Document:

Exhibit 10.7

 

JOINT VENTURE CONTRACT

 

BETWEEN

 

SHANGHAI YANFENG AUTOMOTIVE TRIM COMPANY, LTD.

 

AND

 

JOHNSON CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

October 22, 1997

Shanghai, People’s Republic of China

 

As Amended

 

 

CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 1   GENERAL PROVISIONS
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 2   PARTIES TO THE JOINT VENTURE
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.1
    	
Chinese Party to the   Joint Venture
    	
1
    
	
2.2
    	
Foreign Party to the   Joint Venture
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 3   ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
3.1
    	
Establishment of the   Joint Venture Company
    	
1
    
	
3.2
    	
Name and Address of the   Company
    	
2
    
	
3.3
    	
Limited Liability   Company
    	
2
    
	
3.4
    	
Compliance with Chinese   Law
    	
2
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 4   THE PURPOSE, SCOPE AND SCALE OF PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS
    	
2
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.1
    	
Purpose of the Company
    	
2
    
	
4.2
    	
Projected Scope of   Production and Business
    	
3
    
	
4.3
    	
Estimated Scale of   Production
    	
3
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 5   TOTAL AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AND REGISTERED CAPITAL
    	
4
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.1
    	
Total Amount of   Investment
    	
4
    
	
5.2
    	
Registered Capital of   the Company
    	
4
    
	
5.3
    	
Contributions of the   Parties
    	
5
    
	
5.4
    	
Transfer of Existing   Seat Business/Changes to Equity Ownership
    	
5
    
	
5.5
    	
Conditions for   Contribution
    	
6
    
	
5.6
    	
Additional Financing
    	
6
    
	
5.7
    	
Future Increases of   Registered Capital
    	
7
    
	
5.8
    	
Transfer of Registered   Capital
    	
7
    
	
5.9
    	
Encumbrance of   Registered Capital
    	
8
    
	
5.10
    	
Investment Certificates
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 6   RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY TO THE JOINT VENTURE
    	
8
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
6.1
    	
Responsibilities of   Party A
    	
8
    
	
6.2
    	
Responsibilities of   Party B
    	
10
    
	
6.3
    	
Technical Center
    	
11
    
	
6.4
    	
No Right to Fees
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 7   LICENSE OF TECHNOLOGY
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 8   RIGHT TO USE THE SITES
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 9   SALES OF PRODUCTS
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
9.1
    	
Domestic Sales
    	
12
    
	
9.2
    	
Export Sales of the   Company’s Products
    	
13
    
	
9.3
    	
Payment Terms
    	
13
    
	
9.4
    	
Branch Offices
    	
13
    

 

i

 

	
ARTICLE 10   THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SUPERVISORS
    	
14
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
10.1
    	
Date of Establishment   of the Board of Directors
    	
14
    
	
10.2
    	
Composition of the   Board
    	
14
    
	
10.3
    	
Decisions of the Board
    	
14
    
	
10.4
    	
Chairman of the Board
    	
16
    
	
10.5
    	
Meetings of the Board
    	
16
    
	
10.6
    	
 
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 11   OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
11.1
    	
Management System
    	
17
    
	
11.2
    	
Responsibilities of   Managers
    	
18
    
	
11.3
    	
Annual and Monthly   Budgets and Business Reports
    	
18
    
	
11.4
    	
No Concurrent Posts
    	
19
    
	
11.5
    	
Neglect of Duty
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 12   PURCHASES OF EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS
    	
19
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 13   LABOR MANAGEMENT
    	
20
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
13.1
    	
Labor Plans
    	
20
    
	
13.2
    	
Work Force
    	
20
    
	
13.3
    	
Recruiting and Hiring
    	
20
    
	
13.4
    	
Seconded Employees from   Party A
    	
20
    
	
13.5
    	
Seconded Employees from   Party B
    	
20
    
	
13.6
    	
Labor Contracts
    	
21
    
	
13.7
    	
Compensation of Local   Personnel
    	
21
    
	
13.8
    	
Disciplinary Action
    	
21
    
	
13.9
    	
Trade Union
    	
21
    
	
13.10
    	
Labor Protection
    	
21
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 14   SPECIFIC STATUS OF THE COMPANY
    	
22
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
14.1
    	
General
    	
22
    
	
14.2
    	
Preferential Treatment
    	
22
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 15   TAXES, FINANCE, AUDIT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PROFIT
    	
22
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
15.1
    	
Income Taxes
    	
22
    
	
15.2
    	
Duties and Taxes on   Imports
    	
22
    
	
15.3
    	
Individual Income Tax
    	
22
    
	
15.4
    	
Accounting System
    	
22
    
	
15.5
    	
Bank Accounts
    	
24
    
	
15.6
    	
Auditing
    	
24
    
	
15.7
    	
Contributions to the   Three Funds
    	
24
    
	
15.8
    	
Distribution of Profits
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 16   FOREIGN EXCHANGE
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
16.1
    	
General
    	
25
    
	
16.2
    	
Foreign Exchange   Requirements of the Company
    	
26
    
	
16.3
    	
Applicable Foreign Exchange   Rate
    	
26
    
	
16.4
    	
Foreign Exchange   Balancing
    	
26
    

 

ii

 

	
16.5
    	
Appropriation of   Foreign Exchange Available
    	
26
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 17   INSURANCE
    	
27
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
17.1
    	
General
    	
27
    
	
17.2
    	
Types of Coverage
    	
28
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 18   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTIES
    	
28
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
18.1
    	
Representations and   Warranties of Party A
    	
28
    
	
18.2
    	
Representations and   Warranties of Party B
    	
28
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 19   DURATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE
    	
29
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
19.1
    	
Term of the Company
    	
29
    
	
19.2
    	
Extension of the   Company Term
    	
29
    
	
19.3
    	
Non-Compete
    	
29
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 20   EARLY TERMINATION AND DISSOLUTION
    	
30
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
20.1
    	
Events of Early   Termination for Reasons other than Breach
    	
30
    
	
20.2
    	
Dissolution Upon Early   Termination for Reasons other than Breach
    	
31
    
	
20.3
    	
Expropriation
    	
31
    
	
20.4
    	
Dissolution due to   Expiration or Early Termination
    	
31
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 21   BREACH, PENALTIES FOR BREACH AND DISSOLUTION DUE TO BREACH
    	
31
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
21.1
    	
Breach
    	
31
    
	
21.2
    	
Damages in Case of   Breach
    	
32
    
	
21.3
    	
Penalties for Late   Contribution of Capital
    	
32
    
	
21.4
    	
Dissolution Due to   Breach
    	
32
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 22   DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY UPON TERMINATION AND DISSOLUTION
    	
32
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
22.1
    	
Liquidation Committee
    	
32
    
	
22.2
    	
Valuation of Assets
    	
33
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 23   FORCE MAJEURE
    	
34
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
23.1
    	
General
    	
34
    
	
23.2
    	
Excuse and Notification
    	
34
    
	
23.3
    	
Extended Force Majeure
    	
34
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 24   APPLICABLE LAW
    	
34
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
24.1
    	
Applicable Law
    	
34
    
	
24.2
    	
Favorable Changes
    	
35
    
	
24.3
    	
Adverse Changes
    	
35
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 25   SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES
    	
35
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
25.1
    	
Choice of Arbitration
    	
35
    
	
25.2
    	
Continued Performance
    	
36
    

 

iii

 

	
ARTICLE 26   CONFIDENTIALITY
    	
36
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 27   LANGUAGE
    	
36
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE 28   EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CONTRACT, AMENDMENT, AND MISCELLANEOUS
    	
37
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
28.1
    	
Entire Contract
    	
37
    
	
28.2
    	
Approval Authority
    	
37
    
	
28.3
    	
Amendment
    	
37
    
	
28.4
    	
Severability
    	
38
    
	
28.5
    	
Waiver
    	
38
    
	
28.6
    	
Notices
    	
38
    
	
28.7
    	
Public Communications
    	
38
    
	
28.8
    	
Signing Place and Date
    	
39
    

 

iv

 

JOINT VENTURE CONTRACT

 

ARTICLE 1  GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

In accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Joint Ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment (hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Venture Law”), the Implementing Regulations of the Joint Venture Law (hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Venture Regulations”) and other relevant Chinese laws and regulations, YANFENG AUTOMOTIVE TRIM SYSTEMS CO., LTD. (“Party A”) and JOHNSON CONTROLS ASIA HOLDINGS CO., LTD (“Party B”), adhering to the principles of equality and mutual benefit, and after friendly consultations, signed a joint venture contract, dated as of October 22, 1997, and amended as of April 1, 1998, September 1, 2000, April 10, 2002, January 16, 2003, October 13, 2004, June 15, 2005, July 26, 2007, October 21, 2008, August 30, 2011, May 28, 2012 and March 3, 2014 (hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Venture Contract”), for SHANGHAI YANFENG JOHNSON CONTROLS SEATING CO., LTD. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”).

 

ARTICLE 2  PARTIES TO THE JOINT VENTURE

 

2.1                               Chinese Party to the Joint Venture

 

YANFENG AUTOMOTIVE TRIM SYSTEMS CO., LTD. (hereinafter referred to as “Party A”), a domestic company duly established and existing under the laws of PRC, and registered with the Shanghai Administration of Industry and Commerce (“SAIC”), with its legal address at 399 Liuzhou Road, Shanghai, PRC.

 

	
Legal   representative:
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    	
Shen Jianhua
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Position:
    	
 
    	
Chairman
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Nationality:
    	
 
    	
Chinese
    

 

2.2                               Foreign Party to the Joint Venture

 

JOHNSON CONTROLS ASIA HOLDINGS CO., LIMITED (hereinafter referred to as “Party B”), a corporation organized and existing pursuant to the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong, with its legal address at 20/F, Tower l, 2 and 3, Enterprises Square 1, 9 Sheung Yuet Road, Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

 

	
Legal representative:
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    	
Jerome D. Okarma
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Position:
    	
 
    	
Chairman
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Nationality:
    	
 
    	
U.S.A.
    

 

(Hereinafter referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.)

 

ARTICLE 3  ESTABLISHMENT OF THE JOINT VENTURE COMPANY

 

3.1                               Establishment of the Joint Venture Company

 

In accordance with the Joint Venture Law, the Joint Venture Regulations and other relevant Chinese laws and regulations, the Parties agree to set up a limited liability joint 

 

 

venture company (hereinafter referred to as the “Company”) pursuant to the terms of this Contract.

 

3.2                               Name and Address of the Company

 

The name of the Company shall be “Shanghai Yanfeng Johnson Controls Seating Company, Limited” in English and  in Chinese.

 

The legal address of the Company shall be at Plot KM-5, Kangqiao Industrial Park, Kangqiao Industrial Zone (Plot 260, Nanhui County), Pudong, Shanghai, PRC.

 

3.3                               Limited Liability Company

 

The Company shall be a limited liability company with legal person status under the laws of the PRC.  The liability of each Party shall be limited to the amount of its respective subscribed capital contributions required to be made pursuant to this Contract and neither Party shall have any liability to the Company or any third party jointly or severally in excess of such amount.  The Parties shall share the profits and, subject to the preceding sentence, bear risks and losses in accordance with the ratio of their respective capital contributions as set forth below in Article 5.

 

3.4                               Compliance with Chinese Law

 

All activities of the Company shall be governed and protected by the relevant published laws, decrees, rules and regulations of the PRC, and by the Articles of Association of the Company and this Contract.  The Parties hereto recognize that in carrying out its obligations under this Contract Party B shall also be subject to and must abide by the laws, decrees and pertinent rules and regulations of the State of Wisconsin and of the United States of America.

 

ARTICLE 4  THE PURPOSE, SCOPE AND SCALE OF PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS

 

4.1                               Purpose of the Company

 

The Company shall endeavor to become a world-class competitive company specializing in the production of automotive seat assemblies and seating components, headliners and their components, sun visors and their components as well as overhead systems and their components.  The purpose of the Parties in forming the joint venture is to strengthen economic and technological cooperation through the design, development, manufacture and sale of automotive seating (“Seats”) and their components (“Seat Components”), headliners (“Headliners”) and their components, sun visors (“Sun Visors”) and their components as well as overhead systems (“Overhead Systems”) and their components.  The Company shall endeavor to become a major end item supplier of complete Seat assemblies, Headliner assemblies, Sun Visor assemblies and Overhead System assemblies for key domestic customers, to manufacture and sell Seat systems (including critical Seat Components, i.e., frames, tracks, recliners, covers and foam), Headliners, Sun Visors and Overhead Systems and to establish export of Seat Components, Headliners, Sun Visors and Overhead Systems and their components.  By doing so, the 

 

2

 

Company will earn foreign exchange and assist the Chinese automobile industry in saving substantial amounts of foreign exchange that would otherwise be spent on the importation of high quality Seats, Seat Components, Headliners, Sun Visors and Overhead Systems and their components. By adopting advanced technology and scientific management and administration, the Company shall endeavor that the products it manufactures shall reach international quality and cost standards, thereby allowing the Parties to achieve satisfactory economic benefits.

 

4.2                               Projected Scope of Production and Business

 

The Company’s scope of business (the “Business Scope”) shall be to design, develop, manufacture and sell automotive Seats, Headliners, Sun Visors, Overhead Systems and their components and to provide engineering services of the products above, and to purchase for exportation the products of third parties that are not subject to quota license controls as well as those that are not subject to exclusive trading rights, including but not limited to the following:

 

(a)                                 to utilize Party B’s advanced technology and know-how to design, develop, manufacture and sell automotive Seats, Headliners, Sun Visors, Overhead Systems and the corresponding components and to provide engineering services of the products above;

 

(b)                                 to establish a product design, development, testing and manufacturing Technical Center to support new product programs and promote development of technical capabilities in product design and manufacturing in the Company;

 

(c)                                  to supply to Shanghai General Motors (“SGM”) new vehicle(s) Seat system, Headliners, Sun Visors, Overhead Systems, including the completion of design requirements for the China market as required by SGM and a plan to fully localize production;

 

(d)                                 to supply to Shanghai Volkswagen (“SVW”) new vehicle(s) Seat system, Headliners, Sun Visors, Overhead Systems, including the completion of design requirements for the China market as required by SVW and a plan to fully localize production;

 

(e)                                  to establish export sales of Seats, Headliners, Sun Visors, Overhead Systems and their Components;

 

(f)                                   to be engaged in the management of non-quota certificates and the purchasing and exporting of non-monopoly commodities; and

 

(g)                                  to sell Seats, Headliners, Sun Visors, Overhead Systems and the corresponding components of the products above manufactured by the Company to other customers.

 

4.3                               Estimated Scale of Production

 

The Parties presently estimate that the production capacity of the Company by the year 2001 shall be:

 

3

 

(a)                                 400,000 sets of complete seats.

 

(b)                                 500,000 vehicle sets of covers.

 

(c)                                  800,000 pieces of mechanisms.

 

Thereafter, the production capacity and scope of products may be expanded in light of market demand, market potential, profitability, and other circumstances; provided however, that any decision to increase production will be made by the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE 5  TOTAL AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT AND REGISTERED CAPITAL

 

5.1                               Total Amount of Investment

 

The Company’s total amount of investment shall be Ninety Million Three Hundred And Nine Thousand Three Hundred United States Dollars (US$90,309,300).

 

5.2                               Registered Capital of the Company

 

The Registered Capital of the Company shall be Sixty Two Million United States Dollars (US$62,000,000).  Among the Registered Capital of the Company, Party A shall contribute Thirty One Million Six Thousand Two Hundred United States Dollars (US$31,006,200), representing Fifty Point Zero One Percent (50.01%) of the Registered Capital of the Company.  Party B shall contribute Thirty Million Nine Hundred Ninety Three Thousand Eight Hundred United States Dollars (US$30,993,800), representing Forty Nine Point Nine Nine Percent (49.99%) of the Registered Capital of the Company.

 

Party A and Party B have contributed the amount of Twenty Four Million Seven Hundred Seventy Thousand Seven Hundred United States Dollars (US$24,770,700) to the Registered Capital of the Company, among which Party A contributed the amount of Twelve Million Three Hundred Eighty Seven Thousand Eight Hundred And Ten United States Dollars (US$12,387,810), and Party B contributed the amount of Twelve Million Three Hundred Eighty Two Thousand Eight Hundred And Ninety United States Dollars (US$12,382,890).

 

The remaining balance of the Registered Capital comes from:

 

(1)                                 Party A will contribute the amount of Eighteen Million Six Hundred Eighteen Thousand Three Hundred And Ninety United Sates Dollars (US$18,618,390), which will be converted from the Reserve Fund, Expansion Fund and Undistributed Dividend of the Company accumulated at December 31, 2010.  Among Party A’s contribution to increased Registered Capital, the amount of Six Million One Thousand Two Hundred United States Dollars (US$6,001,200) shall be converted from the equivalent amount of Reserve Fund and Expansion Fund accumulated at December 31, 2010, and the amount of Twelve Million Six Hundred Seventeen Thousand One Hundred And Ninety United States Dollars (US$12,617,190) shall be converted from the undistributed dividend accumulated at December 31, 2010.

 

4

 

(2)                                 Party B will contribute the amount of Eighteen Million Six Hundred Ten Thousand Nine Hundred and Ten United Sates Dollars (US$18,610,910), which will be converted from the Reserve Fund, Expansion Fund and Undistributed Dividend of the Company accumulated at December 31, 2010.  Among Party B’s contribution to increased Registered Capital, the amount of Five Million Nine Hundred Ninety Eight Thousand Eight Hundred United States Dollars (US$5,998,800) shall be converted from the equivalent amount of Reserve Fund and Expansion Fund accumulated at December 31, 2010, and the amount of Twelve Million Six Hundred Twelve Thousand One Hundred And Ten United States Dollars (US$12,612,110) shall be converted from the undistributed dividend accumulated at December 31, 2010.

 

The foreign exchange rate shall be calculated at the median rate of the US Dollar purchase and sale prices published by the People’s Republic of China on the date of injection/conversion of the increased registered capital.  The Parties agreed that, calculated on the said foreign exchange rate, (1) if the RMB amount of Reserve Fund and Expansion Fund of the Company to be converted from USD amount of the increased registered capital exceeds the amount legally permitted by laws, the amount in excess of legal amount shall come from the remaining undistributed dividend of 2010; (2) if the total amount of Reserve Fund, Expansion Fund and undistributed dividend of 2010 legally permitted to be converted into registered capital is below the amount of increased registered capital as resolved here, the balance shall be contributed in RMB cash by YFV and in US Dollars currency by JCI.

 

5.3                               Contributions of the Parties

 

Party A and Party B have already contributed Twenty Four Million Seven Hundred Seventy Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Six United States Dollars and Sixty Six Cents (US$24,770,666.66).

 

Within ten (10) working days after the issuance of a new business license of the Company reflecting the Registered Capital of the Company to be an amount of Twenty Four Million Seven Hundred Seventy Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-Six United States Dollars and Sixty Six Cents (US $ 24,770,666.66), Party B shall contribute Three Million Five Hundred Thirty Eight Thousand Six Hundred Sixty Six United States Dollars and Sixty Six Cents (US $ 3,538,666,66) in cash by depositing the amount into the relevant bank account(s) of the Company.

 

5.4                               Transfer of Existing Seat Business/Changes to Equity Ownership

 

Party A shall transfer all of its existing seat business and certain associated assets to the Company pursuant to a separate Seat Business Transfer Agreement as set forth in Appendix B hereto between Party A and the Company.  Such transfer shall be initiated within ninety (90) days of the date the Company’s sales have reached 70% of Party A’s seat sales, as further defined in Appendix B, for a twelve (12) month period at any calendar quarter end.

 

5

 

Following the integration of Party A’s existing seat business into the Company as referred to in the preceding paragraph, Party B shall have the option of increasing its equity ownership in the Company based on the following schedule:

 

	
The Company’s Net Export Sales
    	
 
    	
Optional Equity Ratio
    	
 
    
	
÷ the Company’s Total Net Sales
    	
 
    	
Party A
    	
 
    	
Party B
    	
 
    
	
Base
    	
 
    	
70
    	
%
    	
30
    	
%
    
	
25%
    	
 
    	
65
    	
%
    	
35
    	
%
    
	
35%
    	
 
    	
60
    	
%
    	
40
    	
%
    

 

or as otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties hereto.  For the purposes of this provision, “net” shall mean total invoiced domestic or export sales less freight charges, duty and V.A.T.

 

The value of any increased equity ownership shall be calculated with reference to the balance in the shareholders’ equity account, which shall mean the registered capital plus the positive balance (if any) of the retained earnings plus the Reserve Fund and the Enterprise Development Fund.  Any increase in Party B’s equity ownership shall be an increase over the original amount of the Company’s registered capital.  In other words, the total amount of registered capital of the Company shall increase and the amount of Party A’s registered capital in the Company shall not decrease.

 

In the event Party B wishes to increase its equity ratio pursuant to the above provisions, Party A shall cause its directors on the Board of the Directors to vote in favor of such increase, and shall undertake all other acts necessary to enable Party B to obtain such increase.

 

5.5                               Conditions for Contribution

 

Following approval of this Contract and all its Appendices by the Approval Authority (as defined in Article 28.2 below) and the issuance of the Company’s business license by the SAIC, each of the Parties shall, on satisfaction of the conditions set out in (a) and (b) below, make its contributions to the registered capital of the Company in accordance with the terms of Article 5.3 hereto:

 

(a)                                 the terms of Land Use Rights Grant Contracts between the Company and the relevant responsible authorities have been settled in writing on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Parties for the grant to the Company for a term of twenty-five (25) years, which may be extended, of the land use rights to the Sites (as defined in Article 6.1(e) below) for the Company’s operations; and

 

(b)                                 the Company has received a foreign exchange registration certificate (“FERC”) issued by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”).

 

5.6                               Additional Financing

 

In addition to the registered capital, the Company shall have the power to borrow any additional funds which it requires and to mortgage its properties in relation thereto.  If 

 

6

 

necessary, in accordance with lending terms approved by the Board of Directors, both Parties agree to guarantee loans from third parties or financial institutions.  Such guarantees shall be in proportion to the Parties’ respective equity shares in the Company, and any related fees shall be borne by the Company.  Neither Party shall be obligated to lend funds to the Company.  However, in the event that a Party lends funds to the Company at the request of the Board of Directors, such Party shall be entitled to be paid interest and/or related fees as if such Party were not a party to the Company and as if the transaction were a negotiated, arm’s length financing from a third party.

 

5.7                               Future Increases of Registered Capital

 

The registered capital of the Company may be increased with the unanimous approval of the Board of Directors and the approval of the Approval Authority.

 

5.8                               Transfer of Registered Capital

 

No Party shall assign or otherwise dispose of all or part of its capital contribution to the other Party or to a third party without first obtaining the unanimous approval of the Parties through a resolution of the Board of Directors and the approval of the Approval Authority.

 

However, Party B may assign its capital contribution to an Affiliate.  When assigning to an Affiliate, Party B must notify the Board of Directors and the other Party in writing of such assignment and specify the name and the legal address of the Affiliate, as well as the name, position, nationality and address of the legal representative of the Affiliate.  Such assignment shall be reported to the Approval Authority for approval.  For the purpose of this Joint Venture Contract, an Affiliate shall mean Johnson Controls, Inc., Johnson Controls International, Inc, a subsidiary 100% owned by Party B, a subsidiary 100% owned by Johnson Controls, Inc. and/or a subsidiary 100% owned by Johnson Controls International, Inc.

 

Party B must also present to the Board of Directors and the other Party (1) a written statement of the Affiliate stating that such Affiliate is in a position to, and shall, assume all of Party B’s interest, rights, obligations, duties, responsibilities and liabilities under this Contract and other agreements between Party B and the Company, including but not limited to the Export Sales Agreement, Seat Business Transfer Agreement, Management Services Agreement and SGM Seat Project Engineering Contract; and (2) a guarantee letter executed by Johnson Controls, Inc. guaranteeing that it will be ultimately responsible for the Affiliate’s obligations, duties, responsibilities and liabilities under this Contract and all other agreements entered into between Party B or its relevant affiliate and the Company, including but not limited to the agreements stated above.

 

When a Party wishes to assign or otherwise dispose of all or part of its interest in the Company to a third party (other than a transfer by Party B to an Affiliate pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph of this Article), the other Party shall have a pre-emptive right to purchase said interest proposed to be transferred as follows:  the Party (the “Transferring Party”) wishing to transfer all or any part of its interest in the 

 

7

 

Company to such third party must first notify the other Party in writing of the name and address of the third party and the price and terms on which the interest will be transferred.  The other Party shall respond within sixty (60) days of the receipt of such notice whether it intends to exercise its right of first refusal.  If no response or a negative response is received by the Transferring Party within the 60-day period, the Transferring Party shall have the right to transfer its interest to the third party at the price and on the terms specified in the notice.

 

5.9                               Encumbrance of Registered Capital

 

No Party shall mortgage or otherwise encumber all or any part of its contribution to the registered capital of the Company.

 

5.10                        Investment Certificates

 

After the Parties have each made their capital contributions to the registered capital of the Company, the Company shall engage an accountant registered in China to verify that such contributions have been made and to issue a verification report.  Upon the issuance of the verification report by the accountant, the Company shall issue an investment certificate to each Party signed by the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, confirming the amount contributed by such Party.

 

ARTICLE 6  RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY TO THE JOINT VENTURE

 

6.1                               Responsibilities of Party A

 

In addition to its other responsibilities under this Contract, Party A shall be responsible:

 

(a)                                 to handle matters for the establishment of the Company including applications for approval, registrations, the issuance of the business license, as well as to assist the Company in applying for and obtaining a FERC from SAFE, and in its applications to bank(s) for the opening of Renminbi accounts and foreign exchange accounts and any other matters related thereto;

 

(b)                                 to contribute to the Registered Capital of the JV Company as set forth in Article 5.3 above;

 

(c)                                  to fulfil all of its obligations under those agreements set forth in Article 5.5 above to which it is a party;

 

(d)                                 if requested by the Company, to assist the Company with the sourcing, purchasing, leasing or otherwise acquiring within the PRC of materials, raw materials, parts, supplies, machinery and equipment, vehicles, telecommunications systems, articles for office use, means of transportation and communication facilities, including (but not limited to) those items with such specifications as provided for in the Feasibility Study, in quantities sufficient to meet the full operational requirements of the Company, at a favorable cost, in Renminbi;

 

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(e)                                  to assist the Company to obtain the land use rights for the sites where the Company is to be located (the “Sites”) and to register such rights with, and to obtain the land use certificate from, the relevant government department, so that the Company is granted the land use rights to the Sites for use in conformity with the scope of its operations for a term of twenty-five (25) years, which may be extended;

 

(f)                                   if requested in writing by the Company, to assist the Company in leasing or obtaining any land use rights to additional land, and to handle the registration of the Company’s right to use the said land with the relevant government department, and to handle all other necessary procedures in relation thereto, to ensure that the Company has the right to use said land in conformity with the scope of its operations for the term of the joint venture, as extended from time to time, and that the Company is issued and receives a land use certificate from the relevant government department evidencing such right;

 

(g)                                  if requested by the Company, to assist the Company in processing import customs declarations for the raw materials, materials, parts, supplies, machinery, equipment, vehicles, and telecommunications systems purchased by the Company, including applying for and procuring any necessary licenses for the import of the same as well as assisting in arranging for the inland transportation of the same to the Company;

 

(h)                                 to assist the Company in contracting for and obtaining the fundamental facilities, services and utilities required by the Company, such as water, electricity, gas, steam, sewerage, transportation, etc., conforming to the requirements, specifications and conditions set forth in the Feasibility Study or as may be set forth in any written notice to Party A by the Company from time to time, on a continuous uninterrupted basis and in quantities sufficient to meet the full operational requirements of the Company, as well as employee housing, medical care, canteen facilities, and other welfare and recreational facilities for the employees of the Company, meeting the Company’s requirements and in line with the practice in other comparable industrial joint ventures in Shanghai, and to be charged in accordance with the stipulations of Article 65 of the Joint Venture Regulations;

 

(i)                                     to assist the Company, at the Company’s request, in recruiting qualified Chinese management personnel, technical personnel, workers and other needed personnel and to assist in obtaining visas to allow Chinese staff to go overseas for training, if necessary;

 

(j)                                    to assist personnel of Party B and the Company as well as personnel of vendors of equipment and machinery to the Company in handling the necessary procedures for entry visas, work permits and travelling arrangements, and to assist in arranging appropriate housing for expatriate employees of the Company and hotel accommodation for foreign workers on temporary assignment to the Company;

 

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(k)                                 not to facilitate the employment of management and technical personnel and workers hired and trained by the Company by other economic enterprises in the PRC, especially by competitors of the Company or of Party B, without the express written consent of the Company;

 

(l)                                     to assist the Company in obtaining Renminbi and foreign exchange loans from financial institutions in the PRC;

 

(m)                             to assist the Company to apply for and obtain all possible tax reductions and exemptions and all other relevant investment incentives available to the Company under Chinese law, including designation of the Company as an Export Oriented Enterprise and/or Technologically Advanced Enterprise;

 

(n)                                 if requested by the Company, to assist the Company in marketing the Company’s products in the PRC, and in obtaining all export licenses, if any are required, for the export and sale of the Company’s products into offshore markets;

 

(o)                                 to introduce potential domestic purchasers of the Company’s products to the Company;

 

(p)                                 to assist the Company, if requested to do so, in the submission of applications for, and the grant of, all necessary approvals, permits, certificates and licenses required in connection with safety and environmental matters, especially waste disposal, and other matters regulated by governmental authorities;

 

(q)                                 generally to assist the Company in its relations with local government authorities and Chinese domestic companies, including the existing customers of Party A; and

 

(r)                                    to handle such other matters as are entrusted to it by the Company.

 

6.2                               Responsibilities of Party B

 

In addition to its other responsibilities under this Contract, Party B shall be responsible:

 

(a)                                 to contribute to the Registered Capital of the JV Company as set forth in Article 5.3 above;

 

(b)                                 to contribute to the Company the Technical Assistance and the license of Technology under the terms and conditions of the Technology License and Technical Assistance Agreement between Party B or its relevant affiliate and the Company in the form of Appendix C hereto;

 

(c)                                  to fulfil all of its obligations under those agreements set forth in Article 5.5 above to which it is a party;

 

(d)                                 to provide information with respect to the raw materials, parts, supplies, machinery, equipment, vehicles, and telecommunications systems as provided in

 

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the Feasibility Study which are to be imported by the Company and, if requested by the Company, to assist the Company in the procurement of raw materials, materials, parts, supplies, machinery, equipment, vehicles, telecommunications systems and such other items to be imported from abroad and in arranging transportation of the same to ports in the PRC, and to assist the Company in the purchase, leasing or otherwise acquiring of other items required by the Company from outside of the PRC;

 

(e)                                  to assist the Company, at the Company’s written request, in communicating with the manufacturers and suppliers of imported machinery and equipment for information regarding the provision of necessary technical personnel services during the installation and testing of such machinery and equipment during start-up and trial production;

 

(f)                                   to assist the Company in obtaining loans from international financial institutions;

 

(g)                                  to assist the Company in recruiting expatriate management and technical personnel;

 

(h)                                 to assist the Company in formulating standards for recruiting, evaluating and promoting staff and workers;

 

(i)                                     to assist the Company in arranging foreign visas and accommodation for personnel and directors of the Company travelling abroad on Company business;

 

(j)                                    to assist the Company in developing a profitable export program at competitive price, quality and service level; and

 

(k)                                 to handle such other matters as are entrusted to it by the Company.

 

6.3                               Technical Center

 

(a)                                 Party B shall assist the Company in establishing a Technical Center to promote the Company’s development of technical capabilities in product design, development, testing and manufacturing, and to support the needs of the Company with the technology and capabilities set forth in the Technology License and Technical Assistance Agreement attached hereto as Appendix C.

 

(b)                                 Party B agrees that the Company shall have the right to die Party B’s bookshelf designs and technical information, and shall assist the Company in linking with Party B’s core technology centers world-wide.

 

(c)                                  Party B agrees to contract with the Company to perform CAD design and layout work for U.S. and/or European seat engineering programs. Such contract engineering work would be sufficient workload for at least twenty (20) staff and be a self-supporting business for the Technical Center.

 

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6.4                               No Right to Fees

 

Unless otherwise expressly stipulated in this Contract, its Appendices, the Articles of Association of the Company, or other contracts entered into between the Company and one of the Parties hereto, neither Party shall receive fees or other compensation for the provision of the services described in Articles 6.1 and 6.2 above.

 

ARTICLE 7 LICENSE OF TECHNOLOGY

 

The Parties agree that the Technology License and Technical Assistance Agreement in the form and substance of Appendix C hereto shall be signed between the Company and Party B’s affiliate Johnson Controls International B.V. so that the Company obtains the rights to use Party B’s  technology and know-how for the production of certain products of the Company, and receives certain technical assistance. The contents of the technology, know-how and technical assistance shall be set forth in the Technology License and Technical Assistance Agreement. The license of technology and know-how shall be subject to Party B’s or Johnson Controls International B.V.’s ability to obtain export licenses from the government of the United States if any become required following the signing of the Technology License and Technical Assistance Agreement, and shall be subject to compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and executive orders of the government of the United States.

 

ARTICLE 8 RIGHT TO USE THE SITES

 

The Company shall enter into Land Use Rights Grant Contracts with the relevant responsible authorities and obtain the relevant land use rights certificates, so that the Company obtains the land use rights to (a) approximately 30,000 square meters of the Site at Kangqiao Industrial Zone, Pudong, Shanghai and (b) approximately 24,000 square meters of the Site near SVW for terms of twenty-five (25) years, which may be extended.

 

The land use rights to the Sites granted to the Company shall include the right to pass through adjacent property to the nearest public roads to enable the Company fully and freely to access the Sites and to conduct thereon the activities contemplated by this Contract, whether or not there is presently such a right in connection with the Sites.

 

ARTICLE 9 SALES OF PRODUCTS

 

9.1                               Domestic Sales

 

Given the great demand for advanced high quality seating systems by automotive companies in the PRC, such as SGM and SVW, the Parties contemplate that a portion of the products of the Company will be sold on the domestic Chinese market. The Company shall establish a marketing plan, to be approved by the Board of Directors, to govern the sales activities and policies of the Company for sales in the PRC.

 

In order to meet the local engineering, development and timing requirements for the SGM seat business, Party B shall assume total responsibility (i) to obtain, understand, and develop all product information and drawing specifications, including any and all modifications to the existing GM W-Car seat design requested by SGM; (ii) for the

 

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completion of the full approval process, including product development through PPAP and manufacturing start of production; (iii) on behalf of the Company, for the interface with SGM for all product design and validation approvals; and (iv) to meet the program timing required by SGM. Costs incurred by Party B for product development and modifications to the SGM W-Car Seat design shall be specified in a separate engineering contract to be entered into between the Company and Party B.

 

Products sold by the Company in the domestic Chinese market (excluding the province of Taiwan) may be sold through direct sales by the Company through its head office, branches, subsidiaries, affiliates or agents, if any. Acceptance of orders for new business requiring capital expenditure for equipment and tools in excess of US$100,000 shall be subject to the unanimous agreement of the Board of Directors. The sales prices of such  products to be sold on the domestic Chinese market shall be decided by the Executive Committee, as defined in Article 11.1 within the budgetary guidelines as approved by the Board of Directors.

 

9.2                               Export Sales of the Company’s Products

 

The Company shall use its best efforts to develop export business. Subject to satisfaction of the conditions of the Export Sales Agreement signed by Party B’s Affiliate and the Company in the form and substance of Appendix A, Party B commits to purchasing from the Company sufficient Seat Components through Party B’s Affiliate to enable the Company’s export sales to at least reach the below figures, within the stated calendar month period following issuance of the Company’s business license:

 

	
within the first
   19 calendar
   months
    	
 
    	
within the
   following 12
   calendar months
    	
 
    	
within the
   following 12
   calendar months
    	
 
    	
within the
   following 12
   calendar months
    	
 
    	
for each
   subsequent
   calendar year
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
US$22 million
    	
 
    	
US$57 million
    	
 
    	
US$75 million
    	
 
    	
US$80 million
    	
 
    	
not less than US$80 million
    

 

Party A shall provide the Company with support and assistance as appropriate in developing the export program.

 

9.3                               Payment Terms

 

All orders, credit terms and letters of credit from customers shall be approved by the Executive Committee, and all cash payments or payment transfers from customers shall be made directly to the Company at the place and in the manner designated by the Company.

 

9.4                               Branch Offices

 

The Company may, as it deems necessary and after approval by the Board of Directors and the relevant authorities, establish branch organizations within or outside the PRC to promote the sale of the products of the Company, and to provide information and advice to customers of the Company with respect to the products of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE 10 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SUPERVISORS

 

10.1                        Date of Establishment of the Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) shall be established on the date the Company is registered arid issued its business license by the SAIC.

 

10.2                        Composition of the Board

 

The Board shall consist of ten (10) directors: five (5) appointed by Party A and five (5) by Party B. The Chairman of the Board shall be appointed by Party A and the Vice-Chairman by Party B from among the directors. Each director shall he appointed for a term of three (3) years and may serve consecutive terms if re-appointed by the Party originally  appointing him. The term of office of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman shall be three (3) years, which can be renewed upon re-appointment by the Parties. A Party may, at any time, remove any director appointed by such Party by giving written notice to the Company with a copy of such notice to the other Party. If a seat on the Board of Directors is vacated by the retirement, removal, resignation, illness, disability or death of a director, the Party that originally appointed such director shall appoint a successor to serve out such director’s term.

 

Should there be subsequent further changes in the Parties’ equity ratios in the JV Company, the number of the Board of Directors and the Party appointing them shall be changed accordingly.

 

Directors shall not be paid a salary by the Company. However, such provision shall not prohibit the Company from paying a salary to a director in his capacity as an employee of the Company.

 

10.3                        Decisions of the Board

 

The Board shall be the highest authority of the Company. It shall decide all major issues concerning the Company. Decisions of the Board regarding the following matters shall require unanimous approval of all members of the Board present in person or by proxy at a duly convened meeting of the Board (at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors shall be present, in person or by proxy, including at least one (1) director from each Party):

 

1.                                      amendment of the Articles of Association;

 

2.                                      early termination or dissolution of the Company;

 

3.                                      increase of the Company’s registered capital or any assignment or sale by one Party of all or a portion of its registered capital;

 

4.                                      the merger of the Company with any other economic organization;

 

5.                                      the acquisition by the Company of other enterprises;

 

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6.                                      sale of any of the assets with a value singly or in aggregate exceeding US$30,000;

 

7.                                      appointment and dismissal of outside auditors;

 

8.                                      contracts and other agreements between the Company and Party A or Party B or any of their subsidiaries or companies with which they have a direct or indirect investment relationship;

 

9.                                      changes in powers of the General Manager, the Executive Committee and other individuals authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Directors;

 

10.                               taking out of loans or borrowings from third parties, and guarantees, asset mortgages and other security arrangements for financing of the Company over and above the annual financing plan;

 

11.                               decisions to establish branches of the Company other than in the Shanghai area;

 

12.                               establishment and any change in the management organization structure, the remuneration policies;

 

13.                               acceptance of new Seat and Seat Component orders requiring capital expenditure for equipment and tooling in excess of US$100,000;

 

14.                               any contract or agreements for licensing of technology or know-how to or from third parties which exceed US$100,000;

 

15.                               the approval of a plan for the use of foreign exchange and decisions regarding foreign exchange which deviate from the approved plan;

 

16.                               any material transaction between the Company and a director, officer of employee of the Company acting on his own behalf or on behalf of a third person;

 

17.                               any action not in the ordinary course of business of the Company;

 

18.                               any change in the legal address of the Company; and

 

19.                               the acquisition of land use rights by the Company.

 

Decisions involving all other matters shall be adopted by a simple majority of the Board. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall have a casting vote case that the Board has an equal vote for and against the following proposal:

 

a)                                     annual financial budget, annual financing plan, final annual accounts and the annual business plan; and

 

b)                                     annual profit distribution plan and loss making up plan.

 

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10.4                        Chairman of the Board

 

The Chairman of the Board shall be the legal representative of the Company, but the Chairman may not unilaterally take any action binding on the Board or on the Company without the prior express authorization by a unanimous affirmative written resolution of the Board. The Chairman shall call and preside over meetings of the Board. Whenever the Chairman of the Board is unable to perform his responsibilities for any reason, the Vice-Chairman of the Board shall act as the legal representative of the Company; in the Vice-Chairman’s absence the Chairman shall appoint another director to temporarily act as the legal representative of the Company in the Chairman’s stead.

 

10.5                        Meetings of the Board

 

The Board shall convene at least two (2) meetings every year. The meetings shall be called and presided over by the Chairman of the Board. Such meetings shall in principle be held at the place where the Company is located, and may also be held at such other places within the PRC, or outside the PRC at the location of Party B, as decided by the Board. Should any director be unable to attend a meeting of the Board, he may authorize another director to act as his representative by written proxy to attend such meeting on his behalf. Such representative shall vote in the place of such director. In the event that no representative is appointed by the absent director to attend a meeting of the Board, the absent director shall be deemed to have waived his right to vote at such meeting. Each director shall have only one vote for himself, whether he is present in person or by way of proxy. In case of a tie, there will be no deciding vote.

 

Members of the Executive Committee may attend the Board meetings and are entitled to receive, as the directors do, notice of the meetings and relevant documents, but unless they are directors, they shall have no right to vote at such meetings.

 

Upon the written request of two or more of the directors specifying the matters to be discussed, the Chairman of the Board, or the Vice-Chairman if the Chairman is unable, shall convene an interim meeting of the Board at a convenient location.

 

Travel and accommodation expenses of the directors attending Board meetings shall be borne separately by the Parties, except for those directors who are also employees of the Company, in which case the cost shall be borne by the Company.

 

In lieu of a meeting of the Board, Board resolutions may also be adopted through a written circular vote via facsimile exchange. Such resolutions shall only be adopted when signed by all members of the Board.

 

Board meetings shall be conducted in Chinese and English with interpreters present to carry out interpretation, to the extent necessary. Minutes of all meetings of the Board and all resolutions, including those resolutions adopted in lieu of a meeting, shall be kept in both Chinese and English in the minute book of the Company at the Company’s legal address.

 

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Other requirements in regard to Board meetings are stipulated in the Articles of Association.

 

10.6                        The Company will not have a board of supervisors and instead will have two (2) supervisors. Party A and Party B shall each appoint one (1) supervisor. The term of office for the supervisors shall be three (3) years and may be renewed if re-appointed by the applicable Party. The supervisors shall have the following powers and responsibilities:

 

(1)                                 to inspect the finance of the Company;

 

(2)                                 to supervise the performance by the directors and senior management personnel of the Company of their corporate duties, and propose to remove those directors and senior management personnel of the Company who have breached the laws and administrative regulations, the Articles of Association of the Company or the Board resolutions;

 

(3)                                 to require directors or senior management personnel to rectify their activities which have damaged the interest of the Company; and

 

(4)                                 to exercise the other powers conferred upon them by the Parties, or the applicable PRC laws and regulations.

 

ARTICLE 11 OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION

 

11.1                        Management System

 

The Board of Directors of the Company shall set up an executive committee (the “Executive Committee’’) which shall be in charge of the day-to-day operation and management of the Company. The Executive Committee shall have one General Manager, one Standing Deputy General Manager and one additional nominee from Party A and one additional nominee from Party B. The specific powers of the members of the Executive Committee shall be determined by the Board of Directors. The term of the General Manager and Standing Deputy General Manager shall be three (3) years.

 

For the first three years of the Company Term, the General Manager shall be nominated by Party B and the Standing Deputy General Manager shall be nominated by Party A and both shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. For the second three (3) years of the Company Term, Party A shall nominate the General Manager and Party B shall nominate the Standing Deputy General Manager, and both shall be appointed by the Board.

 

After the first six (6) years of the Company Term, the Board shall determine by a unanimous vote which Party shall nominate the General Manager and Standing Deputy General Manager. In the event it becomes necessary to replace the General Manager or the Standing Deputy General Manager prior to the end of his current term of office, the original nominating Party shall nominate a new candidate to fill the position for approval by the Board.

 

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The Senior Manager, as referred to in the Management Organization Structure Chart to be agreed and signed by the Parties (the “Senior Manager”) shall be appointed by Party A for the first three (3) years of the Company Term. At the end of the first three (3) years, it is the intent of the Parties that the Senior Manager position shall be eliminated. To that end, at the end of the first three (3) years, the Board will decide whether to eliminate or extend the position, and if extended for how long.

 

11.2                        Responsibilities of Managers

 

The duties of the General Manager shall consist of carrying out the decisions of the Board of Directors and organizing and directing the day-to-day operation and management of the Company. The Standing Deputy General Manager and Senior Manager shall report to and assist the General Manager. The specific powers and responsibilities of the General Manager shall be prescribed in the relevant provisions of the Company’s Articles of  Association. The specific powers and responsibilities of the Executive Committee, Standing Deputy General Manager and Senior Manager shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Outside members of the Board, including the Chairman and the Vice Chairman, shall not interfere in the daily management of the Company.

 

As authorized by the Board at the first Board meeting of the Company, only the General Manager or a representative of the Company authorized in writing by the General Manager shall have- the authority to sign commercial contracts on behalf of the Company.

 

The Executive Committee shall have the authority to appoint and dismiss subordinate personnel except for Management Personnel and those seconded from either Party, and exercise other responsibilities, powers and duties authorized by the Board of Directors.

 

The managers of the departments set forth in the Management Organization Structure Chart referred to in Article 11.1 above shall be responsible respectively for the work of such departments, and shall handle matters delegated to them by the General Manager or Executive Committee and shall be responsible to the General Manager and Executive Committee.

 

11.3                        Annual and Monthly Budgets and Business Reports

 

The General Manager shall prepare and submit to the Board proposed capital and operating budgets, each year prior to December 1 for the subsequent year, which the Board shall adopt with such revisions thereto as the Board shall deem appropriate. In addition to the annual Capital and Operating Budgets and the annual financing plan, the General Manager, with the assistance of the department managers, shall prepare, and submit to the Board on a monthly basis, interim business reports on the activities and prospects of the Company, showing the performance of the Company including purchasing, production, investment, maintenance, environment, marketing and pricing, human resources, administration and finance, as compared to the Budget approved by the

 

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Board. The form of the monthly business reports shall be determined by the Executive Committee.

 

11.4                        No Concurrent Posts

 

The General Manager, Standing Deputy General Manager and other Management Personnel may be seconded to the Company by Party A or Party B and may remain employees of Party A or Party B or their respective affiliates. Apart from this exception, the General Manager, Standing Deputy General Manager and other Management Personnel may not hold posts concurrently as the general manager or any other officer or employee of any other economic organization.

 

No employee of the Company, including the General Manager, the Standing Deputy General Manager and any other Management Personnel of the Company, may concurrently be engaged or employed in the PRC in any business which could be or become directly or indirectly in competition with the Company.

 

11.5                        Neglect of Duty

 

In the event of graft or serious breach or neglect of duty on the part of the General Manager, the Standing Deputy General Manager, Management Personnel, or any employee seconded to the Company by Party A or Party B, the Board shall have the power to dismiss him/them at any time. The Executive Committee shall itself have the authority to dismiss any other employee who has committed graft or has seriously breached or neglected his duty, or whom the Executive Committee, in its discretion, believes is no longer appropriate for his post.

 

ARTICLE 12 PURCHASES OF EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

 

After the commencement of its operation, except as otherwise provided in the Feasibility Study, the Company shall, in its purchase of required equipment, machinery, raw materials, fuel, parts, means of transportation and articles for office use, etc., give priority, to the extent possible, to purchasing the same in China, provided that the terms and conditions of procurement, design, quality, features, quantity, pricing, performance, warranty, service and delivery terms and dates are competitive. In accordance with Article 65 of the Joint Venture Regulations, such materials and supplies shall be purchased by the Company at the same prices as are charged to state-owned enterprises and shall be paid for in Renminbi, unless the Company otherwise agrees.

 

To the extent that the Company’s specifications with respect to design, quality, features, quantity, pricing, performance, warranty, service and delivery terms and dates cannot be met from sources within China, the Company may procure such materials and supplies from abroad. For items purchased from abroad, the Company shall give preference to procurement from Party B and suppliers recommended by Party B if the design, quality, features, quantity, pricing, performance, warranty, service and delivery terms are competitive.

 

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ARTICLE 13 LABOR MANAGEMENT

 

13.1                        Labor Plans

 

The Executive Committee shall formulate plans regarding the recruitment, employment, dismissal, resignation, wages, labor protection, welfare, and labor discipline of the staff and workers of the Company, which shall be examined and approved by the Board of Directors. Such plans shall be formulated with reference to the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Labor Management in Joint Ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment and other relevant laws and regulations.

 

13.2                        Work Force

 

The Company shall establish an initial work force as set forth in the Feasibility Study Report to meet the Company’s production requirements. The Executive Committee shall, within the budgetary guidelines set by the Board, determine any increase or decrease in the number of employees needed for the efficient operation of the Company.

 

13.3                        Recruiting and Hiring

 

The Company shall recruit its staff and workers in the open market. Only those candidates who meet the criteria for employment set by the Executive Committee shall be employed on a probationary basis for six (6) months or the maximum probationary period allowable by relevant laws and regulations and, after successful completion of the probationary period, shall be formally employed by the Company. The Executive Committee shall have the right to reassign to new positions all staff and workers employed by the Company except for those members of the Executive Committee, Management Personnel, or any employee seconded to the Company by Party A or Party B.

 

13.4                        Seconded Employees from Party A

 

The terms and conditions of secondment of any personnel at or above the level of supervisor (excluding expatriate personnel) seconded from Party A to the Company shall be contained in a Yanfeng Personnel Secondment Agreement to be signed by Party A and the Company.

 

13.5                        Seconded Employees from Party B

 

The remuneration, housing, social insurance, welfare benefits, travel allowance and overseas allowances provided by Party B’s Affiliate to its personnel which it seconds to the Company shall be in accordance with the current Expatriate Employee Policies of Party B’s Affiliate. The amount reimbursed by the Company to Party B’s Affiliate for such costs shall be set forth in a Management Services Agreement to be signed by the Company and Party B’s Affiliate and shall take into account and be comparable to the salary and benefits of comparable expatriate personnel in other sino-foreign automotive joint ventures in the Shanghai area.

 

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13.6                        Labor Contracts

 

Provisions relating to the employment, dismissal, resignation, remuneration, welfare benefits, rewards, discipline, punishments and labor insurance of the staff and workers of the Company shall be specified in labor contracts to be entered into by and between the Company and each individual staff member and worker of the Company.  The form of the labor contract to be used is to be agreed by the Parties and shall be filed with the local labor bureau for the record.

 

13.7                        Compensation of Local Personnel

 

The compensation of the Company’s local personnel shall be decided by the Executive Committee based on such person’s ability and skills and, to the extent the Executive Committee deems appropriate, comparable positions in the local market, and in accordance with relevant PRC law and remuneration policies decided by the Board.  Such compensation shall be paid in Renminbi.

 

13.8                        Disciplinary Action

 

In accordance with guidelines set, forth by the Board and relevant Chinese regulations, the Executive Committee shall have the right to take disciplinary action against Management Personnel, staff and workers by giving warnings, recording demerits or, except for the expatriate personnel and Standing Deputy General Manager and Management Personnel whose remuneration is to be decided by the Board, reducing salaries or wages.  Staff and workers who commit serious offenses, who prove to be incompetent or unsuited for the work to be performed by them, or who are redundant, may be dismissed by the Executive Committee.

 

13.9                        Trade Union

 

The Company may establish a trade union organization in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Joint Venture Regulations.  The Company shall contribute two percent (2%) of the total actual wages, or as otherwise stipulated in current relevant laws of the PRC, earned each month by staff and workers of the Company to the trade union fund for such trade union to use in accordance with the applicable laws of China on the management of trade unions.

 

13.10                 Labor Protection

 

The Company shall comply with PRC regulations with regard to labor protection in order to ensure safe and orderly production.  Subject to the above, the Company shall use its best efforts to comply with Party B’s hygiene, safety and environmental protection policies and regulations.  Labor insurance for employees of the Company shall be handled in accordance with relevant PRC regulations.

 

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ARTICLE 14  SPECIFIC STATUS OF THE COMPANY

 

14.1                        General

 

The Company shall apply to obtain for the Company and the Parties the benefits of the most favorable applicable tax exemptions, reductions, incentives privileges and preferences which are now or in the future become obtainable under Chinese law or any treaties or international agreements to which the PRC is or may become a party.

 

14.2                        Preferential Treatment

 

The Company and the Parties shall do their utmost individually and jointly when necessary and possible to ensure the most preferential treatment that can be obtained for the Company pursuant to the laws and regulations of the PRC.

 

ARTICLE 15  TAXES, FINANCE, AUDIT AND DISTRIBUTION OF PROFIT

 

15.1                        Income Taxes

 

The Company shall pay taxes in accordance with the stipulations of relevant Chinese laws and regulations taking into consideration the various preferential tax treatments given by the State to joint venture companies as well as the various types of preferential treatment given by the Shanghai Municipal Government or other local government to joint ventures using Chinese and foreign investment.  In the event that new laws or regulations permit more favorable taxation for joint ventures at a later date, the Company shall be entitled to apply for the benefit of the relevant new tax law or regulation.

 

15.2                        Duties and Taxes on Imports

 

The Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the maximum preferential customs and tax treatment permitted by relevant regulations from customs duties, value added taxes and other similar taxes, levies and charges on machinery, equipment, spare parts and other materials purchased abroad with funds within the total amount of investment and those imported as increases in capital.  Any taxes, duties or other levies and charges to be paid in the PRC shall be paid in Renminbi.

 

15.3                        Individual Income Tax

 

Staff members and workers of the Company shall pay individual income tax according to the Individual Income Tax Law of the PRC or other applicable laws and regulations of the PRC.

 

15.4                        Accounting System

 

(A)                               The General Manager of the Company shall be responsible for the financial management of the Company.  Among his duties, the General Manager shall cause the Finance Department to organize the compilation of financial statements.

 

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(B)                               The Company shall adopt the internationally practised accrual basis of accounting and the debit and credit method for book keeping, and shall prepare complete, accurate and appropriate financial and accounting books and records in accordance with the Accounting System of the People’s Republic of China for Foreign Investment Enterprises and relevant financial systems, taking into account both Parties’ financial reporting needs.

 

(C)                               Every month, and within thirty (30) days of the end of each fiscal year of the Company, the Finance Department shall prepare financial statements for the Company, including a balance sheet and profit and loss statement.  The Finance Department shall also prepare, on a quarterly basis and within thirty (30) days of the end of the Company’s fiscal year, restated financial statements of the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”).  Immediately upon their issuance, the Finance Department shall provide copies of the said financial statements and restated financial statements to the Parties and summaries of such statements to the Board.

 

(D)                               The Renminbi shall be used as the unit of account by the Company in its financial accounting.  Financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP pursuant to Article 15.4(C) shall be prepared in Renminbi.  Treatment of exchange gains and losses arising from exchange rate differences shall be in accordance with the relevant accounting treatment announced by the Ministry of Finance of the PRC.

 

(E)                                The accounting process and procedures to be adopted by the Company shall be prepared by the Finance Department and submitted to the Executive Committee for approval.  Once approved by the Executive Committee, the accounting process and procedures shall be filed with the local department of finance and the tax authorities for the record.  The Executive Committee shall also prepare an annual report on internal controls and submit it to the Board for approval.

 

(F)                                 The fiscal year of the Company shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31 of each year.  All accounting records, vouchers, books, financial statements and reports of the Company shall be made and kept in the Chinese language.  Appropriate accounting records and statements shall be prepared and kept in English.  All important financial and accounting records and statements shall require the approval and signature of the General Manager and the Standing Deputy General Manager.

 

(G)                               Tax returns for the Company shall be prepared in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of the PRC and shall be approved .and signed by the General Manager and the Standing Deputy General Manager.

 

(H)                              At the end of each fiscal year, the Finance Department shall prepare such information as shall be necessary for the preparation of any tax returns and statements as may be required by U.S. law.  This shall include furnishing Party B 

 

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with certified copies of government receipts for income taxes paid within the PRC.

 

(I)                                   The Company shall also provide any information that may be required for the audit of any tax return by U.S. authorities.

 

15.5                        Bank Accounts

 

After its business license has been issued, the Company shall separately open foreign exchange account(s) and Renminbi account(s) at banks which are authorized to accept Renminbi and/or foreign exchange deposits in the PRC from a Sino-foreign joint venture.  If it deems it necessary and upon approval of the Board of Directors, the Company may also, in pursuance of its operational needs and in accordance with relevant regulations, open foreign exchange accounts with financial institutions outside of the PRC.

 

15.6                        Auditing

 

(A)                               The Company shall engage a Sino-U.S. joint venture accounting firm registered in the PRC to be its auditor and to examine and verify the financial accounting of the Company.  The results of the auditor’s examination shall be reported to the Board and the General Manager.  The Company shall submit to the Parties and to each director the audited annual statements within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year, together with the audit report of the independent auditor.

 

(B)                               If it deems necessary, any Party may engage an auditor at its own expense from the PRC or another country to audit the financial accounting books of the Company.  If, however, the results of any such audit are significantly different from that conducted by the Company’s independent auditor and are accepted by the Board, the expense shall be borne by the Company.  Such independent auditor shall keep confidential all documents audited by him.  The Company shall permit such auditor to have access to the books and records of the Company and will provide the necessary office space and facilities to enable such examination to be carried out effectively.  The results of such audit shall be reported to the Board, the Executive Committee and the Company’s accountant registered in China.

 

15.7                        Contributions to the Three Funds

 

The Company shall accrue from its after-tax profits each year for the Reserve Fund, the Enterprise Development Fund and the Bonus and Welfare Fund for Staff and Workers (the “Three Funds”) in accordance with the stipulations in the Joint Venture Law.

 

In the first year in which the Company achieves a cumulative profit after tax, the amount to be accrued for the Three Funds shall be as follows:

 

(a)                                 Reserve Fund - 1% of after-tax profits;

 

(b)                                 Enterprise Development Fund - 2% of after-tax profits;

 

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(c)                                  Bonus and Welfare Fund for Staff and Workers - 9% of after-tax profits.

 

After the first year in which the Company achieves a cumulative profit after tax, the Board shall on an annual basis discuss and decide the percentage to be applied to the Three Funds according to the business situation of the Company.

 

When the cumulative balance in the Reserve Fund equals fifty percent (50%) of the registered capital of the Company, the Company need not make further allocations to this fund.

 

15.8                        Distribution of Profits

 

Unless the Board decides otherwise, 100% of the after-tax profits remaining after contributions to the Three Funds shall be distributed annually to the Parties in proportion to their respective shares in the registered capital of the Company.  Dividends shall be declared in the Company’s operating currency.  Dividends to the Parties shall be paid in foreign exchange to the extent available after satisfaction of the priorities listed 1 to 6 in Article 16.5 below.  Profits of the Company may not be distributed before losses in prior fiscal years have been made up.  Undistributed distributable profits from prior years may be distributed together with those of the current year.

 

ARTICLE 16  FOREIGN EXCHANGE

 

16.1                        General

 

All foreign exchange matters of the Company shall be handled in accordance with relevant PRC foreign exchange regulations.

 

In accordance with the Regulations for the Administration of Foreign Exchange Settlement, Sales and Payments and the Provisional Measures for the Administration of Foreign Exchange Bank Accounts, the Company shall be granted a FERC.

 

The Parties acknowledge, that SAFE’s confirmation that the Company can receive foreign exchange, obtain a FERC, maintain a foreign exchange bank account and have access to designated foreign exchange banks during the term of the Company as necessary is an essential and decisive condition to the formation and success of this joint venture project.

 

In accordance with the Regulations of the State Council Concerning the Issue of Balancing Foreign Exchange Receipts and Disbursements by Joint Ventures Using Chinese and Foreign Investment, the Company may apply to the appropriate authorities of the PRC for confirmation that the Company may purchase domestic products with Renminbi for export to assist in resolving any imbalance of foreign exchange receipts and expenditures which may occur.

 

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16.2                        Foreign Exchange Requirements of the Company

 

(A)                               The foreign exchange funds of the Company (such as foreign exchange capital invested and foreign currency loans) shall be freely transferable into the PRC without any restriction or tax, duty or other governmental charge whatsoever and shall be deposited in the foreign exchange account or accounts of the Company.  Subject to the provisions of this Article, all foreign exchange payments of the Company shall be paid out of the above-mentioned foreign exchange accounts.

 

(B)                               To the extent permitted by relevant Chinese laws and regulations, Party B shall have the right to remit outside of China all payments made to it by the Company, including amounts paid to it upon dissolution of the Company.  Unless otherwise specified in this Contract or in contracts entered into by the Company, all expenses, loan repayments, labor compensation and other charges of the Company paid to Chinese enterprises or nationals shall be paid in Renminbi.

 

16.3                        Applicable Foreign Exchange Rate

 

In the determination of the foreign exchange rate applicable to the conversion of Renminbi to foreign currency or vice versa, the applicable rate shall be the rate quoted by the People’s Bank of China on the date the payment of dividends, interest, fees, commissions, purchase or sale price, etc. is made.

 

16.4                        Foreign Exchange Balancing

 

The Company shall have the right to adopt the following methods to raise foreign exchange:

 

1.                                      sale of the Company’s products for foreign exchange to the extent permitted by PRC law;

 

2.                                      conversion of Renminbi into United States Dollars at a designated foreign exchange bank at the then current rate prevailing;

 

3.                                      using Renminbi to purchase raw materials and components and domestic products in the PRC for export, upon receipt of the appropriate governmental approvals;

 

4.                                      reinvestment of its Renminbi profits in PRC domestic enterprises capable of generating foreign exchange or increasing their foreign exchange revenues;

 

5.                                      such other methods as are permitted by applicable law.

 

16.5                        Appropriation of Foreign Exchange Available

 

In any given year, the Company shall anticipate and plan for the use of its foreign exchange income in accordance with the following order of priorities:

 

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1.                                      payment for imported materials, machinery and equipment, replacement parts and components for machinery and equipment and services required by the Company, and other production and overhead costs denominated in foreign exchange;

 

2.                                      payment of interest on and repayment of principal of foreign exchange loans, if any;

 

3.                                      payment of fees, expenses and reimbursements to offshore licensors or service providers under technical assistance, technology license, and/or service agreements with the Company;

 

4.                                      payments to Party B or its relevant affiliate for the cost of individuals sent to the Company (a) to provide training and other Technical Assistance under the Technology License and Technical Assistance Agreement attached as Appendix C hereto, or (b) under any other separate contractual relationship between Party B or its relevant affiliate and the Company;

 

5.                                      payment to Party B of compensation for expatriate personnel of the Company provided by Party B, and payment of the expenses of the Company personnel while travelling abroad on Company business;

 

6.                                      payment in foreign exchange for certain administrative expenses that are needed to fulfil operational requirements and requiring foreign exchange payment;

 

7.                                      payment to Party B of its respective share of the profits of the Company;

 

8.                                      payment to Party A of its respective share of the profits of the Company;

 

9.                                      reserve of a foreign currency balance intended to satisfy the above priorities for the subsequent year, based on an estimation of foreign currency income against foreign currency expenditures; and

 

10.                               other payments which the Board decides should be made in foreign exchange.

 

Any portions of the above foreign exchange obligations which are not fully satisfied in a given year will be carried forward to the following year until they are satisfied.  The Company shall use its best efforts to obtain sufficient foreign exchange to satisfy these priorities.

 

ARTICLE 17  INSURANCE

 

17.1                        General

 

Various types of insurance of the Company shall be purchased from insurance companies registered in the PRC that provide insurance coverage to Sino-foreign joint ventures to the extent that such insurance is available, on conditions and terms comparable to those abroad.

 

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17.2                        Types of Coverage

 

The exact types of coverage, the value and the term of insurance shall be decided by the Executive Committee based on the practices of similar businesses in other countries and the practice and legal requirements in the PRC.  Such coverage shall include adequate property insurance covering the factory building, contents and other first party risks of the Company.  The Company shall also maintain product liability insurance, third party liability insurance and other relevant insurance coverage in order to protect the Company, its employees, agents and other appropriate parties from claims.  The Board shall ensure that adequate coverage of the abovementioned types of insurance is arranged by the Executive Committee.

 

ARTICLE 18  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTIES

 

18.1                        Representations and Warranties of Party A

 

Party A hereby represents and warrants to Party B as follows:

 

(A)                               Party A is a Sino-foreign equity joint venture company duly organized and validly existing as a legal person under the laws of the PRC.

 

(B)                               Party A has taken all appropriate and necessary corporate action to authorize the execution and delivery of this Contract and all of the contracts and documents referred to in this Contract to which Party A is a party and to authorize the performance and observance of the terms and conditions hereof and thereof.

 

(C)                               Party A has obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations necessary for the valid execution and delivery of this Contract and all of the contracts and documents referred to in this Contract to which Party A is a party and to observe and perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder; provided however, that this Contract is subject to the approval of the Approval Authority before the same may become effective.

 

(D)                               Party A’s representative whose signature is affixed hereto has been fully authorized to sign this Contract pursuant to a valid power of attorney, a copy of which has been provided to the other Party hereto.

 

18.2                        Representations and Warranties of Party B

 

Party B hereby represents and warrants to Party A as follows:

 

(A)                               Party B is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing in accordance with the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong.

 

(B)                               Party B has taken all appropriate and necessary corporate action to authorize the execution and delivery of this Contract and all of the contracts and documents referred to in this Contract to which Party B is a party and to authorize the performance and observance of the terms and conditions hereof and thereof, 

 

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including the procurement of a guarantee letter from Johnson Controls, Inc., guaranteeing the performance of Party B and/or its relevant affiliate(s) under this Contract and under all other agreements between Party B or its relevant affiliate(s) and the Company.

 

(C)                               Party B has obtained all consents, approvals and authorizations necessary for the valid execution and delivery of this Contract and all of the contracts and documents referred to in this Contract to which Party B is a party, and to observe and perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder; provided, however, that this Contract is subject to the approval of the Approval Authority before the same may become effective.

 

(D)                               Party B’s representative whose signature is affixed hereto has been fully authorized to sign this Contract pursuant to a valid power of attorney, a copy of which has been provided to the other Party hereto.

 

ARTICLE 19  DURATION OF THE JOINT VENTURE

 

19.1                        Term of the Company

 

The duration of the Company (the “Company Term”) shall be twenty-five (25) years starting from the date on which the business license of the Company is issued by the SAIC.

 

19.2                        Extension of the Company Term

 

At least two (2) years prior to the expiration of the Company Term, the Parties shall hold consultations to discuss the extension of the Company Term.  If both Parties agree to extend the Company Term, an application for such extension shall be submitted to the Approval Authority for approval not less than six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Company Term.  Any extension of the term as approved shall be registered with the SAIC.

 

Dissolution of the Company upon early termination or at expiration of the Company Term shall be subject to the provisions of Articles 20 through 23 below.

 

19.3                        Non-Compete

 

The Company shall constitute each Party’s exclusive activity and/or participation in the PRC in any operation or business included within the Business Scope as provided in Article 4.2; provided however, that:  (i) in the event the Company refuses to pursue or accept any new seat, headliner, sun visor or overhead system business within the Business Scope, either Party shall have the right to establish a competitive venture in China for such new seat, headliner, sun visor or overhead system business provided that such Party had not opposed the participation of the Company in such new business; (ii) in the event a potential customer or potential partner refuses to accept the Company’s participation in any operation or sourcing opportunity and the Parties have exhausted best efforts to allow the Company’s participation, either Party shall have the right to 

 

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participate in such operation or sourcing opportunity with such potential customer or potential partner; and (iii) any activity within the Business Scope which any Party is contractually committed to undertake pursuant to a letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or other definitive written agreement executed with third parties prior to January 8, 1997 insofar as the automotive seat business is concerned and prior to the date of these JVC Amendments insofar as the automotive headliner, sun visor and overhead system businesses are concerned, shall be excluded from this Article 19.3.  The Parties further acknowledge and agree that it is their intent that companies with which they have a direct or indirect investment relationship shall also refrain from competing with the Company and that the Parties will use their best efforts to cause such companies to similarly comply with this non-compete provision.

 

ARTICLE 20  EARLY TERMINATION AND DISSOLUTION

 

20.1                        Events of Early Termination for Reasons other than Breach

 

The Company may be brought to an early termination upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

1.                                      the Company has incurred heavy losses and is unable to continue operations (for purposes of this Article the term “heavy losses” shall mean that the accumulated losses of the Company have reached seventy-five percent (75%) or more of the registered capital of the Company);

 

2.                                      subject to the provisions of Article 23 below, the Company is unable to continue operations due to the occurrence of an event of force majeure;

 

3.                                      the Company is unable to obtain its desired purpose and scope of operation as stated in this Contract including but not limited to the inability of the Company to carry out foreign exchange transactions or the inability of the Company to pay in U.S. Dollars or other foreign exchange any payments required to be paid to Party B in U.S. Dollars or other foreign exchange under the terms of this Contract with a value singly or in the aggregate equal to the amount of Party B’s registered capital in the Company;

 

4.                                      the bankruptcy of either Party;

 

5.                                      Parties A and B unanimously agree to early dissolution of the Company;

 

6.                                      The Parties do not reach agreement on the adjustments to either Party’s economic benefits as provided under Article 24.3 within ninety (90) days of the request by either Party for such adjustments.

 

20.2                        Dissolution Upon Early Termination for Reasons other than Breach

 

Upon the occurrence of any of the events enumerated in Article 20.1, either Party may request that a Board meeting be convened to discuss the early termination of the Company.  The Chairman of the Board shall convene such meeting within thirty (30)

 

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days of the receipt of a Party’s request for the meeting.  The directors appointed by the other Party shall be obliged to attend such meeting.

 

At such Board meeting each Party shall discuss, and use its best efforts to achieve, a solution acceptable to both Parties, which solution may include the purchase by one Party of the equity interest of the other Party in the Company.

 

If the Parties are unable to achieve a mutually acceptable solution at such Board meeting, the Board shall adopt any one of the following solutions:

 

1.                                      dissolution of the Company pursuant to a unanimous resolution of the Board and subject to the approval of the Approval Authority;

 

2.                                      purchase by the Party that objects to the Company’s dissolution of the equity interest of the Party that is in favor of its dissolution, such equity interest to be valued in the same manner as is set forth in Article 22.2 below with respect to the valuation of the Company.

 

20.3                        Expropriation

 

Party B shall have the right unilaterally to terminate the Company in the event a substantial portion of the Company’s assets is expropriated.

 

20.4                        Dissolution due to Expiration or Early Termination

 

Upon the expiration of the Company Term or the early termination of the Company pursuant to Article 20.1 and Article 20.2 above, the Board shall appoint a Liquidation Committee as provided under the Articles of Association to carry out liquidation in accordance with law and the provisions of this Contract.

 

ARTICLE 21  BREACH, PENALTIES FOR BREACH AND DISSOLUTION DUE TO BREACH

 

21.1                        Breach

 

If one Party fails to perform any of its obligations under this Contract or if a Party’s representation or warranty under this Contract is untrue or materially inaccurate, such Party shall be deemed to have breached this Contract.  In such event, the performing Party (a “Performing Party”) shall notify the Party in breach (“Breaching Party”) in writing that the Contract has been breached and that the breach should be remedied within sixty (60) days of the date of such notice.  If the breach has not been remedied by the end of such sixty-day period, the Performing Party shall notify the Approval Authority that the Contract has been breached by the Breaching Party and the Company may be dissolved at the written request of the Performing Party as provided in Article 22.1.

 

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21.2                        Damages in Case of Breach

 

In the event of a breach of this Contract, the Breaching Party shall be liable to the Performing Party for direct damages incurred as a result of such Breaching Party’s breach of contract.  The termination rights provided for in Article 20.1 shall be in addition to and not in substitution for any other remedies that may be available to the Performing Party, and any termination in the exercise of such rights shall not relieve either Party from any obligations accrued to the date of such termination or relieve the Breaching Party from liability and damages to the Performing Party for breach of this Contract.  Waiver by either Party of a single default or a succession of defaults shall not deprive such Party of any right to terminate this Contract, arising by reason of any subsequent default.

 

21.3                        Penalties for Late Contribution of Capital

 

Should a Party to the Contract not contribute on time to the Company its subscribed amount of the registered capital stipulated in Article 5.3 of this Contract for reasons other than those specified in Article 5.5 hereof, such Party shall, commencing from one month after the due date of such payment in default, pay the Company one percent (1%) per month of the subscribed capital amount overdue as penalty for default.  If for reasons other than those specified in Article 5.5 hereof no payment has been made, or full payment of the amount overdue has not been made in three (3) months, the Party in default shall be deemed to  have waived its right to subscribe to the capital overdue.  Other than claiming from the defaulting Party for the Company the cumulative three percent (3%) on the subscribed amount overdue as penalty for default, the non-defaulting Party shall also have the right to subscribe to such overdue amount, and to request the defaulting Party to compensate the non-defaulting Party for its direct losses sustained as a result of the defaulting Party’s breach.

 

21.4                        Dissolution Due to Breach

 

Upon approval of the dissolution by the Approval Authority, the Performing Party shall appoint a Liquidation Committee to evaluate the assets and liabilities of the Company and the reasonableness of the claim for damages, if any, suffered by the Performing Party.  The Liquidation Committee shall carry out liquidation in accordance with law and this Contract.

 

Either the Performing Party or the Breaching Party may institute arbitration proceedings in accordance with Article 25 of this Contract should it dispute the determination of the Liquidation Committee.

 

ARTICLE 22  DISPOSAL OF PROPERTY UPON TERMINATION AND DISSOLUTION

 

22.1                        Liquidation Committee

 

The Liquidation Committee, whether appointed pursuant to Article 20.4 or Article 21.4 above, shall apply the assets of the Company to satisfy the Company’s liabilities, including all liabilities owed by the Company to Party A or Party B.  Thereafter, the

 

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remaining assets of the Company may be distributed to the Parties in accordance with the ratio of their capital contributions; provided, however, that any property to be distributed to the Breaching Party (as Breaching Party is defined in Article 21.1 above) may be used to pay for the damages sustained by the Performing Party.  Damages payable to Party B shall be paid in foreign exchange.  Party B’s share of distribution shall be paid in foreign exchange, to the extent available in the Company.  However, the Parties may elect to receive their respective share of distribution of assets in kind, including machinery and equipment, with Party A being given preference with respect to machinery and equipment made in China and Party B being given preference With respect to machinery and equipment made outside of China.  The Liquidation Committee shall value all the assets of the Company on a fair market value basis.

 

22.2                        Valuation of Assets

 

If at the time of expiration of this Contract without renewal at the end of the Company Term hereof the Company is actively engaged in business, or at any other time when the Parties mutually agree to negotiate a sale and purchase of their respective interests in the Company, the following process may be used with the Parties’ mutual consent to establish the value of the Company:  three (3) qualified appraisers, one (1) to be appointed by Party A, one (1) to be appointed by Party B and the third one to be appointed by the two (2) appraisers appointed by the Parties hereto would establish the value of the Company.  If a Party fails to appoint an appraiser within sixty (60) days of being requested to do so by  the other Party, the appraiser appointed by such Party shall appoint an appraiser on behalf of the Party failing to make such an appointment.  Such appraisers shall each value the Company on a going-concern basis with reference to a Pacific area company with facilities comparable to those of the company, which company is qualified to continue to carry on its business in the jurisdiction in which it is located, but without taking into account the value to the Company of the Technology License and Technical Assistance Agreement.

 

In making such valuation, the appraisers shall make full provision for and take into account the debts and liabilities of the Company.  If the value figures of all three (3) of the appraisers are within ten percent (10%) of each other, (using the higher value figure as the denominator), then the value of the Company shall be the average of the value established by each of these three appraisers.  If the value figures of only two (2) of the appraisers are within ten percent (10%) of each other, (using the higher value figure as the denominator), then the value of the Company shall be the average of the value established by each of these two appraisers and the third appraiser’s valuation will be discarded.  If the value figures of each of the appraisers is more than ten percent (10%) apart (using the higher value figure as the denominator), then new appraisers shall be appointed as provided.

 

After the value of the Company has been established, the Parties may agree that one Party shall purchase the interest of the other at the pro-rata price established by the said valuation.  If Party A buys Party B’s interest, payment shall be made in convertible currency.  If neither Party is willing to buy at the value established by the appraisers or at any other price agreed upon, then the Parties shall sell the Company to a third party at the

 

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appraised value or for a better price.  If the Parties are unable to sell the Company to a third party, then the Company shall be dissolved as provided in Article 22.1 and its assets sold wherever the best price can be obtained.

 

ARTICLE 23  FORCE MAJEURE

 

23.1                        General

 

Should either of the Parties to this Contract be prevented from performing its obligations under the Contract by force majeure, such as earthquake, typhoon, flood, or other acts of nature, fire, explosion, acts of authority including the inability to obtain any required export licenses or the inability to obtain raw materials or spare parts, war, or other unforeseen events beyond the prevented Party’s reasonable control (an “Event of Force Majeure”), the prevented Party shall notify the other Party without delay, and within fifteen (15) days thereafter provide detailed information concerning such events and documents evidencing such events, explaining the reasons for its inability to execute, or for its delay in the execution of, all or part of this Contract.

 

23.2                        Excuse and Notification

 

If an Event of Force Majeure occurs, neither Party shall be responsible for any damage, increased costs or loss which the other Party may sustain by reason of such a failure or delay of performance, and such failure or delay shall not be deemed a breach of this Contract.  The Party claiming Force Majeure shall take appropriate means to minimize or remove the effects of Force Majeure and, within the shortest possible time, use its best efforts to resume performance of the obligations delayed or prevented by the Event of Force Majeure.

 

23.3                        Extended Force Majeure

 

Should an Event of Force Majeure or the effects of an Event of Force Majeure prevent one or both of the Parties hereto from performing part or all of its or their obligations hereunder for a period of one hundred and twenty (120) days or more, then the Parties shall, through consultations, decide whether to terminate this Contract or to exempt the implementation of part of the obligations of this Contract or whether to delay the execution of this Contract according to the effects of the Event of Force Majeure on the performance of this Contract.

 

ARTICLE 24  APPLICABLE LAW

 

24.1                        Applicable Law

 

This Contract shall be performed in accordance with its terms.  This Contract shall be governed by the laws of the PRC.

 

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24.2                        Favorable Changes

 

In the event that, during the term of this Contract, any relevant authority in the PRC adopts any law, decree, rule, regulation or policy, or a treatment is extended to another joint venture company or foreign investor in the automobile components business in the PRC which is more favorable than the laws, decrees, rules, regulations, policies or a treatment previously applicable to the Company and/or Party B, then the Company and/or Party B as the case may be shall be entitled to receive, or apply (if application is necessary) to the appropriate governmental agency or authority to receive the benefit of such law, decree, regulation, rule, policy or more favorable treatment.

 

24.3                        Adverse Changes

 

If either Party’s economic benefits are adversely and materially affected by the promulgation of any new laws, decrees, rules or regulations of the PRC or the United States of America or any administrative subdivision thereof, or by the amendment or new interpretation of such laws, decrees, rules or regulations after the effective date of this Contract, the Parties shall promptly consult with each other and use their best efforts to implement any adjustments necessary to maintain each Party’s economic benefits derived from this Contract on a basis no less favorable than the economic benefits it would have derived if such laws, decrees, rules or regulations had not been promulgated or amended or so interpreted.

 

ARTICLE 25  SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

 

25.1                        Choice of Arbitration

 

(A)                               Any claim, controversy or disputes arising from the interpretation or performance of, or in connection with, this Contract shall be settled through friendly consultations between the Parties.  In case no settlement can be reached through consultations within sixty (60) days of the submission of such matter by one Party to the other Party, then such dispute shall be settled by arbitration under the Rules of Arbitration of the Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.

 

(B)                               The arbitration proceedings shall be conducted in English and shall take place in Stockholm, Sweden.

 

(C)                               The arbitral award shall be final and binding upon the Parties and shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

 

(D)                               The award may be enforced by filing as judgement in any court having jurisdiction, or an application may be made to such court for assistance in enforcing the award, as the case may be.  Any arbitration expense, including a reasonable allowance for attorney’s fees, shall be paid by the losing Party or as fixed by the arbitral tribunal.  The Parties agree that, if it becomes necessary for a Party to enforce an arbitral award by legal action of any kind, the losing Party shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses and attorney’s fees including, but not limited to,

 

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any cost of additional litigation or arbitration that shall be incurred by the Party seeking to enforce the award.

 

25.2                        Continued Performance

 

During the arbitration, this Contract shall continue to be performed by the Parties except for the matters in dispute.

 

ARTICLE 26  CONFIDENTIALITY

 

26.1                        Each Party shall maintain the secrecy and confidentiality of, and shall not without the prior approval of the other Party disclose to any third party or person, any proprietary, secret or confidential data and information relating to the Company, its business operations, the products of the Company, or any information disclosed to a Party by the other Party at any time during or for the purpose of negotiation of this Contract or the establishment or operation of the Company.

 

26.2                        The Parties further agree not to use any know-how, data and information relating to the Company, its business operations, the products of the Company, or belonging to the other Party for their own purposes or for any purpose other than the implementation of the Company’s business.

 

26.3                        Each Party agrees to abide by these obligations of confidentiality and non-use during the term of this Contract, including any extensions, or for so long as the Company continues to exist, and for a period of five (5) years thereafter.

 

26.4                        The Parties shall cause their directors, staff, and other employees, and those of their subsidiaries or affiliated companies, also to be bound by and comply with the confidentiality obligations set forth in Articles 26.1, 26.2 and 26.3.

 

26.5                        The Parties agree that an undertaking of secrecy and non-use, in form and substance satisfactory to the Parties, shall be included in all of the labor contracts signed by the Company with its employees.

 

ARTICLE 27  LANGUAGE

 

The Contract shall be written in a Chinese version and in an English version in three original copies each.  Both languages shall be equally authentic.  In the event of any discrepancy between the two aforementioned versions, the arbitrators shall determine which version most accurately records the Parties’ intention.  Each Party shall keep one original in each language.  One original in each language shall be submitted to the Approval Authority.

 

36

 

ARTICLE 28  EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CONTRACT, AMENDMENT, AND MISCELLANEOUS

 

28.1                        Entire Contract

 

The Appendices referred to in this Contract and attached hereto are an integral part of the Contract.  The Appendices are as follows:

 

Appendix A                               Export Sales Agreement

 

Appendix B                               Seat Business Transfer Agreement

 

Appendix C                               Technology License and Technical Assistance Agreement

 

This Contract with its Appendices constitutes the entire contract between the Parties with respect to the subject matter of this joint venture and supersedes all previous oral and written agreements, contracts, understandings and communications of the Parties in respect of the subject matter of the Contract.  The headings to Articles are for ease of reference only and shall have no legal effect.

 

28.2                        Approval Authority

 

(A)                               This Contract with its Appendices shall be submitted along with the Articles of Association and the Feasibility Study Report for approval to the Shanghai Foreign Investment Commission (the “Approval Authority”) and shall come into force beginning from the date on which the Approval Authority issues it certificate of approval.  Promptly upon receiving such approval, Party A shall immediately notify and provide Party B with a copy of the relevant approval document.

 

(B)                               In the event that

 

(i)                                     this Contract is not approved within sixty (60) days of the date set forth on the last page of this Contract, or

 

(ii)                                  the Approval Authority requires the Parties to amend this Contract in a manner that is unacceptable or imposes conditions that are unacceptable to one Party or both Parties,

 

then either Party may terminate this Contract by written notice to the other Party, and upon receipt of such notice this Contract shall be void and of no force and effect.

 

28.3                        Amendment

 

Any amendment of the Contract shall come into force only after a written agreement is signed by Parties A and B and approved by the Approval Authority.

 

37

 

28.4                        Severability

 

If any provision of this Contract is legally deemed to be invalid, this shall not affect the validity of any other provision of this Contract.

 

28.5                        Waiver

 

Failure or delay on the part of either Party hereto to exercise any right, power or privilege under this Contract shall not operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege preclude exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

28.6                        Notices

 

All notices between the Parties hereto shall be written in Chinese and in English and may be delivered either by messenger, registered airmail, facsimile, or telegram.  The following addresses shall be used:

 

Address of Party A:                                                                                      Yanfeng Visteon Automotive
 Trim Systems Company, Ltd.
 No. 399 Liuzhou Road, Shanghai, PRC
 Attn.:  General Manager

 

Address of Party B:                                                                                      Johnson Controls Asia Holdings Co., Limited
 c/o Johnson Controls, Inc., Shanghai Representative Office
 20/F., Tower A, Far East International Plaza
 319 Xianxia Road, Changning District,
 Shanghai, 200051
 People’s Republic of China
 Attn:  General Manager, China

 

The deemed date of delivery of the notice shall be decided as follows:

 

1.                                      By messenger, on the date of delivery;

 

2.                                      By registered airmail, seven (7) days after the postage payment of the registered airmail (i.e. seven (7) days after the postmark);

 

3.                                      By facsimile or telegram, on the first working day after the date of sending.  During the term of this Contract, either Party shall have the right to change its address at any time, provided that the other Party shall be notified in writing of such change promptly after any such change.

 

28.7                        Public Communications

 

Neither Party shall make any declarations, announcements, or disclosures to the public with respect to this Contract, the relationship between the Parties or the business of the Company without first obtaining the written consent of the other Party.

 

38

 

28.8                        Signing Place and Date

 

This Contract is signed in Shanghai, China by the duly authorized representatives of Party A and Party B.

 

 

	
SHANGHAI   YANFENG
    	
 
    	
JOHNSON   CONTROLS
    
	
AUTOMOTIVE   TRIM
    	
 
    	
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    
	
COMPANY, LTD.
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
/s/   Lin Shu Nan
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   John Fiori
    
	
Name:
    	
Mr. Lin   Shu Nan 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    	
John   Fiori
    
	
Title:
    	
Chairman
    	
 
    	
Title:
    	
President
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Europe   and Asia Pacific
    
	
Nationality:   China
    	
 
    	
Nationality:   
    	
Italian
    
						

 

39Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

B/E AEROSPACE, INC.,

 

Issuer,

 

to

 

Wilmington Trust, National Association,

 

Trustee

 

 

Indenture

 

Dated as of [   ]

 

 

Debt Securities

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation and tie between Trust Indenture Act

of 1939 and Indenture, dated as of [   ]

 

	
Trust Indenture
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Act Section
    	
 
    	
Indenture Section
    
	
§ 310(a)(1)
    	
 
    	
608
    
	
(a)(2)
    	
 
    	
608
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
604, 607, 609(d)(1)
    
	
§ 311(a)
    	
 
    	
101(2), 604, 613
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
101(2), 604, 613
    
	
§ 312(c)
    	
 
    	
701
    
	
§ 313
    	
 
    	
702
    
	
§ 314(a)
    	
 
    	
703
    
	
(a)(4)
    	
 
    	
1004
    
	
(c)(1)
    	
 
    	
102
    
	
(c)(2)
    	
 
    	
102
    
	
(e)
    	
 
    	
101 (“Opinion of Counsel”), 102
    
	
§ 315(b)
    	
 
    	
601
    
	
§ 316(a)(last sentence)
    	
 
    	
101 (“Outstanding”)
    
	
(a)(1)(A)
    	
 
    	
512
    
	
(a)(1)(B)
    	
 
    	
513
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
508
    
	
(c)
    	
 
    	
104(d)
    
	
§ 317(a)(1)
    	
 
    	
503
    
	
(a)(2)
    	
 
    	
504
    
	
(b)
    	
 
    	
1003
    
	
§ 318(a)
    	
 
    	
107
    

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    
	
ARTICLE ONE
    
	
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL   APPLICATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 101.
    	
Definitions
    	
9
    
	
“Act”
    	
10
    
	
“Additional   Amounts”
    	
10
    
	
“Affiliate”
    	
10
    
	
“Authenticating   Agent”
    	
10
    
	
“Authorized   Officer”
    	
10
    
	
“Bankruptcy   Law”
    	
10
    
	
“Board   of Directors”
    	
10
    
	
“Board   Resolution”
    	
10
    
	
“Book-Entry   Security”
    	
10
    
	
“Business   Day”
    	
10
    
	
“Capital   Stock”
    	
10
    
	
“Commission”
    	
10
    
	
“Company”
    	
11
    
	
“Company   Request” or “Company Order”
    	
11
    
	
“Corporate   Trust Office”
    	
11
    
	
“corporation”
    	
11
    
	
“covenant   defeasance”
    	
11
    
	
“Custodian”
    	
11
    
	
“Default”
    	
11
    
	
“Defaulted   Interest”
    	
11
    
	
“defeasance”
    	
11
    
	
“Definitive   Security”
    	
11
    
	
“Depository”
    	
11
    
	
“Euroclear”
    	
11
    
	
“Event   of Default”
    	
11
    
	
“Exchange   Act”
    	
11
    
	
“Extension   Notice” and “Extension Period”
    	
11
    
	
“Final   Maturity”
    	
12
    
	
“generally   accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP”
    	
12
    
	
“Global   Securities”
    	
12
    
	
“Government   Obligations”
    	
12
    
	
“guarantee”
    	
12
    
	
“Holder”
    	
12
    
	
“incorporated   provision”
    	
12
    
	
“Indebtedness”
    	
12
    
	
“Indenture”
    	
12
    
	
“Indexed   Security”
    	
13
    
	
“interest”
    	
13
    
	
“Interest   Payment Date”
    	
13
    

 

 

	
“mandatory   sinking fund payment”
    	
13
    
	
“Maturity”
    	
13
    
	
“Officer’s   Certificate”
    	
13
    
	
“Opinion   of Counsel”
    	
13
    
	
“Option   to Elect Repayment”
    	
13
    
	
“Optional   Reset Date”
    	
13
    
	
“optional   sinking fund payment”
    	
13
    
	
“Original   Issue Discount Security”
    	
13
    
	
“Original   Stated Maturity”
    	
13
    
	
“Outstanding”
    	
14
    
	
“Participants”
    	
14
    
	
“Paying   Agent”
    	
15
    
	
“Person”
    	
15
    
	
“Place   of Payment”
    	
15
    
	
“Predecessor   Security”
    	
15
    
	
“Redemption   Date”
    	
15
    
	
“Redemption   Price”
    	
15
    
	
“Regular   Record Date”
    	
15
    
	
“Repayment   Date”
    	
15
    
	
“Repayment   Price”
    	
15
    
	
“Reset   Notice”
    	
15
    
	
“Securities”
    	
15
    
	
“Security   Register” and “Security Registrar”
    	
15
    
	
“Special   Record Date”
    	
15
    
	
“Stated   Maturity”
    	
16
    
	
“Subsequent   Interest Period”
    	
16
    
	
“Subsidiary”
    	
16
    
	
“Trust   Indenture Act” or “TIA”
    	
16
    
	
“Trustee”
    	
16
    
	
“Trustee   Payments”
    	
16
    
	
“United   States”
    	
16
    
	
“United   States person”
    	
16
    
	
“Vice   President”
    	
16
    
	
“Yield   to Maturity”
    	
16
    
	
SECTION 102.
    	
Compliance Certificates   and Opinions
    	
17
    
	
SECTION 103.
    	
Form of Documents   Delivered to Trustee
    	
17
    
	
SECTION 104.
    	
Acts of Holders
    	
18
    
	
SECTION 105.
    	
Notices, etc. to   Trustee and Company
    	
19
    
	
SECTION 106.
    	
Notice to Holders;   Waiver
    	
19
    
	
SECTION 107.
    	
Conflict of Any   Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act
    	
20
    
	
SECTION 108.
    	
Effect of Headings and   Table of Contents
    	
20
    
	
SECTION 109.
    	
Successors and Assigns
    	
20
    
	
SECTION 110.
    	
Separability Clause
    	
20
    

 

4

 

	
SECTION 111.
    	
Benefits of Indenture
    	
20
    
	
SECTION 112.
    	
Governing Law
    	
21
    
	
SECTION 113.
    	
Legal Holidays
    	
21
    
	
SECTION 114.
    	
No Recourse Against   Others
    	
21
    
	
 
    
	
ARTICLE TWO
    
	
SECURITY FORMS
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 201.
    	
Forms Generally
    	
22
    
	
SECTION 202.
    	
Form of Trustee’s   Certificate of Authentication
    	
22
    
	
SECTION 203.
    	
Securities Issuable in   Global Form
    	
22
    
	
SECTION 204.
    	
Form of Legend for   Book-Entry Securities
    	
23
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE THREE
    
	
THE SECURITIES
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 301.
    	
Amount Unlimited;   Issuable in Series
    	
24
    
	
SECTION 302.
    	
Denominations
    	
26
    
	
SECTION 303.
    	
Execution, Authentication,   Delivery and Dating
    	
27
    
	
SECTION 304.
    	
Book-Entry Securities
    	
28
    
	
SECTION 305.
    	
Temporary Securities
    	
30
    
	
SECTION 306.
    	
Registration,   Registration of Transfer and Exchange
    	
30
    
	
SECTION 307.
    	
Mutilated, Destroyed,   Lost and Stolen Securities
    	
31
    
	
SECTION 308.
    	
Payment of Interest;   Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset
    	
32
    
	
SECTION 309.
    	
Optional Extension of   Stated Maturity
    	
35
    
	
SECTION 310.
    	
Persons Deemed Owners
    	
35
    
	
SECTION 311.
    	
Cancellation
    	
36
    
	
SECTION 312.
    	
Computation of Interest
    	
36
    
	
SECTION 313.
    	
CUSIP Numbers
    	
37
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE FOUR
    
	
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 401.
    	
Satisfaction and   Discharge of Indenture
    	
37
    
	
SECTION 402.
    	
Application of Trust   Money
    	
38
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE FIVE
    
	
REMEDIES
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 501.
    	
Events of Default
    	
38
    
	
SECTION 502.
    	
Acceleration of   Maturity; Rescission and Annulment
    	
40
    
	
SECTION 503.
    	
Collection of   Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee
    	
41
    
	
SECTION 504.
    	
Trustee May File   Proofs of Claim
    	
41
    
	
SECTION 505.
    	
Trustee   May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities
    	
42
    

 

5

 

	
SECTION 506.
    	
Application of Money   Collected
    	
42
    
	
SECTION 507.
    	
Limitation on Suits
    	
43
    
	
SECTION 508.
    	
Unconditional Right of   Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest
    	
43
    
	
SECTION 509.
    	
Restoration of Rights   and Remedies
    	
43
    
	
SECTION 510.
    	
Rights and Remedies   Cumulative
    	
44
    
	
SECTION 511.
    	
Delay or Omission Not   Waiver
    	
44
    
	
SECTION 512.
    	
Control by Holders
    	
44
    
	
SECTION 513.
    	
Waiver of Past Defaults
    	
44
    
	
SECTION 514.
    	
Undertaking for Costs
    	
45
    
	
SECTION 515.
    	
Waiver of Stay or   Extension Laws
    	
45
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE SIX
    
	
THE TRUSTEE
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 601.
    	
Notice of Defaults
    	
45
    
	
SECTION 602.
    	
Certain Rights of   Trustee
    	
46
    
	
SECTION 603.
    	
Trustee Not Responsible   for Recitals or Issuance of Securities
    	
48
    
	
SECTION 604.
    	
May Hold   Securities
    	
49
    
	
SECTION 605.
    	
Money Held in Trust
    	
49
    
	
SECTION 606.
    	
Compensation and   Reimbursement
    	
49
    
	
SECTION 607.
    	
Conflicting Interests
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 608.
    	
Corporate Trustee   Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 609.
    	
Resignation and   Removal; Appointment of Successor
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 610.
    	
Acceptance of   Appointment by Successor
    	
52
    
	
SECTION 611.
    	
Merger, Conversion,   Consolidation or Succession to Business
    	
53
    
	
SECTION 612.
    	
Appointment of   Authenticating Agent
    	
53
    
	
SECTION 613.
    	
Preferential Collection   of Claims Against Company
    	
55
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE SEVEN
    
	
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 701.
    	
Disclosure of Names and   Addresses of Holders
    	
55
    
	
SECTION 702.
    	
Reports by Trustee
    	
55
    
	
SECTION 703.
    	
Reports by Company
    	
55
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE EIGHT
    
	
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 801.
    	
Company   May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms
    	
56
    
	
SECTION 802.
    	
Rights and Duties of   Successor Corporation
    	
57
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE NINE
    
	
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 901.
    	
Supplemental Indentures   Without Consent of Holders
    	
57
    

 

6

 

	
SECTION 902.
    	
Supplemental Indentures   with Consent of Holders
    	
59
    
	
SECTION 903.
    	
Execution of   Supplemental Indentures
    	
60
    
	
SECTION 904.
    	
Effect of Supplemental   Indentures
    	
60
    
	
SECTION 905.
    	
Conformity with Trust   Indenture Act
    	
60
    
	
SECTION 906.
    	
Reference in Securities   to Supplemental Indentures
    	
60
    
	
SECTION 907.
    	
Notice of Supplemental   Indentures
    	
60
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE TEN
    
	
COVENANTS
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 1001.
    	
Payment of Principal,   Premium and Interest
    	
61
    
	
SECTION 1002.
    	
Maintenance of Office   or Agency
    	
61
    
	
SECTION 1003.
    	
Money for Security   Payments to Be Held in Trust
    	
61
    
	
SECTION 1004.
    	
Statement as to   Compliance
    	
62
    
	
SECTION 1005.
    	
Corporate Existence
    	
63
    
	
SECTION 1006.
    	
Additional Amounts
    	
63
    
	
SECTION 1007.
    	
Waiver of Certain   Covenants
    	
64
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE ELEVEN
    
	
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 1101.
    	
Applicability of   Article
    	
64
    
	
SECTION 1102.
    	
Election to Redeem;   Notice to Trustee
    	
64
    
	
SECTION 1103.
    	
Selection by Trustee of   Securities to Be Redeemed
    	
64
    
	
SECTION 1104.
    	
Notice of Redemption
    	
65
    
	
SECTION 1105.
    	
Deposit of Redemption   Price
    	
66
    
	
SECTION 1106.
    	
Securities Payable on   Redemption Date
    	
66
    
	
SECTION 1107.
    	
Securities Redeemed in   Part
    	
66
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE TWELVE
    
	
SINKING FUNDS
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 1201.
    	
Applicability of   Article
    	
67
    
	
SECTION 1202.
    	
Satisfaction of Sinking   Fund Payments with Securities
    	
67
    
	
SECTION 1203.
    	
Redemption of   Securities for Sinking Fund
    	
67
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
    
	
REPAYMENT AT OPTION OF HOLDERS
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 1301.
    	
Applicability of   Article
    	
68
    
	
SECTION 1302.
    	
Repayment of Securities
    	
69
    
	
SECTION 1303.
    	
Exercise of Option
    	
69
    
	
SECTION 1304.
    	
When Securities   Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable
    	
69
    
	
SECTION 1305.
    	
Securities Repaid in   Part
    	
70
    

 

7

 

	
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
    
	
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
    
	
 
    
	
SECTION 1401.
    	
Company’s Option to   Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
    	
70
    
	
SECTION 1402.
    	
Defeasance and   Discharge
    	
70
    
	
SECTION 1403.
    	
Covenant Defeasance
    	
71
    
	
SECTION 1404.
    	
Conditions to   Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
    	
71
    
	
SECTION 1405.
    	
Deposited Money and   Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions
    	
73
    
	
SECTION 1406.
    	
Reinstatement
    	
73
    

 

8

 

INDENTURE, dated as of [   ], between B/E Aerospace, Inc., a Delaware corporation (herein called the “Company”), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, a national banking association with trust powers organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America (herein called the “Trustee”).

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its debt securities (herein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.

 

This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, that are required to be part of this Indenture and shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by such provisions.

 

All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

 

SECTION 101.             Definitions.  For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

(1)           the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

 

(2)           all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them therein;

 

(3)           all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term “generally accepted accounting principles” with respect to any computation required or permitted hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted in the United States, as in effect on the date of determination, consistently applied; and

 

(4)           the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

 

9

 

Certain terms, used principally in Article Three, are defined in that Article.

 

“Act”, when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 104.

 

“Additional Amounts” has the meaning specified in Section 1008.

 

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

 

“Authenticating Agent” means any Person appointed by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee pursuant to Section 612 to authenticate Securities.

 

“Authorized Officer”, when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer of the Trustee duly authorized by the Trustee and having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

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

 

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any duly authorized committee of such Board.

 

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

 

“Book-Entry Security” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

“Business Day”, means any day that, in the city of the principal Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and in the City of New York, is neither a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close.

 

“Capital Stock” means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests (however designated) in stock issued by a corporation.

 

“Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act or, if at any time after the execution of this

 

10

 

Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

 

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.  To the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of the provisions of TIA Sections 310 through 317 as they are applicable to the Company, the term “Company” shall include any other obligor with respect to the Securities for the purposes of complying with such provisions.

 

“Company Request” or “Company Order” means a written request or order signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, its President, any Vice President, its Chief Financial Officer, its Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office on the date of execution of this Indenture is located at Rodney Square North, 1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890, Attention:  Capital Markets and Agency Services.

 

“corporation” includes corporations, associations, partnerships, limited liability companies, companies and business trusts.

 

“covenant defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1403 hereof.

 

“Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar officer under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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

 

“Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 308 hereof.

 

“defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 1402 hereof.

 

“Definitive Security” has the meaning specified in Section 304 hereof.

 

“Depository” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 501.

 

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

 

“Extension Notice” and “Extension Period” shall have the meanings specified in Section 309.

 

11

 

“Final Maturity” has the meaning specified in Section 309.

 

“generally accepted accounting principles” or “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

 

“Global Securities” means one or more Securities evidencing all or part of the Securities to be issued as Book-Entry Securities, issued to the Depository in accordance with Section 304 and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 204.

 

“Government Obligations” means securities which are (i) direct obligations of the United States government or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States government, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed by the United States government, which, in either case, are full faith and credit obligations of the United States government payable and are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank or trust company as custodian with respect to any such Government Obligation or a specific payment of interest on or principal of any such Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest or principal of the Government Obligation evidenced by such depository receipt.

 

“guarantee” means, as applied to any obligation, (i) a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of such obligation or (ii) an agreement, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, providing assurance of the payment or performance (or payment of damages in the event of non-performance) of any part or all of such obligation, including, without limiting the foregoing, the payment of amounts drawn down by letters of credit.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a guarantee shall not include any agreement solely because such agreement creates a lien on the assets of any Person.  The amount of a guarantee shall be deemed to be the maximum amount of the obligation guaranteed for which the guarantor could be held liable under such guarantee.

 

“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.

 

“incorporated provision” has the meaning specified in Section 107.

 

“Indebtedness” means obligations for money borrowed, evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of indebtedness.

 

“Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed (including all exhibits and schedules hereto) and as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, however, that, if at any time there is more than one series of Securities issued under this instrument, “Indenture” shall mean, with respect to each such series of

 

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Securities, this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the provisions hereof applicable to such series and shall include the terms of such series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive, however, of any provisions or terms which do not relate to such series, regardless of when such provisions or terms were adopted.

 

“Indexed Security” means a Security the terms of which provide that the principal amount thereof payable at Stated Maturity may be more or less than the principal face amount thereof at original issuance.

 

“interest”, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity at the rate prescribed in such Original Issue Discount Security.

 

“Interest Payment Date”, when used with respect to any series of Securities, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Securities.

 

“mandatory sinking fund payment” shall have the meaning specified in Section 1201.

 

“Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided whether at the Stated Maturity, by declaration of acceleration, notice of redemption, notice of option to elect repayment or otherwise.

 

“Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice President or the Chief Financial Officer, and by the Treasurer, the Chief Financial Officer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel for the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee.  Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in TIA Section 314(e) to the extent applicable.

 

“Option to Elect Repayment” shall have the meaning specified in Section 1303.

 

“Optional Reset Date” shall have the meaning specified in Section 308.

 

“optional sinking fund payment” shall have the meaning specified in Section 1201.

 

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

 

“Original Stated Maturity” shall have the meaning specified in Section 309.

 

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“Outstanding” when used with respect to Securities means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

 

(i)            Securities theretofore cancelled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

 

(ii)           Securities, or portions thereof, for whose payment, purchase, redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

 

(iii)          Securities, except to the extent provided in Sections 1402 and 1403, with respect to which the Company has effected defeasance and/or covenant defeasance as provided in Article Fourteen; and

 

(iv)          Securities paid pursuant to Section 307 or Securities in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company;

 

provided, however, that, in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, direction, consent or waiver hereunder, and for the purpose of making the calculations required by TIA Section 316, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the amount of principal thereof that would be (or shall have been declared to be) due and payable, at the time of such determination, upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, (ii) the principal amount of any Indexed Security that may be counted in making such determination or calculation and that shall be deemed outstanding for such purpose shall be equal to the principal face amount of such Indexed Security at original issuance, unless otherwise provided with respect to such Security pursuant to Section 301, and (iii) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making such calculation or in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which an Authorized Officer of the Trustee has been so notified in writing to be so owned shall be so disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or such other obligor.

 

“Participants” has the meaning specified in Section 304.

 

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“Paying Agent” means any Person (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company.

 

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

 

“Place of Payment” means, when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities are payable as specified as contemplated by Sections 301 and 1002.

 

“Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 307 in exchange for a mutilated Security or in lieu of a destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

 

“Redemption Date”, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, in whole or in part, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

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

 

“Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of or within any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 301.

 

“Repayment Date” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Repayment Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Reset Notice” shall have the meaning specified in Section 308.

 

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one series of Securities, “Securities” with respect to the Indenture for such series shall mean the Securities authenticated and delivered under such Indenture for such series, exclusive, however, of the Securities of any series authenticated and delivered under any other Indenture.

 

“Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 306.

 

“Special Record Date” means a date fixed by the Trustee for the payment of any Defaulted Interest pursuant to Section 308.

 

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“Stated Maturity”, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security representing such installment of principal or interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable, as such date may be extended pursuant to the provisions of Section 309.

 

“Subsequent Interest Period” shall have the meaning specified in Section 308.

 

“Subsidiary” of the Company means (i) a corporation, a majority of whose Capital Stock with rights, under ordinary circumstances, to elect directors is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by the Company, by one or more Subsidiaries or by the Company and one or more Subsidiaries or (ii) any other Person (other than a corporation) in which at the date of determination the Company, one or more Subsidiaries or the Company and one or more Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, has at least a majority ownership and power to direct the policies, management and affairs of that Person.

 

“Trust Indenture Act” or “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was executed, except as provided in Section 905.

 

“Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this Indenture until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

“Trustee Payments” shall have the meaning specified in Section 610.

 

“United States” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, the United States of America (including the states and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.

 

“United States person” means, unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301, an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, a corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or an estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source.

 

“Vice President”, when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee, means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president”.

 

“Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, computed at the time of issuance of a Security (or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such Security) and as set forth in such Security in accordance with generally accepted United States bond yield computation principles.

 

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SECTION 102.             Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

 

Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture (including any covenant compliance with which constitutes a condition precedent) relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.

 

Every certificate or opinion (other than the certificates required by Section 1004) with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

(1)           a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

(2)           a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3)           a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

(4)           a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

 

SECTION 103.             Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

 

In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

 

Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous.  Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care

 

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should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.

 

Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.

 

SECTION 104.             Acts of Holders.

 

(a)           Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of the Outstanding Securities of any series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agents duly appointed in writing.  Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company.  Such instrument or instruments and any such record (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments or so voting at any such meeting.  Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or of the holding by any Person of a Security, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to TIA Section 315) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

 

(b)           The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved in any reasonable manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

 

(c)           The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

 

(d)           If the Company shall solicit from the Holders of Securities any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, the Company may, at its option, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, fix in advance a record date for the determination of such Holders entitled to give such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, but the Company shall have no obligation to do so.  Notwithstanding TIA Section 316(c), any such record date shall be the record date specified in or pursuant to such Board Resolution, which shall be a date not more than 30 days prior to the first solicitation of Holders generally in connection therewith and no later than the date such solicitation is completed.  If such a record date is fixed, such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act may be given before or after such record date, but only the Holders of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders for the purposes of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Securities then Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act, and for that purpose the Securities then Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date; provided that no such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holders on such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture not later than six months after the record date.

 

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(e)           Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act by the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security or the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of anything done, suffered or omitted to be done by the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Security.

 

SECTION 105.             Notices, etc. to Trustee and Company.

 

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

 

(1)           the Trustee by any Holder, an agent of any bank or the Company shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or delivered, in writing, to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention:  Corporate Client Services or any other address furnished to the Company in writing by the Trustee; or

 

(2)           the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if made, given, furnished or delivered, in writing, to the Company, addressed to it c/o 1400 Corporate Center Way, Wellington, Florida 33414, Attention:  Chief Financial Officer, or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

 

The Trustee may rely upon and comply with instructions or directions sent via unsecured facsimile or email transmission and the Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability or expense of any kind incurred by the Company or the Holders due to the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with instructions or directions given by unsecured facsimile or email transmission, provided, however, that such losses have not arisen from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Trustee, it being understood that the failure of the Trustee to verify or confirm that the person providing the instructions or directions, is in fact, an authorized person does not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

SECTION 106.             Notice to Holders; Waiver.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice of any event to Holders of Securities by the Company or the Trustee, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders of Securities is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders of Securities.  Any notice mailed to a Holder in the aforesaid manner shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, whether or not such Holder actually receives such notice.

 

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In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impractical to mail notice of any event to Holders of Securities when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be sufficient giving of such notice for every purpose hereunder.

 

Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.

 

Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

 

SECTION 107.             Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act.

 

If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, or conflicts with any provision (an “incorporated provision”) required by or deemed to be included in this Indenture by operation of such TIA Sections, such imposed duties or incorporated provision shall control.  If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 108.             Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

 

The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

SECTION 109.             Successors and Assigns.

 

All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

SECTION 110.             Separability Clause.

 

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

 

SECTION 111.             Benefits of Indenture.

 

Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any

 

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Securities Registrar and their successors hereunder and the Holders of Securities, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

 

SECTION 112.             Governing Law.

 

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD APPLY ANY OTHER LAW.  THIS INDENTURE IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT THAT ARE REQUIRED TO BE PART OF THIS INDENTURE AND SHALL, TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE, BE GOVERNED BY SUCH PROVISIONS.

 

SECTION 113.             WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

 

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE HOLDERS BY ACCEPTANCE OF ANY SECURITIES ISSUED HEREUNDER AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES OF ANY SERIES.

 

SECTION 114.             Legal Holidays.

 

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, sinking fund payment date or Stated Maturity or Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of any Security other than a provision in the Securities of any series which specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section), payment of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date or sinking fund payment date, or at the Stated Maturity or Maturity; provided that no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, sinking fund payment date, Stated Maturity or Maturity, as the case may be, to such succeeding Business Day on account of such delay.

 

SECTION 115.             No Recourse Against Others.

 

A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation.  Each Holder by accepting any of the Securities waives and releases all such liability.

 

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ARTICLE TWO

 

SECURITY FORMS

 

SECTION 201.             Forms Generally.

 

The Securities shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities.  If the forms of Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Corporate Secretary or an Assistant Corporate Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.  Any portion of the text of any Security may be set forth on the reverse thereof, with an appropriate reference thereto on the face of the Security.

 

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article.

 

The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel-engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers of the Company executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

SECTION 202.             Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.

 

Subject to Section 612, the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

	
 
    	
Wilmington   Trust, National Association,
    
	
 
    	
as   Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Authorized   Officer
    

 

SECTION 203.             Securities Issuable in Global Form.

 

When Securities of or within a series are issued in global form, as specified as contemplated by Section 301, then, any such Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities of such series represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased to reflect exchanges.  Any endorsement of a Security in global form to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding

 

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Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in the Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 303 or Section 305.  Subject to the provisions of Section 303 and, if applicable, Section 305, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Company Order.  If a Company Order pursuant to Section 303 or Section 305 has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

 

The provisions of the last sentence of Section 303 shall apply to any Security represented by a Security in global form if such Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Security in global form together with written instructions (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 303.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 308, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301, payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Security in permanent global form shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 310 and except as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company and the Trustee shall treat as the Holder of such principal amount of Outstanding Securities represented by a permanent Global Security the Holder of such permanent Global Security.

 

SECTION 204.             Form of Legend for Book-Entry Securities.

 

Any Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend (which would be in addition to any other legends required in the case of a Restricted Security) in substantially the following form:

 

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITORY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF.  THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITORY OR ITS NOMINEE EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

 

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ARTICLE THREE

 

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 301.             Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series.  There shall be established in one or more Board Resolutions or pursuant to authority granted by one or more Board Resolutions and, subject to Section 303, set forth in, or determined in the manner provided in, an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, any or all of the following, as applicable (each of which, if so provided, may be determined from time to time by the Company with respect to unissued Securities of the series and set forth in such Securities of the series when issued from time to time):

 

(1)           The title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other series of Securities);

 

(2)           Whether the Securities of the series are subject to subordination and, if so, the terms of such subordination;

 

(3)           The aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series, the percentage of their principal amount at which the Securities of the series shall be issued and the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series shall be payable or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined or extended;

 

(4)           If Securities of or within a series will be guaranteed by any guarantors;

 

(5)           The rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, and, if variable, the method by which such rate or rates shall be determined and the periods when such rate or rates will be in effect;

 

(6)           The date or dates from which any interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates will be determined, the date or dates on which any interest will be payable (including the Regular Record Dates for such Interest Payment Dates) or the method by which such dates will be determined, the terms under which payment of any interest may be deferred if it may be deferred, and the basis on which any interest will be calculated if other than on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months;

 

(7)           The place or places, if any, other than or in addition to New York City, where the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series will be payable, where any Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer, where the Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange and where

 

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notices or demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of the series may be served;

 

(8)           The period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, the Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option and any restrictions on the sources of funds for redemption payments (which may benefit the holders of any other securities of the Company);

 

(9)           The obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay the Securities of the series, in whole or in part, pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provision or at the option of a holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, the Securities of the series will be so redeemed, purchased or repaid;

 

(10)         Whether the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may, without limitation, be based on one or more commodities, equity indices or other indices) and the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(11)         Any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or covenants of the Company with respect to the Securities of the series, whether or not such Events of Default or covenants are consistent with the Events of Default or covenants set forth in this Indenture);

 

(12)         If other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of the Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

(13)         Any provisions in modification of, in addition to or in lieu of any provisions of Article Fourteen of this Indenture relating to defeasance and covenant defeasance that shall be applicable to the Securities of the series;

 

(14)         Any provisions granting special rights to the Holders of the Securities of the series upon the occurrence of such events as may be specified;

 

(15)         If other than the Trustee, the designation of any Paying Agent or Security Registrar for the Securities of the series, and the designation of any transfer or other agents or depositories for the Securities of the series;

 

(16)         Whether the Securities of the series shall be issuable initially in temporary global form, whether any of the Securities of the series is to be issuable in permanent global form and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security may exchange such interests for Definitive Securities of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other

 

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than in the manner provided in the Indenture, and, if the Securities are to be issuable as a Global Security, the identity of the depository for the Securities of the series;

 

(17)         The person to whom any interest on any Security shall be payable, if other than the person in whose name the Securities of the series (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, or the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary Security issued in global form shall be paid (if other than as described in Section 304);

 

(18)         The denomination or denominations in which the Securities of the series shall be issuable, if other than $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof;

 

(19)         Whether and under what circumstances the Company shall pay Additional Amounts, as contemplated by Section 1008 of this Indenture, on the Securities of the series to any Holder who is not a United States person (including any modification of the definition of such term as contained in this Indenture) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether the Company shall have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such Additional Amounts (and the terms of any such option);

 

(20)         If the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any securities of any Person (including the Company), the terms and conditions upon which such Securities will be so convertible or exchangeable; and

 

(21)         Any other terms, conditions, rights and preferences (or limitations on such rights and preferences) of the Securities of the series, whether or not such terms, conditions, rights and preferences are consistent with the other provisions of this Indenture.

 

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such Board Resolution (subject to Section 303) and set forth in such Officer’s Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.  Not all Securities of any one series need be issued at the same time, and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of additional Securities of such series.

 

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions, such Board Resolutions shall be delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

 

SECTION 302.             Denominations.

 

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 301.  In the absence of any such provisions, the Securities of such series, other than Securities issued in global form (which may be of any denomination), shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

 

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SECTION 303.             Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

 

The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman, President or a Vice President.  The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

 

Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series, executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with such Company Order shall authenticate and make available for delivery such Securities.  If not all the Securities of any series are to be issued at one time and if the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth procedures acceptable to the Trustee for the issuance of such Securities and determining terms of particular Securities of such series such as interest rate, stated maturity, date of issuance and date from which interest shall accrue.

 

In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d)) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating in effect (subject to customary exceptions):

 

(1)           that the form or forms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(2)           that the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(3)           that such Securities, when completed by appropriate insertions and executed and delivered by the Company to the Trustee for authentication in accordance with this Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, to general equitable principles and to such other qualifications as such counsel shall conclude do not materially affect the rights of Holders of such Securities;

 

(4)           that all laws and requirements in respect of the execution and delivery by the Company of such Securities, and of the supplemental indentures, if any, have been complied with and that authentication and delivery of such Securities and the execution and delivery of the supplemental indenture, if any, by the Trustee will not violate the terms of the Indenture;

 

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(5)           that the Company has the corporate power to issue such Securities, and all necessary corporate action with respect to such issuance has been taken; and

 

(6)           that the issuance of such Securities will not contravene the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or result in any violation of any of the terms or provisions of any law or regulation or of any indenture, mortgage or other agreement known to such Counsel by which the Company is bound.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding two paragraphs, if not all the Securities of any series are to be issued at one time, so long as the terms and provisions of such Securities are substantially identical to the other Securities of such series, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to the preceding two paragraphs prior to or at the time of issuance of each Security, but such documents shall be delivered prior to or at the time of issuance of the first Security of such series.

 

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate and make available for delivery any such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties, immunities, protections, privileges, indemnities and benefits under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein duly executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized signatory, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 311 together with a written statement (which need not comply with Section 102 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 304.             Book-Entry Securities.

 

(a)           The Securities of a series may be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities (“Book-Entry Securities”) deposited with, or on behalf of, a Depository (the “Depository”).  In the case of Book-Entry Securities, one or more Global Securities will be issued in a denomination or aggregate denomination equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the series to be represented by such

 

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Global Security or Global Securities.  The additional provisions set forth in this Section 304 shall apply to Book-Entry Securities.

 

(b)           Book-Entry Securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depository, and registered in the name of the Depository’s nominee, for credit to the respective accounts of institutions that have accounts with the Depository or its nominee (“Participants”); provided that Book-Entry Securities purchased by Persons outside the United States may be credited to or through accounts maintained at the Depository by or on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream International.  The accounts to be credited will be designated by the underwriters or agents of such Securities or, if such Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company, by the Company.  Ownership of beneficial interests in Book-Entry Securities will be limited to Persons that may hold interests through Participants.

 

Participants shall have no rights under this Indenture or any indenture supplemental hereto with respect to any Book-Entry Security held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, and the Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of the Book-Entry Security for all purposes whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Indenture or any such supplemental indenture shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between a Depository and its Participants, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a Holder of any Security.

 

(c)           Transfers of Book-Entry Securities shall be limited to transfers in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees.  Interests of beneficial owners in Book-Entry Securities may be transferred or exchanged for Securities in fully registered, certificated form (“Definitive Securities”) only if (i) the Depository notifies the Trustee in writing that the Depository is no longer willing or able to continue as Depository and a qualified successor Depository is not appointed by the Company within 60 days following such notice, (ii) the Company, at any time and in its sole discretion, determines not to have any Securities of one or more series represented by Global Securities or (iii) after the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to such Securities, a holder of Securities notifies the Trustee in writing that it wishes to receive a Definitive Security and provides to the Trustee evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of its ownership interest in such Securities.  In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be entitled to physical delivery of Definitive Securities equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and registered in its name.

 

(d)           In connection with any transfer or exchange of a portion of the beneficial interest in any Book-Entry Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (c) above, the Security Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Book-Entry Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Book-Entry Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Definitive Securities of like tenor and principal amount of authorized denominations.

 

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(e)           In connection with the transfer of Book-Entry Securities as an entirety to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (c) above, the Book-Entry Securities shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Book-Entry Securities, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Securities of like tenor of authorized denominations.

 

(f)            The Holder of any Book-Entry Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Participants and Persons that may hold interests through Participants, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.

 

SECTION 305.             Temporary Securities.

 

Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities of any series, the Company may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are typewritten, printed, lithographed, engraved or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.  Such temporary Securities may be in global form.

 

If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause Definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.  After the preparation of Definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder.  Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of Definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations.  Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of such series.

 

Until exchanged in full as hereinabove provided, the temporary Securities of any series, including temporary Global Securities (whether or not issued as Book-Entry Securities as provided in Section 304), shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of the same series and of like tenor authenticated and delivered hereunder.

 

SECTION 306.             Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

 

The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee a register for each series of Securities (the registers maintained in such office of the Trustee and in any other office or agency designated pursuant to Section 1002 being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of

 

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Securities.  The Trustee is hereby initially appointed “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided.

 

Except as otherwise described in this Article Three, upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency of the Security Registrar in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same series, in each case, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount.

 

At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

 

All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

 

No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Company or the Trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all documentary, stamp, similar issue or transfer taxes or other governmental charges that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 305, 906, 1107 or 1305 not involving any transfer.

 

Neither the Company nor the Security Registrar shall be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the selection for redemption of Securities of that series under Section 1103 or 1203 and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, or (iii) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Security which has been surrendered for repayment at the option of the Holder, except the portion, if any, of such Security not to be so repaid.

 

SECTION 307.             Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

 

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee together with, in proper cases, such security or indemnity as may be required by the Company or the Trustee to save each

 

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of them and any agent of either of them harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding, or, in case any such mutilated Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

If there shall be delivered to the Company and to the Trustee (i) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or an Authorized Officer of the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous two paragraphs, in case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

 

Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to pay all documentary, stamp or similar issue or transfer taxes or other governmental charges that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

 

Every new Security of any series, if any, issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

 

The provisions of this Section 307 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

 

SECTION 308.             Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved; Optional Interest Reset.

 

(a)           Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to any series of Securities, interest, if any, on any Security which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 1002; provided, however, that each installment of interest, if any, on any Security may at the Company’s option be paid by (i) mailing a check for such interest, payable to or upon the written order of the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 310, to the address of such Person as it appears on the Security Register or (ii) wire transfer to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee.

 

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Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such defaulted interest and, if applicable, interest on such defaulted interest (to the extent lawful) at the rate specified in the Securities of such series (such defaulted interest and, if applicable, interest thereon herein collectively called “Defaulted Interest”) may be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in Subsection (1) or (2) below:

 

(1)           The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner.  The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit on or prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Subsection provided.  Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment.  The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be given in the manner provided in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.  Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose name the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Subsection (2).

 

(2)           The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

 

(b)           The provisions of this Section 308(b) may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301).  The interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) on any Security of such series may be reset by the Company on the date or dates specified on the face of such Security (each an “Optional Reset Date”).  The Company may exercise such option with respect to such Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 50 but not more than 60 days prior to an

 

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Optional Reset Date for such Security, which notice shall contain such information as may be required by the Trustee to transmit the Reset Notice (as hereinafter defined).  Not later than 40 days prior to each Optional Reset Date, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of any such Security a notice (the “Reset Notice”) prepared by the Company indicating whether the Company has elected to reset the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable), and if so (i) such new interest rate (or such new spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) and (ii) the provisions, if any, for redemption during the period from such Optional Reset Date to the next Optional Reset Date or if there is no such next Optional Reset Date, to the Stated Maturity of such Security (each such period a “Subsequent Interest Period”), including the date or dates on which or the period or periods during which and the price or prices at which such redemption may occur during the Subsequent Interest Period.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days prior to the Optional Reset Date, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice and establish an interest rate (or a spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) that is higher than the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) provided for in the Reset Notice, for the Subsequent Interest Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, a notice prepared by the Company of such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier, if applicable) to the Holder of such Security; and such notice shall be irrevocable.  All Securities with respect to which the interest rate (or the spread or spread multiplier used to calculate such interest rate, if applicable) is reset on an Optional Reset Date, and with respect to which the Holders of such Securities have not tendered such Securities for repayment (or have validly revoked any such tender) pursuant to the next succeeding paragraph, will bear such higher interest rate (or such higher spread or spread multiplier, if applicable).

 

The Holder of any such Security will have the option to elect repayment by the Company of the principal of such Security on each Optional Reset Date at a price equal to the principal amount thereof plus interest accrued to such Optional Reset Date.  In order to obtain repayment on an Optional Reset Date, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to such Optional Reset Date and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to the Reset Notice, the Holder may, by written notice to the Trustee, revoke such tender or repayment until the close of business on the tenth day (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the immediately succeeding Business Day)  before such Optional Reset Date.

 

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section and Section 306, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

 

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SECTION 309.             Optional Extension of Stated Maturity.

 

The provisions of this Section 309 may be made applicable to any series of Securities pursuant to Section 301 (with such modifications, additions or substitutions as may be specified pursuant to such Section 301).  The Stated Maturity of any Security of such series may be extended at the option of the Company for the period or periods specified on the face of such Security (each an “Extension Period”) up to but not beyond the date (the “Final Maturity”) set forth on the face of such Security.  The Company may exercise such option with respect to any Security by notifying the Trustee of such exercise at least 50 but not more than 60 days prior to the Stated Maturity of such Security in effect prior to the exercise of such option (the “Original Stated Maturity”).  If the Company exercises such option, the Trustee shall transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, to the Holder of such Security not later than 40 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity a notice (the “Extension Notice”) prepared by the Company indicating (i) the election of the Company to extend the Stated Maturity, (ii) the new Stated Maturity, (iii) the interest rate, if any, applicable to the Extension Period and (iv) the provisions, if any, for redemption during such Extension Period.  Upon the Trustee’s transmittal of the Extension Notice, the Stated Maturity of such Security shall be extended automatically and, except as modified by the Extension Notice and as described in the next paragraph, such Security will have the same terms as prior to the transmittal of such Extension Notice.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, not later than 20 days before the Original Stated Maturity of such Security, the Company may, at its option, revoke the interest rate provided for in the Extension Notice and establish a higher interest rate for the Extension Period by causing the Trustee to transmit, in the manner provided for in Section 106, a notice prepared by the Company of such higher interest rate to the Holder of such Security; and such notice shall be irrevocable.  All Securities with respect to which the Stated Maturity is extended will bear such higher interest rate.

 

If the Company extends the Maturity of any Security, the Holder will have the option to elect repayment of such Security by the Company on the Original Stated Maturity at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus interest accrued to such date.  In order to obtain repayment on the Original Stated Maturity once the Company has extended the Maturity of such Security, the Holder must follow the procedures set forth in Article Thirteen for repayment at the option of Holders, except that the period for delivery or notification to the Trustee shall be at least 25 but not more than 35 days prior to the Original Stated Maturity and except that, if the Holder has tendered any Security for repayment pursuant to an Extension Notice, the Holder may by written notice to the Trustee revoke such tender for repayment until the close of business on the tenth day (or if such day is not a Business Day, on the immediately succeeding Business Day) before the Original Stated Maturity.

 

SECTION 310.             Persons Deemed Owners.

 

Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Sections 306 and 308) interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

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None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of (i) the records relating to or payments made on account of any Participants or any beneficial ownership interests of a Security in global form, (ii) maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records maintained by any Depository or Participant or any other Person relating to such beneficial ownership interests, (iii) the delivery or timeliness of delivery of any notice to any beneficial owner of Securities which is required or permitted under the terms of this Indenture or such Securities, (iv) the selection of the beneficial owners to receive payments in the event of a partial redemption or repayment, or (v) any consent given or other action taken by the Depository or other Holder of a Security, as the registered holder thereof.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Global Security, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by any Depository, as a Holder, with respect to such Global Security or impair, as between such Depository and owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of such Depository (or its nominee) as Holder of such Global Security.

 

SECTION 311.             Cancellation.

 

All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, repayment at the option of the Holder, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any current or future sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee.  All Securities so delivered to the Trustee shall be promptly cancelled by it.  The Company may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly cancelled by the Trustee.  If the Company shall so acquire any of the Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation.  No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities cancelled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.  All cancelled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of by the Trustee in accordance with its customary procedures, unless by Company Order the Company shall direct that cancelled Securities be returned to it.  The Trustee shall, at the Company’s written request, provide certification of the disposal of cancelled Securities.

 

SECTION 312.             Computation of Interest.

 

Interest, if any, on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

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SECTION 313.             CUSIP Numbers.

 

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use) in addition to serial numbers, and, if so, the Trustee shall use such “CUSIP” numbers in addition to serial numbers in notices of repurchase as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a repurchase and that reliance may be placed only on the serial or other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such repurchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such “CUSIP” numbers.  The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

 

SECTION 401.             Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

 

This Indenture shall, upon Company Request, cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities specified in such Company Request (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities of such series expressly provided for herein or pursuant hereto) and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series when

 

(1)           either

 

(A)          all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and delivered have been delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 307 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust with the Trustee or any Paying Agent or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(B)          all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

 

(i)            have become due and payable, or

 

(ii)           will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

(iii)          if redeemable at the option of the Company, are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

 

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and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

 

(2)           the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such series; and

 

(3)           the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series have been complied with.

 

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to such series, the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 606, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 612 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Subsection (1) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.

 

SECTION 402.             Application of Trust Money.

 

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

REMEDIES

 

SECTION 501.             Events of Default.

 

“Event of Default”, wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events:

 

(1)           default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Security of such series when it becomes due and payable, continued for 30 days; or

 

(2)           default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of such series at its Maturity; or

 

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(3)           default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of the Securities of such series and Article Twelve; or

 

(4)           failure on the part of the Company to observe or perform any other covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement included in this Indenture not for the benefit of such series and other than a covenant or agreement specifically dealt with elsewhere in this Section) for 60 days after written notice stating the Company is in breach has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Securities of such series; or

 

(5)           default under any indenture or instrument under which the Company has at the time outstanding indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees thereof in any individual instance in excess of $50,000,000 and, if not already matured in accordance with its terms, such indebtedness has been accelerated and such acceleration is not cured within 30 days after notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series; provided that, if, prior to the entry of judgment in favor of the Trustee for payment of the Securities of such series, the default under such indenture or instrument has been remedied by the Company, or waived by the holders of such indebtedness, then the Event of Default under this Indenture will be deemed likewise to have been remedied, cured, waived or not to have occurred; or

 

(6)           the entry of a decree or order by court having jurisdiction in the premises adjudging the Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company under the Bankruptcy Law or any other applicable federal or state law, or appointing a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of the property of the Company, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of the affairs of the Company, and the continuance of any such decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

 

(7)           the institution by the Company of proceedings to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by the Company to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by the Company of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under the Bankruptcy Law or any other applicable federal or state law, or the consent by the Company to the filing of any such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator (or other similar official) of the Company or of any substantial part of the property of the Company of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by the Company in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; or

 

(8)           any other Event of Default provided for the benefit of Securities of such series.

 

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SECTION 502.             Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

 

If any Event of Default described in Section 501 (other than an Event of Default specified in Sections 501(6) or 501(7)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) of all of the Securities of that series and all accrued interest thereon to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified portion thereof) shall become immediately due and payable (other than a breach, violation or default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit of funds and the granting of liens in connection thereof).

 

At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company, and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

 

(a)           the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

 

(1)           all overdue interest, if any, on all Outstanding Securities of that series,

 

(2)           all unpaid principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Outstanding Securities of that series which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, and interest on such unpaid principal (and premium, if any) at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,

 

(3)           interest upon such overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and

 

(4)           all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee for such series hereunder and reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of such Trustee, its agents and counsel;

 

(b)           all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

 

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

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SECTION 503.             Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

 

The Company covenants that if:

 

(1)           default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days, or

 

(2)           default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,

 

then the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, and interest on any overdue principal (and premium, if any) and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce such rights.

 

SECTION 504.             Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or the property of the Company or of such other obligor or their creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Company for the payment of overdue principal, premium, if any, or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise,

 

(i)            to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any), or such portion of the principal amount of any series of Original Issue Discount Securities or Indexed Securities as may be specified in the terms of such series, and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding, and

 

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(ii)           to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 606.

 

Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any proposal, plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition or other similar arrangement affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 505.             Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

 

All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.

 

SECTION 506.             Application of Money Collected.

 

Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

 

First:  To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 606;

 

Second:  To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, respectively; and

 

Third:  The balance, if any, to the Company.

 

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SECTION 507.             Limitation on Suits.

 

No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless

 

(1)           such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

 

(2)           the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of an Event of Default described in Section 501 in its own name as Trustee hereunder and such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

 

(3)           the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

 

(4)           no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority or more in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

 

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holders of Securities of the same series, in respect of any Event of Default described in Section 501, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all Holders of Securities of the same series, in respect of such Event of Default.

 

SECTION 508.             Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 308) interest, if any, on, such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 509.             Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

 

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall, subject to any determination in such proceeding, be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.

 

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SECTION 510.             Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

 

Except as otherwise provided in Section 307, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

 

SECTION 511.             Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

 

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Security to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 512.             Control by Holders.

 

With respect to the Securities of any series, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, related to or arising under Section 501, provided that in each case

 

(1)           such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture or expose the Trustee to personal liability, and

 

(2)           subject to the provisions of the TIA Section 315, the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

SECTION 513.             Waiver of Past Defaults.

 

Subject to Section 502, the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past Default or Event of Default in Section 501 in respect of such series and its consequences, except a Default or Event of Default,

 

(1)           in respect of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series, or

 

(2)           in respect of a covenant or provision of such series which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

 

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Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 514.             Undertaking for Costs.

 

All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of Securities of any series by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on Securities of any series on or after the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date); provided that neither this Section 514 nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company.

 

SECTION 515.             Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

 

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

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

THE TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 601.             Notice of Defaults.

 

Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series of which the Trustee is deemed to have knowledge pursuant to Section 602, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such Default hereunder, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal

 

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of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the Board of Directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or Authorized Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and provided further that in the case of any Default or breach of the character specified in Section 501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof.

 

SECTION 602.             Certain Rights of Trustee.

 

The Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and the Securities to which it is a party. If an Event of Default with respect to any Security exists and is actually known to the Trustee as set forth herein, then the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs. Neither the Trustee, its agents nor its affiliates shall be liable for any act or omission made in connection with this Indenture or the Securities except in the case of their own negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The duties and obligations of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.

 

The duties and rights of the Trustee hereunder shall be provided in TIA Sections 315(a) through 315(d) and, subject thereto,

 

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

 

(2)           any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order (other than delivery of any Security, together with any coupons appertaining thereto, to the Trustee for authentication and delivery pursuant to Section 303 which shall be sufficiently evidenced as provided therein) and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

 

(3)           whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;

 

(4)           the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete

 

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authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

 

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

 

(6)           the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(10)         The Trustee is not required to take notice or deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default hereunder, unless an Authorized Officer of the Trustee has received notice in writing of such Default or Event of Default from the Company or from the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of the series so affected, and in absence of any such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume that no Default or Event of Default exists;

 

(11)         The Trustee is not required to give any bond or surety with respect to the performance of its duties or the exercise of its powers under this Indenture;

 

(12)         The Trustee’s immunities and protections from liability and its rights to compensation and indemnification in connection with the performance of its duties under this Indenture shall extend to the Trustee’s officers, directors, agents and employees.  Such immunities and protections and right to indemnification, together with the Trustees

 

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right to compensation, shall survive the Trustee’s resignation or removal and final payment of the Securities;

 

(13)         The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

 

(14)         The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

 

(15)         The Trustee shall not be required to give any note, bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture;

 

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

 

(17)         In no event shall the Trustee be liable, directly or indirectly, for any special, indirect, punitive or consequential damages, even if the Trustee has been advised of the possibility of such damages; and

 

(18)         In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

SECTION 603.             Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

 

The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except for the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness.  The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the statements to be made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein.  Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

 

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SECTION 604.             May Hold Securities.

 

The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of the Company or of the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to TIA Sections 310(b) and 311, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

 

SECTION 605.             Money Held in Trust.

 

Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.  The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest or investment income on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Company.

 

SECTION 606.             Compensation and Reimbursement.

 

The Company agrees:

 

(1)           to pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing between the Company and the Trustee for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

 

(2)           except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith; and

 

(3)           to indemnify each of Trustee or any predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claim, liability or expense including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee) incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee hereunder.

 

As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Section 606, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on particular Securities.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 501(6) or Section 501(7), the expenses (including the reasonable compensation of, duly documented expenses of, and disbursements by its counsel) and the

 

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compensation for its services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable United States federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law.

 

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

 

SECTION 607.             Conflicting Interests.

 

The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

SECTION 608.             Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility; Conflicting Interests.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder qualified or to be qualified under TIA Section 310(a)(1) and which, to the extent there is such an institution eligible and willing to serve, shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recently published annual report of condition.  If such Trustee publishes or files reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of federal, state, territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section 608, the combined capital and surplus of the Trustee shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published or filed.  If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 608, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article.

 

SECTION 609.             Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

 

(a)           No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 610.

 

(b)           The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.  If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 610 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may, at the expense of the Company, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

(c)           The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and the Company.  If an instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of removal, the removed Trustee may, petition a court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

(d)           If at any time:

 

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(1)           the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

(2)           the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 608 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

 

(3)           the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

 

then, in any such case, (i) the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to all Securities, or (ii) subject to TIA Section 514, the Holder of any Security who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

 

(e)           If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series).  If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with Section 610, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.  If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

(f)            The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to the Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided for in Section 106.  Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

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SECTION 610.             Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

 

(a)           Every successor Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; provided, however, that the retiring Trustee shall continue to be entitled to the benefit of Section 606; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee and after payment of all amounts due and payable to such retiring Trustee pursuant to Section 606 (collectively, the “Trustee Payments”), such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of any additional charges therefor, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

 

(b)           In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series and after receipt by the retiring Trustee of the Trustee Payments, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee and after receipt by the retiring Trustee of all Trustee Payments, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

 

(c)           Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

 

(d)           No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article.

 

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SECTION 611.             Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

 

Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto.  In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.  In case any of the Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor Trustee, any successor Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee.  In all such cases such certificates shall have the full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of authentication of the Trustee; provided, however, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

 

SECTION 612.             Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

 

At any time when any of the Securities remain Outstanding, the Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series and the Trustee shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, in the manner provided for in Section 106.  Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.  Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument in writing signed by an Authorized Officer of the Trustee, and a copy of such instrument shall be promptly furnished to the Company.  Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.  Each Authenticating Agent shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority.  If such corporation publishes or files reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published or filed.  If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

 

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Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

 

An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Company.  The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company.  Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give written notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, in the manner provided for in Section 106.  Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.  No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

 

The Company agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section.

 

If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

 

	
 
    	
Wilmington   Trust, National Association,
    
	
 
    	
as   Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
as   Authenticating Agent
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Authorized   Officer
    

 

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SECTION 613.             Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

 

If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or any other obligor under the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

 

SECTION 701.             Disclosure of Names and Addresses of Holders.

 

Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that none of the Company or the Trustee or any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with TIA Section 312, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under TIA Section 312.

 

SECTION 702.             Reports by Trustee.

 

Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the first May 15 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant to this Indenture, the Trustee shall transmit to the Holders of Securities, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), a brief report dated as of such May 15 if required by TIA Section 313(a).

 

SECTION 703.             Reports by Company.

 

The Company shall:

 

(1)           file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;

 

(2)           file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information,

 

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documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and

 

(3)           transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in TIA Section 313(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Subsections (1) and (2) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission.

 

Delivery of any reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of them will not constitute actual or constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

 

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

 

SECTION 801.             Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

 

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, any Person, unless:

 

(1)           Immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default (or event that with notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default) shall have happened and be continuing;

 

(2)           The corporation or other entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or the Person to which such properties and assets will have been conveyed, transferred or leased, assumes via a supplemental indenture the Company’s obligation as to the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance and observance of every covenant to be performed by the Company under this Indenture, and such entity will be organized under the laws of the United States, one of the states thereof or the District of Columbia; and

 

(3)           The Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer or lease and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

This Section shall only apply to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving entity and to conveyances, leases and transfers by the Company as transferor or lessor.

 

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SECTION 802.             Rights and Duties of Successor Corporation.

 

In case of any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer to which Section 801 applies and upon any such assumption by the successor corporation or Person, such successor corporation or Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Company with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the Company and the predecessor corporation shall be relieved of any further obligation under this Indenture.  Such successor corporation or Person thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Company any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation or Person, instead of the Company, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor corporation or Person thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose.  All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.  As used in this Section, “successor corporation or Person” means the entity formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or the Person which acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety, as the case may be, in each case as provided in Section 801.

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

 

SECTION 901.             Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

 

Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

 

(1)           to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities; or

 

(2)           to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein or in the Securities conferred upon the Company; or

 

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(3)           to add any additional Events of Default (and if such Events of Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such Events of Default are being included solely for the benefit of such series); or

 

(4)           to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or

 

(5)           to secure the Securities if the Company so elects; or

 

(6)           to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or

 

(7)           to add guarantors or additional obligors with respect to the Securities of any series; or

 

(8)           to release a guarantor upon the satisfaction of all conditions for such release; or

 

(9)           to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 610(b); or

 

(10)         to comply with Section 801; or

 

(11)         to close this Indenture with respect to the authentication and delivery of additional series of Securities; or

 

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

 

(13)         to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Sections 401, 1402 and 1403; provided that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

 

(14)         to qualify, or maintain the qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA; or

 

(15)         to make any other change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder.

 

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SECTION 902.             Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Holders.

 

With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of the series affected by such supplemental indenture, by Act of such Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture applicable to such series or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such supplemental indenture amendment or waiver shall, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected thereby:

 

(1)           change the Stated Maturity of the principal of (or premium, if any) or any installment of interest on any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof (or premium, if any) or the rate of interest, if any, thereon, or change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts as contemplated by Section 1008 (except as contemplated by Section 801(2) and permitted by Section 901(1)), or reduce the amount of the principal of an Indexed Security or an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 504, or adversely affect any right of repayment at the option of any Holder of any Security, or change any Place of Payment where, any Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be), or adversely affect any right to convert or exchange any Security as may be provided pursuant to Section 301 herein, or

 

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

 

(3)           modify any of the provisions of this Section 902, Section 513 or Section 1009, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.

 

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture as applicable to a particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

 

It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

 

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SECTION 903.             Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

 

In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the documents required by Section 102, and (subject to Section 602 hereof) shall be fully protected in relying upon an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee may, but shall not be obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, protections, privileges, indemnities, benefits or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

 

SECTION 904.             Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

 

Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.

 

SECTION 905.             Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

 

SECTION 906.             Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

 

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such supplemental indenture.  If the Company shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 907.             Notice of Supplemental Indentures.

 

Promptly after the execution by the Company and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of Section 902, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Holders of each Outstanding Security affected, in the manner provided for in Section 106, setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture.

 

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ARTICLE TEN

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 1001.          Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

 

The Company covenants and agrees, as to each series of Securities, that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series in accordance with the terms of such Securities and this Indenture.

 

SECTION 1002.          Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

The Company will maintain, as to each series of Securities, in each Place of Payment for each series of Securities an office or agency where Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of such series and this Indenture may be served.

 

The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.  Unless otherwise specified with respect to any Securities pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a series of Securities, the Company hereby designates as Places of Payment for each series of Securities the office or agency of the Trustee in Wilmington, Delaware, and initially appoints the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office in Wilmington, Delaware and at the office of its agent in Wilmington, Delaware as Paying Agent in each such city as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

 

SECTION 1003.          Money for Security Payments to Be Held in Trust.

 

If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, it shall, before each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 for the Securities of such series) sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on Securities of such Series so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to or on each due date of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on any Securities of such series, deposit with the Paying Agent, a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any, on) or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held

 

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in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

 

The Company shall cause each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) for any series of Securities to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

 

(1)           hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

 

(2)           give the Trustee notice of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series; and

 

(3)           at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.

 

The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such sums.

 

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) and interest, if any, on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal (and premium, if any, on) or interest has become due and payable, shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease.

 

SECTION 1004.          Statement as to Compliance.

 

The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, commencing with its fiscal year ending after the date hereof, a brief certificate from any two of its principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the compliance by the Company with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture.  For purposes of this Section 1004, such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice under this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 1005.          Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article Eight, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, in accordance with its organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company.

 

SECTION 1006.          Additional Amounts.

 

If any Securities of a series provide for the payment of additional amounts to any Holder who is not a United States person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge (“Additional Amounts”), the Company shall pay to the Holder of any Security of such series such Additional Amounts as may be specified pursuant to Section 301.   Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on, or in respect of, any Security of a series or the net proceeds received on the sale or exchange of any Security of a series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for by the terms of such series established pursuant to Section 301 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to such terms, and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.  Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301, if the Securities of a series provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, at least 10 days prior to the first Interest Payment Date, if any, with respect to Securities of such series (or if the Securities of such series do not bear interest or will not bear interest prior to Maturity, the first day on which a payment of principal and any premium is made), and at least 10 days prior to each date of payment of interest or principal and any premium if there has been any change with respect to the matters set forth in the below-mentioned Officer’s Certificate, the Company shall furnish the Trustee and the Paying Agent or Paying Agents, if other than the Trustee, with an Officer’s Certificate instructing the Trustee and the Paying Agent or Paying Agents whether such payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) or interest, if any, on the Securities of such series shall be made to Holders of Securities of such series who are not United States persons without withholding for or on account of any tax, assessment or other governmental charge described in the Securities of the series.  If any such withholding shall be required, then such Officer’s Certificate shall specify by country the amount, if any, required to be withheld on such payments to such Holders of Securities of such series and the Company shall pay to the Trustee or the Paying Agent or Paying Agents the Additional Amounts required by the terms of such Securities.  In the event that the Trustee or any Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall not so receive the above-mentioned certificate, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall be entitled (i) to assume that no such withholding or deduction is required with respect to any payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to any Securities of a series until it shall have received a certificate advising otherwise and (ii) to make all payments of principal, premium and interest with respect to the Securities of a series without withholding or deductions until otherwise advised.  The Company hereby covenants and agrees to indemnify the Trustee and any Paying Agent for, and to hold them harmless against, any loss, liability, cost or expense reasonably incurred without negligence or willful misconduct on their part arising out of or in connection with actions taken or omitted by any of them in reliance on any Officer’s Certificate furnished pursuant to this Section.

 

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SECTION 1007.          Waiver of Certain Covenants.

 

The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition set forth in Section 1005, and, as specified pursuant to Section 301(11) for Securities of any series, in any covenants of the Company added to Section 10 pursuant to Section 301(11) or 301(14) in connection with the Securities of a series, if before or after the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of the series affected, by Act of such Holders, waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 1101.          Applicability of Article.

 

Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with the terms of such Securities and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

 

SECTION 1102.          Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

 

The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by or pursuant to a Board Resolution.  In case of any redemption at the election of the Company, the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Securities to be redeemed pursuant to Section 1103.  In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel evidencing compliance with such restriction.

 

SECTION 1103.          Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

 

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (subject to applicable procedures of the Depositary) and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions of the principal of Securities of such series; provided, however, that no such partial redemption shall reduce the portion of the principal amount of a Security not redeemed to less

 

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than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series established pursuant to Section 301.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 1104.          Notice of Redemption.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, notice of redemption shall be given in the manner provided for in Section 106 not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, all notices of redemption shall identify the Securities (including CUSIP number, if any) to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(1)           the Redemption Date,

 

(2)           the Redemption Price (or the appropriate method for calculating the redemption price) and the amount of accrued interest to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106, if any,

 

(3)           if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed,

 

(4)           in case any Security is to be redeemed in part only, the notice which relates to such Security shall state that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender of such Security, the Holder will receive, without charge, a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount thereof remaining unredeemed,

 

(5)           that on the Redemption Date, the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date payable as provided in Section 1106 will become due and payable upon each such Security, or the portion thereof, to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

 

(6)           the Place or Places of Payment where such Securities maturing after the Redemption Date, are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any,

 

(7)           any conditions applicable to the redemption, and

 

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(8)           that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.

 

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s request, by the Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Company, upon delivery to the Trustee at least 7 days prior to the date that notice is to be given to the Holders, or such shorter period as may be satisfactory to the Trustee, of written direction to give, and a complete copy of, such notice.

 

SECTION 1105.          Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

On or prior to 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money in immediately available funds denominated in U.S. dollars sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and accrued interest, if any, on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.

 

SECTION 1106.          Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

 

Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein (together with accrued interest, if any, to the Redemption Date), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest, if any) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest, and except to the extent provided below, shall be void.  Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; provided, however, that installments of interest on Securities whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 308.

 

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from and including the Redemption Date at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such Security.

 

SECTION 1107.          Securities Redeemed in Part.

 

Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part (pursuant to the provisions of this Article or of Article Twelve) shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

 

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ARTICLE TWELVE

 

SINKING FUNDS

 

SECTION 1201.          Applicability of Article.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, retirements of Securities of any series pursuant to any sinking fund shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and in accordance with this Article.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment”, and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment”.  If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any mandatory sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202.  Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 1202.          Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

 

Subject to Section 1203, in lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Securities of a series in cash, the Company may at its option (1) deliver to the Trustee Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Company and/or (2) receive credit for the principal amount of Securities of such series which have been previously delivered to the Trustee by the Company or for Securities of such series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of the same series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided, however, that such Securities have not been previously so credited.  Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 1203.          Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering or crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 1202 (which Securities will, if not previously delivered, accompany such certificate) and whether the Company intends to exercise its right to make a permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series.  Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery

 

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the Company shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date.  In the case of the failure of the Company to deliver such certificate, the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Securities as provided in Section 1202 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.

 

Not more than 60 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and the Company shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104.  Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

 

Prior to any sinking fund payment date, the Company shall pay to the Trustee or a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) in cash a sum equal to the principal (and premium, if any) and interest that will accrue to the date fixed for redemption of Securities or portions thereof to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date pursuant to this Section 1203.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to a sinking fund for any series of Securities, if at any time the amount of cash to be paid into such sinking fund on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date, together with any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payment or payments for such series, does not exceed in the aggregate $100,000, the Trustee, unless requested by the Company, shall not give the next succeeding notice of the redemption of Securities of such series through the operation of the sinking fund.  Any such unused balance of moneys deposited in such sinking fund shall be added to the sinking fund payment for such series to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date or, at the written request of the Company, shall be applied at any time or from time to time to the purchase of Securities of such series, by public or private purchase, in the open market or otherwise, at a purchase price for such Securities (excluding accrued interest and brokerage commissions, for which the Trustee or any Paying Agent will be reimbursed by the Company) not in excess of the principal amount thereof.

 

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

 

REPAYMENT AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

 

SECTION 1301.          Applicability of Article.

 

Repayment of Securities of any series before their Stated Maturity at the option of Holders thereof shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Securities and in accordance with this Article.

 

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SECTION 1302.          Repayment of Securities.

 

Securities of any series subject to repayment in whole or in part at the option of the Holders thereof will, unless otherwise provided in the terms of such Securities, be repaid at a price equal to the principal amount thereof, together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to the Repayment Date specified in or pursuant to the terms of such Securities.  The Company covenants that on or before the Repayment Date it will deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money sufficient to pay the principal (or, if so provided by the terms of the Securities of any series, a percentage of the principal) of and (except if the Repayment Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest and premium, if any, on, all the Securities or portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid on such date.

 

SECTION 1303.          Exercise of Option.

 

Securities of any series subject to repayment at the option of the Holders thereof will contain an “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Securities.  To be repaid at the option of the Holder, any Security so providing for such repayment, with the “Option to Elect Repayment” form on the reverse of such Security duly completed by the Holder (or by the Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), must be received by the Company at the Place of Payment therefor specified in the terms of such Security (or at such other place or places of which the Company shall from time to time notify the Holders of such Securities) not earlier than 45 days nor later than 30 days prior to the Repayment Date.  If less than the entire principal amount of such Security is to be repaid in accordance with the terms of such Security, the principal amount of such Security to be repaid, in increments of the minimum denomination for Securities of such series, and the denomination or denominations of the Security or Securities to be issued to the Holder for the portion of the principal amount of such Security surrendered that is not to be repaid, must be specified.  The principal amount of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof may not be repaid in part if, following such repayment, the unpaid principal amount of such Security would be less than the minimum authorized denomination of Securities of the series of which such Security to be repaid is a part.  Except as otherwise may be provided by the terms of any Security providing for repayment at the option of the Holder thereof, exercise of the repayment option by the Holder shall be irrevocable unless waived by the Company.

 

SECTION 1304.          When Securities Presented for Repayment Become Due and Payable.

 

If Securities of any series providing for repayment at the option of the Holders thereof shall have been surrendered as provided in this Article and as provided by or pursuant to the terms of such Securities, such Securities or the portions thereof, as the case may be, to be repaid shall become due and payable and shall be paid by the Company on the Repayment Date therein specified, and on and after such Repayment Date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities on such Repayment Date) such Securities shall, if the same were interest-bearing, cease to bear interest and except to the extent provided below, shall be void.  Upon surrender of any such Security for repayment in accordance with such provisions, together with all coupons, if any, appertaining thereto maturing after the Repayment Date, the principal amount of such Security so to be repaid shall be paid by the Company, together with accrued interest, if any, to the Repayment Date; provided, however, that, in the case of Securities,

 

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installments of interest, if any, whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to the Repayment Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 308.

 

If the principal amount of any Security surrendered for repayment shall not be so repaid upon surrender thereof, such principal amount (together with interest, if any, thereon accrued to such Repayment Date) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment Date at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities) set forth in such Security.

 

SECTION 1305.          Securities Repaid in Part.

 

Upon surrender of any Security which is to be repaid in part only, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge and at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination specified by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the portion of the principal of such Security so surrendered which is not to be repaid.

 

ARTICLE FOURTEEN

 

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

SECTION 1401.          Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of any series, the provisions of this Article Fourteen shall apply to each series of Securities, and the Company may, at its option, effect defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1402, or covenant defeasance of the Securities of or within a series under Section 1403, in accordance with the terms of such Securities and in accordance with this Article.

 

SECTION 1402.          Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise of the above option applicable to this Section with respect to any series of Securities, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such series of Outstanding Securities on the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “defeasance”).  For this purpose, such defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such series of Outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “Outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 1405 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (A) and (B) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for

 

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the following which shall survive in accordance with their terms or until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:  (A) the rights of Holders of such Outstanding Securities to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1404 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 305, 306, 307, 1002 and 1003 and with respect to the payment of Additional Amounts, if any, on such Securities as contemplated by Section 1008, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, indemnities and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article Fourteen.  Subject to compliance with this Article Fourteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 1402 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1403 with respect to such Securities.

 

SECTION 1403.          Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 1401 of the option applicable to this Section 1403 with respect to any Securities of or within a series, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 801, 802, 1006 and 1007, and if specified pursuant to Section 301, its obligations under any other covenant, with respect to such Outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter, “covenant defeasance”), and such Securities shall thereafter be deemed to be not “Outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or Act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “Outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder [(it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed Outstanding for financial accounting purposes)].  For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to such Outstanding Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 501(4), Section 501(5) or Section 501(8) or otherwise, as the case may be, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

 

SECTION 1404.          Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 1402 or Section 1403 to any series of Outstanding Securities:

 

(1)           The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 608 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Fourteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (A) an amount of money in U.S. dollars or (B) Government Obligations applicable to such Securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such

 

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Securities, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, without consideration of reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, (i) the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities on the Stated Maturity (or Redemption Date, if applicable) of such principal (and premium, if any) or installment of interest, if any, and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments applicable to such Outstanding Securities on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to said payments with respect to such Securities.  Before such a deposit, the Company may give to the Trustee, in accordance with Section 1102 hereof, a notice of its election to redeem all or any portion of such Outstanding Securities at a future date in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series and Article Eleven hereof, which notice shall be irrevocable.  Such irrevocable redemption notice, if given, shall be given effect in applying the foregoing.

 

(2)           No Default (other than a breach, violation or default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit of funds and the granting of liens in connection thereof) shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit.

 

(3)           The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary exceptions, following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 547 of the Bankruptcy Law.

 

(4)           Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or any other material agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

 

(5)           In the case of an election under Section 1402, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of execution of this Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such defeasance had not occurred.

 

(6)           In the case of an election under Section 1403, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of such Outstanding Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such covenant defeasance had not occurred.

 

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(7)           In the case of an election under either Section 1402 or 1403, the Company shall represent to the Trustee that the deposit made by the Company pursuant to its election under Section 1402 or 1403 was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Securities of any series over other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others.

 

(8)           The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance under Section 1402 or the covenant defeasance under Section 1403 (as the case may be) have been complied with.

 

SECTION 1405.          Deposited Money and Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and Government Obligations (or other property as may be provided pursuant to Section 301) (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 1405, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1404 in respect of such Outstanding Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1404 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.

 

Anything in this Article Fourteen to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or Government Obligations (or other property and any proceeds therefrom) held by it as provided in Section 1404 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance, as applicable, in accordance with this Article.

 

SECTION 1406.          Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 1405 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and such Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 1402 or 1403, as the case may be, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1405; provided,

 

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however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same Indenture.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

	
 
    	
B/E   AEROSPACE, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Wilmington   Trust, National Association,
    
	
 
    	
as   Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00257-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00257-of-00352.parquet"}]]