Document:

4(2) Agreement between The Kroger Co. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 EXHIBIT 10.16 
  
 

 
  
 Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement

  
 4(2) Program 
  
 Between: 
  
 The Kroger Co., as Issuer 
  
 and 
  
 Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as Dealer 
  
 Concerning Notes to be
issued pursuant to an Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of December 3, 2003, between the Issuer and Citibank N.A., as Issuing and Paying Agent 
  
 Dated as of 
 December 3, 2003 
  
 Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement 
 4(2) Program 
  
 This agreement (“Agreement”) sets forth the understandings between the Issuer and the Dealer, each named on the cover page hereof, in connection with the issuance and sale by the Issuer of its short-term
promissory notes (the “Notes”) through the Dealer. 
  
 Certain terms
used in this Agreement are defined in Section 6 hereof. 
  
 The Addendum to this
Agreement, and any Annexes or Exhibits described in this Agreement or such Addendum, are hereby incorporated into this Agreement and made fully a part hereof. 
  

	1.	Offers, Sales and Resales of Notes. 

  

	1.1	While (i) the Issuer has and shall have no obligation to sell the Notes to the Dealer or to permit the Dealer to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of the Issuer, and
(ii) the Dealer has and shall have no obligation to purchase the Notes from the Issuer or to arrange any sale of the Notes for the account of the Issuer, the parties hereto agree that in any case where the Dealer purchases Notes from the Issuer, or
arranges for the sale of Notes by the Issuer, such Notes will be purchased or sold by the Dealer in reliance on the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Issuer contained herein or made pursuant hereto and on the terms and
conditions and in the manner provided herein. 

  

	1.2	 So long as this Agreement shall remain in effect, and in addition to the limitations contained in Section 1.7 hereof, the Issuer shall not, without the consent of
the Dealer, offer, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any Notes except (a) in transactions with one or more dealers which may from time to time after the date hereof become dealers with respect to the Notes by executing with the Issuer
one or more agreements which contain provisions substantially identical to those contained in Section 1 of this Agreement, of which the Issuer hereby 

  

	 	 
undertakes to provide the Dealer prompt notice or (b) in transactions with the other dealers listed on the Addendum hereto, which are executing agreements
with the Issuer which contain provisions substantially identical to Section 1 of this Agreement contemporaneously herewith. In no event shall the Issuer offer, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any Notes directly on its own behalf in
transactions with persons other than broker-dealers as specifically permitted in this Section 1.2. 

  

	1.3	The Notes shall be in a minimum denomination of $250,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, will bear such interest rates, if interest bearing, or will be sold at
such discount from their face amounts, as shall be agreed upon by the Dealer and the Issuer, shall have a maturity not exceeding 270 days from the date of issuance (exclusive of days of grace) and shall not contain any provision for extension,
renewal or automatic “rollover.” 

  

	1.4	The authentication and issuance of, and payment for, the Notes shall be effected in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, and the Notes shall be either individual
physical certificates or book-entry notes evidenced by a Master Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in the form or forms annexed to the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement.1 

  

	1.5	If the Issuer and the Dealer shall agree on the terms of the purchase of any Note by the Dealer or the sale of any Note arranged by the Dealer (including, but not limited to,
agreement with respect to the date of issue, purchase price, principal amount, maturity and interest rate (in the case of interest-bearing Notes) or discount thereof (in the case of Notes issued on a discount basis), and appropriate compensation for
the Dealer’s services hereunder) pursuant to this Agreement, the Issuer shall cause such Note to be issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement and payment for such Note shall be made by the
purchaser thereof, either directly or through the Dealer, to the Issuing and Paying Agent, for the account of the Issuer. Except as otherwise agreed, in the event that the Dealer is acting as an agent and a purchaser shall either fail to accept
delivery of or make payment for a Note on the date fixed for settlement, the Dealer shall promptly notify the Issuer, and if the Dealer has theretofore paid the Issuer for the Note, the Issuer will promptly return such funds to the Dealer against
its return of the Note to the Issuer, in the case of a certificated Note, and upon notice of such failure in the case of a book-entry Note. 

  

	1.6	The Dealer and the Issuer hereby establish and agree to observe the following procedures in connection with offers, sales and subsequent resales or other transfers of the Notes:

  

	 	(a)	Offers and sales of the Notes by or through the Dealer shall be made only to: (i) investors reasonably believed by the Dealer to be Qualified Institutional Buyers, Institutional
Accredited Investors or Sophisticated Individual Accredited Investors and (ii) non-bank fiduciaries or agents that will be purchasing Notes for one or more accounts, each of which is reasonably believed by the Dealer to be an Institutional
Accredited Investor or Sophisticated Individual Accredited Investor. 

  

	 	(b)	Resales and other transfers of the Notes by the holders thereof shall be made only in accordance with the restrictions in the legend described in clause (e) below.

  

	 	(c)	No general solicitation or general advertising shall be used in connection with the offering of the Notes. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, without the prior
written approval of the other party, neither party shall issue any press release or place or publish any “tombstone” or other advertisement relating to the Notes. 

  

	 	(d)	No sale of Notes to any one purchaser shall be for less than $250,000 principal or face amount, and no Note shall be issued in a smaller principal or face amount. If the

	1	If the form or forms of Notes are not annexed to the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, they should be annexed to this Agreement or delivered to the Dealer, with
appropriate certification by the Secretary of the Issuer, pursuant to section 3.5 of the Agreement 

  

 purchaser is a non-bank fiduciary acting on behalf of others, each person for whom such purchaser is
acting must purchase at least $250,000 principal or face amount of Notes. 
  

	 	(e)	Offers and sales of the Notes by the Issuer through the Dealer acting as agent for the Issuer will be made in accordance with Section 4(2) of the Securities Act or Rule 506 under
the Securities Act, and shall be subject to the restrictions described in the legend appearing on Exhibit A hereto. A legend substantially to the effect of such Exhibit A shall appear as part of the Private Placement Memorandum used in connection
with offers and sales of Notes hereunder, as well as on each individual certificate representing a Note and each Master Note representing book-entry Notes offered and sold pursuant to this Agreement. 

  

	 	(f)	The Dealer shall furnish or shall have furnished to each purchaser of Notes for which it has acted as the Dealer a copy of the then-current Private Placement Memorandum unless such
purchaser has previously received a copy of the Private Placement Memorandum as then in effect. The Private Placement Memorandum shall expressly state that any person to whom Notes are offered shall have an opportunity to ask questions of, and
receive information from, the Issuer and the Dealer and shall provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the persons from whom information regarding the Issuer may be obtained. 

  

	 	(g)	The Issuer agrees, for the benefit of the Dealer and each of the holders and prospective purchasers from time to time of the Notes that, if at any time the Issuer shall not be
subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Issuer will furnish, upon request and at its expense, to the Dealer and to holders and prospective purchasers of Notes information required by Rule 144A(d)(4)(i) in compliance with Rule
144A(d). 

  

	 	(h)	In the event that any Note offered or to be offered by the Dealer would be ineligible for resale under Rule 144A, the Issuer shall immediately notify the Dealer (by telephone,
confirmed in writing) of such fact and shall promptly prepare and deliver to the Dealer an amendment or supplement to the Private Placement Memorandum describing the Notes that are ineligible, the reason for such ineligibility and any other relevant
information relating thereto. 

  

	 	(i)	The Issuer represents that it is currently issuing, and may continue to issue, commercial paper in the United States market in reliance upon, and in compliance with, the exemption
provided by Section 3(a)(3) of the Securities Act. In that connection, the Issuer agrees that (a) the proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be segregated from the proceeds of the sale of any such commercial paper by being placed in a separate
account; (b) the Issuer will institute appropriate corporate procedures to ensure that the offers and sales of notes issued by the Issuer pursuant to the Section 3(a)(3) exemption are not integrated with offerings and sales of Notes hereunder; and
(c) the Issuer will comply with each of the requirements of Section 3(a)(3) of the Act in selling commercial paper or other short-term debt securities other than the Notes in the United States. 

  

	1.7	The Issuer hereby represents and warrants to the Dealer, in connection with offers, sales and resales of Notes, as follows: 

  

	 	(a)	 Issuer hereby confirms to the Dealer that (except as permitted by Section 1.6(i)) within the preceding six months neither the Issuer nor any person other than the
Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof acting on behalf of the Issuer has offered or sold any Notes, or any substantially similar security of the Issuer (including, without limitation, medium-term notes issued by the Issuer),
to, or solicited offers to buy any such security from, any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof. The Issuer also agrees that (except as permitted by Section 1.6(i)), as long as the Notes are being
offered for sale by the Dealer and the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof as contemplated hereby and until at least six months after the offer of Notes hereunder has been terminated, neither the Issuer nor any person other than the

  

	 	 
Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof (except as contemplated by Section 1.2 hereof) will offer the Notes or any substantially
similar security of the Issuer for sale to, or solicit offers to buy any such security from, any person other than the Dealer or the other dealers referred to in Section 1.2 hereof, it being understood that such agreement is made with a view to
bringing the offer and sale of the Notes within the exemption provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506 thereunder and shall survive any termination of this Agreement. The Issuer hereby represents and warrants that it has not
taken or omitted to take, and will not take or omit to take, any action that would cause the offering and sale of Notes hereunder to be integrated with any other offering of securities, whether such offering is made by the Issuer or some other party
or parties. 

  

	 	b)	The Issuer represents and agrees that the proceeds of the sale of the Notes are not currently contemplated to be used for the purpose of buying, carrying or trading securities
within the meaning of Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. In the event that the Issuer determines to use such proceeds for the purpose of buying, carrying or trading securities,
whether in connection with an acquisition of another company or otherwise, the Issuer shall give the Dealer at least five business days’ prior written notice to that effect. The Issuer shall also give the Dealer prompt notice of the actual date
that it commences to purchase securities with the proceeds of the Notes. Thereafter, in the event that the Dealer purchases Notes as principal and does not resell such Notes on the day of such purchase, to the extent necessary to comply with
Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder, the Dealer will sell such Notes either (i) only to offerees it reasonably believes to be QIBs or to QIBs it reasonably believes are acting for other QIBs, in each case in accordance with Rule 144A or
(ii) in a manner which would not cause a violation of Regulation T and the interpretations thereunder. 

  

	2.1	Representations and Warranties of Issuer. 

  
 The Issuer represents and warrants that: 
  

	2.1.1 	The Issuer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all the requisite power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Notes, this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 

  

	2.1.2 	This Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Issuer and constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the
Issuer enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity
(regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 

  

	2.1.3 	The Notes have been duly authorized, and when issued as provided in the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, will be duly and validly issued and will constitute legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Issuer enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general
principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law). 

  

	2.1.4 	The offer and sale of Notes in the manner contemplated hereby do not require registration of the Notes under the Securities Act, pursuant to the exemption from registration
contained in Section 4(2) thereof, and no indenture in respect of the Notes is required to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. 

  

	2.1.5 	The Notes will rank at least pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Issuer. 

  

	2.1.6 	No consent or action of, or filing or registration with, any governmental or public regulatory body or authority, including the SEC (other than Form D), is required to authorize, or
is otherwise required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of, this Agreement, the Notes or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, except as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in
connection with the offer and sale of the Notes. 

  

	2.1.7 	Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, nor the issuance of the Notes in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency
Agreement, nor the fulfillment of or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by the Issuer, will (i) result in the creation or imposition of any mortgage, lien, charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any of the
properties or assets of the Issuer, or (ii) violate or result in a breach or a default under any of the terms of the Issuer’s charter documents or by-laws, any contract or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it or its property
is bound, or any law or regulation, or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or government instrumentality, to which the Issuer is subject or by which it or its property is bound, which breach or default might have a material adverse
effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), operations or business prospects of the Issuer or the ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Notes or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement.

  

	2.1.8 	There is no litigation or governmental proceeding pending, or to the knowledge of the Issuer threatened, against or affecting the Issuer or any of its subsidiaries which would
result in a material adverse change in the condition, operations or business prospects of the Issuer or the ability of the Issuer to perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Notes or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement.

  

	2.1.9 	The Issuer is not an “investment company” or an entity “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended. 

  

	2.1.10 	Except for the Dealer Information, neither the Private Placement Memorandum nor the Company Information contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. 

  

	2.1.11 	Each (a) issuance of Notes by the Issuer hereunder and (b) amendment or supplement of the Private Placement Memorandum shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Issuer to
the Dealer, as of the date thereof, that, both before and after giving effect to such issuance and after giving effect to such amendment or supplement, (i) the representations and warranties given by the Issuer set forth above in this Section 2
remain true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date, (ii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, the Notes being issued on such date have been duly and validly issued and constitute legal, valid
and binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable against the Issuer in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to
general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (iii) in the case of an issuance of Notes, since the date of the most recent Private Placement Memorandum, there has been no material
adverse change in the condition, operations or business prospects of the Issuer which has not been disclosed to the Dealer in writing or included in the Company Information. 

  

	2.2	Representations and Warranties of Dealer. 

  
 The Dealer represents and warrants that: 
  

	2.2.1 	The Dealer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all the requisite power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement. 

  

	2.2.2 	This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Dealer and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Dealer enforceable against the Dealer in
accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and subject, as to enforceability, to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a
proceeding in equity or at law). 

  

	3.	Covenants and Agreements of Issuer. 

  
 The Issuer covenants and agrees that: 
  

	3.1	The Issuer will give the Dealer prompt notice (but in any event prior to any subsequent issuance of Notes hereunder) of any amendment to, modification of or waiver with respect to,
the Notes or the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, including a complete copy of any such amendment, modification or waiver. 

  

	3.2	The Issuer shall, whenever there shall occur any change in the Issuer’s condition, operations or business prospects or any development or occurrence in relation to the Issuer
that would be material to holders of the Notes or potential holders of the Notes (including any downgrading or receipt of any notice of intended or potential downgrading or any review for potential change in the rating accorded any of the
Issuer’s securities by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization which has published a rating of the Notes), promptly, and in any event prior to any subsequent issuance of Notes hereunder, notify the Dealer (by telephone,
confirmed in writing) of such change, development or occurrence, unless such change, development or occurrence is included in the Company Information. 

  

	3.3	The Issuer shall from time to time furnish to the Dealer such information as the Dealer may reasonably request, including, without limitation, any press releases or material
provided by the Issuer to any national securities exchange or rating agency, regarding (i) the Issuer’s operations and financial condition, (ii) the due authorization and execution of the Notes and (iii) the Issuer’s ability to pay the
Notes as they mature. The Issuer shall not be obligated hereunder to furnish information otherwise included in the Company Information. 

  

	3.4	The Issuer will take all such action as the Dealer may reasonably request to ensure that each offer and each sale of the Notes will comply with any applicable state Blue Sky laws;
provided, however, that the Issuer shall not be obligated to file any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or subject itself to taxation in respect of doing
business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. 

  

	3.5	The Issuer will not be in default of any of its obligations hereunder, under the Notes or under the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement, at any time that any of the Notes are
outstanding. 

  

	3.6	The Issuer shall not issue Notes hereunder until the Dealer shall have received (a) an opinion of counsel to the Issuer, addressed to the Dealer, reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to the Dealer, (b) a copy of the executed Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement as then in effect, (c) a copy of resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of the Issuer, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Dealer and
certified by the Secretary or similar officer of the Issuer, authorizing execution and delivery by the Issuer of this Agreement, the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement and the Notes and consummation by the Issuer of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, (d) prior to the issuance of any Notes represented by a book-entry note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, a copy of the executed Letter of Representations among the Issuer, the Issuing and Paying Agent and DTC and (e)
such other certificates, opinions, letters and documents as the Dealer shall have reasonably requested. 

  

	3.7	The Issuer shall reimburse the Dealer for all of the Dealer’s reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to this Agreement, including expenses incurred in connection with its
preparation and negotiation, and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, but not limited to, the printing and distribution of the Private Placement Memorandum), and for the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of the Dealer’s
external counsel (such fees not to exceed $10,000). 

  

	4.	Disclosure. 

  

	4.1	The Private Placement Memorandum and its contents (other than the Dealer Information) shall be the sole responsibility of the Issuer. The Private Placement Memorandum shall contain
a statement expressly offering an opportunity for each prospective purchaser to ask questions of, and receive answers from, the Issuer concerning the offering of Notes and to obtain relevant additional information which the Issuer possesses or can
acquire without unreasonable effort or expense. 

  

	4.2	(a) The Issuer further agrees to notify the Dealer promptly upon the occurrence of any event relating to or affecting the Issuer that would cause the Company Information then in
existence to include an untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

  
 (b) In the event that the Issuer gives the
Dealer notice pursuant to Section 4.2 (a) and the Dealer notifies the Issuer that it then has Notes it is holding in inventory, the Issuer agrees promptly to supplement or amend the Private Placement Memorandum so that the Private Placement
Memorandum, as amended or supplemented, shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, and the Issuer shall make such supplement or amendment available to the Dealer. 
  
 (c) In the event that (i) the Issuer gives the Dealer notice pursuant to Section 4.2 (a), 
  
 (ii) the Dealer does not notify the Issuer that it is then holding Notes in inventory and 
  
 (iii) the Issuer chooses not to promptly amend or supplement the Private Placement Memorandum in the manner described in
clause (b) above, then all solicitations and sales of Notes shall be suspended until such time as the Issuer has so amended or supplemented the Private Placement Memorandum, and made such amendment or supplement available to the Dealer. 

 

	5.	Indemnification and Contribution. 

  

	5.1	The Issuer will indemnify and hold harmless the Dealer, each individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity controlling the Dealer, any affiliate of the
Dealer or any such controlling entity and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, incorporators, shareholders, servants, trustees and agents (hereinafter the “Dealer Indemnitees”) against any and all liabilities,
penalties, suits, causes of action, losses, damages, claims, reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees and disbursements of external counsel) or judgments of whatever kind or nature (each a “Claim”),
imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against the Dealer Indemnitees arising out of or based upon (i) any allegation that the Private Placement Memorandum, the Company Information or any information provided by the Issuer to the Dealer included (as
of any relevant time) or includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted (as of any relevant time) or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading or (ii) arising out of or based upon the breach by the Issuer of any agreement, covenant or representation made in or pursuant to this Agreement. This indemnification shall not apply to the extent that the Claim arises out of or is based
upon Dealer Information or in any way arises out of or is based on the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Dealer Indemnitees. 

  

	5.2	 The Dealer will indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer, each individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association or other entity controlling the Issuer, any
affiliate of the Issuer or any such controlling entity and their respective directors, officers, employees, partners, incorporators, shareholders, servants, 

  

	 	 
trustees and agents (hereinafter the “Issuer Indemnitees”, and together with the Dealer Indemnitees, the “Indemnitees”) against any and
all Claims imposed upon, incurred by or asserted against the Issuer Indemnitees arising out of or based upon (i) any allegation that the Dealer Information includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or (ii) arising out of or based upon the breach by the Dealer of any agreement, covenant or representation made in or pursuant to this
Agreement. 

  

	5.3	Provisions relating to claims made for indemnification under this Section 5 are set forth on Exhibit B to this Agreement. 

  

	5.4	In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in which the indemnification in this Section 5 is held to be unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless
the Indemnitees, although applicable in the terms of this Section 5, the Issuer and the Dealer shall contribute to the aggregate costs incurred in connection with any Claim in the proportion of the respective economic interest of the Issuer and the
Dealer; provided, however, that such contribution by the Issuer shall be in an amount such that the aggregate costs incurred by the Dealer do not exceed the aggregate of the commissions and fees earned by the Dealer hereunder with respect to the
issue or issues of Notes to which such Claim relates. The respective economic interests shall be calculated by reference to the aggregate proceeds to the Issuer of the Notes issued hereunder and the aggregate commissions and fees earned by the
Dealer hereunder. 

  

	6.	Definitions. 

  

	6.1	“Claim” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. 

  

	6.2	“Company Information” at any given time shall mean the Private Placement Memorandum together with, to the extent applicable, (i) the Issuer’s most recent report on
Form 10-K filed with the SEC and each report on Form 10-Q or 8-K filed by the Issuer with the SEC since the most recent Form 10-K, (ii) the Issuer’s most recent annual audited financial statements and each interim financial statement or report
prepared subsequent thereto, if not included in item (i) above, (iii) the Issuer’s and its affiliates’ other publicly available recent reports, including, but not limited to, any publicly available filings or reports provided to their
respective shareholders, (iv) any other information or disclosure prepared pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof and (v) any information prepared or approved by the Issuer for dissemination to investors or potential investors in the Notes.

  

	6.3	“Dealer Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1. 

  

	6.4	“Dealer Information” shall mean material concerning the Dealer provided by the Dealer in writing expressly for inclusion in the Private Placement Memorandum.

  

	6.5	“DTC” shall mean The Depository Trust Company. 

  

	6.6	“Exchange Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

  

	6.7	“Indemnifying Party” shall have the meaning set forth in Exhibit B. 

  

	6.8	“Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2. 

  

	6.9	“Institutional Accredited Investor” shall mean an institutional investor that is an accredited investor within the meaning of Rule 501 under the Securities Act and that
has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating and bearing the economic risk of an investment in the Notes, including, but not limited to, a bank, as defined in Section 3 (a) (2) of the
Securities Act, or a savings and loan association or other institution, as defined in Section 3 (a) (5) (A) of the Securities Act, whether acting in its individual or fiduciary capacity. 

  

	6.10	“Issuer Indemnitees” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2. 

  

	6.11	“Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement” shall mean the issuing and paying agency agreement described on the cover page of this Agreement, as such agreement may be amended or
supplemented from time to time. 

  

	6.12	“Issuing and Paying Agent” shall mean the party designated as such on the cover page of this Agreement, as issuing and paying agent under the Issuing and Paying Agency
Agreement, or any successor thereto in accordance with the Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement. 

  

	6.13	“Non-bank fiduciary or agent” shall mean a fiduciary or agent other than (a) a bank, as defined in Section 3 (a) (2) of the Securities Act, or (b) a savings and loan
association, as defined in Section 3 (a) (5) (A) of the Securities Act. 

  

	6.14	“Private Placement Memorandum” shall mean offering materials prepared in accordance with Section 4 (including materials referred to therein or incorporated by reference
therein) provided to purchasers and prospective purchasers of the Notes, and shall include amendments and supplements thereto which may be prepared from time to time in accordance with this Agreement (other than any amendment or supplement that has
been completely superseded by a later amendment or supplement). 

  

	6.15	“Qualified Institutional Buyer” shall have the meaning assigned to that term in Rule 144A under the Securities Act. 

  

	6.16	“Rule 144A” shall mean Rule 144A under the Securities Act. 

  

	6.17	“SEC” shall mean the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 

  

	6.18	“Securities Act” shall mean the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. 

  

	6.19	“Sophisticated Individual Accredited Investor” shall mean an individual who (a) is an accredited investor within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and
(b) based on his or her pre-existing relationship with the Dealer, is reasonably believed by the Dealer to be a sophisticated investor (i) possessing such knowledge and experience (or represented by a fiduciary or agent possessing such knowledge and
experience) in financial and business matters that he or she is capable of evaluating and bearing the economic risk of an investment in the Notes and (ii) having a net worth of at least $5 million. 

  

	7.	General 

  

	7.1	Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices under this Agreement to parties hereto shall be in writing and shall be effective when received at the address of the
respective party set forth in the Addendum to this Agreement. 

  

	7.2	This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. 

 

	7.3	The Issuer agrees that any suit, action or proceeding brought by the Dealer against the Issuer in connection with or arising out of this Agreement or the Notes or the offer and sale
of the Notes may be brought in the United States federal courts located in The City of New York or the courts of the State of New York located in The City of New York. EACH OF THE DEALER AND THE ISSUER WAIVES ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT,
ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. 

  

	7.4	This Agreement may be terminated, at any time, by the Issuer, upon one business day’s prior notice to such effect to the Dealer, or by the Dealer upon one business day’s
prior notice to such effect to the Issuer. Any such termination, however, shall not affect the obligations of the Issuer and the Dealer under Section 5 hereof or the respective representations, warranties, agreements, covenants, rights or
responsibilities of the parties made or arising prior to the termination of this Agreement. 

  

	7.5	This Agreement is not assignable by either party hereto without the written consent of the other party. 

  

	7.6	This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same
instrument. 

  

	7.7	This Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto, and their respective permitted successors and assigns hereunder, and shall not be deemed to give any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim to any other person whatsoever. 

  
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date and year first above written. 
  

									
	 The Kroger Co., as Issuer
	 	 	 	 Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as Dealer

					
	By:	 	/S/ Scott M. Henderson	 	 	 	By:	 	 /S/ James M. Hennessy

	 Name:
	 	 Scott M. Henderson
	 	 	 	 Name:
	 	 James M. Hennessy

	 Title:
	 	 VP & Treasurer
	 	 	 	 Title:
	 	 Director

  

 Addendum 
  
 The following additional clauses shall apply to the Agreement and be deemed a part thereof. 
  

	1.	The other dealers referred to in clause (b) of Section 1.2 of the Agreement are Bank America Securities LLC. 

  

	2.	The following changes are hereby made to the Agreement. 

  

	 	(a)	Section 1.6(j) is hereby added to the Agreement, as follows: 

  

	 	(j)	The Issuer hereby agrees that, not later than 15 days after the first sale of Notes as contemplated by this Agreement, it will file with the SEC a notice on Form D in accordance
with Rule 503 under the Securities Act and that it will thereafter file such amendments to such notice as Rule 503 may require. 

  

	 	(b)	Section 2.4 of the Agreement is amended by adding the words “and Regulation D thereunder” after the words “Section 4 (2) thereof “ on the third line of such
Section. 

  

	 	(c)	A new Section 6.17 is hereby added to the Agreement, as follows: 

  
 6.17 “Regulation D” shall mean Regulation D (Rules 501 et seq.) under the Securities Act. 
  

	3.	The following Section 3.8 is hereby added to the Agreement: 

  

	 	3.8	Without limiting any obligation of the Issuer pursuant to this Agreement to provide the Dealer with credit and financial information, the Issuer hereby acknowledges and agrees that
the Dealer may share the Company Information and any other information or matters relating to the Issuer or the transactions contemplated hereby with affiliates of the Dealer, including, but not limited to, Citibank, N.A., and that such affiliates
may likewise share information relating to the Issuer or such transactions with the Dealer. 

  

	4.	The addresses of the respective parties for purposes of notices under Section 7.1 are as follows: 

  

			
	For the Issuer:	  	 
		
	Address:	  	1014 Vine Street
	 	  	Cincinnati, OH 45205
	Attention:	  	Cindy Holmes
	Telephone number:	  	(513) 762-4000
	Fax number:	  	(513) 762 1203
		
	For the Dealer:	  	 
		
	Address:	  	Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
	 	  	390 Greenwich Street, 4th Floor
	 	  	New York, NY 10013
	Attention:	  	Money Markets Origination
	Telephone number:	  	(212) 723-6378
	Fax number:	  	(212) 723-8624

  
 Exhibit A 
  
 Form of Legend for Private Placement Memorandum and Notes 
  
 THE NOTES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
“ACT”), OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAW, AND OFFERS AND SALES THEREOF MAY BE MADE ONLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. BY ITS
ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE, THE PURCHASER WILL BE DEEMED TO REPRESENT THAT IT HAS BEEN AFFORDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVESTIGATE MATTERS RELATING TO THE ISSUER AND THE NOTES, THAT IT IS NOT ACQUIRING SUCH NOTE WITH A VIEW TO ANY DISTRIBUTION THEREOF AND THAT
IT IS EITHER (A) AN INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR OR HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED INDIVIDUAL INVESTOR THAT IS AN ACCREDITED INVESTOR WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501 (a) UNDER THE ACT AND WHICH, IN THE CASE OF AN INDIVIDUAL, (i) POSSESSES SUCH KNOWLEDGE AND
EXPERIENCE IN FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS MATTERS THAT HE OR SHE IS CAPABLE OF EVALUATING AND BEARING THE ECONOMIC RISK OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES AND (ii) HAS A NET WORTH OF AT LEAST $5 MILLION (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR” OR
“SOPHISTICATED INDIVIDUAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”, RESPECTIVELY) AND THAT EITHER IS PURCHASING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT, IS A U.S. BANK (AS DEFINED IN SECTION 3 (a) (2) OF THE ACT) OR A SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OR OTHER INSTITUTION (AS
DEFINED IN SECTION 3 (a) (5) (A) OF THE ACT) ACTING IN ITS INDIVIDUAL OR FIDUCIARY CAPACITY OR IS A FIDUCIARY OR AGENT (OTHER THAN A U.S. BANK OR SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION) PURCHASING NOTES FOR ONE OR MORE ACCOUNTS EACH OF WHICH IS SUCH AN
INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR SOPHISTICATED INDIVIDUAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR (i) WHICH ITSELF POSSESSES SUCH KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE OR (ii) WITH RESPECT TO WHICH SUCH PURCHASER HAS SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION; OR (B) A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL
BUYER (“QIB”) WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE ACT WHICH IS ACQUIRING NOTES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR ONE OR MORE ACCOUNTS, EACH OF WHICH IS A QIB AND WITH RESPECT TO EACH OF WHICH THE PURCHASER HAS SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION;
AND THE PURCHASER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT IS AWARE THAT THE SELLER MAY RELY UPON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 

  

 
144A. BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE, THE PURCHASER THEREOF SHALL ALSO BE DEEMED TO AGREE THAT ANY RESALE OR OTHER TRANSFER THEREOF WILL BE MADE ONLY (A) IN A
TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT, EITHER (1) TO THE ISSUER OR TO CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC. OR ANOTHER PERSON DESIGNATED BY THE ISSUER AS A PLACEMENT AGENT FOR THE NOTES (COLLECTIVELY, THE “PLACEMENT AGENTS”), NONE OF
WHICH SHALL HAVE ANY OBLIGATION TO ACQUIRE SUCH NOTE, (2) THROUGH A PLACEMENT AGENT TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, SOPHISTICATED INDIVIDUAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR A QIB, OR (3) TO A QIB IN A TRANSACTION THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE
144A AND (B) IN MINIMUM AMOUNTS OF $250,000. 
  

 Exhibit B 
  
 Further Provisions Relating to Indemnification 
  

	(a)	The Issuer or the Dealer, as the case may be (the “Indemnifying Party”) agrees to reimburse each Indemnitee for all expenses (including reasonable fees and disbursements
of external counsel) as they are incurred by it in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect of which indemnification may be sought under Section 5 of the Agreement (whether or not it is a
party to any such proceedings); provided however, the above obligation shall only be enforced to the extent that it is mutually agreed upon or when a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction holds that an Indemnitee is
entitled to indemnification hereunder. 

  

	(b)	Promptly after receipt by an Indemnitee of notice of the existence of a Claim, such Indemnitee will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Indemnifying Party,
notify the Indemnifying Party in writing of the existence thereof; provided that (i) the omission so to notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability which it may have hereunder unless and except to the
extent it did not otherwise learn of such Claim and such failure results in the forfeiture by the Indemnifying Party of substantial rights and defenses, and (ii) the omission so to notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve it from liability
which it may have to an Indemnitee otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In case any such Claim is made against any Indemnitee and it notifies the Indemnifying Party of the existence thereof, the Indemnifying Party will be entitled
to participate therein, and to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the Indemnitee, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnitee; provided that if the defendants in any such Claim
include both the Indemnitee and the Indemnifying Party, and the Indemnitee shall have concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it which are different from or additional to those available to the Indemnifying Party, and so long as such
defenses are in conflict, or may pose a conflict, with the defenses of the Indemnifying Party, the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to direct the defense of such Claim on behalf of such Indemnitee, and the Indemnitee shall have the right
to select separate counsel to assert such legal defenses on behalf of such Indemnitee. Upon receipt of notice from the Indemnifying Party to such Indemnitee of the Indemnifying Party’s election so to assume the defense of such Claim and
approval by the Indemnitee of counsel, the Indemnifying Party will not be liable to such Indemnitee for expenses incurred thereafter by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense thereof (other than reasonable costs of investigation) unless (i)
the Indemnitee shall have employed separate counsel in connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for
the expenses of more than one separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel in the jurisdiction in which any Claim is brought), approved by the Indemnitee, representing the Indemnitee who is party to such Claim), (ii) the Indemnifying Party
shall not have employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee to represent the Indemnitee within a reasonable time after notice of existence of the Claim or (iii) the Indemnifying Party has authorized in writing the employment of counsel
for the Indemnitee. The indemnity, reimbursement and contribution obligations of the Indemnifying Parties hereunder shall be in addition to any other liability the Indemnifying Parties may otherwise have to an Indemnitee and shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of any successors, assigns, heirs and personal representatives of the Indemnifying Parties and any Indemnitee. The Issuer and the Dealer agree that without the other’s prior written consent, it will not settle,
compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment in any Claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought under the indemnification provision of the Agreement (whether or not the Issuer, the Dealer or any other Indemnitee is an actual or
potential party to such Claim), unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each Indemnitee from all liability arising out of such Claim with the understanding that such settlement may only pertain to one of
several Claims. 

  

 AMENDMENT TO COMMERCIAL 
 PAPER DEALER AGREEMENT 
  
 This
Amendment is entered into this 9th day of June, 2004, between The Kroger Co., as Issuer, and Citigroup Global
Markets Inc., as Dealer. 
  
 The parties have executed a
Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement (the “Agreement”) dated as of December 3, 2003, with respect to a Section 4(2) Commercial Paper Program, and they desire to amend that Agreement. 
  

	1.	The following is added to the Agreement as Section 3.9: 

  
 For so long as the Credit Agreement is outstanding and the obligations thereunder are guaranteed by the Issuer’s Material Subsidiaries, the Issuer
will cause its Material Subsidiaries to guarantee the Notes. The guarantee of the Notes automatically will be extinguished without further action in the event that the Material Subsidiaries no longer guarantee the obligations under the Credit
Agreement. 
  

	2.	The following definitions are added to Section 6: 

  
 “Credit Agreement” means the Five-Year Credit Agreement dated as of May 20, 2004, among the Issuer, as Borrower, the Initial Lenders named
therein, Citibank, N.A., and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Administrative Agents, and Bank of America, N.A., The Royal Bank of Scotland plc, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Ltd., Chicago Branch, and the Union Bank of California, N.A., as Co-Syndication
Agents, as such agreement may be amended, modified, or restated, and any replacements thereof. 
  
 “Material Subsidiary” has the meaning ascribed to that term in the Credit Agreement. 
  
 Except as set forth above, the Agreement remains unchanged and in full force and effect. 
  
 EXECUTED as of the date set forth above. 
  

									
	 THE KROGER CO.,
 as Issuer.
	 	 	 	 CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,
 as Dealer.

					
	By:	 	 /S/ Scott M. Henderson
	 	 	 	By:	 	 /S/ James M. Hennessy

	 Name:
	 	 Scott M. Henderson
	 	 	 	 Name:
	 	 James M. Hennessy

	 Title:
	 	 Vice President and Treasurer
	 	 	 	 Title:
	 	 Managing DirectorAmended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

 Exhibit 4.1 
  

 
 AMENDED AND RESTATED 
  
 CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION 
  
 OF 
  
 EARLE M. JORGENSEN COMPANY 
  
  
  
 Earle M. Jorgensen Company, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Act”), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY THAT: 
  
 1. In accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the Act, this
amendment and restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Earle M. Jorgensen Company has been duly adopted by the sole stockholder of this Corporation by written consent in accordance with Sections 228(a) of the Act, and by the Board of
Directors acting at a meeting by unanimous vote approving a resolution setting forth the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, declaring its adoption advisable and submitting it to the sole stockholder entitled to vote in respect
thereof for its consideration. The original name the corporation was incorporated under was The EMJ Company. The original Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on February 28, 1975. 

 
 2. This amendment and restatement amends and restates this
Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation to read in its entirety as follows: 
  
 Section 1. The name of the Corporation is the Earle M. Jorgensen Company (hereinafter the “Corporation”). 
  
 Section 2. The address of the registered office of the Corporation in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, City of Wilmington, County of New
Castle, 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company. 
  
 Section 3. The nature of the business of the Corporation and its purpose is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be
organized under the Act. 
  
 Section 4. 
  
 (a) The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have the
authority to issue is eighty million (80,000,000) shares of common stock, each having a par value of one tenth of a cent ($0.001) (the “Common Stock”), and ten million (10,000,000) shares of preferred stock, each having a par value of one
tenth of a cent ($0.001) (“Preferred Stock”). No share shall be issued until it has been paid for, and all shares, when and as issued, shall thereafter be nonassessable. 
  
  

 1 

 (b) The following is a description of the preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers,
restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications and terms and conditions of redemption of the Common Stock of the Corporation: 
  
 (i) Each share of Common Stock shall have one vote, and, except as otherwise provided in respect of any other class of stock hereafter classified or
reclassified, the exclusive voting power for all purposes shall be vested in the holders of the Common Stock. Shares of Common Stock shall not have cumulative voting rights. 
  
 (ii) Subject to the provisions of law and any preferences of any Preferred Stock or any other class of stock hereafter
classified or reclassified, dividends, including dividends payable in shares of another class of the Corporation’s stock, may be paid ratably on the Common Stock at such time and in such amounts as the Board or Directors may deem advisable.

  
 (iii) In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled, together with the holders of any other class of stock hereafter classified or reclassified not having a preference on distributions in the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, to share ratably in the net assets of the Corporation remaining, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Corporation and the amount to which the
holders of any class of stock hereafter classified or reclassified having a preference on distributions in the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation shall be entitled. 
  
 (c) The Board of Directors is expressly authorized to provide for the issuance of all or any shares of the Preferred Stock
in one or more classes or series, and to fix for each such class or series such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such distinctive designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and
such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such class or series and as may be permitted by the Act,
including, without limitation, the authority to provide that any such class or series may be (i) subject to redemption at such time or times and at such price or prices; (ii) entitled to receive dividends (which may be cumulative or non-cumulative)
at such rates, on such conditions, and at such times, and payable in preference to, or in such relation to, the dividends payable on any other class or classes or any other series; (iii) entitled to such rights upon the dissolution of, or upon any
distribution of the assets of, the Corporation; or (iv) convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of stock, or of any other series of the same or any other class or classes of stock, of the Corporation at such price
or prices or at such rates of exchange and with such adjustments; all as may be stated in such resolution or resolutions. Subject to the express terms of any other series of Preferred Stock outstanding at the time, the Board of Directors may
increase or decrease the number of shares or alter the designation or classify or reclassify any unissued shares of a particular series of Preferred Stock by fixing or altering in any one or more respect from time to time before issuing the shares
any terms, rights, restrictions and qualification of the shares.  
  

 2 

 Section 5. The number of directors of the Corporation shall be fixed and may be altered from time to time
in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation (the “Bylaws”), and vacancies in the Board of Directors and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled and directors
may be removed as provided in the Bylaws. 
  
 Section 6. All
corporate powers and authority of the Corporation (except as at the time otherwise provided by law, by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or by the Bylaws) shall be vested in and exercised by the Board of Directors. 

 
 Section 7. The election of directors may be conducted in any manner
approved by the stockholders at the time when the election is held and need not be by ballot, unless the Bylaws of the Corporation provide otherwise. 
  
 Section 8. The stockholders of the Corporation shall not be entitled to preemptive rights to purchase, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire any unissued or
treasury shares of capital stock of the Corporation, or any options or warrants to purchase shares, or any shares, bonds, notes, debentures or other securities convertible into or carrying options or warrants to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise
acquire any such unissued or treasury shares. 
  
 Section 9. A
majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the Act, if a quorum is
present, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the subject matter (and present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting) other than the election of directors, shall be the act of the stockholders. Directors
shall be elected by plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by a proxy at the meeting entitled to vote on the election of directors. 
  
 Section 10. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation
may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of all the outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon and shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of
business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the Corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified registered mail,
return receipt requested. Every written consent shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within sixty (60) days of
the earliest dated consent delivered in the manner required by this Section 10 to the Corporation, written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take action are delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the
State of Delaware, its principal 
  
  

 3 

 
place of business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceeding of meetings are recorded. Prompt notice of the
taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of
the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of holders to take the action were delivered to the Corporation as provided above in this Section. 
  
 Section 11. The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the
provisions of the Act, as now or hereafter in effect, indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify under such provisions. The indemnification provided by this Section shall not limit or exclude any rights, indemnities or limitations of liability to
which any person may be entitled whether as a matter of law, under the Bylaws of the Corporation, by agreement, vote of the stockholders or disinterested directors of the Corporation or otherwise. 
  
 Section 12. No director of the Corporation shall be personally liable to the
Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Act, as the same exists or hereafter may be amended, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit. If the Act is amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Corporation, in addition to the limitation on personal liability provided herein, shall be limited
to the fullest extent permitted by the amended Act. Any repeal or modification of this Section 12 by the stockholders of the Corporation shall be prospective only and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director
of the Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification. 
  
 Section 13. The Corporation shall not be governed by Section 203 of the Act. 
  
 Section 14. The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter, change, or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in any manner now or hereafter prescribed or
permitted by the Act and does further authorize at any time prior to the filing of such amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State, notwithstanding authorization of the proposed amendment by the stockholders of the Corporation, the Board of
Directors may abandon such proposed amendment without further action by the stockholders. 
  

 4 

 Section 15. The Board of Directors shall have the power without the assent or vote of the stockholders of
the Corporation to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Bylaws, except to the extent that the Bylaws or the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation otherwise provide. 
  
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I, William S. Johnson, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of the Corporation, have
executed this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation on behalf of the Corporation as of the 14th day of April, 2005, and DO HEREBY CERTIFY under the penalties of perjury that the facts stated in this Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation are true. 
  
  

			
	 EARLE M. JORGENSEN COMPANY

		
	 By:
	 	/s/ William S. Johnson
	 Name:
	 	William S. Johnson
	 Title:
	 	Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

  

 5

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