Document:

2013 10K Exhibit 10.1.17 - 2nd Amendment Cr Agrmnt

 

SECOND AMENDMENT dated as of  October 29, 2012 (this “Amendment”), in respect of the AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of October 7, 2011, as amended and further restated on April 20, 2012, pursuant to the First Amendment dated March 26, 2012 (as further amended from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD. (“GrafTech”); GRAFTECH LUXEMBOURG I S.À.R.L. (“Luxembourg Parent”);  GRAFTECH LUXEMBOURG II S.À.R.L. (“Luxembourg Holdco”); GRAFTECH FINANCE INC. (“Finance”); GRAFTECH SWITZERLAND S.A. (“Swissco” and, together with Finance and Luxembourg Holdco, the “Borrowers”); the LC SUBSIDIARIES from time to time party thereto; the LENDERS from time to time party thereto; and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The Borrowers have requested that the Credit Agreement be amended as set forth below.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.
In consideration of the above premises and the agreements, provisions and covenants herein contained, and other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein, as follows:
SECTION 1.    Amendment.  Upon the effectiveness of this Amendment as provided in Section 3 below, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
(a)    Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add the following definition:
““Senior Notes” shall mean the Senior Notes of GrafTech referred to in Section 6.01(b)(vi) hereof.”
(b)    The definition of “General Debt Basket” contained in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:
““General Debt Basket” shall mean, in connection with any incurrence of Indebtedness, (a) if the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the then most recently ended fiscal quarter, computed on a pro forma basis giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness and to all other incurrences and repayments of Indebtedness since the end of such fiscal quarter, would be less than 3.25 to 1.00, $400,000,000, and (b) otherwise, $250,000,000.”
(c)    The definition of “Permitted Subsidiary Investment” contained in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended (i) by deleting the words “of, and” in clause (a) thereof and inserting “, (b)” in their place and (ii) by relettering clause (b) as clause (c).
(d)    Section 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following new clause (xiii) immediately after clause (xii) thereof and renumbering clauses (xiii), (xiv), (xv), (xvi) and (xvii) thereof as clauses (xiv), (xv), (xvi), (xvii) and (xviii), respectively (and all references to such clauses in the Credit Agreement shall be amended to reflect such renumbering):
“(xiii) Guarantees by Finance or any Guarantor of the Senior Notes and Indebtedness of Finance representing an intercompany loan from GrafTech of the proceeds of the Senior Notes to permit the repayment of amounts outstanding under this Agreement;”
(e)    Section 6.01(b) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended (i) by inserting at the end of clause (b)(i) thereof the words “and Permitted Refinancing Notes in respect of the Senior Subordinated Notes”, and (ii) by inserting the following new clause (vi) immediately after clause (v) thereof and renumbering clauses (vi) and (vii) thereof as clauses (vii) and (viii), respectively (and all references to such clauses in the Credit Agreement shall be amended to reflect such renumbering): 
“(vi) up to $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes of GrafTech issued after the Effective Date and on or prior to November 30, 2012, and intercompany loans of the proceeds thereof to permit the repayment of amounts outstanding under this Agreement;”
(f)    Section 6.01(c) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following new clause (vi) immediately after clause (v) thereof and renumbering clauses (vi) and (vii) thereof as clauses (vii) and (viii), respectively (and all references to such clauses in the Credit Agreement shall be amended to reflect such renumbering): 
“(vi) Indebtedness to GrafTech or Finance representing the proceeds of the Senior Notes;”
(g)    Section 6.04(j) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read as follows: 
“(j) any Investment constituting a Permitted Subsidiary Investment made after the Effective Date; provided, that (i) either (A) the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter of GrafTech for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.04(a) or (b) (recomputed on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Investment as if such Investment had occurred on the first day of the relevant period for such computation) is less than or equal to 3.25 to 1.00 or (B) such Permitted Subsidiary Investment is a Permitted Acquisition and the amount of such Investment, taken together with the aggregate amount of all other Permitted Subsidiary Investments made pursuant to this clause (B) during the term of this Agreement, shall not exceed $400,000,000, and (ii) the Availability Condition shall be satisfied following such Investment and payment of all related costs and expenses;”
(h)    Section 6.04 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the following new clause (s) immediately after clause (r) thereof: 
“(s) Investments constituting intercompany loans to Finance and Luxembourg Holdco (i) of proceeds of Senior Notes to permit the recipients to repay amounts outstanding under this Agreement and (ii) of proceeds of other Indebtedness to fund Investments permitted under Section 6.04(j)(B);”
(i)    Section 6.08(b)(iii), of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by inserting at the end thereof “and Investments in Subsidiaries permitted by Section 6.04”.
(j)    Section 6.09(a) of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended (i) by replacing the word “and” immediately following clause (ii) thereof with a comma and (ii) by inserting the following new clause (iv):
“or (iv) in order to fund payments in respect of the Senior Notes or other Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01(b).”
SECTION 2.    Representations and Warranties.  Each of GrafTech and the Borrowers hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, as of the Effective Date (as defined below) that:
(a)    no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and
(b)    the representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date (in which case they were true and correct as of such earlier date).  
SECTION 3.    Effectiveness.  This Amendment shall become effective on the date (the “Effective Date”) on which the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof duly executed and delivered by GrafTech, the Borrowers and the Required Lenders.
SECTION 1.    Applicable Law.  THIS AMENDMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
SECTION 2.    Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Amendment by facsimile or electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment.  This Amendment shall constitute a “Loan Document” for all purposes of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
SECTION 3.    Expenses.  GrafTech and Finance agree to reimburse the Administrative Agent for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it in connection with this Amendment, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, counsel for the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 4.    No Other Amendments; Confirmation.  Except as expressly set forth herein, this Amendment shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute an amendment of or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, all of which are ratified and affirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and effect.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to entitle the Borrowers to a consent to, or an amendment, modification or other change of, any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in similar or different circumstances.  This Amendment shall apply and be effective only with respect to the provisions of the Credit Agreement specifically referred to herein.  On and after the Effective Date, any reference to the Credit Agreement shall mean the Credit Agreement as modified hereby.
SECTION 5.    Headings.  The headings of this Amendment are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.
	
		
	GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.,

	

   by  /s/ Quinn J. Coburn___________

	 
	Name:   Quinn J. Coburn

	 
	Title:   Vice President - Treasury, Treasurer

	
		
	GRAFTECH FINANCE INC.,

	

   by  /s/ Quinn J. Coburn___________

	 
	Name:   Quinn J. Coburn

	 
	Title:   Vice President - Treasury, Treasurer

	
		
	GRAFTECH LUXEMBOURG I S.À.R.L.,

	

   by  /s/ John D. Moran___________

	 
	Name:   John D. Moran

	 
	Title:   Attorney-in-Fact

	
		
	GRAFTECH LUXEMBOURG II S.À.R.L.,

	

   by  /s/ John D. Moran___________

	 
	Name:   John D. Moran

	 
	Title:   Attorney-in-Fact

	
		
	GRAFTECH SWITZERLAND S.A.,

	

   by  /s/ John D. Moran___________

	 
	Name:   John D. Moran

	 
	Title:   Attorney-in-Fact

	
		
	JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender,

	

   by  /s/ Peter S. Predun ___________

	 
	Name:   Peter S. Predun

	 
	Title:   Executive Director

SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. 

  by
       /s/ Kenneth G. Wood    
       Name: Kenneth G. Wood
       Title:  Senior Vice President

  by
           
       Name: 
       Title:

SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA 

  by
       /s/ Michelle C. Phillips    
       Name: Michelle C. Phillips
       Title:  Director

 

SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: BANK OF THE WEST 

  by
       /s/ Camille Farnsworth-Schrader    
       Name: Camille Farnsworth-Schrader
       Title:  Vice President

 
SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: BNP PARIBAS

  by
       /s/ Michael A. Kowalczuk    
       Name: Michael A. Kowalczuk
       Title:  Director

  by1 
       /s/ Berangere Allen             
       Name: Berangere Allen
       Title:  Director

 

_____________________________________
1.  For any Lender requiring a second signature line    
SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: Fifth Third Bank

  by
       /s/ Sandra Centa    
       Name: Sandra Centa
       Title:  Vice President

  By1 
           
       Name: 
       Title:

_____________________________________
1.  For any Lender requiring a second signature line    
SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: THE HUNTINGTON 
                          NATIONAL BANK

  by
       /s/ Brian H. Gallagher    
       Name: Brian H. Gallagher
       Title:  Senior Vice President

 By1 
           
       Name: 
       Title:

_____________________________________
1.  For any Lender requiring a second signature line    
 
SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender:  KEYBANK NATIONAL
                             ASSOCIATION

  by
       /s/ Suzannah Valdivia    
       Name: Suzannah Valdivia
       Title:  Vice President

 
SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: PNC Bank NA

  by
       /s/ Christian S. Brown    
       Name: Christian S. Brown
       Title:  Senior Vice President

By1 
           
       Name: 
       Title:

_____________________________________
1.  For any Lender requiring a second signature line    
SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: The Royal Bank of Scotland plc 

  by
       /s/ Brett Thompson    
       Name: Brett Thompson
       Title:  Director

By1 
           
       Name: 
       Title:

_____________________________________
1.  For any Lender requiring a second signature line    
 
SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: Sovereign Bank, N.A.

  by
       /s/ John W. Deegan    
       Name: John W. Deegan
       Title:  Senior Vice President

 
SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: U.S. Bank National Association

  by
       /s/ Mark Irey    
       Name: Mark Irey 
       Title:  AVP

 
SIGNATURE PAGE
 
SECOND AMENDMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 29, 2012, TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF OCTOBER 7, 2011, AS AMENDED AND FURTHER RESTATED ON APRIL 20, 2012, PURSUANT TO THE FIRST AMENDMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2012, OF GRAFTECH INTERNATIONAL LTD.

Name of Lender: Wells Fargo Bank, NA

  by
       /s/ Jeffrey White    
       Name: Jeffrey White
       Title:  Vice President

 

 [[NYCORP:3374823v4:3136D: 10/18/2012--09:53 a]]2013 10K Exhibit 10.4.3 - LTIP

Long Term Incentive Plan Award Agreement

This Award Agreement (this “Agreement”) governs the Stock Option Award, the Restricted Stock Unit Award, and/or the Performance Share Unit Award identified below (each, an “Award, and collectively, the “Awards”) granted by GrafTech International Ltd. (“GrafTech”) on November 27, 2012 (the “Grant Date”) to _______________________ (“Participant”) under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), which is incorporated herein and made a part hereof.  Terms not defined in this Agreement shall have the same meanings as in the Plan.

ARTICLE I – GRANT OF STOCK OPTION AWARD

	
		
	Exercise Price
	$9.51 per share

	Option Award
	The option to purchase ________ shares of GrafTech’s Common Stock (“Shares”) conditioned upon vesting (the “Options”).

1.1  Option granted.  Participant is hereby granted the Option Award set forth above. The Options are Nonqualified Stock Options.
1.2  Time Vesting.  To the extent not sooner vested or forfeited, one-third of the Options shall vest annually on each of the first three anniversaries of the Grant Date.
1.3  Exercise of Option Award.  The Options may be exercised only by Participant or, in the event of Participant’s death or Disability, Participant’s estate or legal representative, as applicable.  Payment of the Exercise Price shall be made in cash (including check, bank draft or money order) or, with the Compensation Committee’s consent, delivery of Shares with a fair market value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Options being exercised.  Participant may exercise the Options pursuant to such cashless or other exercise procedures as may be adopted by GrafTech and in effect at the time of the exercise of the Options.
1.4  Expiration.  Vested and unvested Options shall expire on the earlier of (i) the applicable date set forth in Section 5.2 or (ii) 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 27, 2022.

ARTICLE II – GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD

	
		
	Restricted Stock Unit Award
	The right to receive _______ shares of Common Stock conditioned upon vesting (the “Restricted Stock Units”).

2.1  Grant of Restricted Stock Units.  GrafTech hereby grants Participant the Restricted Stock Unit Award set forth above.
2.2  Time Vesting.  To the extent not sooner vested or forfeited, one-third of the Restricted Stock Units shall vest annually on each of the first three anniversaries of the Grant Date.

1

ARTICLE III – GRANT OF PERFORMANCE SHARE UNIT AWARD

	
		
	Performance Share Unit Award
	The right to receive _______ Performance Share Units (the “Target Award”) to the extent and upon achievement of the Performance Measures during the Performance Period and conditioned upon vesting.

3.1  Grant of Performance Share Units.  GrafTech hereby grants Participant the Performance Share Unit Award set forth above.  The Award is subject to the adjustments, restrictions, and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

3.2  Performance Measures.
 
(i)    ROIC.  As to 60% of the Target Award, the Performance Measure shall be the average rate of  return on invested capital (“ROIC”) over the Performance Period, as measured against the Peer Group.  ROIC for each of the three years will be calculated individually, and then averaged to make the final calculation.  For purposes of calculating ROIC in any particular year, if a Peer Group company has a provision for income taxes (or equivalent) at a rate which is below 0%, its tax rate will be deemed to be zero; if a Peer Group company has a provision for income taxes (or equivalent) at a rate which is above 50% in any year, its tax rate will be deemed to be 50%.  At the end of the Performance Period, Peer Group companies will be ranked from highest to lowest by their average rate of ROIC over the Performance Period as calculated under this Section 3.2(i).  

(ii)    EPS Growth.  As to 40% of the Target Award, the Performance Measure shall be the compound annual growth rate (“CAGR”) in EPS over the Performance Period as measured against the Peer Group.  For purposes of this Agreement, “EPS” means earnings per share calculated on a consistent basis under generally accepted accounting principles on a fully diluted basis.  Peer Group companies that have a negative EPS in 2012 will be excluded from the Peer Group over the Performance.At the end of the Performance Period, Peer Group companies will be ranked, from highest to lowest by EPS CAGR as calculated under this Section 3.2(ii).     

3.3  Performance Period.  The “Performance Period” means the three year period beginning January 1, 2013 and ending December 31, 2015.

3.4.  Adjustments to Target Award.

(i)    Earned Shares.  The Target Award shall become earned, and the number of Performance Share Units actually covered by the Target Award shall become fixed, when the Compensation Committee certifies that the Performance Measures have been achieved during the Performance Period.  The number of such Performance Share Units shall be fixed in accordance with Section 3.4(iii) based on the degree (as determined by the Compensation Committee) to which the Performance Measures are achieved during the Performance Period.  Such Perfomance Share Units are referred to as “Earned Shares”.  The Compensation Committee shall have the authority to exercise its discretion to reduce or increase the level of deemed achievement of the Performance Measures; provided, that, in respect of any Performance Share Unit Award granted to any Participant who is, or is determined by the Compensation Committee to be likely to become, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor provision), only “negative discretion” (as such term is used in Treasury Regulation section 1.162-27(e)(2)(iii) or any successor provision) may be exercised. 

(ii)    Performance levels.

2

(a)  “Threshold Performance” is achievement at the 30th percentile of a Performance Measure compared to the Peer Group and represents the level of performance below which the number of Performance Share Units with respect to that Performance Measure actually covered by the Target Award shall be adjusted downward to zero.

(b)  “Target Performance” is achievement at the 50th percentile of a Performance Measure compared to the Peer Group.

(c)  “Maximum Performance” is achievement at the 75th percentile of a Performance Measure compared to the Peer Group and represents the maximum possible upward adjustment to the number of Performance Share Units with respect to that Performance Measure actually covered by the Target Award.

(iii)    Adjustments.

(a)  Adjustments to the Target Award shall be computed by reference to the following table:

	
					
	 
	 ROIC  Performance Measure

	Percentages in this Column Apply to 60% of the Target Award*
	EPS CAGR Growth Performance Measure

	Percentages in this Column Apply to 40% of the Target Award*

	Level Achieved During
Performance Period
(1)
	Rank in Peer Group for Average ROIC for Performance Period
(2)
	Resulting Performance Share Units
Earned
(3)
	Rank in Peer Group for EPS CAGR Growth for Performance Period
(4)
	Resulting Performance Share Units Earned
(5)

	Threshold Performance
	30th Percentile
	50%
	30th Percentile
	50%

	Target Performance
	50th Percentile
	100%
	50th Percentile
	100%

	Maximum Performance
	75th Percentile
	200%
	75th  Percentile
	200%

* Meaning 60% or 40%, respectively, of the number of Performance Share Units granted under the Target Award.

(b)  The total number of Earned Shares shall equal the sum of the numbers calculated under columns (3) and (5) of the table above.

(c)  As to each Performance Measure:

(I)  if GrafTech’s actual performance for the Performance Period is below the Threshold Performance, the number of Earned Shares shall be zero;
 
(II)  if GrafTech’s actual performance for the Performance Period is between Threshold Performance and Target Performance, the number of Earned Shares shall be interpolated on a straight-line basis between Threshold Performance and Target Performance amounts;

(III)  if GrafTech’s actual performance for the Performance Period is between Target Performance and Maximum Performance, the number of Earned Shares shall be interpolated on a straight-line basis between Target Performance and Maximum Performance amounts;

(IV)  if GrafTech’s actual performance for the Performance Period is above the Maximum Performance, the number of Earned Shares shall be 200% of the number of Performance Share Units granted under the Target Award.

3

3.5  Vesting and Forfeiture.  The Committee shall certify whether (and the extent to which, if any)the Performance Measures have been attained within 75 days following the end of the Performance Period.   To the extent not sooner vested or forfeited, Earned Shares shall vest on March 31, 2016.  Any and all Performance Share Units that are not Earned Shares as of March 31, 2016 shall not vest and shall be forfeited.

3.6  Peer Group.  “Peer Group” means the group of 30 companies in the steel, machinery, and electrical equipment industries approved by the Compensation Committee, as of the Grant Date, that are comparable to the Company in size, revenue, assets, employees, market capitalization, complexity, business focus and geographical scope, except that the Compensation Committee shall remove from the Peer Group companies which cease to be comparable or for which GrafTech is unable, without unreasonable effort or expense, to obtain financial information comparable to that available as of the Grant Date that is appropriate to calculate the Performance Measures, as a result of significant changes (such as mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations or other factors), and add to the Peer Group companies consisting of business units within existing Peer Group companies that are formed as a result of spin-offs, split-offs and similar transactions and for which GrafTech is able, without unreasonable effort or expense, to obtain financial information comparable to that available as of the Grant Date that is appropriate to calculate the Performance Measures (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if the remainder of a Peer Group company that effected such a transaction is no longer comparable to the Company, it shall be excluded from the Peer Group).

ARTICLE IV – FORFEITURE AND RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES 

4.1  Forfeiture Events.  

(i)    Participant’s rights, payments, gains and benefits with respect to an Award (whether granted hereunder or under any prior Award Agreement) shall be subject to, in the sole and good faith judgment of the Compensation Committee or the Board, reduction, cancellation, forfeiture or recoupment while Participant is employed or upon or following termination of Participant’s employment for cause, for Participant’s violation of material policies, for Participant’s breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants, or for Participant’s engagement in Detrimental Conduct; provided, that any change to the terms of the Awards shall be effected in a way that causes the Awards to be excluded from the application of, or to comply with, Section 409A of the Code.

(ii)    In addition, in the event that GrafTech is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance of GrafTech with any financial reporting requirement under United States federal securities laws or regulations promulgated thereunder, Participant shall repay or return to GrafTech any compensation received by Participant pursuant to Awards hereunder during the 3-year period preceding the date on which GrafTech is required to prepare such accounting restatement that is in excess of what would have been paid to Participant under the accounting restatement; provided, however, that such repayment or return is in accordance with United States federal securities laws or regulations promulgated thereunder and any applicable rules and regulations of the primary national securities exchange on which GrafTech is listed and determined to be necessary or advisable by the Board or the Compensation Committee. Any amount to be repaid or returned hereunder shall be determined by the Board or the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion, unless otherwise required by applicable laws, and shall be binding on Participant. To the extent that such amounts are not paid to GrafTech, GrafTech may set off, except with respect to any non-qualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, the amounts so payable to it against any amounts that may be owing from time to time by GrafTech or a Subsidiary to Participant, whether as wages, deferred compensation or vacation pay or in the form of any other benefit or for any other reason (subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of applicable plans, programs or arrangements).  There shall be no duplication of recovery under this Paragraph and any of Section 304 of The Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and Section 10D of the Exchange Act, and any rules promulgated thereunder. 

4

4.2  Restricted Activities.  From the effective date of this Agreement and continuing for a period of two (2) years following (a) voluntary termination of Participant’s employment with the Company or (b) involuntary termination of Participant’s employment with the Company for cause, violation of material policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants, or engagement in Detrimental Conduct, Participant agrees to comply with the obligations set forth on Exhibit A hereto.
ARTICLE V – OTHER PROVISIONS

5.1  Change in Control.  

(i)    To the extent not sooner vested, expired, or forfeited, all unvested Awards shall vest (and, as to Options, also become exercisable and, as to Performance Share Units, also become Earned Shares) upon the occurrence of a Change in Control; provided, that Participant must still be an employee of the Company upon the occurrence of such Change in Control. The number of Performance Share Units that shall become Earned Shares which vest upon the occurrence of a Change in Control shall be equal to the number of Performance Share Units granted as the Target Award. 

(ii)    In connection with any Change in Control, (a) Participant may exercise Options on a conditional basis, contingent upon the occurrence of such Change in Control, vesting of such Options and Participant’s being an employee of the Company upon such Change in Control and (b) GrafTech may, in its sole discretion, without Participant’s consent, cancel any Option (in whole or in part and whether or not vested) and pay Participant the excess of (I) the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of such Change in Control, over (II) the Exercise Price, multiplied by the number of Shares subject to the Option which is being cancelled.  

5.2  Certain Events.

(i)    Voluntary Termination and Termination of Employment for Cause.  In the event of Participant’s voluntary termination or termination for cause or Detrimental Conduct: (i) all unearned and/or unvested Awards shall cease to be earnable, shall cease to vest and shall be forfeited; and (ii) all vested Options that have not then been exercised shall expire, and all Earned Shares that have not then vested shall be forfeited, upon the date of Participant’s termination of employment with the Company.

(ii)    Termination of Employment by Company Action; Retirement.  In the event of termination by Company action (without cause, violation of material policies, or breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants and in the absence of Detrimental Conduct) or by Participant’s Retirement:

(a)  as to Option Awards: (I) all unvested Options shall cease to vest and shall be forfeited; and (II) all vested Options shall become immediately exercisable for up to (but no longer than) 12 months following the date of such termination or Retirement (36 months, if termination is due to mandatory Retirement or Retirement at any time after attaining the age of 65 with at least ten (10) years of employment with the Company), but not beyond the original term thereof (after which time they shall expire and be forfeited);

(b)  as to Restricted Stock Unit Awards, all unvested Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall cease to vest and shall be forfeited; 

(c)  as to Performance Share Unit Awards, Participant shall be entitled to receive either (I) if no Change in Control occurs during the Performance Period, a pro-rata portion of the number of Performance Share Units that would have become Earned Shares based on the performance for the entire Performance Period computed based on the ratio of the number of full months Participant is an employee of the Company during the Performance Period over 36 (the total number of months in the Performance Period) or (II) if a Change in Control occurs during the Performance Period and after Participant’s termination of employment with the Company, a pro-rata portion of the number of Performance Share Units granted under the Target 

5

Award computed based on the ratio of the number of full months Participant is an employee of the Company during the Performance Period over 36 (the total number of months in the Performance Period), in each case, such Earned Shares to be deliverable when and as they would have been deliverable if Participant had continued to be an employee.

(iii)    Death or Disability.  In the event of Participant’s death or termination (by the Company or Participant) due to Disability:

(a)  all unvested Options shall vest and become exercisable and such Options and all other vested Options granted under this Agreement may be exercised for up to (but no longer than) 12 months following the date of death or termination, but not beyond the original term thereof (after which time they shall expire and be forfeited);

(b)  as to Restricted Stock Unit Awards, all unvested Restricted Stock Unit Awards shall vest; and 

(c)  as to Performance Share Unit Awards, Participant or, in the event of death, Participant’s successor shall be entitled to receive either (I) if no Change in Control occurs during the Performance Period, a pro-rata portion of the number of Performance Share Units that would have become Earned Shares based on the performance for the entire Performance Period computed based on the ratio of the number of full months Participant is an employee of the Company during the Performance Period over 36 (the total number of months in the Performance Period) or (II) if a Change in Control occurs during the Performance Period and after Participant’s death or termination of employment with the Company, a pro-rata portion of the number of Performance Share Units granted under the Target Award computed based on the ratio of the number of full months Participant is an employee of the Company during the Performance Period over 36 (the total number of months in the Performance Period), and, in each case, such Earned Shares to be deliverable when and as they would have been deliverable if Participant had continued to be an employee.

(iv)    Illustration.  For an illustration of these provisions under Section 5.2, see Exhibit B.

5.3  Recordkeeping and Delivery.

(i)    GrafTech shall keep records of Awards granted under this Agreement in book entry or other electronic form.  GrafTech may engage the services of its transfer agent or other third parties to assist in the administration of the Plan and such Awards.

(ii)    GrafTech may establish an account for Participant with GrafTech’s transfer agent (“Participant’s Account”).  Subject to Section 2(f) of the Plan and Section 5.2, upon vesting and exercise, Shares purchased upon exercise of Options shall be promptly (but in any event within 3 business days), and upon vesting, Shares represented by vested Restricted Stock Unit Awards and vested Earned Shares shall be promptly (but in any event within 30 days following vesting), be delivered to Participant by deposit in Participant’s Account, in book entry form, by direct registration with GrafTech’s transfer agent, or by delivery of a stock certificate; provided, that, in connection with any transaction that constitutes or would, upon occurrence, constitute a Change in Control, GrafTech shall make delivery so that Participant shall have the ability to participate therein as the owner of the Shares so to be delivered and may make such delivery on a conditional basis and on such other terms and conditions as it may determine in its sole discretion. 

5.4  Transferability.
  
(i)    Awards shall not be Transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

(ii)    Shares delivered to Participant pursuant to this Agreement become non-forfeitable and transferable at the time they vest; provided, that transferability may be restricted until all withholding requirements under 

6

Section 5.5 are satisfied and such Shares shall be subject to transfer restrictions as provided in GrafTech’s insider trading and other compliance policies and procedures.

5.5  Withholding Taxes.

(i)    The Company shall withhold or deduct from any or all payments or amounts due to or held for Participant, whether due from the Company or held in Participant’s Account, an amount (the “Withholding Amount”) equal to all taxes (including social security, unemployment, Medicare, and other governmental charges of any kind) required to be withheld or deducted with respect to any and all taxable income and other amounts attributable to Awards (the “Withholding Requirement”).  Alternatively, Participant may elect to pay the Withholding Amount in cash upon such terms and conditions as are acceptable to the Company.

(ii)    The Withholding Amount shall be determined by the Company.      The timing of withholding or deduction shall be determined by the Company; provided, however, that, if such taxes are required to be paid to a tax or other governmental authority before such withholding or deduction is made, then the Company shall pay such taxes when due as agent for Participant and shall be entitled to reimbursement therefor from such payments or amounts, or otherwise.
(iii)    Unless Participant has made or makes a timely election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code or has paid the Withholding Amount in cash as provided above, Participant authorizes GrafTech and any broker designated by it to sell, on his or her behalf and for his or her account, such number of Shares otherwise deliverable pursuant to an Award as GrafTech or the broker may deem appropriate to satisfy each Withholding Requirement or to reimburse the Company in respect thereof, so that the net proceeds from such sale equal or exceed the applicable Withholding Amount, and to use the net proceeds to satisfy such Withholding Requirement (with any excess net proceeds to be paid to or deposited in an account of Participant).

(iv)    If Participant has made or makes an election pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code, he or she shall immediately file a copy thereof with the Company and upon demand by the Company make a cash payment to the Company equal to any Withholding Amount in respect thereof.

(v)    In connection with any sale of Shares pursuant to this Section 5.5, Participant agrees that: (a) such sale may be aggregated with sales of Shares granted to other participants under the Plan or other plans of the Company; (b) such aggregated sales may be made from time to time in one or more installments at any time and over time as GrafTech or the broker may deem necessary or appropriate with a view toward avoidance or minimization of disruption of the market for the Shares, administrative convenience, minimization of costs and expenses or other factors; and (c) the net proceeds from such aggregated sales and the sale prices of the Shares sold may be allocated among such Shares and other securities and Participant and such other participants as GrafTech or the broker may deem reasonable.
(vi)    Participant understands that: (a) different Withholding Requirements may arise at different times based on time of delivery or vesting of Awards, tax elections or other factors; (b) different Withholding Requirements may be based on different values attributable to Awards at such times or otherwise based on applicable tax laws, changes in the financial condition of the Company, changes in market or economic conditions or other factors; (c) it may not be practicable or permissible to sell Shares to satisfy each Withholding Requirement at the time due because of rules and requirements of the broker or the Company, potential liability for short-swing profits, applicable laws, applicable rules of any securities exchange or market, or other factors; and (d) as a result, Shares may be sold at times and values that differ from those applicable to such Withholding Requirement and that such differences can result in gains or losses relative to those values and capital gains and losses for tax purposes in addition to the taxes described in Section 5.5(i).

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(vi)    Participant hereby appoints the Vice President Human Resources and each officer of GrafTech to be Participant’s true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, to take, cause to be taken and authorize the taking of any and all actions which any such attorney-in-fact may deem necessary, appropriate, convenient or expedient to sell Shares issuable pursuant to the Awards to generate net proceeds to satisfy any and all Withholding Requirements and to use net proceeds in satisfaction thereof. This power of attorney shall not be affected in any manner by reason of the execution, at any time, of other powers of attorney and shall not be affected by the subsequent death, disability or incompetence of Participant.  This power of attorney is irrevocable and coupled with an interest and shall remain in effect until all Withholding Requirements have been fully and unconditionally satisfied.

(viii)      Participant acknowledges and agrees that neither the Company nor the broker, nor any of their respective affiliates, control persons, directors, officers, employees, representatives or agents, shall have any liability or obligation for any losses, damages, costs or expenses of any kind or under any theory arising out of or in connection with any action or omission under this Section 5.5 (including the determination of any Withholding Amount or the time when any Withholding Requirement is required to be satisfied or any sale of or delay in selling or failure to sell or the price, terms or conditions of sale of any Shares), including any liability for any claim that Participant could have made more or lost less in connection therewith or for any capital gain or loss due to the difference in time between the triggering of a Withholding Requirement and the resale of Shares in respect thereof or for violations of insider trading or other laws or for incurrence of liability for short-swing profits under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines by final and non-appealable judgment that any such losses, damages, costs or expenses resulted from actions taken or omitted in bad faith or due to gross negligence or willful misconduct.  References in this Section 5.5 to “selling” and correlative terms include all activities related thereto, including placement and execution of sell orders, selection of brokers and dealers, delivery of Shares, receipt of proceeds and payment of fees and commissions.

(ix)     The provisions hereof regarding sale of Shares to satisfy Withholding Requirements are also intended to constitute a trading plan within the meaning of Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Act.

5.6  Notices.  Notices to GrafTech under this Agreement shall be addressed to GrafTech International Ltd., 12900 Snow Road, Parma, Ohio 44130, Attention: Vice President of Human Resources, with a copy to GrafTech’s General Counsel at the same address.  Notices to Participant shall be addressed to the most recent address provided by Participant to GrafTech.  Either party may designate in writing another address for notices.

5.7  Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.  To the extent there are any ambiguities in this Agreement or the Plan, any such ambiguities shall be construed in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A.

5.8  Amendments and Conflicting Agreements.  This Agreement may be amended by a written instrument executed by the parties which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement or by a written instrument executed by GrafTech which so states if such amendment is not adverse to Participant or relates to administrative matters.  To the extent that ambiguities in a prior version of this form of Agreement have been clarified in this Agreement, the prior versions shall be construed consistent with this Agreement.
5.9  Interpretation.  Unless otherwise expressly specified herein, all determinations, consents, elections and other decisions by the Company, the Board, the Compensation Committee or the broker may be made, withheld or delayed in the relevant decision-maker’s  sole and absolute discretion.
5.10  Disclosure and Use of Information.  By signing and returning this Agreement, and as a condition of the grant of Awards, Participant hereby expressly consents to the collection, use, and transfer of personal data by the Company and by any agent of the Company (“Data Recipients”) for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan.  Participant understands 

8

that Data Recipients are or may be located in his or her country of residence or elsewhere. Further, Participant understands that he or she may, at any time, oppose the processing and transfer of his or her personal data, review the data, request that any necessary amendments be made to it, or withdraw his or her consent by notifying the Company in writing.  Participant further understands that withdrawing consent may affect his or her ability to participate in the Plan.

5.11  Effect on Employment Rights.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to confer upon Participant the right to be employed by the Company or to interfere in any way with the right and authority of the Company either to increase or decrease the compensation of Participant at any time, or to terminate any employment or other relationship between Participant and the Company at any time and for any reason or no reason.

PARTICIPANT                COMPANY

    
________________________________        ________________________________                               /Date        Craig S. Shular         
      Chairman and CEO

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EXHIBIT A

RESTRICTED ACTIVITIES

From the effective date of this Agreement and continuing for a period of two (2) years following (a) voluntary termination of Participant’s employment with the Company or (b) involuntary termination of Participant’s employment with the Company for cause, violation of material policies, breach of noncompetition, confidentiality or other restrictive covenants, or engagement in Detrimental Conduct, Participant agrees to the following:

(i)    Participant shall not, without the Company’s prior written consent, directly or indirectly, either for himself or herself or on behalf of any other corporation, partnership, company, person, group, or entity, engage in (a) the business of manufacturing, distributing, selling or providing needle coke and/or carbon or graphite products, services, material or equipment of the kind or type which are the same as or similar to those manufactured, distributed, sold or provided by the Company now or at any time while Participant is an employee of the Company, or (b) any other business in which the Company directly or indirectly engages now or at any time while Participant is an employee of the Company.  For purposes of this Exhibit A, Participant shall be deemed to “engage in business” if he or she, directly or indirectly, engages or invests in, owns, manages, operates, controls or participates in the ownership, management, operation or control of, is employed by, associated or connected in any manner with, or renders services or advice to, any corporation, partnership, company, person, group or entity engaged in the activities identified above; provided, however, that Participant may invest in the securities of any enterprise (but without otherwise participating in the activities of such enterprise) if (x) such securities are listed on any international, national or regional securities exchange or market or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (y) Participant does not beneficially own (as defined under Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) in excess of 5% of the outstanding equity thereof (provided, that Participant shall be deemed not to beneficially own any securities owned by a registered or unregistered investment company with more than $50 million under management).  

(ii)    The provisions set forth in Section (i) above shall apply only to the reasonable and limited geographic area consisting of (a) any state, country, possession, or territory in which the Company directly or indirectly has offices, operations, or customers, or otherwise conducts business and (b) during Participant’s period of employment, any state, country, possession, or territory in which the Company plans to conduct business.

(iii)    Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, call on, solicit or take away any of the customers or potential customers of the Company on whom Participant called or with whom Participant became acquainted or of which Participant learned during employment with the Company.

(iv)    Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit for employment any employee of the Company or encourage, induce, attempt to induce, or assist another to induce or attempt to induce any employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company.

(v)    Participant shall not interfere, in any manner, with the business, trade, goodwill, sources of supply, or customers of the Company.  Participant shall refrain from making any statements or comments of a defamatory or disparaging nature to any third party regarding the Company or any of the Company’s officers, directors, policies or products, other than to comply with any law or court, regulatory or governmental investigatory order or request.

(vi)    If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the length of time, geographic scope or other restrictions, or any portion thereof, set forth in this Exhibit A is overly restrictive and unenforceable, 

10

the court may reduce or modify the same to the maximum limitations permitted by law, and, as so reduced or modified, the restrictions herein shall remain in full force and effect.  If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Exhibit A is invalid or against public policy, the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect.  

(vii)    Participant acknowledges and agrees that the business of the Company is international in scope and that the restrictions imposed by this Agreement are legitimate, reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s investment in its businesses and the goodwill thereof.  The scope and duration of the restrictions contained herein are reasonable in light of the time that Participant has been engaged in the business of the Company, Participant’s reputation in the markets for the Company, and Participant’s relationship with the suppliers and customers of the Company.  The restrictions contained herein are not burdensome to Participant in light of the grant of Awards hereunder.  Moreover, Participant has other means available to him or her for the pursuit of his or her livelihood.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this Exhibit A shall survive termination of the Agreement.  

(viii)    Participant acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any violation by Participant of the provisions set forth in this Exhibit A, the Company will sustain serious, irreparable and substantial harm to its business, the extent of which will be difficult to determine and impossible to fully remedy by an action at law for money damages.  Accordingly, in the event of such violation or threatened violation by Participant, the Company shall be entitled to an injunction before trial by any court of competent jurisdiction as a matter of course, in addition to all such other legal and equitable remedies as may be available to the Company.  No bond or security needs to be furnished for such injunctive relief.  If the Company is required to enforce the provisions set forth above by seeking an injunction, the relevant time periods set forth in this Exhibit A shall commence with the entry of the injunction.  In addition to any and all of the rights and remedies which the Company may have against Participant, Participant will be liable to and pay the Company its court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in enforcing Participant’s covenants hereunder.

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EXHIBIT B

The following table illustrates the provisions of Section 5.2. and it is has no effect on the terms and interpretations of the Agreement. 

	
				
	Termination Scenario
	Stock Options
	Restricted Stock Units
	Performance Share Units

	Voluntary Termination  
or
Termination for Cause/Detrimental Conduct
	#NAME!
	Forfeit all unvested awards 
[subject to the Company’s right to seek recoupment as a result of Detrimental Conduct]
	Forfeit all unearned awards 
[subject to the Company’s right to seek recoupment as a result of Detrimental Conduct]

	Termination by Company Action (without cause) or Retirement
	#NAME!
	Forfeit all unvested awards
	Receive pro-rata portion based on full months employed over 36 months in performance period times 
-    shares that would have been earned based on actual performance at end of performance period
or 
-    Target Award in the event of Change in Control

	Death
	#NAME!
	Immediate vesting of all unvested awards
	Receive pro-rata portion based on full months employed over 36 months in performance period times 
-    shares that would have been earned based on actual performance at end of performance period
or 
-              Target Award in the event of Change in Control

	Disability
	#NAME!
	Immediate vesting of all unvested awards
	Receive pro-rata portion based on full months employed over 36 months in performance period times 
-    shares that would have been earned based on actual performance at end of performance period
or 
-    Target Award in the event of Change in Control

	Mandatory or Age 65 Retirement
	#NAME!
	Forfeit all unvested awards
	Receive pro-rata portion based on full months employed over 36 months in performance period times 
-    shares that would have been earned based on actual performance at end of performance period
                  or 
                Target Award in the event of                           Change in Control

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