Indenture set forth below had not been suspended:

 

(i)                                     Section 4.7;

 

(ii)                                  Section 4.8;

 

(iii)                               Section 4.9;

 

(iv)                              Section 4.10;

 

(v)                                 Section 4.11; and

 

(vi)                              clause (iii) of Section 5.1.

 

(b)                                 In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants with respect to the Notes for any Suspension Period and, subsequently, (x) either one or both Rating Agencies withdraws its rating or downgrades the rating assigned to the Notes below the required Investment Grade Rating or (y) the Company or any of its affiliates enters into an agreement to effect a transaction that would result in a Change of Control and either one or both Rating Agencies indicate that if consummated, such transaction (alone or together with any related recapitalization or refinancing transactions) would cause such Rating Agency to withdraw its Investment Grade Rating or downgrade the ratings assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, and such event in clause (x) or (y) occurs prior to the Satisfaction of the 2020 Notes (such date of withdrawal or downgrade in clause (x) or (y), a “Reinstatement Date”), then the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will after the Reinstatement Date again be subject to the Suspended Covenants with respect to future events for the benefit of the Notes (unless and until a Suspension Event again exists) until the Satisfaction of the 2020 Notes.

 

(c)                                  On the Reinstatement Date, all Debt incurred during a Suspension Period will be classified as having been Incurred or issued pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 4.9 or, at the Company’s option, one of the clauses set forth in the definition of Permitted Debt (to the extent such Debt would be permitted to be Incurred thereunder as of the Reinstatement Date and after giving effect to Debt Incurred prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reinstatement Date) and subject Section 4.9.  To the extent such Debt would not be so permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.9, such Debt will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under clause (iv) of the definition of Permitted Debt.

 

(d)                                 Calculations made after the Reinstatement Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.7 will be made as though such covenant had been in effect from the Issue Date and throughout the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of Section 4.7 to the extent provided therein.

 

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(e)                                  Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants during a Suspension Period (or on the Reinstatement Date or after a Suspension Period based solely on events that occurred during the Suspension Period).

 

(f)                                   The Company will provide prompt written notice to the Trustee of any Covenant Suspension Event and any Reinstatement Date.

 

ARTICLE V

 

SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.1  Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease.

 

The Company will not in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate with or merge into any other Person (other than a merger of a Restricted Subsidiary into the Company in which the Company is the continuing Person), or sell, assign (excluding any assignment solely as collateral for security purposes under a Credit Facility, but not any outright assignment upon the foreclosure on any such collateral), convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis), taken as a whole, to any other Person, unless:

 

(i)                                     either:  (a) the Company shall be the continuing Person or (b) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or the Person that acquires, by sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (such Person, the “Surviving Entity”), (1) shall be a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any political subdivision thereof or any state thereof or the District of Columbia and (2) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, the due and punctual payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Notes and the performance of the covenants and obligations of the Company under this Indenture; provided that at any time the Company or its successor is not a corporation, there shall be a co-issuer of the Notes that is a corporation;

 

(ii)                                  immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Debt Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

(iii)                               immediately after giving effect to any such transaction or series of transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Debt Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of transactions) as if such transaction or series of transactions had occurred on the first day of the determination period, (a) the Company (or the Surviving Entity if the Company is not continuing) could Incur $1.00 of additional Debt under the provisions described in the 

 

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first paragraph of Section 4.9, and (b) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company (or the Surviving Entity if the Company is not continuing) and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recent Four Quarter Period shall not be not less than such Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio immediately prior to such transaction (or the first such transaction if there are a series of transactions); and

 

(iv)                              the Company delivers, or causes to be delivered, to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition complies with the requirements of this Indenture.

 

In the event of a holding company reorganization in accordance with this Section 5.1, the ultimate holding company, at the Company’s election, either shall be deemed the Surviving Entity or shall Guarantee the Notes pursuant to a supplemental indenture on terms substantially similar to those relating to the other Guarantors.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, failure to satisfy the requirements of the preceding clauses (ii) and (iii) will not prohibit:

 

(a)                                 a merger between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary that is a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company or the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary that is a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company;

 

(b)                                 a merger between the Company and an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of converting the Company into a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision or state thereof; or

 

(c)                                  a transaction or series of related transactions that effectuate a holding company in accordance with Section 4.14.

 

so long as, in each case, the amount of Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

 

For all purposes of this Indenture and the Notes, Subsidiaries of any Surviving Entity will, upon such transaction or series of transactions, become Restricted Subsidiaries or Unrestricted Subsidiaries as provided pursuant to this Indenture and all Debt, and all Liens on property or assets, of the Surviving Entity and its Subsidiaries that was not Debt, or were not Liens on property or assets, of the Company and its Subsidiaries immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions shall be deemed to have been incurred upon such transaction or series of transactions.

 

Upon any transaction or series of transactions that are of the type described in, and are effected in accordance with, conditions described in this Section 5.1, the Surviving Entity shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer, under this Indenture with the same effect as if such Surviving Entity had been named as the Issuer therein; and when a Surviving Person duly assumes all of the obligations and covenants of the 

 

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Issuer pursuant to this Indenture and the Notes, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all such obligations.

 

SECTION 5.2  Successor Person Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.1 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company (and, if necessary, any co-issuer) is merged or to which such sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Company), and shall exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein and when such successor Person duly assumes all the obligations and covenants of the Company pursuant to this Indenture and the Notes the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all such obligations; provided, however, that in the event of a transfer or lease, the predecessor shall not be released from the payment of principal and interest or other obligations on the Notes.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.1  Events of Default.

 

Each of the following constitutes an “Event of Default”:

 

(1)                                 default in the payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when due and payable (whether at Stated Maturity or upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise);

 

(2)                                 default in the payment of any interest upon any Note when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

 

(3)                                 failure to perform or comply with Section 4.3 and continuance of such failure to perform or comply for a period of 120 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;

 

(4)                                 except as permitted by or in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, any Note Guarantee shall for any reason cease to be, or it shall be asserted by any Guarantor or the Company not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms;

 

(5)                                 default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company or any Guarantor in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement, a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with in clauses (1), 

 

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(2), (3) or (4) above), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;

 

(6)                                 a default or defaults under any bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of Debt (other than the Notes) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary having, individually or in the aggregate, a principal or similar amount outstanding of at least the greater of $75.0 million and 2.75% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether such Debt now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default or defaults shall have resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of such Debt prior to its express maturity or (except in the case of any Debt owing to the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary or any Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall constitute a failure to pay an amount of such Debt equal to at least the greater of $75.0 million and 2.75% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto;

 

(7)                                 the entry against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of a final judgment or final judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of the greater of $75.0 million and 2.75% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (net of amounts covered by insurance for which the issuer thereof has been notified of such claim and has not challenged such coverage), by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction, which judgments remain undischarged, unwaived, unstayed, unbonded or unsatisfied for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

 

(8)                                 (i)                                     the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(a)                                 commences a voluntary case,

 

(b)                                 consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(c)                                  consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

 

(d)                                 makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

 

(e)                                  generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

 

(ii)                                  a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

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(a)                                 is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;

 

(b)                                 appoints a custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

(c)                                  orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

 

SECTION 6.2  Acceleration.

 

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (8) of Section 6.1 with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders); provided, however, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal of or interest on the Notes, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture.

 

In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes solely because an Event of Default described in clause (6) of Section 6.1 has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (6) of Section 6.1 shall be remedied or cured by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or waived by the holders of the relevant Debt within 20 Business Days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if the rescission and annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Trustee for the payment of amounts due on the Notes.

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (8) of Section 6.1 occurs with respect to the Company, the principal of and any accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.  The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any Default (except Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest) if the Trustee determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the Holders to do so.

 

No Holder of any Note will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or for any remedy hereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default and unless also the Holders of at least 

 

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25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes shall have made written request to the Trustee, and provided indemnity and security reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to institute such proceeding as Trustee, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days.  Such limitations do not apply, however, to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Note directly (as opposed to through the Trustee) for enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on such Note on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Note.

 

SECTION 6.3  Other Remedies.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 6.4  Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under this Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes (other than as a result of an acceleration), which shall require the consent of all of the Holders of the Notes then outstanding.

 

SECTION 6.5  Control by Majority.

 

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust power conferred on it.  However, (i) the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability, and (ii) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

SECTION 6.6  Limitation on Suits.

 

A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

 

(a)                                 the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default or the Trustee receives such notice from the Company;

 

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(b)                                 the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(c)                                  such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(d)                                 the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of such indemnity or security; and

 

(e)                                  during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such Holders) or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

 

SECTION 6.7  Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 6.8  Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Issuer for the whole amount of principal of, premium and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.9  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for such compensation as agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee, and the reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other securities or property payable or deliverable upon the conversion or exchange of the Notes or on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to 

 

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make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for such compensation as agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee and reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7 hereof.  To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise.  Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 6.10  Priorities.

 

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI and any money or other property distributable in respect of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture after an Event of Default shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Notes and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

First:  to the Trustee (including any predecessor Trustee), its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.7 hereof, including payment of all compensation agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee and reasonable expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection (including in each case, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses);

 

Second:  to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest ratably for the Notes, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest respectively; and

 

Third:  to the Issuer or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

SECTION 6.11  Undertaking for Costs.

 

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and 

 

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expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.  This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.1  Duties and Responsibilities of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 Except during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

 

(b)                                 In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.

 

(c)                                  No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

 

(i)                                     this Subsection (c) shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsections (a) or (d) of this Section 7.1;

 

(ii)                                  the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

 

(iii)                               the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of any series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Notes of such series.

 

(d)                                 No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(e)                                  Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.1.

 

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SECTION 7.2  Reliance on Documents, Opinions, etc.

 

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.01,

 

(a)                                 the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

 

(b)                                 any request, direction, order or demand of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by Company Request or Company Order (unless otherwise evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by a Vice President, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company;

 

(c)                                  the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and reliance thereon;

 

(d)                                 the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

 

(e)                                  the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture, except to the extent such action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken results from Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct;

 

(f)                                   the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note, or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of such Notes then outstanding; provided, however, that the reasonable expenses of every such investigation shall be paid by the Company or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Company upon demand; and provided, further, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding;

 

(g)                                  the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be liable or responsible for any misconduct, bad faith or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder;

 

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(h)                                 the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless written notice of such Default or Event of Default from the Company or any Holder is received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture;

 

(i)                                     the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

 

(j)                                    the permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties;

 

(k)                                 in no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action or in action;

 

(l)                                     the Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder; and

 

(m)                             the Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.3  Trustee and Agents May Own Notes.

 

The Trustee, any paying agent, or any agent of the Trustee or the Company under this Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes of any series with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee or such agent and, subject to Sections 7.13 and 7.11, if operative, may otherwise deal with the Company and receive, collect, hold, and retain collections from the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent.

 

SECTION 7.4  No Responsibility for Recitals, etc.

 

The recitals contained herein and in the Notes (except in the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Notes of any series. The Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture. Neither the Trustee nor an authenticating agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of any Notes or the proceeds of any Notes authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 7.5  Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall send electronically or by mail to Holders a notice of the Default within 90 days after it becomes so known.  Except in the case of a Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders.

 

SECTION 7.6  Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

 

(a)  The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the TIA at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. The interval between transmissions of reports to be transmitted at intervals shall be twelve months or such shorter time required by the TIA. If the TIA does not specify the date on which a report is due, the such report shall be due on March 1 of each year following the first issuance of Notes.

 

(b)                                 A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which Notes of any series are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing when the Notes of any series are listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

 

SECTION 7.7  Compensation and Expenses of Trustee.

 

The Company covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and the Company will pay or reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and all persons not regularly in its employ and any amounts paid by the Trustee to any authenticating agent) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its gross negligence or bad faith. The Company also covenants to indemnify the Trustee, in an amount reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, damage, claims, liability or expense incurred without gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee and arising out of or in connection with this Indenture, including the acceptance or administration of this trust, or the performance of its duties hereunder, including the current payment of all costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in the premises. The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.7 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder. Such additional indebtedness shall be secured by a lien prior to that of the Notes upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Notes.  In addition to, but without prejudice to its other rights under this Indenture, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 6.1(8), the expenses (including the 

 

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reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and any and all compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

 

“Trustee” for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Indenture, the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

 

SECTION 7.8  Resignation or Removal of Trustee and Successor Trustee.

 

(a)                                 Resignation or Removal of Trustee.

 

(i)                                     The Trustee may at any time resign with respect to all Notes by giving written notice by first class mail of such resignation to the Company and to the Holders of the Notes at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation to the Holders, the resigning Trustee may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Holder of Notes who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, on behalf of such Holder and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint such successor trustee.

 

(ii)                                  In case at any time any of the following shall occur—

 

(1)                                 the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 7.13 after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed in accordance with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the TIA,

 

(2)                                 the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.10 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder of a Note or Notes, or

 

(3)                                 the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to the Notes, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall 

 

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take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation;

 

then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by Company Order, one copy of which Company Order shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Note or Notes for at least six months may, on behalf of such Holder and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove such Trustee and appoint such successor trustee.

 

(iii)                               The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may at any time remove the Trustee by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Company the evidence provided for in Section 9.2 of the action in that regard taken by the Holders, and nominate a successor Trustee which shall be deemed appointed as successor Trustee unless within ten days after such nomination the Company objects thereto, in which case the Trustee so removed or any Holder of a Note or Notes, upon the terms and conditions and otherwise as in subsection (i) of this Section 7.8(a)  provided, may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for an appointment of a successor Trustee.  If no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted an appointment within 60 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the Trustee being removed may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Notes.

 

(iv)                              Any resignation or removal of the Trustee and any appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.8(a) shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee as provided in Section 7.8(b).

 

(b)                                 Successor Trustee.

 

Any successor Trustee appointed as provided in Section 7.8(a) shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to its predecessor Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor Trustee shall become effective, and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Trustee herein; nevertheless, on the written request of the Company or of the successor Trustee, the Trustee ceasing to act shall, upon payment of any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.7, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights and powers of the Trustee. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights and powers. Any Trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a lien 

 

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upon all property or funds held or collected by such Trustee, to secure any amounts and shall be entitled to any indemnities then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.7.

 

No successor Trustee shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 7.8(b) unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 7.13 and eligible under the provisions of Section 7.10.

 

Upon acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee as provided in this Section 7.8(b), the Company shall mail notice of the succession of such Trustee hereunder to the Holders of Notes at their addresses as they shall appear on the Register. If the Company fails to mail such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee, the successor Trustee shall cause such notice to be mailed at the expense of the Company.

 

SECTION 7.9  Successor Trustee by Merger, Etc.

 

Subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.13, any Person into which the Trustee or any Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any Person resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any Person succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee or any Agent, as applicable, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.

 

In case at the time any successor to the Trustee or any Agent shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture and any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee or any Agent, as applicable, may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee or any Agent, as applicable, may authenticate such Notes in the name of such successor Trustee or any Agent, as applicable; and in all such cases such certificate shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.

 

SECTION 7.10  Eligibility of Trustee.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee with respect to the Notes hereunder which shall be a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof or of the District of Columbia authorized under such laws to exercise trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, subject to supervision or examination by federal, state, territorial, or District of Columbia authority and willing to act as Trustee hereunder. If such Person publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 7.10, the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. In case at any time the Trustee with respect to any series of Notes shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.10, such Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 7.8.

 

This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA §§ 310(a)(1), (2) and (5).  If this Indenture becomes qualified under the TIA, the Trustee shall be 

 

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subject to TIA § 310(b) including the provision in § 310(b)(1); provided that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in other securities, of the Issuer or the Guarantors are outstanding if the requirements for exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.

 

SECTION 7.11  Limitation on Rights of Trustee as a Creditor.

 

If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the TIA regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).

 

SECTION 7.12  Trustee’s Application for Instructions from the Issuer.

 

Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective.  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three Business Days after the date any officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

 

SECTION 7.13  Conflicting Interest of Trustee.

 

If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest within the meaning of the TIA, the Trustee shall either eliminate such conflicting interest or resign in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the TIA and this Indenture.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 8.1  Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The Issuer may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a Board Resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof applied to all outstanding Notes of a series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII.

 

SECTION 8.2  Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.2, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes of a series on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”).  For this purpose, defeasance means that the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid 

 

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and discharged the entire Debt represented by the outstanding Notes of a series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.5 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such series of Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Order and at the expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:  (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes of a series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such series of Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.4(l); (b) the Issuer’s obligations with respect to such series of Notes under Sections 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.10 and 4.2 hereof; (c) the rights, powers, trusts, benefits and immunities of the Trustee, including without limitation, under Section 7.7, 8.5 and 8.7 hereof and the Issuer’s obligations in connection therewith; (d) the Company’s rights pursuant to Section 3.7; and (e) the provisions of this Article VIII.  Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Issuer may exercise its option under this Section 8.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.3 hereof.

 

The Issuer and the Guarantors may terminate the obligations under this Indenture when:

 

(1)                                 either:  (A) all Notes of a series theretofore authenticated and delivered have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, or (B) all such Notes of a series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable or (ii) will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year (a “Discharge”) under irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds, in accordance with Section 8.4, in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes of such series, not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest to the Stated Maturity or date of redemption;

 

(2)                                 the Issuer has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under this Indenture by the Issuer;

 

(3)                                 the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;

 

(4)                                 the Issuer has delivered irrevocable written instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes of such series at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be; and

 

(5)                                 the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, each stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the Discharge have been complied with.

 

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SECTION 8.3  Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, the Issuer shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15, 4.17 and 4.18 and the limitation in Section 5.1(iii) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes of a series on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and the Notes of such series shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such series of Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes).  For this purpose, covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes of a series, the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such series of Notes shall be unaffected thereby.  In addition, upon the Issuer’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, Sections 6.1(3) and (5) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.

 

SECTION 8.4  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The following shall be the conditions to the application of either Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof to the outstanding Notes of a series:

 

In order to exercise either defeasance or covenant defeasance:

 

(1)                                 the Issuer must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to the benefits of the Holders of such Notes of a series:  (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. government obligations, which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment, money in an amount or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, the entire indebtedness in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such series of Notes on the Stated Maturity thereof or (if the Issuer has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer) the redemption date thereof, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such series of Notes;

 

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(2)                                 in the case of defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Notes of a series will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Notes and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge were not to occur;

 

(3)                                 in the case of covenant defeasance, the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such outstanding Notes of a series will not recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and covenant defeasance to be effected with respect to such Notes and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance were not to occur;

 

(4)                                 no Default or Event of Default with respect to the outstanding Notes of a series shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect thereto (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit and the grant of any Lien to secure such borrowing);

 

(5)                                 such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the TIA (assuming all Notes of a series are in default within the meaning of the TIA);

 

(6)                                 such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or material instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound; and

 

(7)                                 the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such defeasance or covenant defeasance have been complied with.

 

In the event of a defeasance or a Discharge, a Holder whose taxable year straddles the deposit of funds and the distribution in redemption to such Holder would be subject to tax on any gain (whether characterized as capital gain or market discount) in the year of deposit rather than in the year of receipt.  In connection with a Discharge, in the event the Issuer becomes insolvent within the applicable preference period after the date of deposit, monies held for the payment of the Notes of a series may be part of the bankruptcy estate of the Issuer, disbursement of such monies may be subject to the automatic stay of the Bankruptcy Code and monies disbursed to Holders may be subject to disgorgement in favor of the Issuer’s estate.  Similar results may apply upon the insolvency of the Issuer during the applicable preference period following the deposit of monies in connection with defeasance.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by clause (2) above with respect to a defeasance need not to be delivered if all Notes of a series not therefor delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable, or (y) will become due and payable at Stated Maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

 

SECTION 8.5  Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

Subject to Section 8.6 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. government obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes of a series shall be held in trust, shall not be invested, and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such series of Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or any Subsidiary acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. government obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes of a series.

 

Anything in this Article VIII to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Issuer from time to time upon the written request of the Issuer and be relieved of all liability with respect to any money or non-callable U.S. government obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.4(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance.

 

SECTION 8.6  Repayment to Issuer.

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuer, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Note of a series and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall, upon the receipt by the Trustee of a Company Request directing it to act, be promptly paid to the Issuer or (if then held by the Issuer) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Issuer for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuer as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being

 

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required to make any such repayment, shall at the expense of the Issuer cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Issuer.

 

SECTION 8.7  Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. government obligations in accordance with Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations of the Issuer under this Indenture and the applicable series of Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuer makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any applicable series of Notes following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

 

SECTION 9.1  Without Consent of Holders of the Notes.

 

Notwithstanding Section 9.2 of this Indenture, the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture and the Guarantees for any of the following purposes:

 

(1)                                 to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company in this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Notes;

 

(2)                                 to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuer;

 

(3)                                 to add additional Events of Default;

 

(4)                                 to provide for Global Notes in addition to or in place of the definitive Notes;

 

(5)                                 to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture by a successor Trustee;

 

(6)                                 to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

 

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(7)                                 to add a Guarantor or to release a Guarantor in accordance with this Indenture;

 

(8)                                 to cure any ambiguity, defect, omission, mistake or inconsistency;

 

(9)                                 to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such actions pursuant to this clause (9) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company;

 

(10)                          to conform the text of this Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that the Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate stating that such text constitutes an unintended conflict with the description of the corresponding provision in the “Description of Notes”; or

 

(11)                          to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

 

SECTION 9.2  With Consent of Holders of Notes.

 

The Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee may, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental to this Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or the Notes or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under this Indenture, including the definitions herein; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby:

 

(1)                                 change the Stated Maturity of any Note or of any installment of interest on any Note, or reduce the amount payable in respect of the principal thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable thereon, or reduce the amount that would be due and payable on acceleration of the maturity thereof, or change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Note or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof, or change the date on which any Notes may be subject to redemption or reduce the Redemption Price therefor,

 

(2)                                 reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture,

 

(3)                                 modify the obligations of the Company to make Offers to Purchase upon a Change of Control Triggering Event or from the Excess Proceeds of Asset Sales if such modification was done after the occurrence of such Change of Control Triggering Event or such Asset Sale,

 

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(4)                                 modify or change any provision of this Indenture affecting the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes,

 

(5)                                 modify any of the provisions of this paragraph or provisions relating to waiver of defaults or certain covenants, except to increase any such percentage required for such actions or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby, or

 

(6)                                 release any Guarantees required to be maintained under this Indenture (other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture).

 

The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes waive any past default under this Indenture and its consequences, except a default:

 

(1)                                 in any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Notes (including any Note which is required to have been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase which has been made by the Issuer), or

 

(2)                                 in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under this Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected,

 

each of which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall require the consent of all the Holders of the Notes outstanding.

 

SECTION 9.3  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be set forth in an amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.4  Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on the Note.  However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective.  When an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms, it thereafter binds every Holder.

 

The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for determining which Holders consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver.  If the Issuer fixes a record date, the record date shall be fixed at (i) the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished for the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof or (ii) such other date as the Issuer shall designate.

 

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SECTION 9.5  Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

 

The Trustee may, upon receipt of a Company Order, place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated.  The Issuer in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

After any amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment, supplement or waiver.  The failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.6  Trustee to Sign Amendments, Etc.

 

The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.  In signing or refusing to sign any amendment or supplemental indenture the Trustee shall receive and (subject to Section 7.1 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that all conditions precedent thereto have been met or waived, that such amendment or supplemental indenture is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Issuer and Guarantors in accordance with its terms.

 

ARTICLE X

 

NOTE GUARANTEES

 

SECTION 10.1  Note Guarantees.

 

(a)                                 Each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees the Notes and obligations of the Issuer hereunder and thereunder, and guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee on behalf of such Holder, that:  (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall be paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise (including, without limitation, the amount that would become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code), together with interest on the overdue principal, if any, and interest on any overdue interest, to the extent lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuer to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder shall be paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or of any such other obligations, the same shall be paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.  Each of the Note Guarantees shall be a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

 

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(b)                                 Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof (other than any waiver or consent expressly releasing such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder), the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a Guarantor (other than payment of the Notes).

 

(c)                                  Each Guarantor hereby waives the benefits of diligence, presentment, demand for payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company or any other Person, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor shall not be discharged as to any Note except by complete performance of the obligations contained in such Note and such Note Guarantee or as provided for in this Indenture.  Each of the Guarantors hereby agrees that, in the event of a default in payment of principal or premium, if any, or interest on such Note, whether at its Stated Maturity, by acceleration, call for redemption, purchase or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of, or by, the Holder of such Note, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against each of the Guarantors to enforce such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee without first proceeding against the Company or any other Guarantor.  Each Guarantor agrees that if, after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Trustee or any of the Holders are prevented by applicable law from exercising their respective rights to accelerate the maturity of the Notes, to collect interest on the Notes, or to enforce or exercise any other right or remedy with respect to the Notes, such Guarantor shall pay to the Trustee for the account of the Holders, upon demand therefor, the amount that would otherwise have been due and payable had such rights and remedies been permitted to be exercised by the Trustee or any of the Holders.

 

(d)                                 If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuer or any Guarantor, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Issuer or any Guarantor, any amount paid by any of them in respect of the Notes and/or the Note Guarantee to the Trustee or such Holder, the Note Guarantee of each of the Guarantors, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.  This paragraph (d) shall remain effective notwithstanding any contrary action which may be taken by the Trustee or any Holder in reliance upon such amount required to be returned.  This paragraph (d) shall survive the termination of this Indenture.

 

(e)                                  Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between each Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Section 6.2 hereof for the purposes of the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Section 6.2 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Guarantor for the purpose of the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor.

 

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SECTION 10.2  Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.

 

To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1, each Guarantor agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B shall be endorsed on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee.  Such notation of Note Guarantee shall be signed on behalf of such Guarantor by an officer of such Guarantor (or, if an officer is not available, by a board member or director or another authorized person) on behalf of such Guarantor by manual or facsimile signature.  In case the officer, board member or director of such Guarantor who shall have signed such notation of Note Guarantee shall cease to be such officer, board member or director before the Note on which such Note Guarantee is endorsed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, such Note nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered as though the Person who signed such notation of Note Guarantee had not ceased to be such officer, board member or director.

 

Each Guarantor agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.1 shall remain in full force and effect and apply to all the Notes notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.  The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of any Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

 

The failure to endorse a Note Guarantee shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.

 

SECTION 10.3  Severability.

 

In case any provision of any Note Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 10.4  Limitation of Guarantors’ Liability.

 

Each Guarantor and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law relating to fraudulent transfer or conveyance.  To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount that will not, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Note Guarantee, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

SECTION 10.5  Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms.

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.6, a Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, unless:

 

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(1)                                 immediately after giving effect to such transactions, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(2)                                 either:

 

(A)                               the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee; or

 

(B)                               the Net Cash Proceeds of any such sale or other disposition of a Guarantor are applied in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.10 hereof; and

 

(3)                                 the Company delivers, or causes to be delivered, to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such sale, other disposition, consolidation or merger complies with the requirements of this Indenture.

 

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and, if applicable, upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor.  All the Note Guarantees so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

 

Except as set forth in Articles IV and V hereof, and notwithstanding clauses (1) and (2) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Issuer or another Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Issuer or another Guarantor.

 

SECTION 10.6  Releases.

 

In the event (1) all or substantially all the assets or Capital Interests of a Guarantor are sold or otherwise transferred, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company in compliance with the terms of this Indenture; (2) of a sale or other transfer or disposition of all of the Capital Interests in any Guarantor to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company in compliance with the terms of this Indenture; or (3) that a Guarantor shall no longer guarantee (other than by virtue of its Note Guarantee) any Debt under the Credit Agreement, or any other Debt for borrowed money of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of at least $50.0 million or (4) of defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article VIII herein, then such Guarantor (or, in the case of clause (4), each Guarantor) shall be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged of any obligations under its Note Guarantee, as evidenced by a supplemental indenture executed by the Company, the Guarantors (other than such released Guarantor) and the Trustee, without

 

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any further action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder; provided that in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) above the Company delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee certifying that the net cash proceeds of such sale or other disposition will be applied in accordance with Section 4.10; and provided further, that in the case of clause (iii) above, in the event any such released Guarantor shall thereafter Guarantee any Debt of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under the Credit Agreement or any other Debt for borrowed money of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of at least $50.0 million (or if any released Guarantee (the release of which is a permitted release under clause (iii) above) is reinstated or renewed), then such released Guarantor shall guarantee the Notes on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, subject to future release in accordance with this Section 10.6.

 

Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under this Note Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article X.

 

SECTION 10.7  Release of a Guarantor.

 

Any Guarantor that is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture shall, at such time, be deemed automatically and unconditionally released and discharged of its obligations under its Note Guarantee without any further action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.  The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release upon receipt of the Company’s written request for such release accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate certifying as to the compliance with this Section 10.7.  Any Guarantor not so released shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes as provided in its Note Guarantee.

 

SECTION 10.8  Benefits Acknowledged.

 

Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that its guarantee and waivers pursuant to its Note Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

 

SECTION 10.9  Future Guarantors.

 

Each Person that is required to become a Guarantor after the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.17 shall promptly execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Person shall become a Guarantor.  Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Person and that, subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, insolvency, moratorium and other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and general equitable principles and the qualification that certain provisions may be unenforceable in whole or in part but such unenforceability will not adversely effect the principal legal rights and benefits afforded thereby, the Guarantee of such Guarantor is a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Guarantor, enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms and/or to such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

 

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ARTICLE XI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.1  Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA § 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

 

SECTION 11.2  Notices.

 

Any notice or communication by the Issuer, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others address:

 

If to the Issuer or any Guarantor:

 

Oshkosh Corporation

2307 Oregon Street

Oshkosh, Wisconsin  54902

Facsimile:  (920) 966-5955

Attention:  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

With a copy to:

 

Foley & Lardner LLP

777 East Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202
 Facsimile:  (414) 297-4900
 Attention:  Patrick G. Quick, Esq.

 

If to the Trustee:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

MAC N9311-115, 11th Floor

625 Marquette Avenue

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

Facsimile:  (612) 667-9825

Attention:  Oshkosh Corporation Account Manager

 

The Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders and the Trustee) shall be deemed to have been duly given:  at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt

 

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acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier promising next Business Day delivery.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be sent electronically or mailed by first class mail or by overnight air courier promising next Business Day delivery to its address shown on the register kept by the Registrar.  Any notice or communication shall also be so sent to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA.  Failure to send a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed or delivered in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notices or communications given to the Trustee, which shall be effective only upon actual receipt.

 

If the Issuer mails or delivers a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail or deliver a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

SECTION 11.3  Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.  The Issuer, the Guarantor, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.4  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any Company request to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.5 hereof) stating that all conditions precedent, if any (including any covenant, compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent), provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.5 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

SECTION 11.5  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition; (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based; (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable such Person to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

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SECTION 11.6  Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders.  The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

SECTION 11.7  No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees, Equity Owners and the Trustee.

 

No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this Indenture, any supplemental indenture, or of any Note, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, shall be had against any general or limited partner, incorporator, organizer, equity owner, member, owner, officer, director, manager, employee or other Person acting in any capacity similar to any of the foregoing, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or any Subsidiary or of any predecessor or successor Person, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the obligations issued hereunder are solely obligations of the Company, and that no such personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, any general or limited partner, incorporator, organizer, equity owner, member, owner, officer, director, manager, employee or other Person acting in any capacity similar to any of the foregoing, as such, of the Company or of any predecessor or successor Person, or any of them, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture, or in any of the Notes or implied thereby; and that any and all such personal liability, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or statute of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such general or limited partner, incorporator, organizer, equity owner, member, owner, officer, director, manager, employee or other Person acting in any capacity similar to any of the foregoing, as such, because of the creation of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations, covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes or implied thereby, are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of such Notes.

 

SECTION 11.8  Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THEREOF, SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES, IF ANY.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

110

 

SECTION 11.9  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Issuer or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person.  Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.10  Successors.

 

All agreements of the Issuer and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees, as applicable, shall bind their respective successors and assigns.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors and assigns.

 

SECTION 11.11  Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.12  Counterpart Originals

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.  The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture for all purposes.  Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

SECTION 11.13  Table of Contents, Headings, Etc.

 

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 11.14  Qualification of Indenture.

 

The Issuer and the Guarantors shall qualify this Indenture under the TIA in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreement and shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses for the Issuer, the Guarantors and the Trustee) incurred in connection therewith, including, but not limited to, costs and expenses of qualification of this Indenture and the Notes and printing this Indenture and the Notes.  The Trustee shall receive from the Issuer and the Guarantors any such Officer’s Certificates, Opinions of Counsel or other documentation as it may reasonably request in connection with any such qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

 

SECTION 11.15  U.S.A. Patriot Act.

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. Patriot Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each 

 

111

 

person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee.  The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

 

SECTION 11.16  Force Majeure.

 

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

 [Signatures on following page]

 

112

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

	
 
    	
OSHKOSH CORPORATION,
    
	
 
    	
as Issuer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   David M. Sagehorn
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
David   M. Sagehorn
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Executive   Vice President and 
   Chief Financial Officer
    

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 

 

	
 
    	
JLG INDUSTRIES, INC.
    
	
 
    	
McNEILUS FINANCIAL, INC.
    
	
 
    	
PIERCE MANUFACTURING INC.,
    
	
 
    	
as Guarantors
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ David M. Sagehorn
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
David   M. Sagehorn
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Executive   Vice President and 
   Chief Financial Officer
    

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 

 

	
 
    	
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
    
	
 
    	
as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Richard Prokosch
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Richard   Prokosch
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Vice   President
    

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF

 

5.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022

 

(Face of Note)
 5.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022

 

[Global Notes Legend]

 

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

[Restricted Notes Legend]

 

[Insert the Restricted Notes Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

[Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend]

 

[Insert the Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend from Section 2.6(e)(iv), if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

 

A-1

 

OSHKOSH CORPORATION
 5.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022

 

	
No. 1
    	
 
    	
144ACUSIP: 688225 AE1

144A ISIN: U688225 AE13

 

REG S CUSIP: U68314 AC4

REG S ISIN: USU68314 AC49
    

 

Oshkosh Corporation promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of [·] Dollars ($[·]) on March 1, 2022.

 

Interest Payment Dates:  March 1 and September 1, beginning September 1, 2014

 

Record Dates:  February 15 and August 15

 

Reference is made to further provisions of this Note set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as set forth at this place.

 

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

A-2

 

In WITNESS HEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

 

	
 
    	
Oshkosh Corporation
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Oshkosh Corporation
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

This is one of the Notes of the series designated herein issued under the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

Dated:  February 21, 2014

 

 

	
 
    	
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
    
	
 
    	
as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

A-3

 

(Reverse of Note)
 5.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2022

 

OSHKOSH CORPORATION

 

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

 

(1)           Interest.

 

(a)           Oshkosh Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation (“Oshkosh,” the “Issuer” or the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note (the “Notes”) at a fixed rate.  Oshkosh will pay interest in United States dollars (except as otherwise provided herein) semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, commencing on September 1, 2014 or, if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an “Interest Payment Date”).  Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including February 21, 2014; provided that if there is no existing Default or Event of Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (but after February 21, 2014), interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date, except in the case of the original issuance of the Notes, in which case interest shall accrue from the date of authentication.  Oshkosh shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.  Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.  The interest rate on the Notes will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by New York law as the same may be modified by United States law of general application.

 

(b)           Registration Rights Agreement.  The Holder of this Note is entitled to the benefits of a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2014, among the Issuer, the Guarantors party thereto and the Initial Purchasers.(1)

 

(2)           Method of Payment.  Oshkosh will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) on the applicable Interest Payment Date to the Persons who are registered Holders of the Notes at the close of business on the February 15 and August 15 preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are cancelled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest.

 

The Notes shall be payable as to principal, premium and interest at the office or agency of Oshkosh maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of Oshkosh, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their 

 

(1)           To be included only in the Initial Notes on the Issue Date and any Additional Notes that bear the Restricted Note Legend.

 

A-4

 

addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided written wire transfer instructions to Oshkosh and the Paying Agent.  Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

 

Any payments of principal of and interest on this Note prior to Stated Maturity shall be binding upon all future Holders of this Note and of any Note issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or in lieu hereof, whether or not noted hereon.  The amount due and payable at the maturity of this Note shall be payable only upon presentation and surrender of this Note at an office of the Trustee or the Trustee’s agent appointed for such purposes.

 

(3)           Paying Agent and Registrar.  Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar.  Oshkosh may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder.  Oshkosh or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

(4)           Indenture.  Oshkosh issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of February 21, 2014 (the “Indenture”), among Oshkosh, the Guarantors and the Trustee.  The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made a part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) (the “TIA”).  To the extent the provisions of this Note are inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture, the Indenture shall govern.  The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms.  The Notes issued on the Issue Date are senior unsecured Obligations of Oshkosh limited to $250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, plus amounts, if any, sufficient to pay premium and interest on outstanding Notes as set forth in Paragraph 2 hereof.  The Indenture permits the issuance of Additional Notes subject to compliance with certain conditions.

 

The payment of principal and interest on the Notes is unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Guarantors.

 

(5)           Optional Redemption.

 

(i)            The Notes are subject to redemption, at the option of the Issuer, in whole or from time to time in part, at any time on or after March 1, 2017 at the Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date), if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on March 1 of the years indicated below:

 

A-5

 

	
Year
    	
 
    	
Redemption Price
    	
 
    
	
2017 
    	
 
    	
104.031
    	
%
    
	
2018 
    	
 
    	
102.688
    	
%
    
	
2019 
    	
 
    	
101.344
    	
%
    
	
2020 and thereafter 
    	
 
    	
100.000
    	
%
    

 

(ii)           Prior to March 1, 2017, the Issuer may from time to time, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes) at a Redemption Price equal to 105.375% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date); provided that at least 65% of the principal amount of Notes then outstanding (including Additional Notes) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of any such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company or its Subsidiaries) and that any such redemption occurs within 90 days following the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering.

 

(iii)          At any time or from time to time prior to March 1, 2017, the Notes may also be redeemed in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, at the Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued but unpaid interest, if any, to, but not including, the date of redemption or purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant regular record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

 

(6)           Mandatory Redemption.  Oshkosh shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

 

(7)           Repurchase at Option of Holder.

 

(a)           Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control Triggering Event, Oshkosh will make an Offer to Purchase for all of the outstanding Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to but not including the date of purchase.  Within 60 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, Oshkosh will mail or deliver a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer required by the Indenture.

 

(b)           Upon the occurrence of certain Asset Sales, Oshkosh may be required to offer to purchase the Notes.

 

(c)           Holders of the Notes that are the subject of an Offer to Purchase will receive notice of an Offer to Purchase pursuant to an Asset Sale or a Change of Control Triggering Event from Oshkosh prior to any related Purchase Date and may elect to have 

 

A-6

 

such Notes purchased by completing the form titled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” appearing below.

 

(8)           Notice of Redemption.  Notice of redemption shall be delivered at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, except in the case of a notice of redemption delivered pursuant to Article VIII of the Indenture, which may be more than 60 days before the redemption date, to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address.  Notes in denominations larger than $2,000 may be redeemed in part but only in a minimum amount of $2,000 principal amount (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof), unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed.  On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on the Notes or portions hereof called for redemption.

 

(9)           Denominations, Transfer, Exchange.  The Notes are in registered form without coupons in initial denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.  The transfer of the Notes may be registered and the Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture.  The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and Oshkosh may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture.  Oshkosh need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.  Also, it need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the mailing of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

 

(10)         Persons Deemed Owners.  The registered holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

 

(11)         Amendment, Supplement and Waiver.  Subject to the following paragraphs, the Indenture and the Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of or tender offer or exchange offer for Notes, and any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the Notes.

 

Oshkosh, the Guarantors and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may, without the consent of any Holders, enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the Indenture and the Note Guarantees, if any, for any of the following purposes:

 

(1)           to evidence the succession of another Person to Oshkosh and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of Oshkosh in the Indenture, the Guarantees and the Notes;

 

(2)           to add to the covenants of Oshkosh for the benefit of the Holders, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon Oshkosh;

 

(3)           to add additional Events of Default;

 

A-7

 

(4)           to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of the certificated Notes;

 

(5)           to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture by a successor Trustee;

 

(6)           to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture;

 

(7)           to add a Guarantor or to release a Guarantor in accordance with the Indenture;

 

(8)           to cure any ambiguity, defect, omission, mistake or inconsistency;

 

(9)           to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the Indenture, provided that such actions pursuant to this clause (9) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of Oshkosh;

 

(10)         to conform the text of the Indenture or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum to the extent that the Trustee has received an Officers’ Certificate stating that such text constitutes an unintended conflict with the description of the corresponding provision in the “Description of Notes”; or

 

(11)         to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA.

 

Oshkosh, the Guarantors and the Trustee may, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental to the Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of the Indenture or the Notes or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders under the Indenture, including the definitions therein; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby:

 

(1)           change the Stated Maturity of any Note or of any installment of interest on any Note, or reduce the amount payable in respect of the principal thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable thereon, or reduce the amount that would be due and payable on acceleration of the maturity thereof, or change the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any Note or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof, or change the date on which any Notes may be subject to redemption or reduce the Redemption Price therefor,

 

(2)           reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in the Indenture,

 

A-8

 

(3)           modify the obligations of Oshkosh to make Offers to Purchase upon a Change of Control Triggering Event or from the Excess Proceeds of Asset Sales if such modification was done after the occurrence of such Change of Control Triggering Event or such Asset Sale,

 

(4)           modify or change any provision of the Indenture affecting the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes,

 

(5)           modify any of the provisions of this paragraph or provisions relating to waiver of defaults or certain covenants, except to increase any such percentage required for such actions or to provide that certain other provisions of the Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby, or

 

(6)           release any Guarantees required to be maintained under the Indenture (other than in accordance with the terms of the Indenture).

 

The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes waive any past Default under the Indenture and its consequences, except a Default:

 

(1)           in any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Notes (including any Note which is required to have been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase which has been made by the Issuer), or

 

(2)           in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected.

 

(12)         Defaults and Remedies.

 

Each of the following constitutes an “Event of Default”:

 

(1)           default in the payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when due and payable (whether at Stated Maturity or upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise);

 

(2)           default in the payment of any interest upon any Note when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

 

(3)           failure to perform or comply with Section 4.3 of the Indenture and continuance of such failure to perform or comply for a period of 120 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;

 

(4)           except as permitted by or in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, any Note Guarantee shall for any reason cease to be, or it shall be asserted by any 

 

A-9

 

Guarantor or the Company not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms;

 

(5)           default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company or any Guarantor in the Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with in clauses (1), (2) (3) or (4) above), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;

 

(6)           a default or defaults under any bonds, debentures, notes or other evidences of Debt (other than the Notes) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary having, individually or in the aggregate, a principal or similar amount outstanding of at least the greater of $75.0 million and 2.75% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether such Debt now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default or defaults shall have resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of such Debt prior to its express maturity or (except in the case of any Debt owing to the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary or any Debt by any Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company) shall constitute a failure to pay an amount of such Debt equal to at least the greater of $75.0 million and 2.75% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto;

 

(7)           the entry against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of a final judgment or final judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of the greater of $75.0 million and 2.75% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (net of amounts covered by insurance for which the issuer thereof has been notified of such claim and has not challenged such coverage), by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction, which judgments remain undischarged, unwaived, unstayed, unbonded or unsatisfied for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

 

(8)           (i)            the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(a)           commences a voluntary case,

 

(b)           consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(c)           consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

 

(d)           makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

 

(e)           generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

 

A-10

 

(ii)           a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(a)           is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;

 

(b)           appoints a custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

 

(c)           orders the liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary

 

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

 

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (8) above with respect to Oshkosh) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable immediately by a notice in writing to Oshkosh (and to the Trustee if given by Holders); provided, however, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of accelerated principal of or interest on the Notes, have been cured or waived as provided in the Indenture.

 

In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes solely because an Event of Default described in clause (6) above has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (6) shall be remedied or cured by Oshkosh or a Restricted Subsidiary of Oshkosh or waived by the holders of the relevant Debt within 20 Business Days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if the rescission and annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Trustee for the payment of amounts due on the Notes.

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (8) above occurs with respect to Oshkosh, the principal of and any accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.  For further information as to waiver of defaults, see Article IX of the Indenture.  The Trustee may withhold from Holders notice of any Default (except Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest) if the Trustee determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders to do so.

 

A-11

 

(13)         Trustee Dealings with Oshkosh.  The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for Oshkosh, the Guarantors or their respective Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with Oshkosh, the Guarantors or their respective Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

 

(14)         No Recourse Against Others.  No director, member, owner, manager, officer, organizer, employee, equity owner, general or limited partner or incorporator or other Person acting in any capacity similar to any of the foregoing, past, present or future, of Oshkosh, the Guarantors or any of their respective Subsidiaries, as such or in such capacity, shall have any personal liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes, any Guarantee or the Indenture by reason of such status.

 

No recourse may, to the full extent permitted by applicable law, be taken, directly or indirectly, with respect to the obligations of Oshkosh or the Guarantors on the Notes or under the Indenture or any related documents, any certificate or other writing delivered in connection therewith, against (i) the Trustee in its individual capacity, or (ii) any partner, owner, beneficiary, agent, officer, director, employee, agent, successor or assign of the Trustee, each in its individual capacity, or (iii) any holder of equity in the Trustee.

 

Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability described in the two preceding paragraphs.  The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

 

(15)         Authentication.  This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

 

(16)         Abbreviations.  Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as:  TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

(17)         CUSIP, ISIN Numbers.  Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Issuer has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP, ISIN or other similar numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to the Holders.  No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

 

(18)         THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES, IF ANY.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

 

Oshkosh shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture.  Requests may be made to:

 

A-12

 

Oshkosh Corporation

2307 Oregon Street

Oshkosh, Wisconsin  54902

Facsimile:  (920) 966-5955

Attention:  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

A-13

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:  (I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to

 

 

(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 

 

(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

and irrevocably appoint

to transfer this Note on the books of Oshkosh.  The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Your Signature:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(Sign exactly as your name appears on
    
	
 
    	
the face of this Note)
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature guarantee:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
							

 

(Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program)

 

A-14

 

OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by Oshkosh Corporation pursuant to Section 4.10 (Asset Sale) or 4.14 (Change of Control Triggering Event) of the Indenture, check the box below:

 

o Section 4.10                                                                                                              o Section 4.14

 

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by Oshkosh Corporation pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.14 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

$

 

	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Your Signature:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the Note)
    

 

Tax Identification Number:             

 

	
Signature guarantee:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

(Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program)

 

A-15

 

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON
 EXCHANGE OR REGISTRATION
 OF RESTRICTED NOTES

 

Oshkosh Corporation

2307 Oregon Street

Oshkosh, Wisconsin  54902

Facsimile:  (920) 966-5955

Attention:  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Corporate Trust Operations

MAC N9303-121

608 - 2nd Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Facsimile:  (866) 969-1290

Attention:  DAPS Reorg

 

Re:          Oshkosh Corporation 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022

CUSIP #                                                          

 

Reference is hereby made to that certain Indenture dated February 21, 2014 (the “Indenture”) among Oshkosh Corporation (“Oshkosh”), the Guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture.

 

This certificate relates to $               principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space)          book-entry or            definitive form by the undersigned.

 

The undersigned                                    (transferor) (check one box below):

 

hereby requests the Registrar to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depositary a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above), in accordance with Section 2.6 of the Indenture;

 

hereby requests the Trustee to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes to                  (transferee).

 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the periods referred to in Rule 144(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

 

A-16

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW:

 

(1)           to Oshkosh or any of its subsidiaries, subject to Section 2.6 of the Indenture; or

 

(2)           inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A thereunder; or

 

(3)           outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in compliance with Rule 904 thereunder; or

 

(4)           pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

A-17

 

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Registrar will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof.

 

	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Signature
    

 

	
Signature Guarantee:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(Signature must be guaranteed by a participant
    	
 
    
	
in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program)
    	
 
    

 

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (2) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Rule 144A”), and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
[Name of Transferee]
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

NOTICE:  To be executed by an executive officer

 

A-18

 

SCHEDULE A

 

SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE

 

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for other 5.375% Senior Notes have been made:

 

	
Date of Exchange
    	
 
    	
Amount of
   Decrease in
   Principal Amount
   of this Global Note
    	
 
    	
Amount of
   Increase in
   Principal Amount
   of this Global Note
    	
 
    	
Principal Amount
   of this Global Note
   Following Such
   Decrease (or
   Increase)
    	
 
    	
Signature of
   Authorized
   Signatory of Trustee
   or Note Custodian
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

A-19

 

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF NOTATIONAL GUARANTEE

 

Each Guarantor listed below (hereinafter referred to as the “Guarantor,” which term includes any successors or assigns under that certain Indenture, dated as of February 21, 2014, by and among Oshkosh Corporation (“Oshkosh”), the Guarantors party thereto and the Trustee (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”) and any additional Guarantors) has guaranteed the 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”) and the obligations of Oshkosh under the Indenture, which include (i) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of Oshkosh, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent permitted by law) interest on any interest, if any, on the Notes, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms set forth in Article X of the Indenture, (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and (iii) the payment of any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee in enforcing any rights under this Note Guarantee or the Indenture.

 

The obligations of each Guarantor to the Holders and to the Trustee pursuant to this Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article X of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to such Indenture for the precise terms of this Note Guarantee.

 

No stockholder, employee, officer, director or incorporator, as such, past, present or future of each Guarantor shall have any liability under this Note Guarantee by reason of his, her or its status as such stockholder, employee, officer, director or incorporator.

 

This is a continuing Note Guarantee and shall remain in full force and effect and shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns until full and final payment of all of Oshkosh’s obligations under the Notes and Indenture or until released in accordance with the Indenture and shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders, and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges herein conferred upon that party shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions hereof.  This is a Note Guarantee of payment and not of collection.

 

This Note Guarantee shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose until the certificate of authentication on the Note upon which this Note Guarantee is noted shall have been executed by the Trustee under the Indenture by the manual signature of one of its authorized officers.  The Obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited to the extent necessary to insure that it does not constitute a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.

 

B-1

 

THE TERMS OF ARTICLE X OF THE INDENTURE ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE.

 

Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings given in the Indenture unless otherwise indicated.

 

	
Dated as of
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[NAME OF GUARANTOR]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

B-2

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED
 IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS PURSUANT TO RULE 144A]

 

Oshkosh Corporation

2307 Oregon Street

Oshkosh, Wisconsin  54902

Facsimile:  (920) 966-5955

Attention:  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Corporate Trust Operations

MAC N9303-121

608 - 2nd Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Facsimile:  (866) 969-1290

Attention:  DAPS Reorg

 

Re:          Oshkosh Corporation 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In connection with our proposed sale of $               aggregate principal amount at maturity of the Notes, we hereby certify that such transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A (“Rule 144A”) under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, we hereby further certify that the Notes are being transferred to a person that we reasonably believe is purchasing the Notes for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such person exercises sole investment discretion, and such person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Notes are being transferred in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

 

You and Oshkosh Corporation are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

	
 
    	
Very truly yours,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[Name of Transferor]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Authorized Signature
    

 

C-1

 

	
 
    	
Signature guarantee:
    	
 
    

 

(Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program)

 

C-2

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED
 IN CONNECTION WITH TRANSFERS
 PURSUANT TO REGULATION S]

 

Oshkosh Corporation

2307 Oregon Street

Oshkosh, Wisconsin  54902

Facsimile:  (920) 966-5955

Attention:  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Corporate Trust Operations

MAC N9303-121

608 - 2nd Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55479

Facsimile:  (866) 969-1290

Attention:  DAPS Reorg

 

Re:          Oshkosh Corporation 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”)

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

In connection with our proposed sale of $                 aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, we represent that:

 

(1)           the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States;

 

(2)           either (a) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States or (b) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated off-shore securities market and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;

 

(3)           no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S, as applicable; and

 

(4)           the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

In addition, if the sale is made during a restricted period and the provisions of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S are applicable thereto, we confirm that such sale has been made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b), as the case may be.

 

D-1

 

Oshkosh Corporation and you are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.  Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

	
 
    	
Very truly yours,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[Name of Transferor]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Authorized Signature
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Signature guarantee:
    	
 
    	
 
    
				

 

(Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program)

 

D-2Exhibit 4.2

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

Oshkosh Corporation
 and the Guarantors party hereto

 

 and

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
 as Representative of the several Initial Purchasers

 

Dated as of February 21, 2014

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

This Registration Rights Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of February 21, 2014, by and among Oshkosh Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation (the “Company”), the guarantors named in the Purchase Agreement (as defined below) (collectively, the “Guarantors”), and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC on behalf of and as representative of the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule A to the Purchase Agreement (collectively, the “Initial Purchasers”), each of whom has agreed to purchase, severally and not jointly, the Company’s 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Initial Notes”) fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors (the “Guarantees”) pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.  The Initial Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto are herein collectively referred to as the “Initial Securities.”

 

This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated February 6, 2014 (the “Purchase Agreement”), among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (i) for the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and (ii) for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Initial Securities, including the Initial Purchasers.  In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Initial Securities, the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement.  The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 5(f) of the Purchase Agreement.

 

The parties hereby agree as follows:

 

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

 

Additional Interest:  As defined in Section 5 hereof.

 

Advice:  As defined in Section 6(c) hereof.

 

Agreement:  As defined in the preamble hereof.

 

Broker-Dealer:  Any broker or dealer registered under the Exchange Act.

 

Business Day:  Any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or U.S. federal holiday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies located in New York, New York are authorized or obligated to be closed.

 

Closing Date:  The date of this Agreement.

 

Commission:  The Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Consummate:  A registered Exchange Offer shall be deemed “Consummated” for purposes of this Agreement upon the occurrence of (i) the filing and effectiveness under the Securities Act of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer, (ii) the maintenance of such Registration Statement continuously effective and the keeping of the Exchange Offer open for a period not less than the 

 

1

 

minimum period required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and (iii) the delivery by the Company to the Registrar under the Indenture of Exchange Securities in the same aggregate principal amount as the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities that were validly tendered by Holders thereof pursuant to the Exchange Offer.

 

Effectiveness Target Date:  As defined in Section 5 hereof.

 

Exchange Act:  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Exchange Date: As defined in Section 3(b) hereto.

 

Exchange Offer:  An offer by the Company and the Guarantors registered under the Securities Act pursuant to a Registration Statement pursuant to which the Company and the Guarantors offer the Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities the opportunity to exchange all such outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holders for Exchange Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities tendered in such exchange offer by such Holders.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement:  The Registration Statement relating to the Exchange Offer, including the related Prospectus.

 

Exchange Offer Registration Statement Suspension Period:  As defined in Section 3(c).

 

Exchange Securities:  The 5.375% Senior Notes due 2022, of the same series under the Indenture as the Initial Notes and the Guarantees attached thereto, to be issued to Holders in exchange for Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to this Agreement.

 

FINRA:  Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.

 

Guarantees:  As defined in the preamble hereof.

 

Guarantors:  As defined in the preamble hereof.

 

Holders:  As defined in Section 2(b) hereof.

 

Indemnified Holder:  As defined in Section 8(a) hereof.

 

Indenture:  The Indenture, dated as of February 21, 2014, by and among the Company, the Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), pursuant to which the Securities are to be issued, as such Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.

 

Initial Notes:  As defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Initial Placement:  The issuance and sale by the Company of the Initial Securities to the Initial Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement.

 

2

 

Initial Purchasers:  As defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Initial Securities:  As defined in the preamble hereto.

 

Person:  An individual, partnership, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

Prospectus:  The prospectus included in a Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference into such prospectus.

 

Registration Default:  As defined in Section 5 hereof.

 

Registration Statement:  Any registration statement of the Company relating to (i) an offering of Exchange Securities pursuant to an Exchange Offer or (ii) the registration for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, which is filed pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, in each case, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and material incorporated by reference therein.

 

Securities:  The Initial Securities and the Exchange Securities.

 

Securities Act:  Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Shelf Filing Deadline:  As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

 

Shelf Registration Statement:  As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

 

Shelf Registration Statement Suspension Period:  As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.

 

Transfer Restricted Securities:  Each Initial Security, until the earliest to occur of (a) the date on which such Initial Security is exchanged in the Exchange Offer for an Exchange Security entitled to be resold to the public by the Holder thereof without complying with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, (b) the date on which such Initial Security has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with a Shelf Registration Statement and (c) the date on which such Initial Security is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (including delivery of the Prospectus contained therein).

 

Trust Indenture Act:  The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Underwritten Registration or Underwritten Offering:  A registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the public.

 

3

 

SECTION 2.                            Securities Subject to this Agreement.

 

(a)                                 Transfer Restricted Securities.  The securities entitled to the benefits of this Agreement are the Transfer Restricted Securities.

 

(b)                                 Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities.  A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each, a “Holder”) whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.

 

SECTION 3.                            Registered Exchange Offer.

 

(a)                                 Unless the Exchange Offer shall not be permissible under applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with),  the Company and the Guarantors shall (i) file with the Commission within 180 calendar days after the Closing Date, (or if such 180th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), a Registration Statement under the Securities Act relating to the Exchange Securities and the Exchange Offer, (ii) use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective within 240 calendar days after the Closing Date (or if such 240th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day), (iii) in connection with the foregoing, (A) file all pre-effective amendments to such Registration Statement as may be necessary in order to cause such Registration Statement to become effective, (B) if applicable, file a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A under the Securities Act and (C) cause all necessary filings in connection with the registration and qualification of the Exchange Securities to be made under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are necessary to permit Consummation of the Exchange Offer, and (iv) promptly following the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, commence the Exchange Offer.  The Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall be on the appropriate form permitting registration of the Exchange Securities to be offered in exchange for the Transfer Restricted Securities and to permit resales of Initial Securities held by Broker-Dealers as contemplated by Section 3(c) hereof.

 

(b)                                 The Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be effective continuously until the Exchange Offer is Consummated and shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer open for a period of not less than the minimum period required under applicable federal and state securities laws to Consummate the Exchange Offer; provided, however, that in no event shall such period be less than 20 Business Days after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders.  The Company shall cause the Exchange Offer to comply in all material respects with all applicable federal and state securities laws.  No securities other than the Exchange Securities shall be included in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.  The Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Exchange Offer to be Consummated on the earliest practicable date after the Exchange Offer Registration Statement has become effective, but in no event later than 366 days after the Closing Date (or if such 366th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) (the “Exchange Date”).

 

4

 

(c)                                  The Company shall indicate in a “Plan of Distribution” section contained in the Prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement that any Broker-Dealer who holds Initial Securities that are Transfer Restricted Securities and that were acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities (other than Transfer Restricted Securities acquired directly from the Company), may exchange such Initial Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer; however, such Broker-Dealer may be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and must, therefore, deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resales of the Exchange Securities received by such Broker-Dealer in the Exchange Offer, which prospectus delivery requirement may be satisfied by the delivery by such Broker-Dealer of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.  Such “Plan of Distribution” section shall also contain all other information with respect to such resales by Broker-Dealers that the Commission may require in order to permit such resales pursuant thereto, but such “Plan of Distribution” shall not name any such Broker-Dealer or disclose the amount of Initial Securities held by any such Broker-Dealer except to the extent required by the Commission as a result of a change in law or policy after the date of this Agreement.

 

Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Initial Securities acquired by Broker-Dealers for their own accounts as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, and to ensure that it conforms in all material respects with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period ending on the earlier of (i) 180 days from the date on which the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is declared effective (which 180-day period shall be extended by the length of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement Suspension Period) and (ii) the date on which a Broker-Dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with market-making or other trading activities; provided that the Company may for a period (the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement Suspension Period”) of up to 60 days in any three-month period, not to exceed 90 days in any calendar year determine that the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not usable under certain circumstances relating to corporate developments, public filings with the Commission and similar events, and suspend the use of the prospectus that is part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement.

 

The Company shall provide sufficient copies of the latest version of such Prospectus to Broker-Dealers promptly upon request at any time during such 180-day (or shorter as provided in the foregoing sentence) period in order to facilitate such resales.

 

SECTION 4.                            Shelf Registration.

 

(a)                                 Shelf Registration.  If (i) the Company and the Guarantors are not required to file the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or to Consummate the Exchange Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by applicable law or Commission policy (after the procedures set forth in Section 6(a) hereof have been complied with), (ii) for any reason the Exchange Offer is not Consummated by the Exchange Date, or (iii) with respect to any Holder of Transfer 

 

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Restricted Securities such Holder notifies the Company that (1) such Holder is prohibited by applicable law or Commission policy from participating in the Exchange Offer, (2) such Holder notifies the Company within 30 days of the consummation of the Exchange Offer that such Holder may not resell the Exchange Securities acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and that the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such Holder, or (3) such Holder is a Broker-Dealer and holds Initial Securities acquired directly from the Company or one of its affiliates, then, upon such Holder’s request, the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

(x)                                 cause to be filed a shelf registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which may be an amendment to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement (in either event, the “Shelf Registration Statement”) as promptly as practicable (such date being the “Shelf Filing Deadline”), which Shelf Registration Statement shall provide for resales of all Transfer Restricted Securities the Holders of which shall have provided the information required pursuant to Section 4(b) hereof; and

 

(y)                                 use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission (or automatically become effective under the Securities Act) on or before the 90th day after the Shelf Filing Deadline (or if such 90th day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day).

 

The Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by the provisions of Sections 6(b) and (c) hereof to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for resales of Initial Securities by the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities entitled to the benefit of this Section 4(a), and to ensure that it conforms in all material respects with the requirements of this Agreement, the Securities Act and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time to time, for a period of at least one year following the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement (or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Initial Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement) (which one-year period shall be extended by the length of any Shelf Registration Statement Suspension Period); provided that the Company may for a period (the “Shelf Registration Statement Suspension Period”) of up to 60 days in any three-month period, not to exceed 90 days in any calendar year determine that the Shelf Registration Statement is not usable under certain circumstances relating to corporate developments, public filings with the Commission and similar events, and suspend the use of the prospectus that is part of the Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(b)                                 Provision by Holders of Certain Information in Connection with the Shelf Registration Statement.  No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 20 Business Days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein.  Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to 

 

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make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not materially misleading.

 

SECTION 5.                            Additional Interest.  If (i) any of the Registration Statements required by this Agreement is not filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing in this Agreement, (ii) any of such Registration Statements has not been declared effective by the Commission (or automatically become effective under the Securities Act in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement) on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness in this Agreement (the “Effectiveness Target Date”), (iii) the Exchange Offer has not been Consummated by the Exchange Date and no Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission (or automatically become effective under the Securities Act) on or prior to the Effectiveness Target Date or (iv) any Registration Statement required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose (after the consummation of the Exchange Offer in the case of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) for a period in excess of five Business Days without being succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement that cures such failure and that is itself immediately declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a “Registration Default”), the Company hereby agrees that the interest rate borne by the Transfer Restricted Securities shall be increased by 0.25% per annum during the 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of any Registration Default (provided that the additional interest on the Transfer Restricted Securities may not accrue under more than one Registration Default at any one time) and shall increase by 0.25% per annum during each subsequent 90-day period during which such Registration Default continues (any such increase, “Additional Interest”), but in no event shall such Additional Interest exceed 1.00% per annum.  Following the cure of all Registration Defaults relating to any particular Transfer Restricted Securities, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities will be reduced to the original interest rate borne by such Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that, if after any such reduction in interest rate, a different Registration Default occurs, the interest rate borne by the relevant Transfer Restricted Securities shall again be increased pursuant to the foregoing provisions.

 

All obligations of the Company and the Guarantors set forth in the preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted Security at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such security shall have been satisfied in full.

 

The Additional Interest set forth above shall be the exclusive monetary remedy available to Holders for each Registration Default.

 

SECTION 6.                            Registration Procedures.

 

(a)                                 Exchange Offer Registration Statement.  In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all of the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof, shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to effect such exchange to permit the sale of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and shall comply with all of the following provisions:

 

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(i)                                     If in the reasonable opinion of counsel to the Company there is a question as to whether the Exchange Offer is permitted by applicable law, the Company and the Guarantor hereby agree to use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to seek a no-action letter or other favorable decision from the Commission allowing the Company and the Guarantors to Consummate an Exchange Offer for such Initial Securities.  The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree to pursue the issuance of such a decision to the Commission staff level but shall not be required to take commercially unreasonable action to effect a change of Commission policy.  The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree, however, to (A) participate in telephonic conferences with the Commission, (B) deliver to the Commission staff an analysis prepared by counsel to the Company setting forth the legal bases, if any, upon which such counsel has concluded that such an Exchange Offer should be permitted and (C) diligently pursue a favorable resolution by the Commission staff of such submission.

 

(ii)                                  As a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall furnish, upon the request of the Company, prior to the Consummation thereof, a written representation to the Company (which may be contained in the letter of transmittal contemplated by the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) to the effect that (A) it is not an affiliate of the Company, (B) it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, and has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in, a distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and (C) it is acquiring the Exchange Securities in its ordinary course of business.  In addition, all such Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities shall otherwise cooperate in the Company’s preparations for the Exchange Offer.  Each Holder will be required to acknowledge and agree that any Broker-Dealer and any such Holder using the Exchange Offer to participate in a distribution of the securities to be acquired in the Exchange Offer (1) could not under Commission policy as in effect on the date of this Agreement rely on the position of the Commission enunciated in Morgan Stanley and Co., Inc. (available June 5, 1991) and Exxon Capital Holdings Corporation (available May 13, 1988), as interpreted in the Commission’s letter to Shearman & Sterling dated July 2, 1993, and similar no-action letters (which may include any no-action letter obtained pursuant to clause (i) above), and (2) must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction and that such a secondary resale transaction should be covered by an effective registration statement containing the selling security holder information required by Item 507 or 508, as applicable, of Regulation S-K if the resales are of Exchange Securities obtained by such Holder in exchange for Initial Securities acquired by such Holder directly from the Company.

 

(b)                                 Shelf Registration Statement.  In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company and the Guarantors shall comply with all the provisions of Section 6(c) hereof and shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration to permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company and the Guarantors will as expeditiously as is commercially reasonably practicable prepare and file with the 

 

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Commission a Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof, in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.

 

(c)                                  General Provisions.  In connection with any Registration Statement and any Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale of Transfer Restricted Securities (including, without limitation, any Registration Statement and the related Prospectus required to permit resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by Broker-Dealers), the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

(i)                                     use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements (including, if required by the Securities Act or any regulation thereunder, financial statements of the Guarantors) for the period specified in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable (it being understood that such financial statements shall be deemed provided to the extent filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference in such Registration Statement); upon the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this Agreement, the Company shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such Registration Statement (or file with the Commission a document to be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement), in the case of clause (A), correcting any such misstatement or omission, and, in the case of either clause (A) or (B), use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter;

 

(ii)                                  prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the applicable Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, or such shorter period as will terminate when all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act, and to comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of Rules 424 and 430A under the Securities Act in a timely manner; and comply in all material respects with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus;

 

(iii)                               in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders named in any Registration Statement promptly and, if requested by such Persons, to confirm such advice in writing, (A) when the Prospectus or any

 

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prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement under the Securities Act or of the suspension by any state securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, and (D) of the existence of any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any document incorporated by reference therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading.  If at any time the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under state securities or blue sky laws, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible time;

 

(iv)           furnish without charge to each of the Initial Purchasers, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and each of the underwriter(s), if any, before filing with the Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (including all documents incorporated by reference after the initial filing of such Registration Statement), which documents will be subject to the review and comment of such Holders and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a period of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (but shall not be required to amend any document previously filed with the Commission and incorporated by reference thereto) to which an Initial Purchaser of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement or the underwriter(s), if any, shall reasonably object in writing within five Business Days after the receipt thereof (such objection to be deemed timely made upon confirmation of telecopy transmission within such period).  The objection of an Initial Purchaser or underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to be reasonable if such Registration Statement, amendment, Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains a material misstatement or omission;

 

(v)              promptly prior to the filing of any document that is to be incorporated by reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus, provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers, each selling Holder named in any Registration Statement, and to the underwriter(s), if any, make the Company’s and the Guarantors’ representatives available for discussion of such document and other customary due diligence matters, and 

 

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include such information in such document prior to the filing thereof as such selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, reasonably may request;

 

(vi)           make available at reasonable times for inspection by the Initial Purchasers, the managing underwriter(s), if any, participating in any disposition pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant retained by such Initial Purchasers or any of the underwriter(s), all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of each of the Company and the Guarantors reasonably requested to be made available and cause the Company’s and the Guarantors’ officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior to its effectiveness and to participate in meetings with investors to the extent reasonably requested by the managing underwriter(s), if any;

 

(vii)        in connection with an Underwritten Offering, if requested by any selling Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, promptly incorporate in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective amendment if necessary, such information as such selling Holders and underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein, including, without limitation, information relating to the “Plan of Distribution” of the Transfer Restricted Securities, information with respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company is notified of the matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

 

(viii)     cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate rating agencies, if so requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Securities covered thereby or the underwriter(s), if any;

 

(ix)           furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, at least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules (but without documents incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto, unless requested);

 

(x)              in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, deliver to each selling Holder and each of the underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company and the Guarantors hereby consent to the use of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto;

 

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(xi)           enter into such customary agreements (including an underwriting agreement), and take all such other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement, all to such extent as may be reasonably requested by any Initial Purchaser or by any Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities or underwriter in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement; and in connection with any offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement whether or not an underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration is an Underwritten Registration, the Company and the Guarantors shall:

 

(A)                               furnish to each Initial Purchaser, each selling Holder and each underwriter, if any, in such substance and scope as they may request and as are customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings, upon the date of the Consummation of the Exchange Offer or, if applicable, the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement:

 

(1)                                 a certificate, dated the date of Consummation of the Exchange Offer or the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, signed by (y) the President or any Vice President and (z) a principal financial or accounting officer of each of the Company and each Guarantor, confirming, as of the date thereof, the matters set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) of Section 5(e) of the Purchase Agreement and such other matters as such parties may reasonably request;

 

(2)                                 an opinion, dated the date of the Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, of counsel for the Company and the Guarantors, covering the matters set forth in Section 5(c) of the Purchase Agreement and such other matter as such parties may reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to the effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company and the Guarantors, representatives of the independent public accountants for the Company and the Guarantors, representatives of the underwriter(s), if any, and counsel to the underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the preparation of such Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and have considered the matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained therein, although such counsel has not independently verified the accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts came to such counsel’s attention that caused such counsel to believe that the applicable Registration Statement, at the time such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto became effective, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus 

 

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contained in such Registration Statement as of its date contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading.  Without limiting the foregoing, such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the financial statements, notes and schedules and other financial data included in any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus; and

 

(3)                                 a customary comfort letter, dated the date of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, from the Company’s independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of the type customarily requested to be covered in comfort letters by underwriters in connection with primary underwritten offerings, and covering or affirming the matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Purchase Agreement, without exception;

 

(B)                               set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the underwriting agreement, if any, the indemnification provisions and procedures of Section 8 hereof with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and

 

(C)                               deliver such other documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by such parties to evidence compliance with Section 6(c)(xi)(A) hereof and with any customary conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company or any of the Guarantors pursuant to this Section 6(c)(xi), if any.

 

If at any time the representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors contemplated in Section 6(c)(xi)(A)(1) hereof cease to be true and correct, the Company or the Guarantors shall so advise the Initial Purchasers and the underwriter(s), if any, and each selling Holder promptly and, if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;

 

(xii)                           prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the state securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however, that neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to register or qualify as a foreign entity where it is not then so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

 

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(xiii)                        shall issue, upon the request of any Holder of Initial Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, Exchange Securities having an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities surrendered to the Company by such Holder in exchange therefor or being sold by such Holder; such Exchange Securities to be registered in the name of such Holder or in the name of the purchaser(s) of such Securities, as the case may be; in return, the Initial Securities held by such Holder shall be surrendered to the Company for cancellation;

 

(xiv)                       cooperate with the selling Holders and the underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and not bearing any restrictive legends; and enable such Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the Holders or the underwriter(s), if any, may request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted Securities made by such Holders or underwriter(s);

 

(xv)                          use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in Section 6(c)(xii) hereof;

 

(xvi)                       if any fact or event contemplated by Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof shall exist or have occurred, prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or related Prospectus (or file with the Commission a document to be incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement) so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading;

 

(xvii)                    provide a CUSIP number for all Securities not later than the effective date of the Registration Statement covering such Securities and provide the Trustee under the Indenture with printed certificates for such Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company and take all other action reasonably necessary to ensure that all such Securities are eligible for deposit with the Depository Trust Company;

 

(xviii)                 cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with FINRA and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any underwriter (including any “qualified independent underwriter”) that is required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of FINRA;

 

(xix)                       otherwise use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to comply in all material respects with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the requirements of Rule 158 under the Securities Act (which need not be audited) for the twelve-month period (A) commencing 

 

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at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or best efforts Underwritten Offering or (B) if not sold to underwriters in such an offering, beginning with the first month of the Company’s first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the Registration Statement;

 

(xx)                          cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act not later than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by this Agreement, and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders of Securities to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act; and to execute and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all documents that may be required to effect such changes and all other forms and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner;

 

(xxi)                       cause all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed if requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of Initial Securities or the managing underwriter(s), if any; and

 

(xxii)                    provide promptly to each Holder upon request each document filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 and Section 15 of the Exchange Act.

 

Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of the kind described in Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the applicable Registration Statement until such Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof, or until it is advised in writing (the “Advice”) by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus.  If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of such notice.  In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section 3 or 4 hereof, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 6(c)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 6(c)(xvi) hereof or shall have received the Advice; provided, however, that no such extension shall be taken into account in determining whether Additional Interest is due pursuant to Section 5 hereof or the amount of such Additional Interest, it being agreed that the Company’s option to suspend use of a Registration Statement pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a Registration Default for purposes of Section 5 hereof.

 

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SECTION 7.                                      Registration Expenses.

 

(a)                                 All expenses incident to the Company’s and the Guarantors’ performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including filings made by any Initial Purchaser or Holder with FINRA (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations of FINRA)); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, the Guarantors and, subject to Section 7(b) hereof, the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing fees in connection with listing the Exchange Securities on a securities exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements thereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance) ; but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of a Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, which shall be the responsibility of each such Holder.

 

The Company and the Guarantors will, in any event, bear their internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company or the Guarantors.

 

(b)                                 In connection with any Registration Statement required by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and the Shelf Registration Statement), the Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will reimburse the Initial Purchasers and the Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered in the Exchange Offer and/or resold pursuant to the “Plan of Distribution” contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as applicable, for the reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be Mayer Brown LLP or such other counsel as may be chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being prepared.

 

SECTION 8.                                      Indemnification.

 

(a)                                 The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, agree to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder and (ii) each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Holder (any of the Persons referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a “controlling person”) and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of any Holder or any controlling person (any Person referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred to as an “Indemnified Holder”), to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and 

 

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all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and expenses (including, without limitation, and as incurred, reimbursement of all reasonable costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing, settling, compromising, paying or defending any claim or action, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to any Indemnified Holder), joint or several, directly or indirectly caused by, related to, based upon, arising out of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company by any of the Holders expressly for use therein.  This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or any of the Guarantors may otherwise have.

 

In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any of the Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company or the Guarantors, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by such controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company and the Guarantors in writing; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not relieve the Company or any Guarantor of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement.  Such Indemnified Holder shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action and the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid, as incurred, by the Company and the Guarantors (regardless of whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Holder is not entitled to indemnification hereunder).  The Company and the Guarantors shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) at any time for such Indemnified Holders, which firm shall be designated by the Holders.  The Company and the Guarantors shall be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected with the Company’s and the Guarantors’ prior written consent, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably, and the Company and the Guarantors agree to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Holder from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of any settlement of any action effected with the written consent of the Company and the Guarantors.  The Company and the Guarantors shall not, without the prior written consent of each Indemnified Holder, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action, claim, litigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Holder is a party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination (i) includes an unconditional release of each Indemnified Holder from all liability arising out of such action, claim, litigation or proceeding and (ii) does not include any statements as to or any findings of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Holder.

 

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(b)                                 Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors and their respective directors, officers of the Company and the Guarantors who sign a Registration Statement, and any Person controlling (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company or any of the Guarantors, and the respective officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of each such Person, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors to each of the Indemnified Holders, but only with respect to claims and actions based on information relating to such Holder furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement.  In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Company, the Guarantors or their respective directors or officers or any such controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against a Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, such Holder shall have the rights and duties given the Company and the Guarantors, and the Company, the Guarantors, their respective directors and officers and such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to each Holder by the preceding paragraph.

 

(c)                                  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or (b) hereof (other than by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from the Initial Placement (which in the case of the Company and the Guarantors shall be deemed to be equal to the total gross proceeds to the Company and the Guarantors from the Initial Placement), the amount of Additional Interest which did not become payable as a result of the filing of the Registration Statement resulting in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments actions or expenses, and such Registration Statement, or if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the Company on the one hand and of the Indemnified Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or any of the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Indemnified Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 8(a) hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.

 

The Company, the Guarantors and each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 8(c) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such 

 

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purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8, none of the Holders (and its related Indemnified Holders) shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Initial Securities or Exchange Securities sold by such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 8(c) are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Initial Securities held by each of the Holders hereunder and not joint.

 

SECTION 9.                                      Rule 144A.  The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding, if the Company is no longer required to file reports under the Exchange Act, to make available upon request to any Holder or beneficial owner of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

 

SECTION 10.                               Participation in Underwritten Registrations.  No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Transfer Restricted Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

SECTION 11.                               Selection of Underwriters.  The Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Transfer Restricted Securities in an Underwritten Offering.  In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering; provided, however, that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.

 

SECTION 12.                               Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                                 Remedies.  The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it

 

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of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.

 

(b)                                 No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company and the Guarantors will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.  Neither the Company nor any of the Guarantors has previously entered into any agreement that remains in effect and grants any registration rights with respect to its securities to any Person.  The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s or any of the Guarantors’ securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.

 

(c)                                  Adjustments Affecting the Securities.  The Company will not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to the Securities that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer.

 

(d)                                 Amendments and Waivers.  The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company has (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 12(d)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities (excluding any Transfer Restricted Securities held by the Company or its affiliates).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being tendered or registered; provided, however, that, with respect to any matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser hereunder, the Company shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial Purchaser with respect to which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver, consent or departure is to be effective.

 

(e)                                  Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

 

(i)                                if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture; and

 

(ii)                             if to the Company or any Guarantor:

 

Oshkosh Corporation

2307 Oregon Street

Oshkosh, Wisconsin 54902

 

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Telecopier No.:  (920) 966-5955
 Attention:  Executive Vice President, General Counsel and

 Secretary

 

With a copy to:

 

Foley & Lardner LLP
 777 E. Wisconsin Ave
 Milwaukee, WI 53202
 Telecopier No.:  (414) 297-4900
 Attention:  Patrick G. Quick, Esq.

John K. Wilson, Esq.

 

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given:  at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

 

Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the Indenture.

 

(f)                                   Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; provided, however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Transfer Restricted Securities from such Holder.

 

(g)                                  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

 

(h)                                 Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

(i)                                     Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.

 

(j)                                    Severability.  In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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(k)                                 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein.  There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Transfer Restricted Securities.  This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

	
 
    	
OSHKOSH   CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   David M. Sagehorn
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
David   M. Sagehorn
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Executive   Vice President and 
   Chief Financial Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
JLG   INDUSTRIES, INC.
    
	
 
    	
McNEILUS   FINANCIAL, INC.
    
	
 
    	
PIERCE   MANUFACTURING INC.,
    
	
 
    	
as   Guarantors
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   David M. Sagehorn
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
David   M. Sagehorn
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Executive   Vice President and 
   Chief Financial Officer
    

 

 

The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:

 

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

Acting on its behalf and as

the Representative of the

other several Initial Purchasers

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

 

	
By:
    	
/s/   Geoffrey E. Ellis
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Geoffrey   E. Ellis
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Executive   Director

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