Document:

EXHIBIT 10.1

	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

dated as of

 

July 5, 2016

 

among

 

MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

 

The Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers From Time to Time Party Hereto

 

The Lenders Party Hereto

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 as Co-Documentation Agents

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
 as Syndication Agent

 

and
 JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
 as Administrative Agent

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. and WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC
  as Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Arrangers

	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IDefinitions
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 1.01.   Defined Terms
    	
1
    
	
SECTION 1.02.   Classification of Loans and Borrowings
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 1.03.   Terms Generally
    	
50
    
	
SECTION 1.04.   Accounting Terms; GAAP; Pro Forma Calculations
    	
51
    
	
SECTION 1.05.   Status of Obligations
    	
52
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IIThe   Credits
    	
52
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 2.01.   Commitments
    	
52
    
	
SECTION 2.02.   Loans and Borrowings
    	
52
    
	
SECTION 2.03. Requests   for Borrowings
    	
53
    
	
SECTION 2.04.   Determination of Dollar Amounts
    	
54
    
	
SECTION 2.05.   Swingline Loans
    	
54
    
	
SECTION 2.06.   Letters of Credit
    	
56
    
	
SECTION 2.07.   Funding of Borrowings
    	
61
    
	
SECTION 2.08.   Interest Elections
    	
62
    
	
SECTION 2.09.   Termination and Reduction of Commitments
    	
63
    
	
SECTION 2.10.   Repayment and Amortization of Loans; Evidence of Debt
    	
64
    
	
SECTION 2.11.   Prepayment of Loans
    	
65
    
	
SECTION 2.12. Fees
    	
67
    
	
SECTION 2.13.   Interest
    	
68
    
	
SECTION 2.14.   Alternate Rate of Interest
    	
69
    
	
SECTION 2.15. Increased   Costs
    	
70
    
	
SECTION 2.16.   Break Funding Payments
    	
71
    
	
SECTION 2.17.   Taxes
    	
71
    
	
SECTION 2.18.   Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of   Set-offs
    	
75
    
	
SECTION 2.19.   Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders
    	
77
    
	
SECTION 2.20.   Incremental Facilities
    	
78
    
	
SECTION 2.21.   Market Disruption
    	
80
    
	
SECTION 2.22.   Judgment Currency
    	
80
    
	
SECTION 2.23.   Designation of Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers
    	
81
    
	
SECTION 2.24.   Qualified LC Obligations
    	
81
    
	
SECTION 2.25.   Defaulting Lenders
    	
81
    
	
SECTION 2.26. Loan   Modification Offers
    	
83
    
	
SECTION 2.27.   Refinancing Amendments
    	
84
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IIIRepresentations   and Warranties
    	
85
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 3.01.   Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries
    	
85
    
	
SECTION 3.02.   Authorization; Enforceability
    	
86
    
	
SECTION 3.03. Governmental   Approvals; No Conflicts
    	
86
    
	
SECTION 3.04.   Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change
    	
86
    
	
SECTION 3.05.   Properties
    	
87
    
	
SECTION 3.06.   Litigation and Environmental Matters
    	
87
    
	
SECTION 3.07.   Compliance with Laws and Agreements
    	
87
    

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 (continued)

 

	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 3.08.   Investment Company Status
    	
87
    
	
SECTION 3.09.   Taxes
    	
87
    
	
SECTION 3.10.   ERISA
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 3.11.   Disclosure
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 3.12.   Federal Reserve Regulations
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 3.13.   Liens
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 3.14. No   Default
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 3.15. No   Burdensome Restrictions
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 3.16.   Solvency
    	
88
    
	
SECTION 3.17.   Insurance
    	
89
    
	
SECTION 3.18.   Security Interest in Collateral
    	
89
    
	
SECTION 3.19.   Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions
    	
89
    
	
SECTION 3.20. EEA Financial   Institutions
    	
89
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IVConditions
    	
90
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 4.01.   Effective Date
    	
90
    
	
SECTION 4.02. Each   Other Credit Event
    	
90
    
	
SECTION 4.03.   Designation of a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower
    	
91
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VAffirmative   Covenants
    	
91
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 5.01. Financial   Statements and Other Information
    	
92
    
	
SECTION 5.02.   Notices of Material Events
    	
93
    
	
SECTION 5.03.   Existence; Conduct of Business
    	
93
    
	
SECTION 5.04.   Payment of Obligations
    	
93
    
	
SECTION 5.05.   Maintenance of Properties; Insurance
    	
94
    
	
SECTION 5.06.   Books and Records; Inspection Rights
    	
94
    
	
SECTION 5.07.   Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations
    	
95
    
	
SECTION 5.08. Use   of Proceeds
    	
95
    
	
SECTION 5.09.   Subsidiary Guarantors; Pledges; Additional Collateral; Further Assurances
    	
95
    
	
SECTION 5.10. Maintenance   of Ratings
    	
97
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VINegative   Covenants
    	
97
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 6.01.   Indebtedness
    	
98
    
	
SECTION 6.02.   Liens
    	
100
    
	
SECTION 6.03.   Fundamental Changes
    	
103
    
	
SECTION 6.04.   Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions
    	
104
    
	
SECTION 6.05.   Asset Sales
    	
107
    
	
SECTION 6.06. Sale   and Leaseback Transactions
    	
110
    
	
SECTION 6.07. Swap   Agreements
    	
110
    
	
SECTION 6.08.   Transactions with Affiliates
    	
110
    
	
SECTION 6.09.   Restricted Payments
    	
111
    
	
SECTION 6.10.   Subordinated Indebtedness and Amendments to Subordinated Indebtedness   Documents
    	
113
    
	
SECTION 6.11.   Restrictive Agreements
    	
114
    
	
SECTION 6.12.   Financial Covenants
    	
115
    
	
SECTION 6.13.   Material TEU Amendments; Early Mandatory Settlement
    	
116
    

 

ii

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 (continued)

 

	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIIEvents   of Default
    	
117
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIIIThe   Administrative Agent
    	
120
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IXMiscellaneous
    	
125
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SECTION 9.01.   Notices
    	
125
    
	
SECTION 9.02.   Waivers; Amendments
    	
127
    
	
SECTION 9.03.   Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver
    	
130
    
	
SECTION 9.04.   Successors and Assigns
    	
132
    
	
SECTION 9.05.   Survival
    	
138
    
	
SECTION 9.06.   Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution
    	
138
    
	
SECTION 9.07.   Severability
    	
139
    
	
SECTION 9.08.   Right of Setoff
    	
139
    
	
SECTION 9.09. Governing   Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process
    	
139
    
	
SECTION 9.10.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
    	
140
    
	
SECTION 9.11.   Headings
    	
140
    
	
SECTION 9.12.   Confidentiality
    	
140
    
	
SECTION 9.13. USA   PATRIOT Act
    	
141
    
	
SECTION 9.14.   Releases of Subsidiary Guarantors
    	
142
    
	
SECTION 9.15.   Appointment for Perfection
    	
142
    
	
SECTION 9.16.   Interest Rate Limitation
    	
142
    
	
SECTION 9.17. No   Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility
    	
143
    
	
SECTION 9.18.   Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions
    	
143
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE XCompany   Guarantee
    	
143
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
SCHEDULES:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 2.01A
    	
– Commitments
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 2.01B
    	
– Letter of Credit Commitments
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 2.06
    	
–   Existing Letters of Credit
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 3.01
    	
–   Subsidiaries
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 6.01
    	
–   Existing Indebtedness
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 6.02
    	
–   Existing Liens
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 6.04
    	
–   Existing Investments
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 6.05
    	
– Dispositions
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 6.08
    	
– Transactions with   Affiliates
    	
 
    
	
Schedule 6.11
    	
–   Restrictive Agreements
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
EXHIBITS:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit A
    	
– Form of Assignment and Assumption
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit B
    	
– [Intentionally Omitted]
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit C
    	
– [Intentionally Omitted]
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit D
    	
– [Intentionally Omitted]
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit E
    	
– List of Closing Documents
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit F-1 
    	
– Form of Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement
    	
 
    

 

iii

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 (continued)

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit F-2
    	
–   Form of Borrowing Subsidiary Termination
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit G-1
    	
–   Auction Procedures
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit G-2
    	
–   Affiliated Lender Assignment Assumption
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit H
    	
–   Form of Compliance Certificate
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit I-1
    	
–   Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Lenders That Are Not   Partnerships)
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit I-2
    	
–   Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Participants That Are Not   Partnerships)
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit I-3
    	
–   Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Participants That Are   Partnerships)
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit I-4
    	
–   Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign Lenders That Are   Partnerships)
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit J-1
    	
–   Form of Borrowing Request
    	
 
    
	
Exhibit J-2
    	
–   Form of Interest Election Request
    	
 
    

 

iv

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of July 5, 2016 among MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION, the FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS from time to time party hereto, the LENDERS from time to time party hereto, WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Syndication Agent and U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Co-Documentation Agents and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

 

The parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

 

Definitions

 

SECTION 1.01.  Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

“Accepting Lenders” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.26(a).

 

“ABR”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to a Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

 

“Additional Adjustments” has the meaning set forth in Section 1.04(b).

 

“Additional Refinancing Lender” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.27(a).

 

“Adjusted LIBO Rate” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to (a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory Reserve Rate; provided that, when used in reference to the Tranche B Term Loans, “Adjusted LIBO Rate” shall be deemed to be not less than 0.75% per annum.

 

“Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (including its successors, branches and affiliates), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder.

 

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

 

“Agent Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).

 

“Agreed Currencies” means (i) Dollars, (ii) euro, (iii) Japanese Yen, (iv) Pounds Sterling, (v) Canadian Dollars, (vi) Swiss Francs and (vii) any other currency (x) that is a lawful currency (other than Dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into Dollars, (y) for which a LIBOR Screen Rate is available in the Administrative Agent’s determination and (z) (1) with respect to Revolving Loans, that is agreed to by the Administrative Agent and each of the Revolving Lenders and (2) with respect to Letters of Credit, that is agreed to by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Indian Rupees shall be deemed to be an Agreed Currency solely with respect to certain Existing Letters of Credit issued by U.S. Bank National Association.

 

 

“All-in Yield” means, with respect to any Loans (or other Indebtedness, if applicable), the effective yield on such Loans (or other Indebtedness, if applicable), as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Company, taking into account applicable interest rate margins, original issue discount (amortized over the shorter of (x) the original stated life of such Loans (or other Indebtedness, if applicable) and (y) the four years following the date of incurrence thereof), upfront or similar fees, interest rate floors or similar devices and fees payable to Lenders (or other lenders, as applicable) making such Loans (or other Indebtedness, if applicable); provided that, that “All-in Yield” shall not include arrangement fees, structuring fees, commitment fees, underwriting fees or other fees payable to any lead arranger (or its affiliates) in connection with the commitment or syndication of such Loans (or other Indebtedness, if applicable).

 

“Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 1⁄2 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted LIBO Rate for a one month Interest Period in Dollars on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1%; provided that (i) for purposes of clause (c) of this definition, the Adjusted LIBO Rate for any day shall be based on the LIBOR Screen Rate (or, if the LIBOR Screen Rate is not available for such one month Interest Period, the Interpolated Rate) at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day and (ii) when used in reference to the Tranche B Term Loans, “Alternate Base Rate” shall be deemed to be not less than 1.75% per annum.  Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted LIBO Rate, respectively.

 

“Alternative Rate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.14(a).

 

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Company or its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

 

“Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, (a) with respect to Revolving Loans, LC Exposure or Swingline Loans, the percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s Revolving Commitment and the denominator of which is the aggregate Revolving Commitments of all Revolving Lenders (if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, the Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments); provided that in the case of Section 2.22 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, any such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment shall be disregarded in the calculation and (b) with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans, a percentage equal to a fraction the numerator of which is such Lender’s outstanding principal amount of the Tranche B Term Loans and the denominator of which is the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Tranche B Term Loans of all Tranche B Term Lenders.

 

“Applicable Pledge Percentage” means (a)  in the case of a pledge by the Company or any Subsidiary of its voting Equity Interests in an Excluded Domestic Subsidiary or an Excluded Foreign Subsidiary, 65%, and (b)  in all other case, 100%.

 

“Applicable Rate” means:

 

(a)           with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans, a rate per annum equal to (i) 4.25% in the case of Eurocurrency Term Loans and (ii) 3.25% in the case of ABR Term Loans;

 

2

 

(b)           with respect to any Eurocurrency Revolving Loan, any ABR Revolving Loan or with respect to the commitment fees or commissions on outstanding performance and commercial Letters of Credit payable hereunder on any date, as the case may be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption “Commitment Fee Rate”, “Eurocurrency Spread for Revolving Loans”, “ABR Spread for Revolving Loans” or “Performance and Commercial L/C Rate”, as the case may be, based upon the Total Leverage Ratio applicable on such date:

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Total Leverage Ratio:
    	
 
    	
Commitment
   Fee Rate
    	
 
    	
Eurocurrency
   Spread for
   Revolving
   Loans
    	
 
    	
ABR
   Spread for
   Revolving
   Loans
    	
 
    	
Performance
   and
   Commercial
   L/C Rate
    	
 
    
	
Category 1:
    	
 
    	
<   1.50 to 1.00
    	
 
    	
0.25
    	
%
    	
2.50
    	
%
    	
1.50
    	
%
    	
1.25
    	
%
    
	
Category 2:
    	
 
    	
> 1.50 to 1.00 but

< 2.00 to 1.00
    	
 
    	
0.25
    	
%
    	
3.00
    	
%
    	
2.00
    	
%
    	
1.50
    	
%
    
	
Category 3:
    	
 
    	
3 2.00 to 1.00 but

< 2.50 to 1.00
    	
 
    	
0.30
    	
%
    	
3.25
    	
%
    	
2.25
    	
%
    	
1.625
    	
%
    
	
Category 4:
    	
 
    	
3 2.50 to 1.00 but

< 3.00 to 1.00
    	
 
    	
0.35
    	
%
    	
3.50
    	
%
    	
2.50
    	
%
    	
1.75
    	
%
    
	
Category 5:
    	
 
    	
3 3.00 to 1.00 but

< 3.50 to 1.00
    	
 
    	
0.40
    	
%
    	
3.75
    	
%
    	
2.75
    	
%
    	
1.875
    	
%
    
	
Category 6:
    	
 
    	
3 3.50 to 1.00
    	
 
    	
0.50
    	
%
    	
4.00
    	
%
    	
3.00
    	
%
    	
2.00
    	
%
    

 

For purposes of the foregoing,

 

(i) if at any time the Company fails to deliver the Financials on or before the date the Financials are due pursuant to Section 5.01, Category 6 shall be deemed applicable for the period commencing three (3) Business Days after the required date of delivery and ending on the date which is three (3) Business Days after the Financials are actually delivered, after which the Category shall be determined in accordance with the table above as applicable;

 

(ii) adjustments, if any, to the Category then in effect shall be effective three (3) Business Days after the Administrative Agent has received the applicable Financials (it being understood and agreed that each change in Category shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change); and

 

(iii) notwithstanding the foregoing, Category 6 shall be deemed to be applicable until the Administrative Agent’s receipt of the applicable Financials for the Company’s first full fiscal quarter ending after the Effective Date and adjustments to the Category then in effect shall thereafter be effected in accordance with the preceding paragraphs.

 

“Approved Fund” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

 

“Arranger Fee Letter” means the Amended and Restated Arranger Fee Letter, dated May 10, 2016, by and among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., WF Investment Holdings, LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, U.S. Bank National Association, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

 

3

 

“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption agreement entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 9.04), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit A or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Auction” shall mean an auction pursuant to which a Purchasing Borrower Party offers to purchase Term Loans pursuant to the Auction Procedures.

 

“Auction Manager” shall mean (a) the Administrative Agent or (b) any other financial institution or advisor employed by the Company (whether or not an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) to act as an arranger in connection with any Auction; provided that, the Company shall not designate the Administrative Agent as the Auction Manager without the written consent of the Administrative Agent (it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall be under no obligation to agree to act as the Auction Manager).

 

“Auction Procedures” shall mean the procedures set forth in Exhibit G-1.

 

“Auction Purchase Offer” shall mean an offer by a Purchasing Borrower Party to purchase Term Loans pursuant to an auction process conducted in accordance with the Auction Procedures and otherwise in accordance with Section 9.04(f).

 

“Availability Period” means the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier of the Maturity Date for the Revolving Commitments and the date of termination of the Revolving Commitments.

 

“Available Amount” means, on any date of determination (the “Available Amount Reference Date”), an amount (which shall not be less than zero) equal to (without duplication):

 

(a)        an amount (which shall not be less than zero) equal to 50% of Consolidated Net Income for the period from the first day of the fiscal quarter of the Company during which the Effective Date occurred to and including the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company prior to the Available Amount Reference Date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 (or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is in deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); plus

 

(b)         to the extent not otherwise included, the aggregate amount of cash Returns to the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(t) during the period from and including the Business Day immediately following the Effective Date through and including the Available Amount Reference Date (other than the portion of any such cash Returns that is used by the Company or any Subsidiary to pay taxes); plus

 

(c)         the aggregate amount of Retained Declined Proceeds retained by the Company during the period from the Business Day immediately following the Effective Date through and including the Available Amount Reference Date; minus

 

(d)         the sum of (i) the aggregate amount of Investments made using the Available Amount pursuant to Section 6.04(t), (ii) the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made using the Available Amount pursuant to clause (g)(ii)(C) of Section 6.09, (iii) the aggregate amount of payments made of or in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness made using the Available Amount pursuant to Section 6.10(a)(v) and (iv) the aggregate amount of required repurchases of the Permitted TEU Notes made pursuant to clause (ii)(C) of the second paragraph of Section 6.13, in each case, during the period from

 

4

 

and including the Business Day immediately following the Effective Date through and including the Available Amount Reference Date (without taking account of the intended usage of the Available Amount on such Available Amount Reference Date for which such determination is being made).

 

“Available Revolving Commitment” means, at any time with respect to any Lender, the Revolving Commitment of such Lender then in effect minus the Revolving Credit Exposure of such Lender at such time; it being understood and agreed that any Lender’s Swingline Exposure shall not be deemed to be a component of the Revolving Credit Exposure for purposes of calculating the commitment fee under Section 2.12(a).

 

“Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

 

“Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

“Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to the Company or any Subsidiary by any Lender or any of its Affiliates:  (a) credit cards for commercial customers (including, without limitation, commercial credit cards and purchasing cards), (b) stored value cards, (c) merchant processing services and (d) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, any direct debit scheme or arrangement, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).

 

“Banking Services Agreement” means any agreement entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with Banking Services.

 

“Banking Services Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.

 

“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled “Bankruptcy”, as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

 

“Bankruptcy Event” means, with respect to any Person, such Person becomes the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, custodian, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business appointed for it, or, in the good faith determination of the Administrative Agent, has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any such proceeding or appointment, provided that a Bankruptcy Event shall not result solely by virtue of any ownership interest, or the acquisition of any ownership interest, in such Person by a Governmental Authority or instrumentality thereof, provided, further, that such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

 

“Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

 

5

 

“Bond Hedge Transaction” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted Call Spread Swap Agreement”.

 

“Borrower” means the Company or any Foreign Subsidiary Borrower.

 

“Borrowing” means (a) Revolving Loans of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect, (b) a Term Loan of the same Class and Type, made, converted or continued on the same date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect or (c) a Swingline Loan.

 

“Borrowing Request” means a request by any Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit J-1 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement” means a Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Borrowing Subsidiary Termination” means a Borrowing Subsidiary Termination substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Burdensome Restrictions” means any consensual encumbrance or restriction of the type described in clause (a) or (b) of Section 6.11 (without giving effect to any exceptions described in clauses (i) and (ii) of such Section 6.11).

 

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided that, when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in the relevant Agreed Currency in the London interbank market or the principal financial center of such Agreed Currency (and, if the Borrowings or LC Disbursements which are the subject of a borrowing, drawing, payment, reimbursement or rate selection are denominated in euro, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day on which the TARGET2 payment system is not open for the settlement of payments in euro).

 

“Canadian Dollars” means the lawful currency of Canada.

 

“Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, (a) the additions to property, plant and equipment and other capital expenditures of the Company and its Subsidiaries that are (or should be) set forth in a consolidated statement of cash flows of the Company for such period prepared in accordance with GAAP, excluding (i) any such expenditures made to restore, replace or rebuild assets to the condition of such assets immediately prior to any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, such assets to the extent such expenditures are made with insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or damage recovery proceeds relating to any such casualty, damage, taking, condemnation or similar proceeding, (ii) any such expenditures constituting Permitted Acquisitions or any other acquisition of all the Equity Interests in, or all or substantially all the assets of (or the assets constituting a business unit, division, product line or line of business of), any Person and related costs and expenses and (iii) any such expenditures in the form of a substantially contemporaneous exchange of similar property, plant, equipment or other capital assets, except to the extent of cash or other consideration (other than the assets so exchanged), if any, paid or payable by the Company and its Subsidiaries, and (b) such portion of principal payments on Capital Lease Obligations made by the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period as is attributable to additions to

 

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property, plant and equipment that have not otherwise been reflected on the consolidated statement of cash flows as additions to property, plant and equipment for such period.

 

“Capital Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as capital lease obligations on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“CDOR Rate” means, for any Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, the CDOR Screen Rate or, if applicable pursuant to the definition of “LIBO Rate”, the applicable Interpolated Rate, or the applicable Reference Bank Rate or such other rate as determined pursuant to the terms of Section 2.14(a), as applicable.

 

“CDOR Screen Rate” means, with respect to any Interest Period, the Canadian dollar offered rate which, in turn means on any day the annual rate of interest determined with reference to the arithmetic average of the discount rate quotations of all institutions listed in respect of the relevant Interest Period for Canadian Dollar-denominated bankers’ acceptances displayed and identified as such on the “Reuters Screen CDOR Page” as defined in the International Swap Dealer Association, Inc. definitions, as modified and amended from time to time, at or about 10:15 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period (as adjusted by the Administrative Agent after 10:15 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) to reflect any error in the posted rate of interest or in the posted average annual rate of interest); provided that if such rates are not available on the Reuters Screen CDOR Page on any particular day, then the Canadian deposit offered rate component of such rate on that day shall be calculated as such rate as it appears on any successor or substitute page or screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion on the Quotation Day for such Interest Period; provided further that, if the CDOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

“CFC” means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, that is a “controlled foreign corporation” for purposes of Section 957 of the Code.

 

“Change in Control” means (a) the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of Equity Interests representing more than 35% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the Company; (b) occupation at any time of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats) on the board of directors of the Company by Persons who were neither (i) nominated, appointed or approved for consideration by shareholders for election by the board of directors of the Company nor (ii) appointed by the directors of the Company so nominated, appointed or approved; (c) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Company by any Person or group; (d) the occurrence of a change in control, or other similar provision, as defined in any agreement or instrument evidencing any Material Indebtedness (triggering a default or mandatory prepayment, which default or mandatory prepayment has not been waived in writing); (e) the Company ceases to own, directly or indirectly, and Control 100% (other than directors’ qualifying shares) of the ordinary voting and economic power of any Foreign Subsidiary Borrower; or (f) the occurrence of any “fundamental change” (howsoever defined) under the purchase contract agreement governing any Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts.

 

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“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement (or with respect to any Lender, if later, the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender), of any of the following:  (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority, or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rules, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

 

“Class” means (a) when used with respect to Lenders, refers to whether such Lenders have a Loan or Commitment with respect to a particular Class of Loans or Commitments, (b) when used with respect to Commitments, refers to whether such Commitments are Revolving Commitments, Tranche B Term Loan Commitments, commitments in respect of Incremental Term Loans, Incremental Revolving Commitments, Other Revolving Commitments, Refinancing Revolving Commitments of a given Refinancing Series or Refinancing Term Loan Commitments of a given Refinancing Series and (c) when used with respect to Loans or a Borrowing, refers to whether such Loans, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans, Tranche B Term Loans, Incremental Term Loans, Incremental Revolving Loans, Other Revolving Loans, Other Tranche B Term Loans, Refinancing Revolving Loans of a given Refinancing Series or Refinancing Term Loans of a given Refinancing Series.

 

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

 

“Co-Documentation Agent” means each of U.S. Bank National Association and HSBC Bank USA, National Association in its capacity as co-documentation agent for the credit facilities evidenced by this Agreement.

 

“Collateral” means any and all property owned by a Person covered by the Collateral Documents and any and all other property of any Loan Party, now existing or hereafter acquired, that may at any time be or become subject to a security interest or Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties, to secure the Secured Obligations; provided that in no case shall the “Collateral” include any Excluded Assets.

 

“Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Mortgages and all other agreements, instruments and documents executed in connection with this Agreement that are intended to create, perfect or evidence Liens to secure the Secured Obligations, including, without limitation, all other security agreements, pledge agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, loan agreements, notes, guarantees, subordination agreements, pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, fee letters, notices, leases, financing statements and all other written matter whether heretofore, now, or hereafter executed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

“Commitment” means a Term Loan Commitment, a Revolving Commitment, commitments in respect of Incremental Facilities, an Other Revolving Commitment, a Refinancing Revolving Commitment or a Refinancing Term Loan Commitment, as the context may require.

 

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“Commitment Letter” means the Amended and Restated Commitment Letter, dated May 10, 2016, by and among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., WF Investment Holdings, LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, U.S. Bank National Association, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

 

“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

 

“Communications” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.01(d).

 

“Company” means MTS Systems Corporation, a Minnesota corporation.

 

“Computation Date” is defined in Section 2.04.

 

“Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise Taxes or branch profits Taxes.

 

“Consolidated EBITDA” means Consolidated Net Income plus, to the extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued, (iii) depreciation, (iv) amortization, (v) extraordinary losses incurred other than in the ordinary course of business, (vi) non-cash charges, expenses or losses, (vii) any losses for such period attributable to early extinguishment of Indebtedness or obligations under any Swap Agreement, (viii) any unrealized losses for such period attributable to the application of “mark to market” accounting in respect of Swap Agreements, (ix) the cumulative effect for such period of a change in accounting principles, (x) non-recurring out-of-pocket transactional fees, costs and expenses relating to Permitted Acquisitions (including the PCB Acquisition), Investments, Indebtedness, securities offerings and Dispositions, including legal fees, advisory fees and upfront financing fees, (xi) non-recurring out-of-pocket fees, costs and expenses relating to the incurrence, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness on or prior to the Effective Date, (xii) (A) non-recurring restructuring charges that are paid or to be paid in cash and (B) with respect to any acquisition or disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction occurring during such period, (1) any projected cost savings (net of continuing associated expenses) expected to be realized as a result of such event, to the extent such cost savings would be permitted to be reflected in financial statements prepared in compliance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and (2) any other demonstrable cost-savings (net of continuing associated expenses) not included in the foregoing subclause (B)(1) of this clause (xii) that are reasonably projected in good faith by the Company to be achieved in connection with any such event within the 18-month period following the consummation of such event, that are reasonably identifiable, quantifiable and factually supportable in the good faith judgment of the Company and that are set forth in reasonable detail in a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company (in the case of each of the foregoing subclauses (B)(1) and (B)(2), calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of such period, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such event); provided that, (x) for purposes of determining Consolidated EBITDA for any period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters, the aggregate amount added back under subclauses (A) and (B)(2) of this clause (xii) in respect of such period shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of Consolidated EBITDA (as calculated without giving effect to subclauses (A) and (B)(2) of this clause (xii)), (y) all adjustments pursuant to the foregoing subclause (B) of this clause (xii) will be without duplication of any amounts that are otherwise included or added back in computing Consolidated EBITDA in accordance with this definition and (z) with respect to the foregoing subclause (B)(2) of this clause (xii), if any cost savings included in any pro forma calculations based on the anticipation that such cost savings will be achieved within such 18-month period shall at any time cease to be reasonably anticipated by the Company to be so achieved, then on and after such time, such cost savings shall no longer be added to

 

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Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to this clause (xii) and (xiii) to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income, non-recurring expenses resulting from cash payments made prior to the Effective Date to shareholders of PCB, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $8,000,000, minus, to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income, (1) interest income, (2) any cash payments made during such period in respect of items described in clause (vi) above subsequent to the fiscal quarter in which the relevant non-cash expenses or losses were incurred, (3) extraordinary gains realized other than in the ordinary course of business, (4) any non-cash gains for such period, including with respect to write-ups of assets or goodwill, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (5) any gains attributable to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness or obligations under any Swap Agreement, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, (6) the cumulative effect for such period of a change in accounting principles and (7) any unrealized gains for such period attributable to the application of “mark to market” accounting in respect of Swap Agreements, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis.  For the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters (each such period, a “Reference Period”), (i) if at any time during such Reference Period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made any Material Disposition, the Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if positive) attributable to the property that is the subject of such Material Disposition for such Reference Period or increased by an amount equal to the Consolidated EBITDA (if negative) attributable thereto for such Reference Period, and (ii) if during such Reference Period the Company or any Subsidiary shall have made a Material Acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (in the manner described in Section 1.04(b)) as if such Material Acquisition occurred on the first day of such Reference Period.  As used in this definition, “Material Acquisition” means any acquisition of property or series of related acquisitions of property that (a) constitutes (i) assets comprising all or substantially all or any significant portion of a business or operating unit of a business, or (ii) all or substantially all of the common stock or other Equity Interests of a Person, and (b) involves the payment of consideration by the Company and its Subsidiaries in excess of $5,000,000; and “Material Disposition” means any Disposition of property or series of related sales, transfers, or dispositions of property that yields gross proceeds to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in excess of $5,000,000.

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with reference to any period, the interest expense (including without limitation interest expense under Capital Lease Obligations that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP) of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP (including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers acceptance financing and net costs under interest rate Swap Agreements to the extent such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP).  In the event that the Company or any Subsidiary shall have completed a Material Acquisition or a Material Disposition since the beginning of the relevant period, Consolidated Interest Expense shall be determined for such period on a pro forma basis as if such acquisition or disposition, and any related incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, had occurred at the beginning of such period.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis (without duplication) for such period; provided that, there shall be excluded any income (or loss) of any Person other than the Company or a Subsidiary, but any such income so excluded may be included in such period or any later period to the extent of any cash dividends or distributions actually paid in the relevant period to the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

 

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“Consolidated Senior Secured Indebtedness” means, at any time, Consolidated Total Indebtedness at such time that is not subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations and is secured by a Lien on the Collateral.

 

“Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of the date of any determination thereof, total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which Financials have been delivered, determined on a pro forma basis.

 

“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means at any time the sum, without duplication, of (a) the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis as of such time in accordance with GAAP, (b) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries relating to the maximum drawing amount of all letters of credit outstanding and bankers acceptances and (c) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clauses (a) or (b) hereof of another Person guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall exclude the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries in respect of undrawn performance and commercial letters of credit, Guarantees related thereto, and obligations with respect to deposits and advances in the ordinary course of business.

 

“Consolidated Working Capital” means, at any date, the excess of (a) the sum of all amounts (other than cash and Permitted Investments) that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current assets” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries at such date over (b) the sum of (i) all amounts that would, in conformity with GAAP, be set forth opposite the caption “total current liabilities” (or any like caption) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries on such date and (ii) long-term deferred revenue, but excluding, without duplication, (1) the current portion of any Funded Debt, (2) all Indebtedness consisting of Revolving Loans, Swingline Loans and LC Exposure to the extent otherwise included therein, (3) the current portion of interest and (4) the current portion of current and deferred income taxes.

 

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

 

“Country Risk Event” means:

 

(i)            any law, action or failure to act by any Governmental Authority in any Borrower’s or Letter of Credit beneficiary’s country which has the effect of:

 

(a)           changing the obligations under the relevant Letter of Credit, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents as originally agreed or otherwise creating any additional liability, cost or expense to an Issuing Bank, the Lenders or the Administrative Agent,

 

(b)           changing the ownership or control by such Borrower or Letter of Credit beneficiary of its business, or

 

(c)           preventing or restricting the conversion into or transfer of the applicable Agreed Currency;

 

(ii)           force majeure; or

 

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(iii)          any similar event

 

which, in relation to (i), (ii) and (iii), directly or indirectly, prevents or restricts the payment or transfer of any amounts owing under the relevant Letter of Credit in the applicable Agreed Currency into an account designated by the Administrative Agent or the relevant Issuing Bank and freely available to the Administrative Agent or such Issuing Bank.

 

“Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, in each case, issued, incurred or otherwise obtained (including by means of the extension or renewal of existing Indebtedness) in exchange for, or to extend, renew, replace, repurchase, retire or refinance, in whole or part, existing Term Loans and Revolving Loans (or Revolving Commitments or Other Revolving Commitments), or any then-existing Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (“Refinanced Debt”); provided that:

 

(i) such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness has a maturity no earlier, and, in the case of Refinancing Term Loans, a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater, than the maturity date or the Weighted Average Life to Maturity, as applicable, of the Refinanced Debt;

 

(ii) such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness shall not have a greater principal amount than the principal amount of the applicable Refinanced Debt plus accrued interest, fees, premiums (if any) and penalties thereon and fees and expenses associated with the refinancing (or, in the case of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness in the form of Refinancing Revolving Commitments, shall not be in an amount greater than the aggregate amount of revolving commitments constituting the applicable Refinanced Debt plus accrued interest, fees, premiums (if any) and penalties thereon and fees and expenses associated with the refinancing);

 

(iii) the terms and conditions of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness (except as otherwise provided in clause (ii) above and with respect to pricing, interest rate margins, premiums, discounts, fees, rate floors and optional prepayment or redemption terms) are substantially identical to, or (taken as a whole) are no more favorable (as reasonably determined by the Company) to the lenders or holders providing such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, than those applicable to the Refinanced Debt being refinanced (except for covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date at the time of incurrence of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, it being understood that to the extent any such covenants (including any financial maintenance covenant) or other provisions are added for the benefit of any Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, no consent shall be required from the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders to the extent that such covenants (including any financial maintenance covenant) or other provisions are also added for the benefit of any corresponding existing Facility at the time of such refinancing) (provided that a certificate of a Financial Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness or drafts of the material definitive documentation relating thereto, stating that the Company has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement of this clause (iii) shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Company within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a description of the basis upon which it disagrees));

 

(iv) such Credit Agreement Refinancing Debt shall be secured by a pari passu Lien on the Collateral (and no other property) and no Subsidiary shall be a borrower or a guarantor under any Credit Agreement Refinancing Debt unless such Subsidiary is a Loan Party which shall have previously or substantially concurrently guaranteed or borrowed, as applicable, the Obligations;

 

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(v) no Refinancing Revolving Loans shall be subject to any amortization, mandatory prepayments or mandatory commitment reductions that are not applicable to the existing Revolving Loans and Revolving Commitments, and any mandatory prepayment requirements, in the case of any Refinancing Term Loans, may provide that such Refinancing Term Loans may participate in any mandatory prepayment on a pro rata basis with any Class of existing Term Loans, but may not provide for prepayment requirements that are more favorable to the Lenders holding such Refinancing Term Loans than to the Lenders holding such Class of Term Loans; and

 

(vi) such Refinanced Debt shall be repaid or repurchased, all accrued interest, fees, premiums (if any) and penalties in connection therewith shall be paid, and all commitments thereunder terminated, on the date such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is incurred or obtained.

 

“Credit Event” means a Borrowing, the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, an LC Disbursement or any of the foregoing.

 

“Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the sum of (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure at such time, plus (b) an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of its Term Loans outstanding at such time.

 

“Credit Party” means the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender.

 

“Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender that (a) has failed, within two (2) Business Days of the date required to be funded or paid, to (i) fund any portion of its Loans, (ii) fund any portion of its participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans or (iii) pay over to any Credit Party any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder, unless, in the case of clause (i) above, such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) has not been satisfied, (b) has notified the Company or any Credit Party in writing, or has made a public statement to the effect, that it does not intend or expect to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement indicates that such position is based on such Lender’s good faith determination that a condition precedent (specifically identified and including the particular default, if any) to funding a loan under this Agreement cannot be satisfied) or generally under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three (3) Business Days after request by a Credit Party, acting in good faith, to provide a certification in writing from an authorized officer of such Lender that it will comply with its obligations (and is financially able to meet such obligations) to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans under this Agreement, provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon such Credit Party’s receipt of such certification in form and substance satisfactory to it and the Administrative Agent, or (d) has become the subject of (A) a Bankruptcy Event or (B) a Bail-In Action.

 

“Disposition” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.05.

 

“Disqualified Equity Interest” means, with respect to any Person, any Equity Interest in such Person that by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof), or upon the happening of any event or condition:

 

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(a)           matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests), whether pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

 

(b)           is or becomes convertible or exchangeable, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder thereof, for Indebtedness or Equity Interests (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests); or

 

(c)           is redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests in such Person that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests) or is required to be repurchased by the Company or any Subsidiary, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder thereof;

 

in each case, on or prior to the date that is ninety one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date (determined as of the date of issuance thereof or, in the case of any such Equity Interests outstanding on the Effective Date, the Effective Date); provided, however, that (i) an Equity Interest in any Person that would not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest but for terms thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to redeem or purchase such Equity Interest upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or a “change of control” (or similar event, however denominated) shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest if any such requirement becomes operative only after repayment in full of all the Loans and all other Secured Obligations that are accrued and payable, the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of Credit and the termination or expiration of the Commitments and (ii) an Equity Interest in any Person that is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees or by any such plan to such employees shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person or any of its subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability.

 

“Disqualified Lenders” means (a) entities that are specifically identified by the Company to the Administrative Agent in writing prior to April 5, 2016, or after April 5, 2016 and prior to the Effective Date with the reasonable consent of the Lead Arrangers, (b) entities that are reasonably determined by the Company to be competitors of the Company or its subsidiaries (including PCB and its subsidiaries) and which are specifically identified by the Company to the Administrative Agent in writing prior to the Effective Date and (c) in the case of the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), any of such entities’ Affiliates to the extent such Affiliates (x)(i) are clearly identifiable as Affiliates of such entities based solely on the similarity of such Affiliates’ and such entities’ names and (ii) are not bona fide debt investment funds or (y)(i) upon reasonable notice to the Administrative Agent after the Effective Date, are identified as Affiliates in writing after the Effective Date in a written supplement to the list of “Disqualified Lenders”, which supplement shall become effective three (3) Business Days after delivery to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, but which shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Loans and (ii) are not bona fide debt investment funds.  It is understood and agreed that (i) any supplement to the list of Persons that are Disqualified Lenders contemplated by the foregoing clause (c) shall not apply retroactively to disqualify any Persons that have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest in the Loans (but solely with respect to such Loans), (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have no responsibility or liability to determine or monitor whether any Lender or potential Lender is a Disqualified Lender, (iii) the Company’s failure to deliver such list (or supplement thereto) in accordance with Section 9.01 shall render such list (or supplement) not received and not effective and (iv) “Disqualified Lender” shall exclude any Person that the Company has designated as no longer being a “Disqualified Lender” by written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent from time to time in accordance with Section 9.01.

 

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“Dollar Amount” of any currency at any date means (i) the amount of such currency if such currency is Dollars or (ii) the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars if such currency is a Foreign Currency, calculated on the basis of the Exchange Rate for such currency, on or as of the most recent Computation Date provided for in Section 2.04.

 

“Dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

“Domestic Foreign Holdco Subsidiary” means any Domestic Subsidiary substantially all of the assets of which consist of the Equity Interests (or Equity Interests and Indebtedness) of one or more CFCs.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America.

 

“DQ List” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(e)(iv).

 

“ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.

 

“EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any institution established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

“EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

 

“Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02).

 

“Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

 

“Electronic System” means any electronic system, including e-mail, e-fax, Intralinks®, ClearPar®, Debt Domain, Syndtrak and any other Internet or extranet-based site, whether such electronic system is owned, operated or hosted by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank and any of its respective Related Parties or any other Person, providing for access to data protected by passcodes or other security system.

 

“Eligible Foreign Subsidiary” means (i) MTS Systems GmbH, a limited liability company organized under the laws of Germany and (ii) any other Foreign Subsidiary that is approved from time to time by the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders.

 

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“Environmental Laws” means all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments, injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment, preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety matters.

 

“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Company or any Subsidiary directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

 

“Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing.

 

“Equivalent Amount” of any currency with respect to any amount of Dollars at any date means the equivalent in such currency of such amount of Dollars, calculated on the basis of the Exchange Rate for such other currency at 11:00 a.m., London time, on the date on or as of which such amount is to be determined.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

 

“ERISA Event” means (a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the failure to satisfy the “minimum funding standard” (as defined in Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant to Section 412(c) of the Code or Section 302(c) of ERISA of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator of any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial withdrawal of the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any Multiemployer Plan from the Company or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition upon the Company or any of its ERISA Affiliates of Withdrawal Liability or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.

 

“EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

 

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“euro” and/or “EUR” means the single currency of the Participating Member States.

 

“Eurocurrency”, when used in reference to a currency means an Agreed Currency and when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, means that such Loan, or the Loans comprising such Borrowing, bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.

 

“Eurocurrency Payment Office” of the Administrative Agent means, for each Foreign Currency, the office, branch, affiliate or correspondent bank of the Administrative Agent for such currency as specified from time to time by the Administrative Agent to the Company and each Lender.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.

 

“Excess Cash Flow” means, for any period, an amount equal to the excess of:

 

(a) the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(i) Consolidated Net Income for such period;

 

(ii) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash charges (including depreciation and amortization) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income;

 

(iii) decreases in Consolidated Working Capital for such period (other than any such decreases arising from acquisitions by the Company and its Subsidiaries completed during such period or the application of purchase accounting);

 

(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash loss on dispositions by the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period (other than dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income; and

 

(v) cash receipts in respect of Swap Agreements during such period to the extent not otherwise included in Consolidated Net Income; over

 

(b) the sum, without duplication, of:

 

(i) an amount equal to the amount of all non-cash credits included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income and cash charges to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income;

 

(ii) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (ix) below in prior fiscal years, the amount of Capital Expenditures or acquisitions made in cash during such period, except to the extent that such Capital Expenditures or acquisitions were financed with the proceeds of Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than Revolving Loans);

 

(iii) the aggregate amount of all principal payments of Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including (A) the principal component of Capital Lease Obligations and (B) the amount of any scheduled repayment of Term Loans, but excluding (1) all prepayments of Term Loans, (2) all prepayments of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans and (3) all prepayments in respect of any

 

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other revolving credit facility, except, in the case of clause (3), to the extent there is an equivalent permanent reduction in commitments thereunder) made during such period, except to the extent financed with the proceeds of an incurrence or issuance of other Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

(iv) an amount equal to the aggregate net non-cash gain on sales, transfers or other dispositions by the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period (other than sales, transfers or other dispositions in the ordinary course of business) to the extent included in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income;

 

(v) increases in Consolidated Working Capital for such period (other than any such increases arising from acquisitions by the Company and its Subsidiaries completed during such period or the application of purchase accounting);

 

(vi) cash payments by the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period in respect of long-term liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries other than Indebtedness, to the extent not already deducted from Consolidated Net Income;

 

(vii) without duplication of amounts deducted pursuant to clause (ix) below in prior periods, the amount of Investments (including acquisitions) made by the Company and its Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) during such period pursuant to Section 6.04 (other than clauses (b), (c)(i), (d) and (e) of Section 6.04) except to the extent that such Investments were financed with the proceeds of an incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

(viii) the aggregate amount of any premium, make-whole or penalty payments actually paid in cash by the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period that are required to be made in connection with any prepayment of Indebtedness except to the extent that such amounts were financed with the proceeds of an incurrence or issuance of Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

(ix) without duplication of amounts deducted from Excess Cash Flow in prior periods, the aggregate consideration required to be paid in cash by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to binding contracts (the “Contract Consideration”) entered into prior to or during such period relating to Permitted Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures or acquisitions to be consummated or made, plus any restructuring cash expenses, pension payments or tax contingency payments that have been added to Excess Cash Flow pursuant to clause (a) above required to be made, in each case during the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company following the end of such period except to the extent intended to be financed with the proceeds of an incurrence or issuance of other Indebtedness of the Company or its Subsidiaries; provided that, to the extent the aggregate amount utilized to finance such Permitted Acquisitions, Capital Expenditures or acquisitions during such period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters is less than the Contract Consideration, the amount of such shortfall, shall be added to the calculation of Excess Cash Flow at the end of such period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters;

 

(x) the amount of Taxes (including penalties and interest) paid in cash or Tax reserves set aside or payable (without duplication) in such period to the extent

 

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they exceed the amount of Tax expense deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period; and

 

(xi) cash expenditures in respect of Swap Agreements during such period to the extent not deducted in arriving at such Consolidated Net Income.

 

“Exchange Rate” means, on any day, with respect to any Foreign Currency, the rate at which such Foreign Currency may be exchanged into Dollars, as set forth at approximately 11:00 a.m., Local Time, on such date on the Reuters World Currency Page for such Foreign Currency.  In the event that such rate does not appear on any Reuters World Currency Page, the Exchange Rate with respect to such Foreign Currency shall be determined by reference to such other publicly available service for displaying exchange rates as may be reasonably selected by the Administrative Agent or, in the event no such service is selected, such Exchange Rate shall instead be calculated on the basis of the arithmetical mean of the buy and sell spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent for such Foreign Currency on the London market at 11:00 a.m., Local Time, on such date for the purchase of Dollars with such Foreign Currency, for delivery two Business Days later; provided, that if at the time of any such determination, for any reason, no such spot rate is being quoted, the Administrative Agent, after consultation with the Company, may use any reasonable method it deems appropriate to determine such rate, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

“Excluded Assets” means, collectively:

 

(a) any fee-owned real property that does not constitute Material Real Property and all leasehold interests in real property;

 

(b) any “intent-to-use” application for registration of a trademark filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act of an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto, solely to the extent, if any, that and solely during the period, if any, in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of any registration that issues from such intent-to-use application under applicable federal law;

 

(c) assets in respect of which pledges and security interests are prohibited by applicable U.S. law, rule or regulation or agreements with any U.S. governmental authority (other than to the extent that such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, 9-409 or other applicable provisions of the UCC of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law); provided that, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such prohibitions, such assets shall automatically cease to constitute Excluded Assets;

 

(d) margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the Board);

 

(e) Equity Interests in any entity other than wholly-owned Material Subsidiaries and, to the extent not requiring the consent of one or more unaffiliated third parties or prohibited by the terms of any applicable organizational documents, joint venture agreement or shareholders’ agreement, other Material Subsidiaries and joint ventures;

 

(f) assets subject to certificates of title (including motor vehicles (other than motor vehicles subject to certificates of title, provided that perfection of security interests in such motor vehicles shall be limited to the filing of UCC financing statements), aircraft and aircraft engines), letter of credit rights with a value of less than $5,000,000 (other than to the extent the security interest in such letter of

 

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credit right may be perfected by the filing of UCC financing statements) and commercial tort claims with a value of less than $5,000,000;

 

(g) any lease, license, capital lease obligation or other agreement or any property subject to a purchase money security interest or similar agreement to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license, capital lease obligation or agreement or purchase money arrangement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor) (other than (x) proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC notwithstanding such prohibition, (y) to the extent that any such term has been waived or (z) to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, 9-409 or other applicable provisions of the UCC of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law); provided that, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such term, such assets shall automatically cease to constitute Excluded Assets;

 

(h) assets specifically requiring perfection through control, control agreements or other control arrangements (other than delivery of certificated pledged equity interests to the extent required above and material promissory notes constituting Collateral), including cash, deposit accounts, securities accounts and commodities accounts;

 

(i) any foreign assets (including foreign intellectual property) (other than pledges of the Applicable Pledge Percentage of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests in any First Tier Foreign Subsidiary which is a Material Foreign Subsidiary as contemplated by this Agreement) or credit support;

 

(j) those assets as to which the Administrative Agent and the Company reasonably agree that the cost of obtaining such a security interest or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders of the security to be afforded thereby.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Excluded Assets” shall not include any proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements of Excluded Assets (unless such proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Assets).

 

“Excluded Domestic Subsidiary” means (a) any Domestic Subsidiary whose Equity Interests are owned directly or indirectly by a CFC and (b) any Domestic Foreign Holdco Subsidiary.

 

“Excluded Foreign Subsidiary” means a Foreign Subsidiary which is (a) a CFC or (b) a direct or indirect Foreign Subsidiary owned by a CFC or Domestic Foreign Holdco Subsidiary.

 

“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Specified Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Specified Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Specified Swap Obligation.  If a Specified Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Specified Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case,

 

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(i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by any Borrower under Section 2.19(b)) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 2.17, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender acquired the applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(f) and (d) any U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

“Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of September 24, 2014 by and among the Company, the foreign subsidiary borrowers party thereto, the lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Effective Date.

 

“Existing Letters of Credit” is defined in Section 2.06(a).

 

“Facility” means (a) the revolving credit facility evidenced by the Revolving Commitments and the Revolving Loans, (b) the term loan facility evidenced by the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments and the Tranche B Term Loans or (c) any other credit facility created hereunder pursuant to an Incremental Amendment, a Loan Modification Agreement or a Refinancing Amendment, as the context may require.

 

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof and any agreement entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any intergovernmental agreement between a non-U.S. jurisdiction and the United States of America with respect to the foregoing and any law, regulation, fiscal or regulatory legislation, or official rule, guidance note or practice adopted pursuant to any such intergovernmental agreement.

 

“Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions (as determined in such manner as the NYFRB shall set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the federal funds effective rate.

 

“Financial Officer” means the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of the Company.

 

“Financials” means the annual or quarterly financial statements, and accompanying certificates and other documents, of the Company and its Subsidiaries required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04).

 

“First Tier Foreign Subsidiary” means each Foreign Subsidiary with respect to which any one or more of the Company and its Domestic Subsidiaries directly owns more than 50% of such Foreign Subsidiary’s issued and outstanding Equity Interests.

 

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“Foreign Currencies” means Agreed Currencies other than Dollars.

 

“Foreign Currency LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the Dollar Amount of the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of all outstanding Foreign Currency Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of all LC Disbursements in respect of Foreign Currency Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed at such time.

 

“Foreign Currency Letter of Credit” means a Letter of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency.

 

“Foreign Lender” means (a) if the applicable Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender, with respect to such Borrower, that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the applicable Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender, with respect to such Borrower, that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which such Borrower is resident for tax purposes.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary Borrower” means any Eligible Foreign Subsidiary that has become a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower pursuant to Section 2.23 and that has not ceased to be a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower pursuant to such Section.

 

“Foreign Subsidiary Borrower Sublimit” means $25,000,000.

 

“Funded Debt” means all Indebtedness of the Company and the Subsidiaries for borrowed money that matures more than one year from the date of its creation or matures within one year from such date that is renewable or extendable, at the option of such Person, to a date more than one year from such date or arises under a revolving credit or similar agreement that obligates the lender or lenders to extend credit during a period of more than one year from such date, including Indebtedness in respect of the Loans.

 

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

 

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

 

“Guarantee” of or by any Person (the “guarantor”) means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation or to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security for the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or (d) as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided, that the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

 

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“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

 

“Hostile Acquisition” means (a) the acquisition of the Equity Interests of a Person through a tender offer or similar solicitation of the owners of such Equity Interests which has not been approved (prior to such acquisition) by the board of directors (or any other applicable governing body) of such Person or by similar action if such Person is not a corporation and (b) any such acquisition as to which such approval has been withdrawn.

 

“Impacted Interest Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “LIBO Rate”.

 

“Incremental Amendment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“Incremental Revolving Commitment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“Incremental Term Loan” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.

 

“Indebtedness” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances and (k) obligations of such Person under Sale and Leaseback Transactions (other than such obligations constituting operating lease obligations).  The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Indebtedness” shall not include (i) purchase price adjustments, earnouts, holdbacks or deferred payments of a similar nature (including deferred compensation representing consideration or other contingent obligations incurred in connection with an acquisition), except in each case to the extent that such amount payable is, or becomes, reasonably determinable and contingencies have been resolved or such amount would otherwise be required to be reflected on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; (ii) current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business; (iii) obligations in respect of non-competes and similar agreements; (iv) Swap Obligations; (v) Banking Services Obligations; (vi) licenses and operating leases or (vii) Permitted Call Spread Swap Agreements, and any obligations thereunder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the avoidance of doubt, the term “Indebtedness” shall include obligations of the Company in respect of any Permitted TEU Notes.

 

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“Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

 

“Indian Rupees” means the lawful currency of the Republic of India.

 

“Ineligible Institution” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(b).

 

“Information Memorandum” means the Confidential Information Memorandum dated June 2016 relating to the Company and the Transactions.

 

“Intercreditor Agreement” means (a) in respect of Indebtedness intended to be secured by some or all of the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Obligations, an intercreditor agreement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of Liens on a pari passu basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such Liens, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and the Company and (b) in respect of Indebtedness intended to be secured by some or all of the Collateral on a junior priority basis with the Obligations, an intercreditor agreement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent the terms of which are consistent with market terms governing security arrangements for the sharing of Liens on a junior basis at the time such intercreditor agreement is proposed to be established in light of the type of Indebtedness to be secured by such Liens, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and the Company.

 

“Interest Coverage Ratio” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.12(b).

 

“Interest Election Request” means a request by the applicable Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.08 in the form attached hereto as Exhibit J-2 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Interest Payment Date” means (a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the last day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such ABR Loan was made, (b) with respect to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Eurocurrency Loan was made and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is required to be repaid and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Swingline Loan was made.

 

“Interest Period” means with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the applicable Borrower (or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower) may elect; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period.  For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially

 

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shall be the date on which such Borrowing is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Borrowing.

 

“Interpolated Rate” means, at any time, for any Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) to be equal to the rate that results from interpolating on a linear basis between: (a) the applicable Screen Rate for the longest period (for which the applicable Screen Rate is available for the applicable currency) that is shorter than the Impacted Interest Period and (b) the applicable Screen Rate for the shortest period (for which the applicable Screen Rate is available for the applicable currency) that exceeds the Impacted Interest Period, in each case, at such time.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Interpolated Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

“Investment” means, with respect to a specified Person, (a) any direct or indirect acquisition of or investment by such Person in any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, or any capital contribution or loans or advances (other than advances made in the ordinary course of business that would be recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP) to, Guarantees of any Indebtedness or other obligations of, or any other investment in, any other Person that are held or made by the specified Person and (b) the purchase or acquisition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all the property and assets or business of another Person or assets constituting a business unit, line of business, division or product line of such other Person.  The amount, as of any date of determination, of (i) any Investment in the form of a loan or an advance shall be the principal amount thereof outstanding on such date (excluding any portion thereof representing paid-in-kind interest or principal accretion), without any adjustment for write-downs or write-offs (including as a result of forgiveness of any portion thereof) with respect to such loan or advance after the date thereof, (ii) any Investment in the form of a Guarantee shall be determined in accordance with the definition of the term “Guarantee”, (iii) any Investment in the form of a transfer of Equity Interests or other non-cash property by the investor to the investee, including any such transfer in the form of a capital contribution, shall be the fair value (as determined reasonably and in good faith by the Company in accordance with GAAP) of such Equity Interests or other property as of the time of the transfer, minus any payments actually received in cash, or other property that has been converted into cash or is readily marketable for cash, by such specified Person representing a return of capital of, or dividends or other distributions in respect of, such Investment, but without any adjustment for increases or decreases in value of, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Investment after the date of such transfer, (iv) any Investment (other than any Investment referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above) by the specified Person in the form of a purchase or other acquisition for value of any Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness, other securities or assets of any other Person shall be the original cost of such Investment (including any Indebtedness assumed in connection therewith), plus the cost of all additions, as of such date, thereto, and minus the amount, as of such date, of any portion of such Investment repaid to the investor in cash as a repayment of principal or a return of capital, and of any payments or other amounts actually received by such investor representing dividends, returns, interest, profits, distributions, income or similar amount, in respect of such Investment, as the case may be, but without any other adjustment for increases or decreases in value of, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to, such Investment after the date of such Investment, and (v) any Investment (other than any Investment referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above) by the specified Person in any other Person resulting from the issuance by such other Person of its Equity Interests to the specified Person shall be the fair value (as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer of the Company) of such Equity Interests at the time of the issuance thereof.  For purposes of Section 6.04, if an Investment involves the acquisition of more than one Person, the amount of such Investment shall be allocated among the acquired Persons in accordance with GAAP; provided that pending the final determination of the

 

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amounts to be so allocated in accordance with GAAP, such allocation shall be as reasonably determined by a Financial Officer of the Company.

 

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

“Issuing Bank” means, as the context may require, (a) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it, (b) U.S. Bank National Association, solely with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit issued by such Lender or (c) any Lender selected by the Company and approved by the Administrative Agent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) which agrees to act as an Issuing Bank hereunder, with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it, and in each case in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i).  Each Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

 

“Japanese Yen” or “¥” means the lawful currency of Japan.

 

“Latest Maturity Date” means, at any date of determination, the latest Maturity Date applicable to any Loan or Commitment hereunder at such time, in each case as extended in accordance with this Agreement from time to time.

 

“LC Collateral Account” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(j).

 

“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

 

“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn Dollar Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate Dollar Amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Company at such time.  The LC Exposure of any Revolving Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.

 

“Lead Arranger” means each of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC in its capacity as a joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for the credit facilities evidenced by this Agreement.

 

“Lender Parent” means, with respect to any Lender, any Person as to which such Lender is, directly or indirectly, a subsidiary.

 

“Lenders” means the Persons listed on Schedule 2.01A and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereunder pursuant to Section 2.20 or Section 2.27 or pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank.

 

“Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement (it being understood and agreed that, for the avoidance of doubt, Qualified LCs shall not be deemed to be letters of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement).

 

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“Letter of Credit Commitment” means, with respect to each Issuing Bank, the commitment of such Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder. The initial amount of each Issuing Bank’s Letter of Credit Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01B, or if an Issuing Bank has entered into an Assignment and Assumption, the amount set forth for such Issuing Bank as its Letter of Credit Commitment in the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent.

 

“LIBO Rate” means, with respect to (a) any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in any LIBOR Quoted Currency and for any applicable Interest Period, the LIBOR Screen Rate at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on the Quotation Day for such LIBOR Quoted Currency and Interest Period and (b) any Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in any Non-Quoted Currency and for any applicable Interest Period, the applicable Local Screen Rate for such Non-Quoted Currency on the Quotation Day for such Non-Quoted Currency and Interest Period; provided that, if a LIBOR Screen Rate or a Local Screen Rate, as applicable, shall not be available at such time for such Interest Period (the “Impacted Interest Period”), then the LIBOR Screen Rate or Local Screen Rate, as applicable, for such currency and such Interest Period shall be the Interpolated Rate.  It is understood and agreed that all of the terms and conditions of this definition of “LIBO Rate” shall be subject to Section 2.14.

 

“LIBOR Quoted Currency” means Dollars, euro, Pounds Sterling, Swiss Francs and Japanese Yen.

 

“LIBOR Screen Rate” means, for any day and time, with respect to any Eurodollar Borrowing denominated in any LIBOR Quoted Currency and for any applicable Interest Period, the London interbank offered rate as administered by ICE Benchmark Administration (or any other Person that takes over the administration of such rate for such LIBOR Quoted Currency for a period equal in length to such Interest Period as displayed on such day and time on pages LIBOR01 or LIBOR02 of the Reuters screen that displays such rate (or, in the event such rate does not appear on a Reuters page or screen, on any successor or substitute page on such screen that displays such rate, or on the appropriate page of such other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that, if the LIBOR Screen Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.

 

“Limited Conditionality Provision” means that, to the extent any Collateral (including the grant or perfection of any security interest therein) is not or cannot be provided on the Effective Date (other than the grant and perfection of security interests in (x) assets of the Company and any Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to which a Lien may be perfected solely by the filing of a financing statement under the UCC or (y) Equity Interests, if any, of PCB or any wholly-owned Pledge Subsidiary of PCB with respect to which a Lien may be perfected by the delivery of certificates representing such Equity Interests (to the extent required to be pledged hereunder and received from the Company after its use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so)) after the Company’s use of commercially reasonable efforts to do so or without undue burden or expense, then the provision of such Collateral (including the grant or perfection of any security interest therein) shall not constitute a condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement on the Effective Date and, notwithstanding any provisions set forth in Section 5.09 to the contrary, such Collateral shall not be required to be provided (including the grant and perfection of any

 

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security interest therein) until the ninetieth (90th) day following the Effective Date (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

 

“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, each Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement, each Borrowing Subsidiary Termination, the Collateral Documents, the Subsidiary Guaranty, any Intercreditor Agreement, any promissory notes executed and delivered pursuant to Section 2.10(e), any Letter of Credit applications and any agreements between the Company and an Issuing Bank regarding such Issuing Bank’s Letter of Credit Commitment or the respective rights and obligations between the Company and such Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance of Letters or Credit, and any and all other instruments and documents executed and delivered in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

“Loan Modification Agreement” means a Loan Modification Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, among the Company, the Administrative Agent and one or more Accepting Lenders, effecting one or more Permitted Amendments and such other amendments hereto and to the other Loan Documents as are contemplated by Section 2.26.

 

“Loan Modification Offer” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.26.

 

“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrowers and the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

“Loans” means the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement.

 

“Local Screen Rate” means the CDOR Screen Rate.

 

“Local Time” means (i) Chicago time in the case of a Loan, Borrowing or LC Disbursement denominated in Dollars and (ii) local time in the case of a Loan, Borrowing or LC Disbursement denominated in a Foreign Currency (it being understood that such local time shall mean London, England time unless otherwise notified by the Administrative Agent).

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrowers to perform any of their respective payment obligations under this Agreement or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any and all other Loan Documents or the material rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders thereunder.

 

“Material Domestic Subsidiary” means each Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Domestic Subsidiary) that constitutes a Material Subsidiary.

 

“Material Foreign Subsidiary” means each Foreign Subsidiary that constitutes a Material Subsidiary.

 

“Material Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $15,000,000.  For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that the Company or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.

 

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“Material Real Property” means real property located in the United States with a book value (as reflected in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04)) of more than $10,000,000 that is owned by the Company or any Domestic Subsidiary that is a Loan Party.

 

“Material Subsidiary” means each Subsidiary (i) which, as of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company, for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters then ended, for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 (or, if prior to the date of the delivery of the first financial statements to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b), the most recent financial statements referred to in Section 3.04), contributed greater than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Consolidated EBITDA for such period or (ii) which contributed greater than ten percent (10%) of Consolidated Total Assets as of such date; provided that, if at any time the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Total Assets attributable to all Subsidiaries that are not Material Subsidiaries exceeds twenty five percent (25%) of Consolidated EBITDA for any such period or twenty five percent (25%) of Consolidated Total Assets as of the end of any such fiscal quarter, the Company (or, in the event the Company has failed to do so within ten days, the Administrative Agent) shall designate sufficient Subsidiaries as “Material Subsidiaries” to eliminate such excess, and such designated Subsidiaries shall for all purposes of this Agreement constitute Material Subsidiaries.

 

“Maturity Date” means (a) with respect to the Revolving Commitments, July 5, 2021 (or with respect to a Revolving Lender that has extended the maturity date of its Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.26, the extended maturity date set forth in the applicable Loan Modification Agreement), (b) with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans, July 5, 2023 (or with respect to a Tranche B Term Lender that has extended the maturity date of its Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.26, the extended maturity date set forth in the applicable Loan Modification Agreement), (c) with respect to any Refinancing Term Loans, Refinancing Revolving Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Loans, the final maturity date applicable thereto as specified in the applicable Refinancing Amendment (or with respect to a Lender that has extended the maturity date of its Refinancing Term Loans, Refinancing Revolving Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Loans pursuant to Section 2.26, the extended maturity date set forth in the applicable Loan Modification Agreement) and (d) with respect to any Incremental Term Loans, the final maturity date applicable thereto as specified in the applicable Incremental Amendment (or with respect to any Lender that has extended the maturity date of its Incremental Term Loan pursuant to Section 2.26, the extended maturity date set forth in the applicable Loan Modification Agreement).

 

“Merger Termination Redemption” means a mandatory settlement of the Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts pursuant to the terms of the purchase contract agreement governing such Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts and the required repurchase of the Permitted TEU Notes pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing such Permitted TEU Notes.

 

“MNPI” means material information concerning the Company and the Subsidiaries and their securities that has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally, within the meaning of Regulation FD under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

 

“Mortgage” means each mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement which conveys or evidences a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties, on real property of a Loan Party, including any amendment, restatement, modification or supplement thereto; provided that no Mortgage shall contain any defaults other than by reference to the defaults set forth in this Agreement; and further provided, in the event the Mortgage shall be recorded in a

 

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jurisdiction which charges mortgage recording taxes, intangible taxes or documentary taxes or other similar taxes and/or charges, such Mortgage shall only secure such an amount not to exceed the fair market value (as reasonably determined by Borrower and as reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) of the Material Real Property secured by such Mortgage.

 

“Mortgage Instruments” means with respect to any Material Real Property for which a Mortgage is being recorded, (a) such title reports and ALTA title insurance policies (or unconditional commitment to issue such policy or policies) reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, in an amount not to exceed 110% of the fair market value (as reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) of such Material Real Property (with endorsements reasonably requested by Administrative Agent and as are available in the applicable jurisdiction) and with all premiums fully paid, (b) either (i) an ALTA survey reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent or (ii) previously obtained ALTA survey and affidavits of “no-change” with respect to each such survey, such survey and affidavit to be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and to be sufficient to issue title insurance policies to the Administrative Agent providing all reasonably required survey coverage and survey endorsements and zoning endorsements,  (c) acquisition of FEMA standard life-of-loan flood hazard determinations for such Material Real Property, and if any building located on such Material Real Property is determined to be in a special hazard area, delivery of (i) a notice with respect to such flood insurance and (ii) evidence of flood insurance, (d) a local counsel opinion as to the enforceability of each Mortgage in the state in which the Material Real Property described in such Mortgage is located and other matters customarily covered in real estate enforceability opinions in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent, (e) mortgage tax affidavits and declarations and other similar information and related certifications that are required in the jurisdiction in which a Mortgage is being filed in order to permit such filing and such affidavits and certificates as are required to issue the title insurance policies, provided, appraisals shall not be required to be delivered in connection with any Mortgage (in each case, other than such documentation already in the possession of any Loan Party) and (f) environmental assessments and reports and zoning reports in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

 

“Net Proceeds” means, with respect to any event, (a) the cash proceeds actually received in respect of such event including (i) any cash received in respect of any non-cash proceeds (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or purchase price adjustment receivable or otherwise, but excluding any interest payments), but only as and when received, (ii) in the case of a casualty, insurance proceeds and (iii) in the case of a condemnation or similar event, condemnation awards and similar payments actually made to a Loan Party, net of (b) the sum of (i) all attorneys’, accountants’ investment banking and other fees and out-of-pocket expenses paid to third parties (other than Affiliates) in connection with such event (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, investment banking fees, survey costs, title insurance premiums, and related search and recording charges, transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes, other customary expenses and brokerage, consultant and customary fees), (ii) in the case of a sale, transfer or other disposition of an asset (including pursuant to a Sale and Leaseback transaction or a casualty or a condemnation or similar proceeding), the amount of all payments (including principal, any premium or penalty, and interest) required to be made as a result of such event to repay Indebtedness  secured by such asset (other than (x) Loans and (y) Indebtedness secured by Liens on such asset junior to the Liens thereon securing the Loans) or otherwise subject to mandatory prepayment as a result of such event (other than under this Agreement), (iii) in the case of any event involving a Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary, the pro rata portion of the Net Proceeds thereof (calculated without regard to this clause (iii)) attributable to minority interests and not available for distribution to or for the account of

 

30

 

the company or a wholly-owned Subsidiary as a result thereof, (iv) the amount of all taxes paid (or reasonably estimated to be payable and indemnification obligations associated with such transaction) and (v) the amount of any reserves established against any adjustment to the sale price or any liabilities (other than taxes deducted pursuant to clause (v)) (x) related to any of the applicable assets and (y) retained by the Company or any of Subsidiary including, without limitation, pension and other postemployment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations (provided, however, that the amount of any subsequent reduction of such reserve (other than in connection with a payment in respect of any such liability) shall be deemed to be Net Proceeds of such Disposition or Casualty Event occurring on the date of such reduction), in each case during the year that such event occurred or the next succeeding year and that are directly attributable to such event (as determined reasonably and in good faith by a Financial Officer).

 

“New Money Credit Event” means with respect to any Issuing Bank, any increase (directly or indirectly) in such Issuing Bank’s exposure (whether by way of additional credit or banking facilities or otherwise, including as part of a restructuring) to any Borrower or any Governmental Authority in any Borrower’s or any applicable Letter of Credit beneficiary’s country occurring by reason of (i) any law, action or requirement of any Governmental Authority in such Borrower’s or such Letter of Credit beneficiary’s country, or (ii) any request in respect of external indebtedness of borrowers in such Borrower’s or such Letter of Credit beneficiary’s country applicable to banks generally which conduct business with such borrowers, or (iii) any agreement in relation to clause (i) or (ii), in each case to the extent calculated by reference to the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures outstanding prior to such increase.

 

“Non-Consenting Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.02(e).

 

“Non-Quoted Currency” means Canadian Dollars.

 

“NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

 

“NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

“Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans, all LC Exposure, all accrued and unpaid fees and all expenses, reimbursements, indemnities and other obligations and indebtedness (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding), obligations and liabilities of any of the Loan Parties to any of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent any Issuing Bank or any indemnified party, individually or collectively, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, arising or incurred under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or in respect of any of the Loans made or reimbursement or other obligations incurred or any of the Letters of Credit or other instruments at any time evidencing any thereof.

 

“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of Treasury.

 

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“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Letter of Credit or Loan Document).

 

“Other Revolving Commitments” means extended Revolving Commitments that result from a Loan Modification Agreement.

 

“Other Revolving Loans” means the Revolving Loans made pursuant to any Other Revolving Commitment.

 

“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.19).

 

“Other Tranche B Term Loans” means Tranche B Term Loans that result from a Loan Modification Agreement.

 

“Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar borrowings by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions (as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on its public website from time to time) and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate (from and after such date as the NYFRB shall commence to publish such composite rate).

 

“Overnight Foreign Currency Rate” means, for any amount payable in a Foreign Currency, the rate of interest per annum as determined by the Administrative Agent at which overnight or weekend deposits in the relevant currency (or if such amount due remains unpaid for more than three (3) Business Days, then for such other period of time as the Administrative Agent may elect) for delivery in immediately available and freely transferable funds would be offered by the Administrative Agent to major banks in the interbank market upon request of such major banks for the relevant currency as determined above and in an amount comparable to the unpaid principal amount of the related Credit Event, plus any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed upon, or charged to, the Administrative Agent by any relevant correspondent bank in respect of such amount in such relevant currency.

 

“Participant” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.

 

“Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04(c).

 

“Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that adopts or has adopted the euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to economic and monetary union.

 

“Patriot Act” means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

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“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and any successor entity performing similar functions.

 

“PCB” means PCB Group, Inc., a New York corporation.

 

“PCB Acquisition” means the acquisition of all of the outstanding Equity Interests of PCB by the Company pursuant to the PCB Merger Agreement.

 

“PCB Merger Agreement” means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 5, 2016, by and among the Company, Nickel Merger Sub Inc., PCB, David T. Hore, John A. Lally and David M. Lally.

 

“PCB Merger Agreement Representations” means such of the representations made by or on behalf of PCB in the PCB Merger Agreement as are material to the interests of the Lenders, but only to the extent that the accuracy of any such representation is a condition to the Company’s (or any of its affiliates’) obligations to close the PCB Acquisition under the PCB Merger Agreement or the Company (or any of its affiliates) has the right to terminate the Company’s (or any of its affiliates’) obligations under the PCB Merger Agreement or decline to consummate the PCB Acquisition as a result of a breach of such representations in the PCB Merger Agreement.

 

“Permitted Acquisition” means any acquisition (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise but excluding in any event a Hostile Acquisition) or series of related acquisitions by the Company or any Subsidiary of (i) all or substantially all the assets of a Person or division or line of business of a Person or (ii) all or substantially all the Equity Interests in, a Person or division or line of business of a Person, if, at the time of and immediately after giving effect thereto, (a) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would arise after giving effect thereto, (b) such Person or division or line of business is engaged in the same or a similar line of business as the Company and the Subsidiaries or business reasonably related thereto, (c) to the extent and at the times required pursuant to Section 6.09, all actions required to be taken with respect to such acquired or newly formed Subsidiary shall have been or shall be taken, (d) the Company and the Subsidiaries are in compliance, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such acquisition in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 1.04(b), with the covenants contained in Section 6.12 recomputed as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Company for which financial statements are available, as if such acquisition (and any related incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness, with any new Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the applicable testing period in accordance with its terms) had occurred on the first day of each relevant period for testing such compliance and, if the aggregate consideration paid in respect of such acquisition exceeds $60,000,000, the Company shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company to such effect, together with all relevant financial information, statements and projections requested by the Administrative Agent and (e) in the case of an acquisition or merger involving the Company or another Loan Party, the Company or such Loan Party is the surviving entity of such merger and/or consolidation.

 

“Permitted Amendment” means an amendment to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, effected in connection with a Loan Modification Offer pursuant to Section 2.26, providing for an extension of the Maturity Date applicable to the Loans and/or Commitments of the Accepting Lenders and, in connection therewith, (a) any changes in the interest rates with respect to the Loans and/or Commitments of the Accepting Lenders, (b) any changes in the fees payable to, or the inclusion of new fees to be payable to, the Accepting Lenders, (c) such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as shall be appropriate, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, to provide the rights and benefits of this Agreement and other Loan Documents to each new “Class” of loans and/or commitments resulting therefrom and (d) additional amendments to the terms of this Agreement

 

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applicable to the applicable Loans and/or Commitments of the Accepting Lenders that are less favorable to such Accepting Lenders than the terms of this Agreement prior to giving effect to such Permitted Amendments and that are reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

“Permitted Call Spread Swap Agreements” means (a) any Swap Agreement (including, but not limited to, any bond hedge transaction or capped call transaction) pursuant to which the Company acquires an option requiring the counterparty thereto to deliver to the Company shares of common stock of the Company (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the common stock of the Company), the cash value thereof or a combination thereof from time to time upon exercise of such option entered into by the Company in connection with the issuance of Permitted Convertible Notes (such transaction, a “Bond Hedge Transaction”) and (b) any Swap Agreement pursuant to which the Company issues to the counterparty thereto warrants to acquire common stock of the Company (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the common stock of the Company) (whether such warrant is settled in shares, cash or a combination thereof) entered into by the Company in connection with the issuance of Permitted Convertible Notes (such transaction, a “Warrant Transaction”); provided that (i) the terms, conditions and covenants of each such Swap Agreement shall be acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion), (ii) the purchase price for such Bond Hedge Transaction, less the proceeds received by the Company from the sale of any related Warrant Transaction, does not exceed the net proceeds received by the Company from the issuance of the related Permitted Convertible Notes and (iii) in the case of clause (b) above, such Swap Agreement would be classified as an equity instrument in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Permitted Convertible Notes” means any unsecured notes issued by the Company that are convertible into a fixed number (subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, “make-whole” increases and other customary changes thereto) of shares of common stock of the Company (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change of the common stock of the Company), cash or any combination thereof (with the amount of such cash or such combination determined by reference to the market price of such common stock or such other securities); provided that, the Indebtedness thereunder must satisfy each of the following conditions: (i) both immediately prior to and after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or result therefrom, (ii) such Indebtedness matures after, and does not require any scheduled amortization or other scheduled or otherwise required payments of principal prior to, and does not permit any Loan Party to elect optional redemption or optional acceleration that would be settled on a date prior to, the date that is six (6) months after the Latest Maturity Date (it being understood that neither (x) any provision requiring an offer to purchase such Indebtedness as a result of change of control or other fundamental change nor (y) any early conversion of any Permitted Convertible Notes in accordance with the terms thereof, in either case, shall violate the foregoing restriction), (iii) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the Company other than the Subsidiary Guarantors (which guarantees, if such Indebtedness is subordinated, shall be expressly subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms not less favorable to the Lenders than the subordination terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness) and (iv) the terms, conditions and covenants of such Indebtedness must be customary for convertible Indebtedness of such type (as determined by the board of directors of the Company, or a committee thereof, in good faith).

 

“Permitted Encumbrances” means:

 

(a) Liens imposed by law for Taxes that are not yet delinquent or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

 

(b) carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing obligations that are not overdue by more than sixty (60) days or are being contested in compliance with Section 5.04;

 

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(c) (i) pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or regulations and (ii) pledges and deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers providing property, casualty or liability insurance to the Company or any of Subsidiary;

 

(d) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety, stay, customs and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including (i) those to secure health, safety and environmental obligations and (ii) letters of credit and bank guarantees required or requested by any Governmental Authority in connection with any contract or law), in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(e) judgment Liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of Default under clause (k) of Article VII;

 

(f) matters of record affecting title to any real or leased property and any survey exceptions, encroachments, rights of parties in possession under written leases or occupancy agreements, title defects, easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that do not secure any monetary obligations that are substantial in amount and do not materially detract from the value of the affected property or interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of business of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(g)           Liens in favor of a banking or other financial institution arising as a matter of law or in the ordinary course of business under customary general terms and conditions encumbering deposits or other funds maintained with a financial institution (including the right of set-off) and that are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry or arising pursuant to such banking institution’s general terms and conditions;

 

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

 

(i)            Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(j)            (i) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business that do not (A) interfere in any material respect with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (B) secure any Indebtedness or (ii) the rights reserved or vested in any Person (including any Governmental Authority) by the terms of any lease, license, franchise, grant or permit held by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by a statutory provision, to terminate any such lease, license, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or periodic payments as a condition to the continuance thereof;

 

(k)           ground leases or subleases, licenses or sublicenses in respect of real property on which facilities owned or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary are located;

 

(l)            (i) zoning, building, entitlement and other land use regulations by Governmental

 

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Authorities with which the normal operation of the business complies, and (ii) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate the use of any real property that does not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(m)          Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement or similar filings;

 

(n)           licenses, sublicenses and cross-licenses of Intellectual Property in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(o)           any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, lessee or sublessee under any lease in existence on the day hereof or permitted by this Agreement and the Security Documents.

 

“Permitted First Priority Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company or any other Loan Party in the form of term loans (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, Incremental Term Loans or other Term Loans under this Agreement) or bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (a) that is secured by Liens on the Collateral on a pari passu basis (but without regard to the control of remedies) to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Company or any of the Subsidiaries other than the Collateral, (b) the Net Proceeds of which, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, are applied to the repayment or prepayment of then outstanding Term Loan Borrowings of any Class in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate amount of such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Indebtedness (less the aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such outstanding Term Loan Borrowings and any reasonable fees, premium and expenses relating to such refinancing), (c) that does not mature earlier than the Latest Maturity Date then in effect, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the Class of Term Loans with the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness, (d) that contains covenants, events of default and other terms that are customary for similar Indebtedness in light of then-prevailing market conditions and, when taken as a whole (other than interest rates, rate floors, fees and optional prepayment or redemption terms), are no more favorable (as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith) to the lenders or investors, as the case may be, providing such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Indebtedness than those set forth in the Loan Documents are with respect to the Lenders (other than covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date then in effect); provided that a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or the modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof (or such shorter period of time as may reasonably be agreed by the Administrative Agent), together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such resulting Indebtedness or drafts of the material definitive documentation relating thereto, stating that the Company has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirements shall be conclusive unless the Administrative Agent provides notice to the Company of its reasonable objection during such period together with a reasonable description of the basis upon which it objects, (e) the security agreements relating to which are substantially the same as the Collateral Documents (with such differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (f) that is not guaranteed by any Persons other than the Company and/or the Subsidiary Guarantors, (g) any Permitted First Priority Refinancing Indebtedness may participate in any mandatory prepayment on a pro rata basis with any Class of existing Term Loans, but may not provide for prepayment requirements that are more favorable to the holders of such Permitted First Priority Refinancing Indebtedness than to the Lenders holding such Class of Term Loans and (h) in respect of which a trustee, collateral agent, security agent or similar Person, acting on behalf of the holders thereof, shall have become party to an Intercreditor Agreement.  Permitted First Priority Refinancing Indebtedness will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

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“Permitted Investments” means:

 

(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;

 

(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

 

(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than thirty (30) days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above;

 

(e) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000;

 

(f) other investments made in accordance with the Company’s investment policy as disclosed to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date and with such amendments or modifications thereto as are from time to time approved by the Administrative Agent;

 

(g) investments in Indebtedness that is (x) issued by Persons with (i) a short term credit rating of “P-1” or higher from Moody’s or “A-1” or higher from S&P or (ii) a long term rating of “A2” or higher from Moody’s or “A” or higher from S&P, in each case for clauses (i) and (ii) with maturities not more than twelve (12) months after the date of acquisition and (y) of a type customarily used by companies for cash management purposes;

 

(h) securities with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, by any political subdivision or taxing authority of any such state, commonwealth or territory or by any foreign government, the securities of which state, commonwealth, territory, political subdivision, taxing authority or foreign government (as the case may be) receive at least (i) a short term credit rating of “P-1” or higher from Moody’s or “A-1” or higher from S&P or (ii) a long term rating of “A2” or higher from Moody’s or “A” or higher from S&P;

 

(i) investments in money market funds substantially all the assets of which are comprised of securities of the types described in clauses (a) through (h) above

 

(j) securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any Lender or any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (c) above;

 

(k) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, other short-term investments that are analogous

 

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to the foregoing, are of comparable credit quality and are customarily used by companies in the jurisdiction of such Foreign Subsidiary for cash management purposes; and

 

(l) the Company’s entry into (including payments of premiums in connection therewith), and the performance of obligations under, Permitted TEU Capped Call Transactions in accordance with their terms.

 

“Permitted Tangible Equity Units” means units of the Company each consisting of one Permitted TEU Purchase Contract and one Permitted TEU Note; provided that, the aggregate stated amount of Permitted Tangible Equity Units outstanding at any one time (determined as if all then outstanding separate Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts and separate Permitted TEU Notes were recreated as Permitted Tangible Equity Units) shall not exceed $115,000,000.

 

“Permitted TEU Capped Call Transaction” means any Swap Agreement in the form of a capped call option pursuant to which the Company acquires an option requiring the counterparty thereto to deliver to the Company shares of the Company’s common stock (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change in the common stock of the Company) from time to time upon exercise of such option entered into by the Company in connection with the issuance of Permitted Tangible Equity Units; provided that (i) the terms, conditions and covenants of each such Swap Agreement shall be acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its commercially reasonable discretion and (ii) the purchase price for such Permitted TEU Capped Call Transaction does not exceed the net proceeds received by Company from the issuance of the related Permitted Tangible Equity Units.

 

“Permitted TEU Notes” means unsecured amortizing notes issued by the Company (which notes are not convertible into, or exchangeable for, any securities or other property or assets) that are initially (x) issued in connection with the issuance of a corresponding number of Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts and (y) included in the Permitted Tangible Equity Units; provided that, the Indebtedness thereunder must satisfy each of the following conditions: (i) both immediately prior to and after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or result therefrom, (ii) such Indebtedness is subject to an amortization schedule that is fixed as of the initial date of issuance thereof, (iii) such Indebtedness is not subject to redemption at the election of the Company or required repurchase at the election of the holders thereof (other than any provision requiring an offer to purchase such Indebtedness as a result of a Merger Termination Redemption or an exercise by the Company of its right to require the early mandatory settlement of the Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts, which exercise satisfies the requirements of Section 6.13, which purchase is settled on a date no earlier than the date twenty (20) Business Days following the date on which notice is given to the Administrative Agent of such offer to purchase), (iv) such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiary of the Company, (v) any cross-default or cross-acceleration event of default (each howsoever defined) provision contained therein that relates to indebtedness or other payment obligations of any Loan Party (such indebtedness or other payment obligations, a “Cross-Default Reference Obligation”) contains a cure period of at least thirty (30) calendar days (after written notice to the issuer of such Indebtedness by the trustee or to such issuer and such trustee by holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness then outstanding) before a default, event of default, acceleration or other event or condition under such Cross-Default Reference Obligation results in an event of default under such cross-default or cross-acceleration provision and (vi) the terms, conditions and covenants of such Indebtedness must be customary for Indebtedness of such type (as determined by the board of directors of the Company, or a committee thereof, in good faith) (it being understood that any provisions governing the Merger Termination Redemption must be customary for purchase contracts of such type the use of proceeds of which will be applied towards acquisition financing).

 

“Permitted TEU Purchase Contract” means one or more purchase contracts of Company

 

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that obligate the Company to deliver a variable number of shares of the Company’s common stock (or other securities or property following a merger event or other change in the common stock of the Company) (with such variation based on the market price of such common stock or other securities or property), subject to a fixed minimum and a fixed maximum settlement rate (each subject to customary anti-dilution adjustments, “make-whole” increases and other customary changes thereto) that are initially (x) issued in connection with the issuance of a corresponding number of Permitted TEU Notes, (y) included in the Permitted Tangible Equity Units and (z) do not contain any provision permitting or requiring the Company to settle all or any portion of such purchase contracts in cash (other than cash in lieu of any fractional share, cash included in the purchase obligation upon the Merger Termination Redemption and other than to the extent of the cash consideration relating to a merger event or other change in the common stock of the Company); provided that, such purchase contracts must satisfy each of the following conditions: (i) both immediately prior to and after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall exist or result therefrom and (ii) the terms, conditions and covenants of such purchase contracts must be customary for purchase contracts of such type (as determined by the board of directors of the Company, or a committee thereof, in good faith) (it being understood that any provisions governing the Merger Termination Redemption must be customary for purchase contracts of such type the use of proceeds of which will be applied towards acquisition financing).

 

“Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company or any other Loan Party in the form of term loans (other than, for the avoidance of doubt, Incremental Term Loans or other Term Loans under this Agreement) or bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments (a) that is secured by Liens on the Collateral on a junior basis to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations and is not secured by any property or assets of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, (b) the Net Proceeds of which, substantially concurrently with the incurrence thereof, are applied to the repayment or prepayment of then outstanding Term Loan Borrowings of any Class in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate amount of such Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Indebtedness (less the aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such outstanding Term Loan Borrowings and any reasonable fees, premium and expenses relating to such refinancing), (c) that does not mature earlier than the Latest Maturity Date then in effect, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the Class of Term Loans with the Latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness, (d) that contains covenants, events of default and other terms that are customary for similar Indebtedness in light of then-prevailing market conditions and, when taken as a whole (other than interest rates, rate floors, fees and optional prepayment or redemption terms), are no more favorable to the lenders or investors, as the case may be, providing such Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Indebtedness than those set forth in the Loan Documents are with respect to the Lenders (other than covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date then in effect); provided that a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or the modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof (or such shorter period of time as may reasonably be agreed by the Administrative Agent), together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such resulting Indebtedness or drafts of the material definitive documentation relating thereto, stating that the Company has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirements shall be conclusive unless the Administrative Agent provides notice to the Company of its reasonable objection during such period together with a reasonable description of the basis upon which it objects, (e) the security agreements relating to which are substantially the same as the Collateral Documents (giving effect to differences between the nature of first and second lien security agreements, with such other differences as are reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), (f) that is not guaranteed by any Persons other than the Company and/or the Subsidiary Guarantors, (g) that does not provide for any amortization, mandatory prepayment, redemption or repurchase (other than upon a change of control, fundamental change, customary asset sale or event of

 

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loss mandatory offers to purchase and customary acceleration rights after an event of default and, for the avoidance of doubt, rights to convert or exchange in the case of convertible or exchangeable Indebtedness) prior to the latest maturity date of the Indebtedness being refinanced and (h) in respect of which a trustee, collateral agent, security agent or similar Person, acting on behalf of the holders thereof, shall have become party to an Intercreditor Agreement.  Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Indebtedness will include any Registered Equivalent Notes issued in exchange therefor.

 

“Permitted Surviving Debt” means (i) purchase money Indebtedness, capital leases and equipment financings of PCB and its subsidiaries that will remain outstanding following the Effective Date, (ii) intercompany Indebtedness among PCB and its subsidiaries, (iii) any Indebtedness specifically contemplated by the PCB Merger Agreement, as in effect on April 5, 2016, to remain outstanding following the Effective Date and (iv) other Indebtedness that is permitted to be outstanding following the Effective Date by the terms hereof.

 

“Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary (a) that is not (and any Guarantees thereof by the Company or Subsidiaries are not) secured by any collateral (including the Collateral), (b) that does not mature earlier than the date that is ninety-one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date then in effect, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the Class of Term Loans with the latest Maturity Date in effect at the time of incurrence of such Indebtedness, (c) that, in the case of such Indebtedness in the form of bonds, debentures, notes or similar instrument, does not provide for any amortization, mandatory prepayment, redemption or repurchase (other than upon a change of control, fundamental change, customary asset sale or event of loss mandatory offers to purchase and customary acceleration rights after an event of default and, for the avoidance of doubt, rights to convert or exchange in the case of convertible or exchangeable Indebtedness) prior to the date that is the Latest Maturity Date, (d) that contains covenants, events of default, guarantees and other terms that are customary for similar Indebtedness in light of then-prevailing market conditions (it being understood and agreed that such Indebtedness shall not include any financial maintenance covenants and that applicable negative covenants shall be incurrence-based to the extent customary for similar Indebtedness) and, when taken as a whole (other than interest rates, rate floors, fees and optional prepayment or redemption terms), are not more favorable (as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith) to the lenders or investors providing such Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness, as the case may be, than those set forth in the Loan Documents are with respect to the Lenders (other than covenants or other provisions applicable only to periods after the Latest Maturity Date then in effect); provided that a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or the modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension thereof (or such shorter period of time as may reasonably be agreed by the Administrative Agent), together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such resulting Indebtedness or drafts of the material definitive documentation relating thereto, stating that the Company has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirements shall be conclusive, and (e) that is not guaranteed by any Person other than on an unsecured basis by the Company and/or Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

 

“Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, and in respect of which the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is (or, if such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be) an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

 

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“Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.

 

“Pledge Subsidiary” means (i) each Domestic Subsidiary and (ii) each First Tier Foreign Subsidiary which is a Material Subsidiary.

 

“Pounds Sterling” or “£” means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

“Prepayment Event” means:

 

(a) any sale, transfer or other disposition (including pursuant to a sale and leaseback transaction) of any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.05(r); or

 

(b) any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary with a fair market value immediately prior to such event equal to or greater than $10,000,000; or

 

(c) the incurrence by the Company or any Subsidiary of any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 or permitted by the Required Lenders pursuant to Section 9.02.

 

“Prime Rate means the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced as being effective.

 

“Projections” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.11.

 

“Purchasing Borrower Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04(f).

 

“Qualified Equity Interests” means Equity Interests of the Company other than Disqualified Equity Interests.

 

“Qualified LC” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Qualified LC Obligations”.

 

“Qualified LC Issuer” means HSBC Bank USA, N.A., in its capacity as the issuer of Qualified LCs.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is expressly understood and agreed that, at any time of determination, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. shall only constitute the Qualified LC Issuer to the extent it remains a Lender hereunder.

 

“Qualified LC Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of one or more letters of credit (other than Letters of Credit) issued for the account of the Company or any Subsidiary thereof by the Qualified LC Issuer (such letters of credit, the “Qualified LCs”); provided that, the aggregate amount of Qualified LC Obligations shall not exceed the Qualified LC Sublimit.  Qualified LC Obligations shall not be satisfied until the related Qualified LC has been terminated or released and returned to the issuer thereof and all obligations in respect thereof have been paid in full or otherwise performed or discharged or cash collateralized in a manner consistent with Section 2.06(j).

 

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“Qualified LC Sublimit” means $20,000,000.

 

“Quotation Day” means, with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, (i) if the currency is Pounds Sterling or Canadian Dollars, the first day of such Interest Period, (ii) if the currency is euro, the day that is two (2) TARGET2 Days before the first day of such Interest Period, and (iii) for any other currency, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (unless, in each case, market practice differs in the relevant market where the LIBO Rate for such currency is to be determined, in which case the Quotation Day will be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with market practice in such market (and if quotations would normally be given on more than one day, then the Quotation Day will be the last of those days)).

 

“Recipient” means, as applicable, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender and (c) any Issuing Bank.

 

“Reference Bank Rate” means the arithmetic mean of the rates (rounded upwards to four decimal places) supplied to the Administrative Agent at its request by the Reference Banks (as the case may be) as of the applicable time on the Quotation Day for Loans in the applicable currency and the applicable Interest Period as the rate at which the relevant Reference Bank could borrow funds in the London (or other applicable) interbank market in the relevant currency and for the relevant period, were it to do so by asking for and then accepting interbank offers in reasonable market size in that currency and for that period.

 

“Reference Banks” means the principal London (or other applicable) offices of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and such other banks as may be appointed by the Administrative Agent in consultation with the Company.  No Lender shall be obligated to be a Reference Bank without its consent.

 

“Refinancing Amendment” means an amendment to this Agreement executed by each of (a) the Company, (b) the Administrative Agent, (c) each Additional Refinancing Lender and (d) each Lender that agrees to provide any portion of any Refinancing Term Loans, Refinancing Revolving Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Loans incurred pursuant thereto, in accordance with Section 2.27.

 

“Refinancing Convertible Notes” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.09.

 

“Refinancing Indebtedness” means, in respect of any Indebtedness (the “Original Indebtedness”), any Indebtedness that extends, renews or refinances such Original Indebtedness (or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof); provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such Original Indebtedness except by an amount no greater than accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such Original Indebtedness and any reasonable fees, premium and expenses relating to such extension, renewal or refinancing; (b) the stated final maturity of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be earlier than that of such Original Indebtedness, and such stated final maturity shall not be subject to any conditions that could result in such stated final maturity occurring on a date that precedes the stated final maturity of such Original Indebtedness; (c) such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be required to be repaid, prepaid, redeemed, repurchased or defeased, whether on one or more fixed dates, upon the occurrence of one or more events or at the option of any holder thereof (except, in each case, upon the occurrence of an event of default or a change in control, fundamental change, or upon conversion or exchange in the case of convertible or exchangeable Indebtedness or as and to the extent such repayment, prepayment, redemption, repurchase or defeasance would have been required pursuant to the terms of such Original Indebtedness) prior to (i) if such Refinancing Indebtedness is secured on a pari passu basis with the Term Loans, the maturity of such Original Indebtedness or (ii) otherwise, the date

 

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that is ninety one (91) days after the Latest Maturity Date in effect on the date of such extension, renewal or refinancing; (d) the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be longer than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of such Original Indebtedness remaining as of the date of such extension, renewal or refinancing; (e) such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not constitute an obligation (including pursuant to a Guarantee) of any Subsidiary, in each case that shall not have been (or, in the case of after-acquired Subsidiaries, shall not have been required to become pursuant to the terms of the Original Indebtedness) an obligor in respect of such Original Indebtedness, and shall not constitute an obligation of any Borrower if such Borrower shall not have been an obligor in respect of such Original Indebtedness, and, in each case, shall constitute an obligation of such Subsidiary or of such Borrower only to the extent of their obligations in respect of such Original Indebtedness; (f) if such Original Indebtedness shall have been subordinated to the Obligations, such Refinancing Indebtedness shall also be subordinated to the Obligations on terms not less favorable in any material respect to the Lenders; (g) in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness that is secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Term Loans, any mandatory prepayment requirements with respect thereto may provide that such Refinancing Indebtedness may participate in any mandatory prepayment on a pro rata basis with any Class of existing Term Loans, but may not provide for prepayment requirements that are more favorable to the Lenders holding such Refinancing Indebtedness than to the Lenders holding such Class of Term Loans, (h) if secured by the Collateral on a junior lien basis or if unsecured, such Refinancing Indebtedness does not provide for any amortization, mandatory prepayment, redemption or repurchase (other than upon a change of control, fundamental change, customary asset sale or event of loss mandatory offers to purchase and customary acceleration rights after an event of default and, for the avoidance of doubt, rights to convert or exchange in the case of convertible or exchangeable Indebtedness) prior to the latest maturity date of the Indebtedness being refinanced, (i) such Refinancing Indebtedness does not contain covenants, events of default and other terms customary for similar Indebtedness in light of then-prevailing market conditions that, when taken as a whole (other than interest rates, rate floors, fees and optional prepayment or redemption terms), are more favorable (as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith) to the lenders, holders or investors, as the case may be, providing such  Refinancing Indebtedness than those applicable to the relevant Original Indebtedness (provided that a certificate of a Financial Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Refinancing Indebtedness, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Refinancing Indebtedness or drafts of the material definitive documentation relating thereto, stating that the Company has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the requirement of this clause (i) shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy such requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Company within such five (5) Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a description of the basis upon which it disagrees)), and (j) such Refinancing Indebtedness shall not be secured by any Lien on any asset other than the assets that secured such Original Indebtedness (or would have been required to secure such Original Indebtedness pursuant to the terms thereof) or, in the event Liens securing such Original Indebtedness shall have been contractually subordinated to any Lien securing the Obligations, by any Lien that shall not have been contractually subordinated to at least the same extent (and, if such Original Indebtedness is subject to an Intercreditor Agreement, such Refinancing Indebtedness shall, if secured, be subject to an Intercreditor Agreement).

 

“Refinancing Revolving Commitments” means one or more Classes of revolving commitments hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

 

“Refinancing Revolving Loans” means one or more Classes of Revolving Loans that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

 

“Refinancing Series” means all Refinancing Term Loans, Refinancing Term Loan Commitments, Refinancing Revolving Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Loans that are

 

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established pursuant to the same Refinancing Amendment (or any subsequent Refinancing Amendment to the extent such Refinancing Amendment expressly provides that the Refinancing Term Loans, Refinancing Term Loan Commitments, Refinancing Revolving Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Loans provided for therein are intended to be a part of any previously established Refinancing Series) and that provide for the same All-In-Yield and, in the case of Refinancing Term Loans or Refinancing Term Loan Commitments, amortization schedule.

 

“Refinancing Term Loan Commitments” means commitments of Term Lenders to make Refinancing Term Loans pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment.

 

“Refinancing Term Loans” means one or more Classes of Term Loans hereunder that result from a Refinancing Amendment.

 

“Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.04.

 

“Registered Equivalent Notes” means, with respect to any bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act, substantially identical notes (having the same Guarantees) issued in a dollar for dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

 

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

“Repricing Transaction” means (a) any voluntary prepayment or repayment of all or any portion of the Tranche B Term Loans using proceeds of, or conversion of all or any portion of the Tranche B Term Loans into, any new or replacement Indebtedness consisting of secured term loans incurred by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for which the All-In Yield on the date of such prepayment or repayment or conversion is lower than the All-In Yield applicable to the Tranche B Term Loans subject to such event (as such comparative yields are reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent); provided that, in no event shall any prepayment or repayment of the Tranche B Term Loans in connection with a Change in Control constitute a Repricing Transaction and (b) any amendment, modification or waiver to this Agreement which reduces the All-In Yield applicable to the Tranche B Term Loans.  Any determination by the Administrative Agent with respect to whether a Repricing Transaction shall have occurred shall be conclusive and binding on all Tranche B Term Lenders.

 

“Required Lenders” means, subject to Section 2.25, at any time, Lenders having Credit Exposures and unused Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Credit Exposures and unused Commitments at such time.

 

“Required Revolving Lenders” means, subject to Section 2.25, at any time, Revolving Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Revolving Commitments representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Revolving Commitments at such time.

 

“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, a Financial Officer or a member of the senior management team of the Company or any other Person designated by any such Person in writing to the Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Equity Interests in the Company or any Subsidiary, or any

 

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payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in the Company or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Company.

 

“Retained Declined Proceeds” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.11(g).

 

“Return” means, with respect to any Investment, any dividend, distribution, repayment of principal, income, profit (from a disposition or otherwise) and any other amount received or realized in respect thereof in each case that represents a return of capital.

 

“Revolving Borrowing” means a Borrowing comprised of Revolving Loans.

 

“Revolving Commitment” means, with respect to each Lender, the commitment, if any, to make Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced or terminated from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09, (b) increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.20 and (c) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  The initial amount of each Lender’s Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 2.01A, or in the applicable documentation pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Revolving Commitment pursuant to the terms hereof, as applicable.  The initial aggregate amount of the Revolving Lenders’ Revolving Commitments is $100,000,000.

 

“Revolving Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline Exposure at such time.

 

“Revolving Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that has a Revolving Commitment or, if the Revolving Commitments have terminated or expired, a Lender with Revolving Credit Exposure.

 

“Revolving Loan” means a Loan made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.

 

“Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any sale or other transfer of any property or asset by any Person with the intent to lease such property or asset as lessee.

 

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

 

“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

 

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“Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by OFAC or the U.S. Department of State or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

 

“Screen Rates” means the LIBOR Screen Rate and the Local Screen Rate.

 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Secured Obligations” means all Obligations, together with all Swap Obligations, Banking Services Obligations and Qualified LC Obligations owing to one or more Lenders or their respective Affiliates (including, without limitation, the Qualified LC Issuer); provided that the definition of “Secured Obligations” shall not create or include any guarantee by any Loan Party of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Party to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Party.

 

“Secured Parties” means the holders of the Secured Obligations from time to time and shall include (i) each Lender and each Issuing Bank in respect of its Loans and LC Exposure respectively, (ii) the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders in respect of all other present and future obligations and liabilities of the Company and each Subsidiary of every type and description arising under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iii) each Lender and Affiliate of such Lender in respect of Swap Agreements and Banking Services Agreements entered into with such Person by the Company or any Subsidiary, (iv) the Qualified LC Issuer in respective of all present and future Qualified LC Obligations, (v) each indemnified party under Section 9.03 in respect of the obligations and liabilities of the Borrowers to such Person hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and (vi) their respective successors and (in the case of a Lender, permitted) transferees and assigns.

 

“Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

“Security Agreement” means the Pledge and Security Agreement (including any and all supplements thereto), dated as of the date hereof, between the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Senior Secured Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Senior Secured Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company then ended, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

“Specified Ancillary Obligations” means all obligations and liabilities (including interest and fees accruing during the pendency of any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other similar proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in such proceeding) of any of the Subsidiaries, existing on the Effective Date or arising thereafter, direct or indirect, joint or several, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured, arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise, to the Lenders or any of their Affiliates under any Swap Agreement or any Banking Services Agreement; provided that the definition of “Specified Ancillary Obligations” shall not create or include any guarantee by any Loan Party of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Party to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Party.

 

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“Specified Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.01(a), 3.02, 3.03(b) (with respect to no violation of the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor), 3.08, 3.12, 3.16(a), 3.18 (subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision) and 3.19 of this Agreement.

 

“Specified Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Statutory Reserve Rate” means, with respect to any currency, a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus the aggregate of the maximum reserve, liquid asset, fees or similar requirements (including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves or other requirements) established by any central bank, monetary authority, the Board, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority, the European Central Bank or other Governmental Authority for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily used to fund loans in such currency, expressed in the case of each such requirement as a decimal.  Such reserve, liquid asset, fees or similar requirements shall include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D of the Board.  Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to be subject to such reserve, liquid asset, fee or similar requirements without benefit of or credit for proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender under any applicable law, rule or regulation, including Regulation D of the Board.  The Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve, liquid asset or similar requirement.

 

“Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the obligations under the Loan Documents.

 

“Subordinated Indebtedness Documents” means any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Subordinated Indebtedness or entered into in connection with any Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

“subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “parent”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are, as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date, otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

 

“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Material Subsidiary (other than Excluded Domestic Subsidiaries, Excluded Foreign Subsidiaries and Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers) that is a party to the Subsidiary Guaranty.  The Subsidiary Guarantors on the Effective Date are identified as such in Schedule 3.01 hereto.

 

“Subsidiary Guaranty” means that certain Guaranty dated as of the Effective Date (including any and all supplements thereto) and executed by each Subsidiary Guarantor party thereto, and, in the case of any guaranty by a Foreign Subsidiary, any other guaranty agreements as are requested by

 

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the Administrative Agent and its counsel, in each case as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of the Company or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement; provided, further, that any Permitted TEU Purchase Contract shall not constitute a Swap Agreement.

 

“Swap Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), under (a) any and all Swap Agreements permitted hereunder with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, and (b) any and all cancellations, buy backs, reversals, terminations or assignments of any such Swap Agreement transaction.

 

“Swingline Commitment” means $15,000,000.

 

“Swingline Exposure” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time.  The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be equal to the sum of (a) its Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time other than with respect to any Swingline Loans made by such Lender in its capacity as the Swingline Lender and (b) the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans made by such Lender in its capacity as the Swingline Lender outstanding at such time (less the amount of participations funded by the other Lenders in such Swingline Loans).

 

“Swingline Lender” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans hereunder.

 

“Swingline Loan” means a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.05.

 

“Swiss Francs” means the lawful currency of Switzerland.

 

“Syndication Agent” means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association in its capacity as syndication agent for the credit facilities evidenced by this Agreement.

 

“TARGET2” means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET2) payment system (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system (if any) reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) for the settlement of payments in euro.

 

“TARGET2 Day” means a day that TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payments in euro.

 

“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), value added taxes, or any other goods and services, use or sales taxes, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

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“Term Lender” means, at any time, each Lender having a Term Loan Commitment or that holds Term Loans.

 

“Term Loan Commitment” means, collectively, the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments, the Other Term Loan Commitments, any commitments in respect of Incremental Term Loans or any Refinancing Term Loan Commitments, as the context may require.

 

“Term Loans” means, collectively, the Tranche B Term Loans, the Incremental Term Loans or Refinancing Term Loans, as the context may require.

 

“Total Leverage Ratio” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.12(a).

 

“Total Revolving Credit Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of all Revolving Lenders’ Revolving Loans, their LC Exposure and their Swingline Exposure at such time; provided, that clause (a) of the definition of Swingline Exposure shall only be applicable to the extent Revolving Lenders shall have funded their respective participations in the outstanding Swingline Loans.

 

“Tranche B Term Lender” means, at any time, each Lender having a Tranche B Term Loan Commitment or that holds Tranche B Term Loans.

 

“Tranche B Term Loan Commitment” means (a) as to any Tranche B Term Lender, the aggregate commitment of such Tranche B Term Lender to make Tranche B Term Loans as set forth on Schedule 2.01A or in the most recent Assignment Agreement or other documentation contemplated hereby executed by such Tranche B Term Lender and (b) as to all Tranche B Term Lenders, the aggregate commitment of all Tranche B Term Lenders to make Tranche B Term Loans, which aggregate commitment shall be $460,000,000 on the Effective Date.  After advancing the Tranche B Term Loans, each reference to a Tranche B Term Lender’s Tranche B Term Loan Commitment shall refer to that Tranche B Term Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the Tranche B Term Loans.

 

“Tranche B Term Loans” means the term loans made by the Tranche B Term Lenders to the Company pursuant to Section 2.01(b).

 

“Transaction Costs” means any fees or expenses incurred or paid by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the Transactions, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby.

 

“Transactions” means, collectively, (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which it is a party, the borrowing of the Term Loans and any Revolving Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, (b) the consummation of the PCB Acquisition and the other transactions contemplated by the PCB Merger Agreement, (c) the termination and cancellation of the Existing Credit Agreement and the repayment of Indebtedness thereunder, (d) the refinancing of certain Indebtedness of PCB on the Effective Date, (e) the consummation of any other transactions in connection with the foregoing and (f) the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with any of the foregoing.

 

“Type”, when used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.

 

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“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York or any other state the laws of which are required to be applied in connection with the issue of perfection of security interests.

 

“Unliquidated Obligations” means, at any time, any Secured Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Secured Obligation that is:  (i) an obligation to reimburse a bank for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (ii) any other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (iii) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.

 

“U.S. Person” means a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(B)(3).

 

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

 

“Warrant Transaction” has the meaning assigned to such term in the definition of “Permitted Call Spread Swap Agreement”.

 

“Withdrawal Liability” means liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

 

“Withholding Agent” means any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent.

 

“Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

SECTION 1.02.  Classification of Loans and Borrowings.  For purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Loan”).  Borrowings also may be classified and referred to by Class (e.g., a “Revolving Borrowing”) or by Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g., a “Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing”).

 

SECTION 1.03.  Terms Generally.  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.  The word “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply), and all judgments, orders and decrees, of all Governmental Authorities.  Unless the context requires

 

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otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, restatements, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental Authority, any other Governmental Authority that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

SECTION 1.04.  Accounting Terms; GAAP; Pro Forma Calculations.  (a)  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to time; provided that, if the Company notifies the Administrative Agent that the Company requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Company that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision  amended in accordance herewith.  Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, (i) all terms of an accounting or financial nature used herein shall be construed, and all computations of amounts and ratios referred to herein shall be made (x) without giving effect to any election under Accounting Standards Codification 825-10-25 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any Indebtedness or other liabilities of the Company or any Subsidiary at “fair value”, as defined therein and (y) without giving effect to any treatment of Indebtedness in respect of convertible debt instruments under Accounting Standards Codification 470-20 (or any other Accounting Standards Codification or Financial Accounting Standard having a similar result or effect) to value any such Indebtedness in a reduced or bifurcated manner as described therein, and such Indebtedness shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof and (ii) any obligations relating to a lease that was accounted for by such Person as an operating lease as of the Effective Date and any similar lease entered into after the Effective Date by such Person (or any of Subsidiary or Affiliate of such Person) shall be accounted for as obligations relating to an operating lease and not as Capital Lease Obligations.  For the avoidance of doubt, and without limitation of the foregoing, Permitted Convertible Notes shall at all times be valued at the full stated principal amount thereof and shall not include any reduction or appreciation in value of the shares deliverable upon conversion thereof.

 

(b)  All pro forma computations required to be made hereunder giving effect to any acquisition or disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction shall in each case be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (and, in the case of any pro forma computation made hereunder, to determine whether such acquisition, disposition, issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness or other transaction is permitted to be consummated hereunder) immediately after giving effect to such acquisition, disposition, issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness or other transaction consummated since the first day of the period for which such pro forma computation is being made and on or prior to the date of such computation, as if such transaction had occurred on the

 

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first day of the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or 5.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements referred to in Section 3.04(a)), and, to the extent applicable, to the historical earnings and cash flows associated with the assets acquired or disposed of (but without giving effect to any synergies or cost savings, except as set forth in the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”) and any related incurrence or reduction of Indebtedness, all in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.  If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period for which such pro forma computation is being made (taking into account any Swap Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness).

 

SECTION 1.05.  Status of Obligations.  In the event that the Company or any other Loan Party shall at any time issue or have outstanding any Subordinated Indebtedness, the Company shall take or cause such other Loan Party to take all such actions as shall be necessary to cause the Secured Obligations to constitute senior indebtedness (however denominated) in respect of such Subordinated Indebtedness and to enable the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Secured Obligations are hereby designated as “senior indebtedness” and as “designated senior indebtedness” and words of similar import under and in respect of any indenture or other agreement or instrument under which such Subordinated Indebtedness is outstanding and are further given all such other designations as shall be required under the terms of any such Subordinated Indebtedness in order that the Lenders may have and exercise any payment blockage or other remedies available or potentially available to holders of senior indebtedness under the terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

ARTICLE II

 

The Credits

 

SECTION 2.01.  Commitments.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (a) each Revolving Lender (severally and not jointly) agrees to make Revolving Loans to the Borrowers in Agreed Currencies from time to time during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (i) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(c), the Dollar Amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Revolving Commitment, (ii) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(c), the Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (iii) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(c), the Dollar Amount of the total outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure in respect of the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers exceeding the Foreign Subsidiary Borrower Sublimit and (b) each Tranche B Term Lender with a Tranche B Term Loan Commitment (severally and not jointly) agrees to make a Tranche B Term Loan to the Company in Dollars on the Effective Date, in an amount equal to such Lender’s Tranche B Term Loan Commitment by making immediately available funds available to the Administrative Agent’s designated account, not later than the time specified by the Administrative Agent.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrowers may borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.  Amounts repaid or prepaid in respect of Term Loans may not be reborrowed.

 

SECTION 2.02.  Loans and Borrowings.

 

(a)  Each Loan (other than a Swingline Loan) shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Class and Type made by the applicable Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments of the applicable Class.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan

 

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required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.  Any Swingline Loan shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.05.  The Tranche B Term Loans shall amortize as set forth in Section 2.10.

 

(b)  Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing and Term Loan Borrowing shall be comprised entirely of ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the relevant Borrower may request in accordance herewith; provided that each ABR Loan shall only be made in Dollars.  Each Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan.  Each Lender at its option may make any Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of such Lender to make such Loan (and in the case of an Affiliate, the provisions of Sections 2.14, 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 shall apply to such Affiliate to the same extent as to such Lender); provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the relevant Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(c)  At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 (or, if such Borrowing is denominated in (i) Japanese Yen, ¥50,000,000 and (ii) a Foreign Currency other than Japanese Yen, 500,000 units of such currency) and not less than $1,000,000 (or, if such Borrowing is denominated in (i) Japanese Yen, ¥100,000,000 and (ii) a Foreign Currency other than Japanese Yen, 1,000,000 units of such currency).  At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $250,000 and not less than $1,000,000; provided that an ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the aggregate Revolving Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e).  Each Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than $500,000.  Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may be outstanding at the same time; provided that there shall not at any time be more than a total of five (5) Eurocurrency Borrowings outstanding.

 

(d)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Borrower shall be entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity Date applicable to the Facility under which such Borrowing was made.

 

SECTION 2.03.  Requests for Borrowings.  To request a Borrowing, the applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower, shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request (a) by irrevocable written notice (via a written Borrowing Request signed by the applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower, promptly followed by telephonic confirmation of such request) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, three (3) Business Days (in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars) or by irrevocable written notice (via a written Borrowing Request signed by such Borrower, or the Company on its behalf) not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, four (4) Business Days (in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency), in each case before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) by telephone in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, one (1) Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that any such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing.  Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request signed by the applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower.  Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

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(a)  the name of the applicable Borrower;

 

(b)  the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

 

(c)  the date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;

 

(d)  whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing and whether such Borrowing is a Revolving Borrowing or a Term Loan Borrowing;

 

(e)  in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Agreed Currency and initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and

 

(f)  the location and number of the applicable Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.07.

 

If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified, then, in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars, the requested Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing.  If no Interest Period is specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Borrowing, then the relevant Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.  Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.04.  Determination of Dollar Amounts.  The Administrative Agent will determine the Dollar Amount of:

 

(a)   each Eurocurrency Borrowing as of the date two (2) Business Days prior to the date of such Borrowing or, if applicable, the date of conversion/continuation of any Borrowing as a Eurocurrency Borrowing,

 

(b)   the LC Exposure as of the date of each request for the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, and

 

(c)   all outstanding Credit Events on and as of the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and, during the continuation of an Event of Default, on any other Business Day elected by the Administrative Agent in its discretion or upon instruction by the Required Revolving Lenders.

 

Each day upon or as of which the Administrative Agent determines Dollar Amounts as described in the preceding clauses (a), (b) and (c) is herein described as a “Computation Date” with respect to each Credit Event for which a Dollar Amount is determined on or as of such day.

 

SECTION 2.05.  Swingline Loans.  (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender may in its sole discretion make Swingline Loans in Dollars to the Company from time to time during the Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans exceeding the Swingline Commitment or (ii) the Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the aggregate Revolving Commitments; provided that the Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance an outstanding Swingline Loan.  Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company may borrow, prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.

 

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(b)  To request a Swingline Loan, the Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone (confirmed by telecopy), not later than 12:00 noon, Chicago time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business Day) and amount of the requested Swingline Loan.  The Administrative Agent will promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the Company.  The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to the Company by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the Company with the Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e), by remittance to the relevant Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., Chicago time, on the requested date of such Swingline Loan.

 

(c)  The Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, on any Business Day require the Revolving Lenders to acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline Loans outstanding.  Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline Loans in which Revolving Lenders will participate.  Promptly upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each  Revolving Lender, specifying in such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.  Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.  Each Revolving Lender shall comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Company of any participations in any Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments in respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and not to the Swingline Lender.  Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from the Company (or other party on behalf of the Company) in respect of a Swingline Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent; any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lenders that shall have made their payments pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests may appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Company for any reason.  The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph shall not relieve the Company of any default in the payment thereof.

 

(d)  The Swingline Lender may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Company, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Swingline Lender and the successor Swingline Lender.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders of any such replacement of the Swingline Lender.  At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Company shall pay all unpaid interest accrued for the account of the replaced Swingline Lender pursuant to Section 2.13(a).  From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Swingline Lender shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Swingline Lender” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Swingline Lender, or to such successor and all previous Swingline Lenders, as the context shall require.  After the replacement of a Swingline Lender hereunder, the replaced Swingline Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and

 

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obligations of a Swingline Lender under this Agreement with respect to Swingline Loans made by it prior to its replacement, but shall not be required to make additional Swingline Loans.

 

(e)  Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Swingline Lender, the Swingline Lender may resign as a Swingline Lender at any time upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Company and the Revolving Lenders, in which case, such Swingline Lender shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.05(d) above.

 

SECTION 2.06.  Letters of Credit.  (a)  General.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company may request the issuance of Letters of Credit denominated in Agreed Currencies as the applicant thereof for the support of its or its Subsidiaries’ obligations, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the Availability Period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the letters of credit issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and U.S. Bank National Association and identified on Schedule 2.06 (the “Existing Letters of Credit”) shall be deemed to be “Letters of Credit” issued on the Effective Date for all purposes of the Loan Documents. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Company to, or entered into by the Company with, the relevant Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control; provided, however, if such Issuing Bank is requested to issue Letters of Credit with respect to a jurisdiction such Issuing Bank deems, in its reasonable judgment, may at any time subject it to a New Money Credit Event or a Country Risk Event, the Company shall, at the request of such Issuing Bank, guaranty and indemnify such Issuing Bank against any and all costs, liabilities and losses resulting from such New Money Credit Event or Country Risk Event, in each case in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Issuing Bank shall have any obligation hereunder to issue, and shall not issue, any Letter of Credit the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (i) for the purpose of funding any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent such activity or business would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or in a European Union member state or (ii) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Agreement.  The Company unconditionally and irrevocably agrees that, in connection with any Letter of Credit issued for the support of any Subsidiary’s obligations as provided in the first sentence of this paragraph, the Company will be fully responsible for the reimbursement of LC Disbursements in accordance with the terms hereof, the payment of interest thereon and the payment of fees due under Section 2.12(b) to the same extent as if it were the sole account party in respect of such Letter of Credit (the Company hereby irrevocably waiving any defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of the obligations of such a Subsidiary that is an account party in respect of any such Letter of Credit).

 

(b)  Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions.  To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Company shall hand deliver or telecopy (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the relevant Issuing Bank) to an Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, but in any event no less than three (3) Business Days) a notice requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the Agreed Currency applicable thereto, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit.  If requested by such Issuing Bank, the Company also shall submit a letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit.  A Letter of

 

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Credit shall be issued, amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of each Letter of Credit the Company shall be deemed to represent and warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (i) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(c), the Dollar Amount of the LC Exposure shall not exceed $50,000,000, (ii) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(c), the sum of (x) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank at such time plus (y) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements made by such Issuing Bank that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Company at such time shall not exceed such Issuing Bank’s Letter of Credit Commitment, (iii) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(c), the Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Credit Exposures shall not exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (iv) subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.11(c), the Dollar Amount of the total outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure, in each case in respect of the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers, shall not exceed the Foreign Subsidiary Borrower Sublimit.  The Company may, at any time and from time to time, reduce the Letter of Credit Commitment of any Issuing Bank with the consent of such Issuing Bank; provided that, the Company shall not reduce the Letter of Credit Commitment of any Issuing Bank if, after giving effect of such reduction, the conditions set forth in the immediately preceding clauses (i) through (iv) shall not be satisfied.

 

(c)  Expiration Date.  Each Letter of Credit shall expire (or be subject to termination by notice from the relevant Issuing Bank to the beneficiary thereof) at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date two years after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, three years after such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five (5) Business Days prior to the Maturity Date then applicable to the Revolving Commitments; provided that (x) any Letter of Credit with a one-year tenor may contain customary automatic renewal provisions agreed upon by the Company and the relevant Issuing Bank that provide for the renewal thereof for additional one-year periods (which shall in no event extend beyond the date referenced in clause (ii) above), subject to a right on the part of such Issuing Bank to prevent any such renewal from occurring by giving notice to the beneficiary in advance of any such renewal and (y) notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the Company’s request and subject to the approval, in its discretion, of the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank that has issued such Letter of Credit, any such Letter of Credit may have a later expiry date (but in any event not later than two (2) years after the Maturity Date) if cash collateralized or covered by standby letter(s) of credit in compliance with Section 2.06(j) below.

 

(d)  Participations.  By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of any Issuing Bank or the Revolving Lenders, each Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Revolving Lender, and each Revolving Lender hereby acquires from each Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit.  In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Revolving Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the relevant Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Company on the date due as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Company for any reason.  Each Revolving Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

 

(e)  Reimbursement.  If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Company shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent in Dollars the Dollar Amount equal to such LC Disbursement, calculated as of the date such

 

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Issuing Bank made such LC Disbursement (or if such Issuing Bank shall so elect in its sole discretion by notice to the Company, in such other Agreed Currency which was paid by such Issuing Bank pursuant to such LC Disbursement in an amount equal to such LC Disbursement) not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is made, if the Company shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior to 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been received by the Company prior to such time on such date, then not later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, on (i) the Business Day that the Company receives such notice, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on the day of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the Company receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such time on the day of receipt; provided that, if such LC Disbursement is not less than the Dollar Amount of $1,000,000, the Company may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with (i) to the extent such LC Disbursement was made in Dollars, an ABR Revolving Borrowing, Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in Dollars in an amount equal to such LC Disbursement or (ii) to the extent that such LC Disbursement was made in a Foreign Currency, a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing in such Foreign Currency in an amount equal to such LC Disbursement and, in each case, to the extent so financed, the Company’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Revolving Borrowing, Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan, as applicable.  If the Company fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Company in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof.  Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Revolving Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Company, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Revolving Lenders) (provided that, with respect to any such payment in respect of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Agreed Currency that is not an Agreed Currency with respect to Loans, any Lender may make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Amount of such LC Disbursement), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to such Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Revolving Lenders.  Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Company pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the relevant Issuing Bank or, to the extent that the Revolving Lenders have made payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear.  Any payment made by a Revolving Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline Loan as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Company of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.  If the Company’s reimbursement of, or obligation to reimburse, any amounts in any Foreign Currency would subject the Administrative Agent, the relevant Issuing Bank or any Lender to any stamp duty, ad valorem charge or similar tax that would not be payable if such reimbursement were made or required to be made in Dollars, the Company shall, at its option, either (x) pay the amount of any such tax requested by the Administrative Agent, the relevant Issuing Bank or the relevant Lender or (y) reimburse each LC Disbursement made in such Foreign Currency in Dollars, in an amount equal to the Equivalent Amount, calculated using the applicable Exchange Rates, on the date such LC Disbursement is made, of such LC Disbursement.

 

(f)  Obligations Absolute.  The Company’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e) of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein or herein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) any payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against

 

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presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Company’s obligations hereunder.  Neither the Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the relevant Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability to the Company to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Company to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Company that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof.  The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of any Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination.  In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, each Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

(g)  Disbursement Procedures.  Each Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit.  Each Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Company by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of such demand for payment and whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder; provided that any failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Company of its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Revolving Lenders with respect to any such LC Disbursement.

 

(h)  Interim Interest.  If any Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Company shall reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is made, the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Company reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Revolving Loans (or in the case such LC Disbursement is denominated in a Foreign Currency, at the Overnight Foreign Currency Rate for such Agreed Currency plus the then effective Applicable Rate with respect to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans); provided that, if the Company fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(c) shall apply.  Interest accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of such Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

(i)  Replacement of an Issuing Bank.  (A) Any Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Company, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Revolving Lenders of any such replacement of an Issuing Bank.  At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Company

 

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shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b).  From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the context shall require.  After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit then outstanding and issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

(B)                               Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Issuing Bank in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, any Issuing Bank may resign as an Issuing Bank at any time upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, the Company and the Revolving Lenders, in which case, such Issuing Bank shall be replaced in accordance with Section 2.06(i)(A) above.

 

(j)  Cash Collateralization.  If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the Company receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit of cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Company shall deposit in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders (the “LC Collateral Account”), an amount in cash equal to 105% of the Dollar Amount of the LC Exposure as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided that (i) the portions of such amount attributable to undrawn Foreign Currency Letters of Credit or LC Disbursements in a Foreign Currency that the Company is not late in reimbursing shall be deposited in the applicable Foreign Currencies in the actual amounts of such undrawn Letters of Credit and LC Disbursements and (ii) the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Company described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII.  For the purposes of this paragraph, the Foreign Currency LC Exposure shall be calculated using the applicable Exchange Rate on the date notice demanding cash collateralization is delivered to the Company.  The Company also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph as and to the extent required by Section 2.11(c).  Such deposit shall be held by the Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations.  The Administrative Agent shall have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of withdrawal, over such account and the Company hereby grants the Administrative Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account.  Other than any interest earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made at the option and sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and at the Company’s risk and expense, such deposits shall not bear interest.  Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall accumulate in such account.  Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the relevant Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall be held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Company for the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated (but subject to the consent of Revolving Lenders with LC Exposure  representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other Secured Obligations.  If the Company is required to provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall be returned to the Company within three (3) Business Days after all Events of Default have been cured or waived.

 

(k)  Conversion.  In the event that the Loans become immediately due and payable on any date pursuant to Article VII, all amounts (i) that the Company is at the time or thereafter becomes required to reimburse or otherwise pay to the Administrative Agent in respect of LC Disbursements made

 

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under any Foreign Currency Letter of Credit (other than amounts in respect of which the Company has deposited cash collateral pursuant to paragraph (j) above, if such cash collateral was deposited in the applicable Foreign Currency to the extent so deposited or applied), (ii) that the Lenders are at the time or thereafter become required to pay to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent is at the time or thereafter becomes required to distribute to the relevant Issuing Bank pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section in respect of unreimbursed LC Disbursements made under any Foreign Currency Letter of Credit and (iii) of each Lender’s participation in any Foreign Currency Letter of Credit under which an LC Disbursement has been made shall, automatically and with no further action required, be converted into the Dollar Amount, calculated using the Administrative Agent’s currency exchange rates on such date (or in the case of any LC Disbursement made after such date, on the date such LC Disbursement is made), of such amounts.  On and after such conversion, all amounts accruing and owed to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in respect of the obligations described in this paragraph shall accrue and be payable in Dollars at the rates otherwise applicable hereunder.

 

(l)  Issuing Bank Agreements.  Each Issuing Bank agrees that, unless otherwise requested by the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank shall report in writing to the Administrative Agent (i) on the first Business Day of each week, the daily activity (set forth by day) in respect of Letters of Credit during the immediately preceding week, including all issuances, extensions, amendments and renewals, all expirations and cancellations and all disbursements and reimbursements, (ii) on or prior to each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank expects to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, the date of such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, and the aggregate face amount of the Letters of Credit to be issued, amended, renewed or extended by it and outstanding after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or extension occurred (and whether the amount thereof changed), it being understood that such Issuing Bank shall not permit any issuance, renewal, extension or amendment resulting in an increase in the amount of any Letter of Credit to occur without first obtaining written confirmation from the Administrative Agent that it is then permitted under this Agreement, (iii) on each Business Day on which such Issuing Bank makes any LC Disbursement, the date of such LC Disbursement and the amount of such LC Disbursement, (iv) on any Business Day on which any Borrower fails to reimburse an LC Disbursement required to be reimbursed to such Issuing Bank on such day, the date of such failure and the amount and currency of such LC Disbursement and (v) on any other Business Day, such other information as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.

 

SECTION 2.07.  Funding of Borrowings.  (a)  Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds (i) in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars, by 12:00 noon, Chicago time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders and (ii) in the case of each Loan denominated in a Foreign Currency, by 12:00 noon, Local Time, in the city of the Administrative Agent’s Eurocurrency Payment Office for such currency and at such Eurocurrency Payment Office for such currency; provided that (i) Tranche B Term Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.01(b) and (ii) Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05.  The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the relevant Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to (x) an account of the Company maintained with the Administrative Agent in New York City or Chicago and designated by the Company in the applicable Borrowing Request, in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars and (y) an account of such Borrower in the relevant jurisdiction and designated by such Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request, in the case of Loans denominated in a Foreign Currency; provided that ABR Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the relevant Issuing Bank.

 

(b)  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent

 

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such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with paragraph (a) of this Section and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the relevant Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and such Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to such Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation (including without limitation the Overnight Foreign Currency Rate in the case of Loans denominated in a Foreign Currency) or (ii) in the case of such Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans.  If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

 

SECTION 2.08.  Interest Elections. (a)  Each Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, shall have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request.  Thereafter, the relevant Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different Type or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section.  A Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.  This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted or continued.

 

(b)  To make an election pursuant to this Section, a Borrower, or the Company on its behalf, shall notify the Administrative Agent of such election (by telephone or irrevocable written notice in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars or by irrevocable written notice (via an Interest Election Request signed by such Borrower, or the Company on its behalf) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency) by the time that a Borrowing Request would be required under Section 2.03 if such Borrower were requesting a Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on the effective date of such election.  Each such telephonic Interest Election Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery or telecopy to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election Request signed by the relevant Borrower, or the Company on its behalf.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, this Section shall not be construed to permit any Borrower to (i) change the currency of any Borrowing, (ii) elect an Interest Period for Eurocurrency Loans that does not comply with Section 2.02(d) or (iii) convert any Borrowing to a Borrowing of a Type not available under the Class of Commitments pursuant to which such Borrowing was made.

 

(c)  Each telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

(i)   the name of the applicable Borrower and the Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing);

 

(ii)   the effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request, which shall be a Business Day;

 

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(iii)   whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency Borrowing; and

 

(iv)   if the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period and Agreed Currency to be applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which Interest Period shall be a period contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.

 

If any such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not specify an Interest Period, then the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s duration.

 

(d)  Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s portion of each resulting Borrowing.

 

(e)  If the relevant Borrower, or the Company on its behalf, fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect to a Eurocurrency Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein, at the end of such Interest Period (i) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in Dollars, such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing and (ii) in the case of a Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency in respect of which the applicable Borrower, or the Company on its behalf, shall have failed to deliver an Interest Election Request prior to the third (3rd) Business Day preceding the end of such Interest Period, such Borrowing shall automatically continue as a Eurocurrency Borrowing in the same Agreed Currency with an Interest Period of one month unless such Eurocurrency Borrowing is or was repaid in accordance with Section 2.11.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders, so notifies the Company, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing (i) no outstanding Borrowing denominated in Dollars may be converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing, (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest Period applicable thereto and (iii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency shall automatically be continued as a Eurocurrency Borrowing with an Interest Period of one month.

 

SECTION 2.09.  Termination and Reduction of Commitments.  (a)  Unless previously terminated, (i) the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments shall terminate at 2:00 p.m. (Chicago time) on the Effective Date and (ii) the Revolving Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date applicable thereto.

 

(b)  The Company may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) each reduction of the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 and (ii) the Company shall not terminate or reduce the Revolving Commitments if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments.

 

(c)  The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three (3) Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof.  Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each notice delivered by the Company pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Company may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities or other transactions specified

 

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therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Company (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.  Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent.  Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.

 

SECTION 2.10.  Repayment and Amortization of Loans; Evidence of Debt.  (a) Each Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Loan made to such Borrower on the Maturity Date applicable to the Revolving Commitments in the currency of such Loan and (ii) in the case of the Company, to the Swingline Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Maturity Date applicable to the Revolving Commitments and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th or last day of a calendar month and is at least two Business Days after such Swingline Loan is made; provided that on each date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, the Company shall repay all Swingline Loans then outstanding. The Company shall repay the Tranche B Term Loans (i) on the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing on December 30, 2016, an aggregate principal amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of all Tranche B Term Loans outstanding on the Effective Date (which payments shall be adjusted from time to time pursuant to Section 2.11(a) and Section 2.11(f)) and (ii) on the Maturity Date applicable to the Tranche B Term Loans, the aggregate principal amount of all Tranche B Term Loans outstanding on such date.  The Company shall repay Incremental Term Loans and Refinancing Term Loans in such amounts and on such date or dates as shall be specified therefor in the Incremental Amendment or Refinancing Amendment, as applicable, establishing such Term Loans (as such amount shall be adjusted pursuant to Section 2.11(a) or 2.11(f) or pursuant to such Incremental Amendment or Refinancing Amendment, as applicable).

 

(b)  Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of each Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

 

(c)  The Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class, Agreed Currency and Type thereof and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from each Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share thereof.

 

(d)  The entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided that the failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts or any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of any Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(e)  Any Lender may request that Loans made by it to any Borrower be evidenced by a promissory note.  In such event, the relevant Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender a promissory note payable to such Lender (or its registered assigns) and in a form approved by the Administrative Agent.  Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form payable to the payee named therein (or its registered assigns).

 

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SECTION 2.11.  Prepayment of Loans.

 

(a)  Any Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to the provisions set forth in this Section 2.11(a).  The applicable Borrower, or the Company on behalf of the applicable Borrower, shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by telecopy) of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Local Time, three (3) Business Days (in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars) or four (4) Business Days (in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency), in each case before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, one (1) Business Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a Swingline Loan, not later than 12:00 noon, Chicago time, on the date of prepayment.  Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid; provided that, (A) if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09 and (B) a notice of prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.11(a) may state that such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence of one or more events specified therein, in which case such notice of prepayment may be revoked by the Company (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified date of prepayment) if such condition is not satisfied.  Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof.  Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing of the same Type as provided in Section 2.02.  Each prepayment of a Revolving Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Revolving Loans included in the prepaid Revolving Borrowing, each voluntary prepayment of a Class of Term Loan Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Class of Term Loans included in the prepaid Term Loan Borrowing in such order of application as directed by the Company, and each mandatory prepayment of a Term Loan Borrowing shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.11(f).  Prepayments shall be accompanied by (i) accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13, (ii) break funding payments pursuant to Section 2.16 and (iii) premium payments to the extent required by Section 2.11(b).

 

(b)  In the event that, on or prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, the Company (i) prepays, repays, refinances, substitutes or replaces the Tranche B Term Loans in connection with a Repricing Transaction or (ii) effects any amendment, amendment and restatement, other modification or waiver of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, the Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable account of each of the Tranche B Term Lenders, (x) in the case of clause (i), a premium of 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of such Tranche B Term Loans so prepaid, refinanced, substituted or replaced and (y) in the case of clause (ii), a premium equal to 1.00% of the aggregate principal amount of such Tranche B Term Loans outstanding immediately prior to such amendment, amendment and restatement, other modification or waiver that are subject to an effective pricing reduction.  If, on or prior to the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date, any Tranche B Term Lender that is a Non-Consenting Lender is replaced pursuant to Section 9.02(d) in connection with any amendment, amendment and restatement, other modification or waiver of this Agreement resulting in a Repricing Transaction, such Tranche B Term Lender (and not any Person who replaces such Tranche B Term Lender pursuant to Section 9.02(d)) shall receive its pro rata portion (as determined immediately prior to it being so replaced) of the premiums described in the preceding sentence. Such amounts shall be due and payable on the date of effectiveness of such Repricing Transaction.

 

(c)  If at any time, (i) other than as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, (A) the sum of the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Credit Exposures (calculated, with respect to those Credit Events denominated in Foreign Currencies, as of the most recent Computation Date with respect to each such Credit Event) exceeds the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (B) such sum in respect of Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers (collectively, “Foreign

 

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Subsidiary Borrower Exposure”) exceeds the Foreign Subsidiary Borrower Sublimit or (ii) solely as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, (A) the sum of the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Credit Exposures (calculated, with respect to those Credit Events denominated in Foreign Currencies, as of the most recent Computation Date with respect to each such Credit Event) exceeds 105% of the aggregate Revolving Commitments or (B) the Foreign Subsidiary Borrower Exposure exceeds 105% of the Foreign Subsidiary Borrower Sublimit, the Borrowers shall in each case immediately repay Borrowings or cash collateralize LC Disbursements in an account with the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.06(j), as applicable, in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to cause (x) the aggregate Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Credit Exposures (so calculated) to be less than or equal to the aggregate Revolving Commitments and (y) the Foreign Subsidiary Borrower Exposure to be less than or equal to the Foreign Subsidiary Borrower Sublimit, as applicable.

 

(d)  In the event and on each occasion that any Net Proceeds are received by or on behalf of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of any Prepayment Event, the Company shall, immediately after such Net Proceeds are received, prepay the Term Loans as set forth in Section 2.11(f) below in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Proceeds; provided that, in the case of any event described in clause (a) or (b) of the definition of the term “Prepayment Event”, if the Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer to the effect that the Company or its relevant Subsidiaries intend to apply the Net Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof specified in such certificate), within 365 days after receipt of such Net Proceeds, to reinvest in assets used or useful in the business of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries, and certifying that no Default has occurred and is continuing, then no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of the Net Proceeds specified in such certificate; provided further that to the extent of any such Net Proceeds therefrom that have not been so applied by the end of such 365-day period (or within a period of 180 days thereafter if by the end of such initial 365-day period the Company or one or more Subsidiaries shall have entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party to acquire such assets with such Net Proceeds), at which time a prepayment shall be required in an amount equal to such Net Proceeds that have not been so applied.

 

(e)  The Borrowers shall prepay the Term Loans on the date that is ten (10) days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree to in its reasonable discretion) after the earlier of (i) the date on which Company’s annual audited financial statements for the immediately preceding fiscal year are delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 or (ii) the date on which such annual audited financial statements were required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.01, in an amount equal to (A) the ECF Percentage of the Company’s Excess Cash Flow for such immediately preceding fiscal year (with the first such determination of Excess Cash Flow based on audited financial statements delivered (or required to be delivered) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017) minus (B) the sum of (1) all voluntary prepayments of Term Loans (other than prepayments made with proceeds of other Indebtedness) and amounts actually paid for Term Loans assigned to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 9.04(f) made during such fiscal year or after year-end and prior to when such Excess Cash Flow prepayment is due (and in each case not deducted in determining any payment required to be made pursuant to this Section 2.11(e) in any prior fiscal year) and (2) all voluntary prepayments of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans during such fiscal year or after year-end and prior to when such Excess Cash Flow prepayment is due (and in each case not deducted in determining any payment required to be made pursuant to this Section 2.11(e) in any prior fiscal year) to the extent the Revolving Commitments are permanently reduced by the amount of such payments, in the case of each of the immediately preceding clauses (1) and (2), to the extent such prepayments are funded with the internally generated cash and excluding any such prepayment that reduced Excess Cash Flow.  As used herein, “ECF Percentage” means (x) fifty percent (50%) if the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such period was greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00, (y) twenty five percent (25%) if the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio

 

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as of the last day of such period was greater than or equal to 2.25 to 1.00 but less than 3.00 to 1.00 and (z)  zero percent (0%) if the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio as of the last day of such period was less than 2.25 to 1.00.  Each Excess Cash Flow prepayment shall be accompanied by a certificate signed by a Financial Officer certifying the manner in which Excess Cash Flow and the resulting prepayment were calculated, which certificate shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

(f)  In the event of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans made at a time when Term Loans of more than one Class are outstanding, the aggregate amount of such prepayment shall be allocated among all Classes of Term Loans pro rata based on the aggregate principal amounts of outstanding Borrowings of each Class; provided that, the amounts so allocable to any Class of Term Loans may be applied pro rata to other Term Loan Borrowings if so provided in the related Incremental Amendment or Refinancing Amendment establishing such additional Classes of Term Loans.  All mandatory prepayment amounts pursuant to Sections 2.11(d) and (e) that are allocable to the Tranche B Term Loans shall be applied, first, to the installments of the Tranche B Term Loans in direct order of maturity for the next four (4) scheduled payments pursuant to Section 2.11(a) and, second, to the remaining scheduled installments of the Tranche B Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(a) on a pro rata basis.

 

(g)  The Company shall notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any mandatory prepayment of Term Loans required to be made pursuant to Section 2.11(d) or Section 2.11(e) at least five (5) Business Days prior to 1:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date of such prepayment.  Each such notice shall specify the date of such prepayment and provide a reasonably detailed calculation of the amount of such prepayment. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Term Lender of the contents of the Company’s prepayment notice and of such Term Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the prepayment.  Each Term Lender may reject all or a portion of its Applicable Percentage of any mandatory prepayment (such declined amounts, the “Declined Proceeds”) of Term Loans required to be made pursuant to Section 2.11(d) or Section 2.11(e) by providing written notice (each, a “Rejection Notice”) to the Administrative Agent and the Company no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, three (3) Business Days after the date of such Term Lender’s receipt of notice from the Administrative Agent regarding such prepayment. Each Rejection Notice from a given Term Lender shall specify the principal amount of the mandatory prepayment of Term Loans to be rejected by such Term Lender. If a Term Lender fails to deliver a Rejection Notice to the Administrative Agent within the time frame specified above or such Rejection Notice fails to specify the principal amount of the Term Loans to be rejected, any such failure will be deemed an acceptance of the total amount of such mandatory repayment of Term Loans. Any Declined Proceeds shall be retained by the Company (“Retained Declined Proceeds”).

 

SECTION 2.12.  Fees.  (a)  The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the average daily amount of the Available Revolving Commitment of such Lender during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date on which such Revolving Commitment terminates.  Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof; provided that any commitment fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand.  All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  For purposes of computing commitment fees, the Revolving Commitment of a Lender shall be deemed to be used to the extent of the outstanding Revolving Loans and LC Exposure of such Lender.

 

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(b)  The Company agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue, in the case of commercial or performance Letters of Credit, at the Applicable Rate and, in the case of standby Letters of Credit, at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans on the average daily Dollar Amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which such Revolving Lender’s Revolving Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, and (ii) to the relevant Issuing Bank for its own account a fronting fee, which shall accrue at the rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily Dollar Amount of the LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank during the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Revolving  Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees and commissions (including, without limitation, standard commissions with respect to commercial or performance Letters of Credit, payable at the time of invoice of such amounts) with respect to the issuance, amendment, cancellation, negotiation, transfer, presentment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder.  Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on the third (3rd) Business Day following such last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate and any such fees accruing after the date on which the Revolving Commitments terminate shall be payable on demand.  Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this paragraph shall be payable within ten (10) days after demand.  All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  Participation fees and fronting fees in respect of Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars shall be paid in Dollars, and participation fees and fronting fees in respect of Letters of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency shall be paid in such Foreign Currency.

 

(c)  The Company agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Company and the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)  All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in Dollars (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 2.12) and immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the relevant Issuing Bank, in the case of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of commitment fees and participation fees, to the Lenders.  Fees paid shall not be refundable under any circumstances.

 

SECTION 2.13.  Interest.  (a)  The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(b)  The Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(c)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan or any fee or other amount payable by any Borrower hereunder is not paid when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum equal to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.

 

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(d)  Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination of the Revolving Commitments; provided that (i) interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Availability Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan prior to the end of the current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion.

 

(e)  All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except that interest (i) computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate or computed by reference to the CDOR Rate, in each case shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year) and (ii) for Borrowings denominated in Pounds Sterling shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days, and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).  The applicable Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

SECTION 2.14.  Alternate Rate of Interest.  (a)  If at the time that the Administrative Agent shall seek to determine the applicable Screen Rate on the Quotation Day for any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing the applicable Screen Rate shall not be available for such Interest Period and/or for the applicable currency with respect to such Eurocurrency Borrowing for any reason, and the Administrative Agent shall reasonably determine that it is not possible to determine the Interpolated Rate (which conclusion shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error), then the Reference Bank Rate shall be the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Borrowing; provided that if the Reference Bank Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement;  provided, further, however,  that if less than two Reference Banks shall supply a rate to the Administrative Agent for purposes of determining the LIBO Rate for such Eurocurrency Borrowing, (i) if such Borrowing shall be requested in Dollars, then such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing at the Alternate Base Rate and (ii) if such Borrowing shall be requested in any Foreign Currency, the LIBO Rate shall be equal to the rate determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion after consultation with the Company and consented to in writing by the Required Lenders (the “Alternative Rate”); provided, however, that until such time as the Alternative Rate shall be determined and so consented to by the Required Lenders, Borrowings shall not be available in such Foreign Currency.

 

(b)  If prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Borrowing:

 

(i)   the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for a Loan in the applicable currency or for the applicable Interest Period; or

 

(ii)   the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for a Loan in the applicable currency or for the applicable Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period;

 

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the applicable Borrower and the Lenders by telephone or telecopy as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until the Administrative Agent notifies

 

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the applicable Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Borrowing to, or continuation of any Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing in the applicable currency or for the applicable Interest Period, as the case may be, shall be ineffective, (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing in Dollars, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing and (iii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing in a Foreign Currency, then the LIBO Rate for such Eurocurrency Borrowing shall be the Alternative Rate; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings, then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.

 

SECTION 2.15.  Increased Costs.  (a)  If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i)   impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, liquidity or similar requirement (including any compulsory loan requirement, insurance charge or other assessment) against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted LIBO Rate) or any Issuing Bank;

 

(ii)   impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein; or

 

(iii)   subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, continuing, converting into or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan or to increase the cost to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient hereunder, whether of principal, interest or otherwise, then the applicable Borrower will pay to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, such Issuing Bank or such other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank (which determination shall be made in good faith (and not on an arbitrary or capricious basis) and generally consistent with similarly situated customers of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, under agreements having provisions similar to this Section 2.15, after consideration of such factors as the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, then reasonably determines to be relevant).

 

(b)  If any Lender or any Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time the applicable Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such

 

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reduction suffered, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank (which determination shall be made in good faith (and not on an arbitrary or capricious basis) and generally consistent with similarly situated customers of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, under agreements having provisions similar to this Section 2.15, after consideration of such factors as the Administrative Agent, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as applicable, then reasonably determines to be relevant).

 

(c)  A certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall be delivered to the Company and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Company shall pay, or cause the other Borrowers to pay, such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Company shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Company of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof.

 

SECTION 2.16.  Break Funding Payments.  In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of an Event of Default or as a result of any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.11), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.11(a) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or (d) the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Company pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrowers shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event.  Such loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had such event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable to such Loan (but not the Applicable Rate applicable thereto), for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period for such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in the relevant currency of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the eurocurrency market.  A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the applicable Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The applicable Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

 

SECTION 2.17.  Taxes.  (a)  Payments Free of Taxes.  Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law.  If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of

 

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any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.17) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

 

(b)  Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrowers.  The relevant Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for, Other Taxes.

 

(c)  Evidence of Payments.  As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 2.17, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(d)  Indemnification by the Loan Parties.  The Loan Parties shall indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the relevant Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(e)  Indemnification by the Lenders.  Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 9.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).

 

(f)  Status of Lenders.

 

(i)   Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.  In addition, any Lender, if reasonably

 

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requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements and to comply with any such information reporting requirements.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 2.17(f)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

(ii)   Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that any Borrower is a U.S. Person:

 

(A)   any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to such Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of such Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. Federal backup withholding tax;

 

(B)   any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to such Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of such Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable;

 

(1)   in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any applicable successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any applicable successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. Federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

(2)   in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming that its extension of credit will generate U.S. effectively connected income, executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

(3)   in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-1 to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of such Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any applicable successor form); or

 

(4)   to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit

 

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I-2 or Exhibit I-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable (including any applicable successor form); provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

(C)   any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to such Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of such Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. Federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit such Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(D)   if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to such Borrower and the Administrative Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by such Borrower or the Administrative Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by such Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for such Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment.  Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Company and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(g)  Treatment of Certain Refunds.  If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 2.17 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.17), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund).  Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (g) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (g), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (g) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid.  This

 

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paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

(h)  Survival.  Each party’s obligations under this Section 2.17 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

(i)  Defined Terms.  For purposes of this Section 2.17, the term “Lender” includes each Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

 

SECTION 2.18.  Payments Generally; Allocation of Proceeds; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.  (a)  Each Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to (i) in the case of payments denominated in Dollars, 12:00 noon, Chicago time and (ii) in the case of payments denominated in a Foreign Currency, 12:00 noon, Local Time, in the city of the Administrative Agent’s Eurocurrency Payment Office for such currency, in each case on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without set-off or counterclaim.  Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon.  All such payments shall be made (i) in the same currency in which the applicable Credit Event was made (or where such currency has been converted to euro, in euro) and (ii) to the Administrative Agent at its offices at 10 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 or, in the case of a Credit Event denominated in a Foreign Currency, the Administrative Agent’s Eurocurrency Payment Office for such currency, except payments to be made directly to an Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto.  The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments denominated in the same currency received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof.  If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, if, after the making of any Credit Event in any Foreign Currency, currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such currency with the result that the type of currency in which the Credit Event was made (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists or any Borrower is not able to make payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by such Borrower hereunder in such currency shall instead be made when due in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount (as of the date of repayment) of such payment due, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the Borrowers take all risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations.

 

(b)  Any proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent (i) not constituting (A) a specific payment of principal, interest, fees or other sum payable under the Loan Documents (which shall be applied as specified by the Company) or (B) a mandatory prepayment (which shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.11) or (ii) after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Administrative Agent so elects or the Required Lenders so direct, such funds shall be applied ratably first, to pay any fees, indemnities, or expense reimbursements including amounts then due to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank from any Borrower, second, to pay any fees or expense reimbursements then due to the Lenders from any Borrower (whether hereunder or with respect to Qualified LC Obligations), third, to pay interest then due and payable on the Loans and Qualified LC

 

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Obligations ratably, fourth, to prepay principal on the Loans and unreimbursed LC Disbursements and any other amounts owing with respect to Banking Services Obligations, Swap Obligations and Qualified LC Obligations ratably, fifth, to pay an amount to the Administrative Agent equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the aggregate undrawn face amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and the aggregate amount of any unpaid LC Disbursements, to be held as cash collateral for such Obligations and sixth, to the payment of any other Secured Obligation due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by any Borrower.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, amounts received from any Loan Party shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Loan Party.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, unless so directed by the Company, or unless a Default is in existence, none of the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall apply any payment which it receives to any Eurocurrency Loan of a Class, except (a) on the expiration date of the Interest Period applicable to any such Eurocurrency Loan or (b) in the event, and only to the extent, that there are no outstanding ABR Loans of the same Class and, in any event, the Borrowers shall pay the break funding payment required in accordance with Section 2.16.  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have the continuing and exclusive right to apply and reverse and reapply any and all such proceeds and payments to any portion of the Secured Obligations.

 

(c)  If, except as expressly provided herein, any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other similarly situated Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by all such Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered,  such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by any Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (excluding assignments to or purchases by a Purchasing Borrower Party in accordance with Section 9.04(f)) (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply).  Each Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against such Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of such Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

(d)  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the relevant Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks hereunder that such Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Banks, as the case may be, the amount due.  In such event, if such Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders or each Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective

 

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Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation (including without limitation the Overnight Foreign Currency Rate in the case of Loans denominated in a Foreign Currency).

 

(e)  If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(c), 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), (i) apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender and for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Lender or the relevant Issuing Bank to satisfy such Lender’s obligations to it under such Section until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid and/or (ii) hold any such amounts in a segregated account over which the Administrative Agent shall have exclusive control as cash collateral for, and application to, any future funding obligations of such Lender under any such Section; in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii) above, in any order as determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion.

 

SECTION 2.19.  Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.  (a)  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if any Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender.  The Company hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)  If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, (ii) any Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.17 or (iii) any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in Section 9.04), all its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 2.15 or 2.17) and obligations under the Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Company shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent (and if a Revolving Commitment is being assigned, each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender), which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Company (in the case of all other amounts) and (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments.  A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment and delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Company to require such  assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

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SECTION 2.20.  Incremental Facilities.

 

(a)  The Company may at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date, by notice to the Administrative Agent, request one or more additional tranches of Term Loans (which may take the form of an increase in the principal amount of any existing tranche of Term Loans) (the “Incremental Term Loans”) or increases in the aggregate amount of Revolving Commitments (each such increase a “Incremental Revolving Commitment”; Incremental Term Loans and Incremental Revolving Commitments are collectively referred to herein as the “Incremental Facilities”); provided that, no Incremental Term Loans may be made and no Incremental Revolving Commitments may become effective unless, (i) on the proposed date of the making of such Incremental Term Loans or the effectiveness of such Incremental Revolving Commitments, as applicable, (A) the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.02 shall be satisfied or waived by the Required Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate on behalf of the Company to that effect dated such date and executed by a Financial Officer of the Company and (B) the Company shall be in compliance (on a pro forma basis, assuming full drawing under the applicable Incremental Facility) with the covenants contained in Section 6.12 and (ii) to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall have received (x) such legal opinions, board resolutions, secretary’s certificates, officer’s certificates and other documents as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with any such transaction and (y) such reaffirmation agreements and/or such amendments to the Collateral Documents as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to ensure that such Incremental Facilities are provided with the benefit of the applicable Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the aggregate Dollar Amount (calculated based on the Exchange Rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of Incremental Term Loans, or first committed, in the case of Incremental Revolving Commitments) of all Incremental Facilities shall not exceed the sum of (A) $75,000,000 plus (B) an unlimited additional amount such that, in the case of this clause (B) only, after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto (assuming full drawing under such Incremental Facilities), the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which Financials have been delivered shall not exceed 3.25:1.00 (other than to the extent such Incremental Facilities are incurred pursuant to this clause (B) concurrently with the incurrence of Incremental Facilities in reliance on clause (A) above, in which case the Senior Secured Leverage Ratio shall be permitted to exceed 3.25:1.00 to the extent of such Incremental Facilities incurred in reliance on such clause (A)); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, Incremental Facilities may be incurred pursuant to this clause (B) prior to utilization of the amount set forth in clause (A) above.  Each Incremental Facility shall be in an integral multiple of $10,000,000 and be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $10,000,000, provided that such amount may be less than the applicable minimum amount if such amount represents all the remaining availability hereunder as set forth above.  Each such notice shall specify (A) the date on which the Company proposes that the Incremental Revolving Commitments or the Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, shall be effective, which shall be a date not less than ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent) after the date on which such notice is delivered to the Administrative Agent and (B) the amount of the Incremental Revolving Commitments or Incremental Term Loans, as applicable, being requested.

 

(b)  Each Incremental Facility shall be secured by a pari passu Lien on the Collateral (and no other property) on terms and pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of Incremental Revolving Commitments, on terms and conditions applicable to the existing Revolving Commitments), the Company and the lenders providing such Incremental Facility.  No Subsidiary shall be a borrower or a guarantor under any Incremental Facility unless such Subsidiary is a Loan Party which shall have previously or substantially concurrently guaranteed or borrowed, as applicable, the Obligations.  Each Incremental Revolving Commitment shall be on terms and pursuant to documentation applicable to the existing Revolving Commitments.  The Incremental Term Loans (i) if made as an increase in the principal amount of any existing tranche of Term Loans, shall have terms

 

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identical to those applicable to such Term Loans, (ii) shall rank pari passu or junior in right of payment with the Revolving Loans, (iii) shall not mature earlier than the Maturity Date applicable to the Revolving Commitments or to any then existing Term Loans (but may have amortization and/or customary prepayments prior to such date), (iv) shall have a Weighted Average Life to Maturity no shorter than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of any then existing Term Loans, (v) except as set forth above, shall be treated substantially the same as (and in any event, no more favorably than) the Term Loans and (vi) will accrue interest at rates determined by the Company and the lenders providing such Incremental Term Loans; provided that, in the event that the All-in Yield for any Incremental Term Loans shall be more than 0.50% higher than the corresponding All-in Yield for any then existing Term Loans, then the All-in Yield with respect to the any then existing Term Loans shall be increased by the amount necessary so that the difference between the All-in Yield with respect to the Incremental Term Loans and the All-in Yield on any then existing Term Loans is equal to 0.50%.  For the avoidance of doubt, upon the effectiveness of any Incremental Revolving Commitment, the Revolving Credit  Exposure of the Incremental Revolving Lender holding such Commitment, and the Applicable Percentage of all the Revolving Lenders, shall automatically be adjusted to give effect thereto.  On the date of effectiveness of any Incremental Revolving Commitments, each Revolving Lender shall assign to each Incremental Revolving Lender holding such Incremental Revolving Commitment, and each such Incremental Revolving Lender shall purchase from each Revolving Lender, at the principal amount thereof (together with accrued interest), such interests in the Revolving Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans outstanding on such date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Revolving Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans will be held by all the Revolving Lenders (including such Incremental Revolving Lenders) ratably in accordance with their Applicable Percentages after giving effect to the effectiveness of such Incremental Revolving Commitment.  The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders promptly upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of any notice from the Company referred to in this Section 2.21(a) and of the effectiveness of any Incremental Commitments, in each case advising the Lenders of the details thereof and, in the case of effectiveness of any Incremental Revolving Commitments, of the Applicable Percentages of the Revolving Lenders after giving effect thereto and of the assignments required to be made pursuant to this Section 2.21(a).

 

(c)  Incremental Facilities may be provided by any existing Lender (provided that no existing Lender shall have (x) an obligation to provide all or any portion of any Incremental Facility unless it so agrees in writing as provided in this Section 2.21 or (y) the right to provide all or any portion of any Incremental Facility) or by other bank, financial institution or other institutional lender or investor (other than an Ineligible Institution) (any such other bank, financial institution or other institutional lender or investor being called an “Additional Lender”); provided that, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender shall have consented (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) to such Lender or Additional Lender providing such Incremental Facility, to the extent such consent would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments to such Lender or Additional Lender.  Commitments in respect of Incremental Facilities shall become Commitments under this Agreement pursuant to an amendment or amendment and restatement (each, an “Incremental Amendment”) of this Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Company, each Lender agreeing to provide such Commitment, if any, each Additional Lender, if any, and the Administrative Agent.  The Incremental Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Company, to effect the provisions of this Section.  The effectiveness of any Incremental Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 and such other conditions as the parties thereto shall agree. The Company will use the proceeds of the Incremental Facilities for any purpose not prohibited by this Agreement.

 

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(d)   This Section 2.20 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.18(c) or Section 9.02 to the contrary.

 

SECTION 2.21.  Market Disruption.  Notwithstanding the satisfaction of all conditions referred to in Article II and Article IV with respect to any Credit Event to be effected in any Foreign Currency, if (i) there shall occur on or prior to the date of such Credit Event any change in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls which would in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, the relevant Issuing Bank (if such Credit Event is a Letter of Credit) or the Required Lenders make it impracticable for the Eurocurrency Borrowings or Letters of Credit comprising such Credit Event to be denominated in the Agreed Currency specified by the applicable Borrower or (ii) an Equivalent Amount of such currency is not readily calculable, then the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to such Borrower, the Lenders and, if such Credit Event is a Letter of Credit, the relevant Issuing Bank, and such Credit Events shall not be denominated in such Agreed Currency but shall, except as otherwise set forth in Section 2.07, be made on the date of such Credit Event in Dollars, (a) if such Credit Event is a Borrowing, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Dollar Amount of the aggregate principal amount specified in the related request for a Credit Event or Interest Election Request, as the case may be, as ABR Loans, unless such Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day before such date that (i) it elects not to borrow on such date or (ii) it elects to borrow on such date in a different Agreed Currency, as the case may be, in which the denomination of such Loans would in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders be practicable and in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Dollar Amount of the aggregate principal amount specified in the related request for a Credit Event or Interest Election Request, as the case may be or (b) if such Credit Event is a Letter of Credit, in a face amount equal to the Dollar Amount of the face amount specified in the related request or application for such Letter of Credit, unless such Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent at least one (1) Business Day before such date that (i) it elects not to request the issuance of such Letter of Credit on such date or (ii) it elects to have such Letter of Credit issued on such date in a different Agreed Currency, as the case may be, in which the denomination of such Letter of Credit would in the reasonable opinion of the relevant Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders be practicable and in face amount equal to the Dollar Amount of the face amount specified in the related request or application for such Letter of Credit, as the case may be.

 

SECTION 2.22.  Judgment Currency.  If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert a sum due from any Borrower hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein (the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other currency at the Administrative Agent’s main New York City office on the Business Day preceding that on which final, non-appealable judgment is given.  The obligations of each Borrower in respect of any sum due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) may in accordance with normal, reasonable banking procedures purchase the specified currency with such other currency.  If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified currency, each Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, against such loss, and if the amount of the specified currency so purchased exceeds (a) the sum originally due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified currency and (b) any amounts shared with other Lenders as a result of allocations of such excess as a

 

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disproportionate payment to such Lender under Section 2.18, such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, agrees to remit such excess to such Borrower.

 

SECTION 2.23.  Designation of Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers.  The Company may at any time and from time to time designate any Eligible Foreign Subsidiary as a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement executed by such Subsidiary and the Company and the satisfaction of the other conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.03, and upon such delivery and satisfaction such Subsidiary shall for all purposes of this Agreement be a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower and a party to this Agreement.  Each Foreign Subsidiary Borrower shall remain a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower until the Company shall have executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent a Borrowing Subsidiary Termination with respect to such Subsidiary, whereupon such Subsidiary shall cease to be a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower and a party to this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, no Borrowing Subsidiary Termination will become effective as to any Foreign Subsidiary Borrower at a time when any principal of or interest on any Loan to such Borrower shall be outstanding hereunder, provided that such Borrowing Subsidiary Termination shall be effective to terminate the right of such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower to make further Borrowings under this Agreement.  As soon as practicable upon receipt of a Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall furnish a copy thereof to each Lender.

 

SECTION 2.24.  Qualified LC Obligations.  The Qualified LC Issuer shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor, a summary of the Qualified LC Obligations due to the Qualified LC Issuer (which shall not, in any event, exceed the Qualified LC Sublimit).  The most recent information provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.24 shall be used in determining the amounts to be applied in respect of the Qualified LC Obligations pursuant to Section 2.18(b).

 

SECTION 2.25.  Defaulting Lenders.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

 

(a)   fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(a);

 

(b)   the Commitment and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders or Required Revolving Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 9.02); provided, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 9.02, this clause (b) shall not apply to the vote of a Defaulting Lender in the case of an amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of such Lender or each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(c)   if any Swingline Exposure or LC Exposure exists at the time such Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

 

(i)  all or any part of the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages but only to the extent that the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments;

 

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(ii)  if the reallocation described in clause (i) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Company shall within one (1) Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent (x) first, prepay such Swingline Exposure and (y) second, cash collateralize for the benefit of the relevant Issuing Banks only the Borrowers’ obligations corresponding to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (i) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.06(j) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding;

 

(iii)  if the Company cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Borrowers shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

 

(iv)  if the LC Exposure of the non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to clause (i) above, then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.12(a) and Section 2.12(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such non-Defaulting Lenders’ Applicable Percentages; and

 

(v)  if all or any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither reallocated nor cash collateralized pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above, then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of any Issuing Bank or any other Lender hereunder, all letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.12(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the relevant Issuing Banks until and to the extent that such LC Exposure is reallocated and/or cash collateralized; and

 

(d)   so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and the Issuing Banks shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure and the Defaulting Lender’s then outstanding LC Exposure will be 100% covered by the Revolving Commitments of the non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Company in accordance with Section 2.25(c), and participating interests in any such newly made Swingline Loan or any newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.25(c)(i) (and such Defaulting Lender shall not participate therein).

 

If (i) a Bankruptcy Event or a Bail-In Action with respect to a Lender Parent shall occur following the date hereof and for so long as such event shall continue or (ii) the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank has a good faith belief that any Lender has defaulted in fulfilling its obligations under one or more other agreements in which such Lender commits to extend credit, the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loan and no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless the Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, shall have entered into arrangements with the Company or such Lender, satisfactory to the Swingline Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, to defease any risk to it in respect of such Lender hereunder.

 

In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Company, the Swingline Lender and each Issuing Bank each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the Swingline Exposure and LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders (other than Swingline Loans) as the Administrative Agent shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its

 

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Applicable Percentage, whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that, no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Company while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; provided, further, that, except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

SECTION 2.26.  Loan Modification Offers.

 

(a)  The Company may on one or more occasions, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, make one or more offers (each, a “Loan Modification Offer”) to all the Lenders of one or more Classes (each Class subject to such a Loan Modification Offer, an “Affected Class”) to make one or more Permitted Amendments pursuant to procedures reasonably specified by the Administrative Agent and reasonably acceptable to the Company. Such notice shall set forth (i) the terms and conditions of the requested Permitted Amendment and (ii) the date on which such Permitted Amendment is requested to become effective (which shall not be less than ten (10) Business Days nor more than thirty (30) Business Days after the date of such notice, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent).  Permitted Amendments shall become effective only with respect to the Loans and Commitments of the Lenders of the Affected Class that accept the applicable Loan Modification Offer (such Lenders, the “Accepting Lenders”) and, in the case of any Accepting Lender, only with respect to such Lender’s Loans and Commitments of such Affected Class as to which such Lender’s acceptance has been made.  With respect to all Permitted Amendments consummated by the Company pursuant to this Section 2.26, (i) such Permitted Amendments shall not constitute voluntary or mandatory payments or prepayments for purposes of Section 2.11 and (ii) any Loan Modification Offer, unless contemplating a Maturity Date already in effect hereunder pursuant to a previously consummated Permitted Amendment, must be in a minimum amount of $25,000,000 (or such lesser amount as may be approved by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion); provided that the Company may at its election specify as a condition (a “Minimum Extension Condition”) to consummating any such Permitted Amendment that a minimum amount (to be determined and specified in the relevant Loan Modification Offer in the Company’s sole discretion and which may be waived by the Company) of Commitments or Loans of any or all Affected Classes be extended.

 

(b)  A Permitted Amendment shall be effected pursuant to a Loan Modification Agreement executed and delivered by the Company, each applicable Accepting Lender and the Administrative Agent; provided that, no Permitted Amendment shall become effective unless (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of effectiveness thereof, (ii) on the date of effectiveness thereof, the representations and warranties of each Loan Party set forth in the Loan Documents shall be true and correct (x) in the case of the representations and warranties qualified as to materiality, in all respects and (y) otherwise, in all material respects, in each case on and as of such date, except in the case of any such representation and warranty that specifically relates to an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be so true and correct on and as of such earlier date, (iii) the Company shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent (x) such legal opinions, board resolutions, secretary’s certificates, officer’s certificates and other documents as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent in connection therewith and (y) such reaffirmation agreements and/or such amendments to the Collateral Documents as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to ensure that the Loans and Commitments subject to such Loan Modification Offer are provided with the benefit of the applicable Loan Documents and (iv) any applicable Minimum Extension Condition shall be satisfied (unless waived by the Company). The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender as to the effectiveness of each Loan Modification Agreement. Each Loan Modification Agreement may, without the consent of any Lender other than the applicable Accepting Lenders (and with the consent of the Administrative Agent), effect such

 

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amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to give effect to the provisions of this Section, including any amendments necessary to treat the applicable Loans and/or Commitments of the Accepting Lenders as a new Class of loans and/or commitments hereunder; provided that, in the case of any Loan Modification Offer relating to Revolving Commitments or Revolving Loans, (i) all Borrowings, all prepayments of Loans and all reductions of Commitments shall continue to be made on a ratable basis among all Lenders, based on the relative amounts of their Commitments (i.e., both extended and non-extended), until the repayment of the Loans attributable to the non-extended Commitments (and the termination of the non-extended Commitments) on the relevant Maturity Date, (ii) except as otherwise agreed to by each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender, the allocation of the participation exposure with respect to any then-existing or subsequently issued or made Letter of Credit or Swingline Loan as between the commitments of such new Class and the remaining Revolving Commitments shall be made on a ratable basis as between the commitments of such new Class and the remaining Revolving Commitments, (iii)  the Availability Period and the Maturity Date, as such terms are used with reference to Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans, may not be extended without the prior written consent of each Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as applicable and (iv) at no time shall there be more than three (3) Classes of Revolving Commitments hereunder, unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent.

 

(c)  This Section 2.26 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.18(c) or Section 9.02 to the contrary.

 

SECTION 2.27.  Refinancing Amendments.

 

(a)  On one or more occasions after the Effective Date, the Company may obtain, from any Lender or any other bank, financial institution or other institutional lender or investor (other than an Ineligible Institution) that agrees to provide any portion of any Refinancing Term Loan or Refinancing Revolving Commitment, in each case consisting of Credit Agreement Refinancing Debt, pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment in accordance with this Section 2.27 (each, an “Additional Refinancing Lender”) (provided that the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank  and the Swingline Lender shall have consented (not to be unreasonably withheld) to such Lender or Additional Refinancing Lender making such Refinancing Term Loans or providing such Refinancing Revolving Commitments, to the extent such consent, if any, would be required under Section 9.04(b) for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, to such Lender or Additional Refinancing Lender), in respect of all or any portion of any Class of Term Loans or Revolving Loans (or unused Revolving Commitments (which, for purposes of this Section, shall include Incremental Revolving Commitments, Other Revolving Commitments and Refinancing Revolving Commitments)) then outstanding under this Agreement, in the form of Refinancing Term Loans, Refinancing Term Commitments, Refinancing Revolving Commitments or Refinancing Revolving Loans pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.27 or otherwise:

 

(i)   subject to the provisions of Section 2.26(b) to the extent dealing with Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit which mature or expire after a maturity date when there exist Refinancing Revolving Commitments with a longer maturity date, all Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit shall be participated on a pro rata basis by all Lenders with Commitments in accordance with their percentage of the Revolving Commitments (and except as provided in Section 2.26(b), without giving effect to changes thereto on an earlier maturity date with respect to Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit theretofore incurred or issued);

 

(ii)   in the case of any Refinancing Revolving Commitments, substantially concurrently with the effectiveness thereof, all the Revolving Commitments then in effect shall be terminated, and all the Revolving Loans then outstanding, together with all interest thereon, and all other

 

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amounts accrued for the benefit of the Revolving Lenders, shall be repaid or paid (it being understood, however, that any Letters of Credit may continue to be outstanding hereunder), and the aggregate amount of such Refinancing Revolving Commitments does not exceed the aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments so terminated; and

 

(iii)   assignments and participations of Refinancing Revolving Commitments and Refinancing Revolving Loans shall be governed by the same assignment and participation provisions applicable to Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans.

 

(b)  The effectiveness of any Refinancing Amendment shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof of each of the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 and, to the extent reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, receipt by the Administrative Agent of (i) such legal opinions, board resolutions, secretary’s certificates, officer’s certificates and other documents as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with any such transaction and (ii) reaffirmation agreements and/or such amendments to the Collateral Documents as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to ensure that such Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness is provided with the benefit of the applicable Loan Documents.  Each issuance of Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness under Section 2.27(a) shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is (i) not less than $25,000,000 and (ii) an integral multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof.

 

(c)  Each of the parties hereto hereby agrees that this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended pursuant to a Refinancing Amendment, without the consent of any other Lenders, to the extent (but only to the extent) necessary to (i) reflect the existence and terms of the Credit Agreement Refinancing Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto and (ii) effect such other amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Company, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.27, including any amendments necessary to treat the applicable Loans and/or Commitments established under the Refinancing Amendment as a new Class of loans and/or commitments hereunder, and the Lenders hereby expressly authorize the Administrative Agent to enter into any such Refinancing Amendment.

 

(d)  This Section 2.27 shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.18(c) or Section 9.02 to the contrary.

 

ARTICLE III

 

Representations and Warranties

 

Each Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 3.01.  Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries.

 

(a)  Each of the Company and its Material Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable) in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required.

 

(b)  Schedule 3.01 hereto (as supplemented from time to time) identifies each Subsidiary, noting whether such Subsidiary is a Material Subsidiary, the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, the percentage of issued and outstanding shares of each class of its

 

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capital stock or other equity interests owned by the Company and the other Subsidiaries and, if such percentage is not 100% (excluding directors’ qualifying shares as required by law), a description of each class issued and outstanding.  All of the outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity interests of each Subsidiary are validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable and all such shares and other equity interests indicated on Schedule 3.01 as owned by the Company or another Subsidiary are owned, beneficially and of record, by the Company or any Subsidiary free and clear of all Liens, other than (i) Liens created under the Loan Documents and (ii) any Lien that is permitted under Section 6.02.  Other than pursuant to employee compensation plans or in connection with Permitted Acquisitions, there are no outstanding commitments or other obligations of the Company or any Material Subsidiary to issue, and no options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire, any shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of the Company or any Material Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 3.02.  Authorization; Enforceability.  The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s organizational powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational actions and, if required, actions by equity holders.  The Loan Documents to which each Loan Party is a party have been duly executed and delivered by such Loan Party and constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

SECTION 3.03.  Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts.  The Transactions (a) do not require any material consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect and except for filings necessary to perfect Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate in any material respect any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of any Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or any order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries, except, in the case of this clause (c), that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Borrower or any of the Material Subsidiaries, other than Liens created under the Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 3.04.  Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.  (a)  The Company has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows (i) as of and for the fiscal year ended October 3, 2015 reported on by KMPG LLP, independent public accountants and (ii) as of and for the fiscal quarters and the portions of the fiscal year ended January 2, 2016 and April 2, 2016, certified by its chief financial officer.  Such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements referred to in clause (ii) above.

 

(b)  The Company has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of April 2, 2016, prepared giving effect to the Transactions as if the Transactions had occurred on such date.  Such pro forma consolidated balance sheet (i) has been prepared by the Company in good faith, based on assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable at the time such assumptions were made and (iii) presents fairly, in all material respects, the pro forma financial position of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date as if the Transactions had occurred on such date.

 

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(c)  Since October 3, 2015, there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets, operations or condition, financial or otherwise, of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

SECTION 3.05.  Properties.  (a)  Except for Liens permitted pursuant to Section 6.02, each of the Company and its Material Subsidiaries has good title to, or (to the knowledge of the Company) valid leasehold interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business, except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for their intended purposes.

 

(b)  Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Company and its Subsidiaries does not, to their knowledge, infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.06.  Litigation and Environmental Matters.  (a)  There are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of any Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.  There are no labor controversies pending against or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) which could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.

 

(b)  Except with respect to any other matters that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license or other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject to any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental Liability.

 

SECTION 3.07.  Compliance with Laws and Agreements.  Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.08.  Investment Company Status.  Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

SECTION 3.09.  Taxes.  Each of the Company and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all federal income Tax returns and all other material Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid or made a provision for the payment of all federal income Taxes and all other material Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Company or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 3.10.  ERISA.  No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 3.11.  Disclosure.  As of the Effective Date, the Company has disclosed to the Lenders all material agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  All written information (including the information set forth in the Information Memorandum), other than any projections, estimates, forecasts and other forward-looking information and information of a general economic or industry-specific nature, furnished by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on or prior to the Effective Date, when taken as a whole and after giving effect to all supplements and updates thereto, did not (when furnished) contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading (when taken as a whole and after giving effect to all such supplements and updates thereto) in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made; provided that, with respect to the Projections furnished by or on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on or prior to the Effective Date pursuant to or in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or included therein (the “Projections”), the Company represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Company to be reasonable at the time prepared (it being understood by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that any such Projections are as to future events and are not to be viewed as facts and are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of the Company or the Subsidiaries, that no assurances can be given that such Projections will be realized and that actual results during the period or periods covered by any such Projections may differ materially from the projected results contained therein and that such differences may be material).

 

SECTION 3.12.  Federal Reserve Regulations.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan have been used or will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X.

 

SECTION 3.13.  Liens.  There are no Liens on any of the real or personal properties of the Company or any Subsidiary except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 3.14.  No Default.  Each Borrower is in full compliance with this Agreement and no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

SECTION 3.15.  No Burdensome Restrictions.  On the date hereof, no Borrower is subject to any Burdensome Restrictions except Burdensome Restrictions permitted under Section 6.11.

 

SECTION 3.16.  Solvency.

 

(a)  Immediately after the consummation of the Transactions to occur on the Effective Date and the making of each Loan on the Effective Date and the application of the proceeds of such Loans, (i) the sum of the liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall not exceed the present fair saleable value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (ii) the capital of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall not be unreasonably small in relation to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, contemplated on the date hereof and (iii) the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, do not intend to incur, or believe that they will incur, debts including current obligations beyond their ability to pay such debt as they mature in the ordinary course of business.  For the purposes hereof, the amount of any contingent liability at any

 

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time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).

 

(b)  The Company does not intend to, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, and the Company does not believe that it or any of its Subsidiaries will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 3.17.  Insurance.  The Company maintains, and has caused each Subsidiary to maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance on all their real and personal property in such amounts, subject to such deductibles and self-insurance retentions and covering such properties and risks as are adequate and customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

 

SECTION 3.18.  Security Interest in Collateral.  The Collateral Documents, upon execution and delivery thereof by the parties thereto, will create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a valid and enforceable security interest in the Collateral covered thereby and (i) when the Collateral constituting certificated securities (as defined in the UCC) is delivered to the Administrative Agent, together with instruments of transfer duly endorsed in blank, the Liens under the Collateral Documents will constitute a fully perfected security interest in all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties thereunder in such Collateral, prior and superior in right to any other Person, except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02 and (ii) when financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the applicable filing offices, the security interest created under the Collateral Documents will constitute a fully perfected security interest in all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties in the remaining Collateral to the extent perfection can be obtained by filing UCC financing statements, prior and superior to the rights of any other Person, except for Liens permitted by Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 3.19.  Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions.  The Company has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance by the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions, and the Company, its Subsidiaries and to the knowledge of the Company its officers, directors, employees and agents that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facilities established hereby, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and, in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary Borrower, is not knowingly engaged in any activity that could reasonably be expected to result in such Borrower being designated as a Sanctioned Person.  None of (a) the Company, any Subsidiary or to the knowledge of the Company or such Subsidiary any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of the Company, any agent of the Company or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person.  No Borrowing or Letter of Credit, use of proceeds or other Transactions will violate any Anti-Corruption Law or applicable Sanctions.

 

SECTION 3.20.  EEA Financial Institutions .  No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

Conditions

 

SECTION 4.01.  Effective Date.  Subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.02):

 

(a)   The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received (i) from each party hereto either (A) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (B) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include telecopy or electronic transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement and (ii) each of the other documents, instruments, legal opinions and other agreements listed on Exhibit E that are required to be delivered on or prior to the date hereof, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

 

(b)   The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that the PCB Acquisition shall, substantially concurrently with the initial funding of the Loans hereunder, be consummated pursuant to the PCB Merger Agreement, as in effect on April 5, 2016, and no provision thereof shall have been amended or waived, and no consent or request shall have been given under the PCB Merger Agreement, in any way that is materially adverse to the Lenders in their capacities as such (it being understood and agreed that (i) amendments, waivers and other changes to the definition of “Material Adverse Effect” (or other term of similar import), and consents and requests given or made pursuant to such definition shall in each case be deemed to be materially adverse to the Lenders, and (ii) any modification, amendment or express waiver or consents by the Company that results in (x) an increase to the purchase price shall be deemed to not be materially adverse to the Lenders so long as such increase is funded solely with a public issuance of common equity of the Company and (y) a decrease to the purchase price shall be deemed to not be materially adverse to the Lenders so long as such reduction is allocated first, to reduce commitments under the senior unsecured bridge facility, if any, provided to the Company in connection with the PCB Acquisition pursuant to the Commitment Letter and, second, to reduce the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments and the Revolving Commitments on a pro rata basis).

 

(c)   All fees and expenses due and payable to the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their respective Affiliates and required to be paid on or prior to the Effective Date shall have been paid or shall have been authorized to be deducted from the proceeds of the initial Loans, so long as any such fees or expenses not expressly set forth in the fee letters entered into by the Company in connection with the Transactions have been invoiced not less than two (2) Business Days prior to the Effective Date (except as otherwise reasonably agreed by the Company).

 

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Company and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding.

 

SECTION 4.02.  Each Other Credit Event.  Other than with respect to any Credit Events on the Effective Date (which shall only be subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.01 hereof), the obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing, and of the Issuing Banks to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a)   The representations and warranties of the Borrowers set forth in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects (provided that any representation or warranty that is qualified by materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal

 

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or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (provided that any representation or warranty that is qualified by materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date.

 

(b)   At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

Each Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section.

 

SECTION 4.03.  Designation of a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower.  The designation of a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower pursuant to Section 2.23 is subject to the condition precedent that the Company or such proposed Foreign Subsidiary Borrower shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)  Copies, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such Subsidiary, of its Board of Directors’ resolutions (and resolutions of other bodies, if any are deemed necessary by counsel for the Administrative Agent) approving the Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement and any other Loan Documents to which such Subsidiary is becoming a party and such documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the organization, existence and good standing of such Subsidiary;

 

(b)  An incumbency certificate, executed by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such Subsidiary, which shall identify by name and title and bear the signature of the officers of such Subsidiary authorized to request Borrowings hereunder and sign the Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Subsidiary is becoming a party, upon which certificate the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely until informed of any change in writing by the Company or such Subsidiary;

 

(c)  Opinions of counsel to such Subsidiary, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel, with respect to the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and such other matters as are reasonably requested by counsel to the Administrative Agent and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; and

 

(d)  Any promissory notes requested by any Lender, and any other instruments and documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE V

 

Affirmative Covenants

 

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full (other than Obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination) and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated, in each case, without any pending draw (or shall have been cash collateralized or backstopped pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Company covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

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SECTION 5.01.  Financial Statements and Other Information.  The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Lender:

 

(a)  within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, its audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by KPMG LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;

 

(b)  within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company, its consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;

 

(c)  concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or (b) above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto (i) certifying as to whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations (A) demonstrating compliance with Section 6.12 and (B) in the case of financial statements ending as of the end of any fiscal year, of Excess Cash Flow, (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate and (iv) setting forth the amount of the Available Amount utilized for Investments made pursuant to Section 6.04(t), Restricted Payments made pursuant to clause (g)(ii)(C) of Section 6.09, or payments made of or in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to Section 6.10(a)(v), or required repurchases of the Permitted TEU Notes made pursuant to clause (ii)(C) of the second paragraph of Section 6.13, in each case, during the most recent fiscal quarter included in such financial statements;

 

(d)  within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a copy of the plan and forecast of the Company in the form previously provided to, and approved by, the Administrative Agent; and

 

(e)  promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Company or any Subsidiary with the SEC, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or with any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Company to its shareholders generally, as the case may be; and

 

(f)  promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Company or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

 

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Documents required to be delivered pursuant to clauses (a), (b)  or (e) of this Section 5.01 may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date on which such documents are filed for public availability on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval System; provided that the Company shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail) the Administrative Agent of the filing of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Company shall be required to provide paper copies of the compliance certificates required by clause (c) of this Section 5.01 to the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 5.02.  Notices of Material Events.  The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent (for distribution to each Lender) written notice of the following, promptly after a Responsible Officer of the Company obtains actual knowledge thereof:

 

(a)  the occurrence of any Default;

 

(b)  the filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Company or any Subsidiary thereof that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)  the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(d)  any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer or other executive officer of the Company setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.  Information required to be delivered pursuant to clause (b), (c) and (d) of this Section shall be deemed to have been delivered if such information, or one or more annual, quarterly, current or other reports containing such information, is (i) filed for public availability on the SEC’s Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval System, (ii) posted on www.mts.com or at another website identified in a notice from the Company and accessible by the Lenders without charge; or (iii) posted on the Company’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent).  Information required to be delivered pursuant to this Section may also be delivered by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

SECTION 5.03.  Existence; Conduct of Business.  The Company will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, (a) do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and (b) take, or cause to be taken, all reasonable actions to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect the rights, qualifications, licenses, permits, privileges, franchises, governmental authorizations and intellectual property rights material to the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except, in the case of this clause (b), to the extent failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided that, the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.

 

SECTION 5.04.  Payment of Obligations.  The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations, including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could result in a Material

 

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Adverse Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, (b) the Company or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

SECTION 5.05.  Maintenance of Properties; Insurance.  The Company will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain all tangible property material to the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear and casualty and condemnation excepted, except as otherwise permitted by Section 6.03 and (b) subject to the qualifications, if applicable, in the definition of “Mortgage Instruments”, maintain, in all material respects, with carriers reasonably believed by the Company to be financially sound and reputable (i) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) (after giving effect to any self-insurance reasonable and customary for similarly situated Persons engaged in the same or similar businesses as the Company and the applicable Material Subsidiaries) and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (ii) all insurance required pursuant to the Collateral Documents.  The Company will furnish to the Administrative Agent, upon any reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained.  The Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent endorsements (x) to all “All Risk” physical damage insurance policies on the Collateral of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors naming the Administrative Agent as lender loss payee, and (y) to all general liability and other liability policies of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors naming the Administrative Agent an additional insured or mortgagee (in the case of property insurance with respect to Collateral).  In the event the Company or any of its Subsidiaries at any time or times hereafter shall fail to obtain or maintain any of the policies or insurance required herein or to pay any premium in whole or in part relating thereto, then the Administrative Agent, without waiving or releasing any obligations or resulting Default hereunder, may at any time or times thereafter (but shall be under no obligation to do so) obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premiums and take any other action with respect thereto which the Administrative Agent reasonably deems advisable.  All sums so disbursed by the Administrative Agent shall constitute part of the Obligations, payable as provided in this Agreement.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, such endorsements (and related insurance certificates) shall not be required to be delivered hereunder until the date that is ninety (90) days (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) after the Effective Date.

 

SECTION 5.06.  Books and Records; Inspection Rights.  The Company will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, keep proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities in all material respects.  The Company will, and will cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice and at reasonable times during normal business hours, to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, including environmental assessment reports and Phase I or Phase II studies, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested; provided, however, that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, (i) only the Administrative Agent, acting individually or on behalf of the Lenders, may exercise rights under this Section 5.06 and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall not exercise the rights under this Section 5.06 more often than one time during any calendar year.  The Company acknowledges that the Administrative Agent, after exercising its rights of inspection, may prepare and distribute to the Lenders certain reports pertaining to the Company and its Subsidiaries’ assets for internal use by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.06, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries will be

 

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required to disclose, permit the inspection, examination or making of extracts, or discussion of, any documents, information or other matter that (i) constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their respective or contractors representatives or contractors) is then prohibited by law or any agreement binding on the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) is subject to attorney-client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work-product.

 

SECTION 5.07.  Compliance with Laws and Material Contractual Obligations.  The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property (including without limitation Environmental Laws) and (ii) perform in all material respects its obligations under material agreements to which it is a party, in each case except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.    The Company will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance in all material respects by the Company, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

SECTION 5.08.  Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Revolving Loans will be used only to refinance existing Indebtedness and to finance the working capital needs, and for general corporate purposes (including Restricted Payments and Permitted Acquisitions as permitted hereunder), of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) not more than $15,000,000 of the Revolving Loans made on the Effective Date may be used to finance the Transaction Costs and (ii) no proceeds from Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans may be used to purchase any Loans.  The proceeds of the Tranche B Term Loans will be used only to finance the PCB Acquisition and to pay Transaction Costs.  No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly or indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X.  No Borrower will request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and no Borrower shall use, and the Company shall ensure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, to the extent such activities, business or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States or in a European Union member state or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

SECTION 5.09.  Subsidiary Guarantors; Pledges; Additional Collateral; Further Assurances.

 

(a)  Subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision, within sixty (60) days (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) after any wholly-owned Subsidiary qualifies as a Material Domestic Subsidiary pursuant to the definition of “Material Domestic Subsidiary”, the Company shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof setting forth information in reasonable detail describing the material assets of such Person and shall cause each such Subsidiary to deliver to the Administrative Agent a joinder to the Subsidiary Guaranty and the Security Agreement (in each case in the form contemplated thereby) pursuant to which such Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions thereof, such joinders to the Subsidiary Guaranty and the Security Agreement to be accompanied by requisite resolutions, other organizational documentation and legal opinions as may be reasonably requested by, and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent and its counsel.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan

 

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Document, (i) no Excluded Domestic Subsidiary or Excluded Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to be a Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) no Collateral constituting fee-owned real property located in the State of New York shall secure any Revolving Commitments, Revolving Loans, Incremental Revolving Commitments, Other Revolving Commitments, Refinancing Revolving Commitments or Revolving Credit Exposure.

 

(b)  Subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision and the terms, limitations and exceptions set forth in the applicable Collateral Documents and this Section 5.09(b), the Company will cause, and will cause each other Loan Party to cause, all of its owned property (whether real, personal, tangible, intangible, or mixed but excluding Excluded Assets and any real property that is not Material Real Property) to be subject at all times to perfected Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents on a first priority basis, subject in any case to Liens permitted by Section 6.02.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject to the Limited Conditionality Provision and the terms, limitations and exceptions set forth in the applicable Collateral Documents, the Company (i) will cause the Applicable Pledge Percentage of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Pledge Subsidiary directly owned by the Company or any other Loan Party (other than Excluded Assets) to be subject at all times to a first priority perfected (subject in any case to Liens permitted by Section 6.02) Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent to secure the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents or such other pledge and security documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request and (ii) will, and will cause each Subsidiary Guarantor to, deliver Mortgages and Mortgage Instruments with respect to Material Real Property owned by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent, and within such time period as is, reasonably required by the Administrative Agent.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no such Mortgage or Mortgage Instruments are required to be delivered hereunder until the date that is ninety (90) days (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) after (A) the Effective Date, with respect to Material Real Property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor on the Effective Date (after giving effect to the PCB Acquisition) or (B) the date of acquisition thereof, with respect to Material Real Property acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor after the Effective Date, (ii) without limiting the immediately preceding clause (i), no such Mortgages and Mortgage Instruments shall be required in respect of real property located in Depew, New York until after the date on which the Town of Lancaster Industrial Development Agency provides any required consents in respect thereof (and the Company shall, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, make commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any such consents) and (iii) no foreign pledge documentation in respect of the pledge of Equity Interests of a Pledge Subsidiary that is a Material Foreign Subsidiary shall be required hereunder (A) until the date that is ninety (90) days after the Effective Date or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in the exercise of its reasonable discretion with respect thereto, (B) to the extent the Administrative Agent or its counsel determines that such pledge would not provide material credit support for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to legally valid, binding and enforceable pledge agreements, and (C) to the extent the Company reasonably determines in its good faith judgment that such pledge would result in a material adverse tax consequence to the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

(c)  Without limiting the foregoing, the Company will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Administrative Agent such documents, agreements and instruments, and will take or cause to be taken such further actions (including the filing and recording of financing statements, fixture filings, Mortgages, deeds of trust and other documents and such other actions or deliveries of the type required by Section 4.01, as applicable), which may be required by law or which the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, reasonably request to carry out the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and to ensure perfection and priority of the Liens created or intended to be created by the Collateral Documents, subject

 

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to the Limited Conditionality Provision and the terms, limitations and exceptions set forth herein or in any Collateral Document, all at the expense of the Company, in each case to the extent required by, and subject to the limitations and exceptions of, this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided that, with respect to the Material Real Property, such deliveries shall be made to the extent required by Section 5.03(b) above.

 

(d)  If any material assets (excluding any Material Real Property as the same is addressed in clause (c) above) are acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor after the Effective Date (other than (i) Excluded Assets or (ii) assets of the type constituting Collateral under any Collateral Document that either become subject to the Lien under such Collateral Document upon acquisition thereof or with respect to which no notice or further action would be required to create or perfect the Administrative Agent’s Lien in such assets), the Company will notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Company will cause such assets to be subjected to a Lien securing the Secured Obligations and will take, and, as applicable, cause any Subsidiary Guarantor to take, such actions as shall be necessary or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to grant and perfect such Liens, including actions described in paragraph (c) of this Section, all at the expense of the Company, subject, however, to the Limited Conditionality Provision and the terms, limitations and exceptions set forth herein or in any Collateral Document, provided that with respect to any Material Real Property acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor after the Effective Date, which property would not be automatically subject to another Lien pursuant to an existing Collateral Document, no Mortgage or Mortgage Instrument shall be required to be delivered hereunder prior to the date that is ninety (90) days after the acquisition thereof as determined by the Borrower (acting reasonably in good faith) (or such later date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion).

 

(e)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not require the Company or any other Loan Party (1) to obtain or deliver any landlord waivers, estoppels, collateral access agreements or any similar documents or instruments or (2) to take any action with respect to any property (whether real or personal and whether now owned or hereafter acquired) located outside of the United States, and no Loan Party shall be required to enter into any collateral documentation governed by or required by the laws of any jurisdiction outside the United States in order to create or perfect any security interest in any such property, whether or not located in any jurisdiction outside of the United States (provided that, this clause (2) shall not apply to pledge documentation in respect of the pledge of Equity Interests in any Material Foreign Subsidiary that is a Pledge Subsidiary).  Neither any Loan Party nor any of their respective Affiliates shall be required to enter into any collateral assignment agreement with respect to interests in the PCB Merger Agreement (or any related document, instrument or agreement) or any definitive acquisition documentation for any other acquisition or investment.

 

SECTION 5.10.  Maintenance of Ratings. The Company shall make commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and to maintain (a) public ratings from Moody’s and S&P for the Term Loans and (b) public corporate credit ratings and corporate family ratings, as applicable, from Moody’s and S&P, as applicable, in respect of the Company; provided, however, in each case, that the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be required to obtain or maintain any specific rating.

 

ARTICLE VI

 

Negative Covenants

 

Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full (other than contingent Obligations not yet due and payable and Obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination) and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated, in each case, without any pending draw (or shall have been

 

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cash collateralized or backstopped pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Company covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

SECTION 6.01.  Indebtedness.  The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a)  the Secured Obligations and any other Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;

 

(b)  Indebtedness existing on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.01 and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing;

 

(c)  Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary to the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that (A) any such Indebtedness owing by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be unsecured and shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Secured Obligations on terms customary for intercompany subordinated Indebtedness, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, (B) any such Indebtedness owing to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be evidenced by a promissory note which shall have been pledged pursuant to the Security Agreement and (C) any such Indebtedness owing by any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor to any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be incurred in compliance with Section 6.04(d);

 

(d)  Guarantees incurred in compliance with Section 6.04;

 

(e)  Permitted First Priority Refinancing Indebtedness, Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Indebtedness and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any of the foregoing;

 

(f)  (i) Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Capital Lease Obligations, purchase money Indebtedness and any Indebtedness assumed by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof and (ii) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness incurred or assumed pursuant to clause (i) above; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (f) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $30,000,000 and (y) 3% of Consolidated Total Assets (at the time of incurrence);

 

(g)  (i) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary (or of any Person not previously a Subsidiary that is merged or consolidated with or into a Subsidiary in a transaction permitted hereunder) after the Effective Date, or Indebtedness of any Person that is assumed by any Subsidiary in connection with an acquisition of assets by such Subsidiary in a Permitted Acquisition; provided that such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (or is so merged or consolidated) or such assets are acquired and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary (or such merger or consolidation) or such assets being acquired, and (ii) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness assumed pursuant to clause (i) above; provided  further that the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (g) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 5% of Consolidated Total Assets (at the time of incurrence);

 

(h)  Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided that, (i) immediately prior to and immediately after giving effect (including pro forma effect) to the incurrence of any Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness under this clause (h), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) immediately after giving effect (including pro forma effect) to the

 

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incurrence of any Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness, the Total Leverage Ratio, calculated on a pro forma basis for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which Financials have been delivered, shall not exceed the maximum Total Leverage Ratio permitted pursuant to Section 6.12(a) less 0.25:1.00, and (iii) the Company will, on the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness, deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Company, dated such date, confirming the satisfaction of the conditions set forth above and attaching a reasonably detailed calculation evidencing compliance with the condition set forth in the preceding clause (ii), identifying the Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness being incurred and specifying that it is being incurred pursuant to this clause (h); provided  further that the aggregate amount of Indebtedness incurred by a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor under this Section 6.01(h) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $25,000,000 and (y) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets (at the time of incurrence);

 

(i)  Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business and owed in respect of any overdrafts and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository and cash management services or in connection with any automated clearing-house transfers of funds;

 

(j)  Indebtedness in respect of (1) letters of credit, bank guarantees and similar instruments issued for the account of, and (2) lines of credit established for the account of, the Company or any Subsidiary, in the case of each of clauses (1) and (2) in the ordinary course of business supporting or drawn to support, as applicable, obligations under (i) workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits, casualty or liability insurance, unemployment insurance and other social security laws and local state and federal payroll taxes, (ii) obligations in connection with self-insurance arrangements in the ordinary course of business and (iii) bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance and reclamation bonds and obligations of a like nature;

 

(k)  Indebtedness consisting of client advances or deposits received in the ordinary course of business;

 

(l)  Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary in the form of purchase price adjustments (including in respect of working capital), earnouts, deferred compensation, indemnification or other arrangements representing acquisition consideration or deferred payments of a similar nature incurred in connection with any Permitted Acquisition or other Investments permitted under Section 6.04 or Dispositions permitted under Section 6.05;

 

(m)  Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided that, the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (m) shall not exceed the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 5% of Consolidated Total Assets (at the time of incurrence);

 

(n)  Indebtedness relating to premium financing arrangements for property and casualty insurance plans and health and welfare benefit plans (including health and workers compensation insurance, employment practices liability insurance and directors and officers insurance), if incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)  other unsecured and Subordinated Indebtedness not otherwise described above, and Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not in excess of the greater of $50,000,000 and (y) 5% of Consolidated Total Assets;

 

(p)  unfunded pension fund and other employee benefit plan obligations and liabilities to the extent they are permitted to remain unfunded under applicable law;

 

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(q)  Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar obligations, in each case provided in the ordinary course of business, including guarantees or obligations with respect to letters of credit supporting such performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, surety bonds and similar obligations;

 

(r)  Indebtedness in respect to judgments or awards under circumstances not giving rise to an Event of Default;

 

(s)  Indebtedness in respect of obligations that are being contested in accordance with Section 5.04;

 

(t)  Indebtedness representing deferred compensation, severance, pension, and health and welfare retirement benefits or the equivalent to current and former employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business or existing on the Effective Date;

 

(u)  Permitted TEU Notes in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $27,385,640 at any time outstanding; and

 

(v)  Indebtedness consisting of promissory notes issued by the Company or any Subsidiary to present or former employees, officers, directors or consultants (or their estates or beneficiaries under their estates) to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Company permitted by Section 6.09.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.01, in the event that an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (v) above, the Company, in its sole discretion, will be permitted to divide and classify such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) on the date of incurrence, and at any time and from time to time may later reclassify all or any portion of any item of Indebtedness as having been incurred under any category of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (v) above so long as such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred pursuant to such provision at the time of reclassification.

 

SECTION 6.02.  Liens.  The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:

 

(a)  Liens created under the Loan Documents;

 

(b)  Permitted Encumbrances;

 

(c)  any Lien on any asset of the Company or any Subsidiary existing on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.02; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other asset of the Company or any Subsidiary other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien or financed by Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01 and (B) proceeds and products thereof and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations that it secures on the Effective Date and extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof so long as the principal amount of such extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings does not exceed the principal amount of the obligations being extended, renewed, replaced or refinanced or, in the case of any such obligations constituting Indebtedness, that are permitted under Section 6.01(b) as Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

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(d)  any Lien existing on any asset prior to the acquisition thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary or existing on any asset of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary (or of any Person not previously a Subsidiary that is merged or consolidated with or into a Subsidiary in a transaction permitted hereunder) after the Effective Date prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (or is so merged or consolidated); provided that (i) such Lien is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming a Subsidiary (or such merger or consolidation), (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other asset of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than (A) the proceeds or products of such assets, (B) after-acquired property subjected to a Lien securing Indebtedness and other obligations incurred prior to such time and which Indebtedness and other obligations are permitted hereunder that require, pursuant to their terms at such time, a pledge of after-acquired property, it being understood that such requirement shall not be permitted to apply to any property to which such requirement would not have applied but for such acquisition, and (C) in the case of any such merger or consolidation, the assets of any Subsidiary without significant assets that was formed solely for the purpose of effecting such acquisition) and (iii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations that it secures on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary (or is so merged or consolidated) and extensions, renewals, replacements and refinancings thereof so long as the principal amount of such extensions, renewals and replacements does not exceed the principal amount of the obligations being extended, renewed or replaced or, in the case of any such obligations constituting Indebtedness, that are permitted under Section 6.01(g) as Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

 

(e)  Liens on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved (including any such assets made the subject of a Capital Lease Obligation incurred) by the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Liens secure Indebtedness incurred to finance such acquisition, construction or improvement and permitted by clause (f)(i) of Section 6.01 or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof permitted by clause (f)(ii) of Section 6.01, and (ii) such Liens shall not apply to any other assets (except for replacements, additions and accessions to such assets) of the Company or any Subsidiary, other than the proceeds and products of such fixed or capital assets; provided that individual financings of equipment provided by one lender may be cross collateralized to other financings of equipment provided by such lender;

 

(f)  in connection with the sale or transfer of any Equity Interests or other assets in a transaction permitted under Section 6.05, customary rights and restrictions contained in agreements relating to such sale or transfer pending the completion thereof;

 

(g)  in the case of (i) any Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary or (ii) the Equity Interests in any Person that is not a Subsidiary, any encumbrance or restriction, including any put and call arrangements, related to Equity Interests in such Subsidiary or such other Person set forth in the organizational documents of such Subsidiary or such other Person or any related joint venture, shareholders’ or similar agreement;

 

(h)  any Lien on assets of any Foreign Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any Collateral (including any Equity Interests in any Subsidiary that constitute Collateral) or any other assets of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) such Lien shall secure only Indebtedness or other obligations of such Foreign Subsidiary permitted hereunder;

 

(i)  Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits, escrow arrangements or similar arrangements made by the Company or any Subsidiary in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement for a Permitted Acquisition or other transaction permitted hereunder;

 

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(j)  Liens granted (i) by a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under Section 6.01(c) and (ii) by any Subsidiary in favor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(k)  Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Article VII;

 

(l)  Liens on the Collateral securing (i) Permitted First Priority Refinancing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(e) on a pari  passu basis with the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations, and, if secured by the Collateral, Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided that a trustee, collateral agent, security agent or other Person acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness has entered into an Intercreditor Agreement and (ii) Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.01(e) on a junior basis to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Obligations and, if secured by the Collateral, Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided that a trustee, collateral agent, security agent or other Person acting on behalf of the holders of such Indebtedness has entered into an Intercreditor Agreement;

 

(m)  other Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $25,000,000 (y) 2.5% of Consolidated Total Assets at any time outstanding;

 

(n)  Liens arising out of any conditional sale, title retention, consignment or other similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(o)  Liens securing Indebtedness permitted hereunder to finance insurance premiums solely to the extent of such premiums;

 

(p)  statutory and common law rights of setoff and other Liens, similar rights and remedies arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits of cash, securities, commodities and other funds in favor of banks, financial institutions, other depository institutions, securities or commodities intermediaries or brokerage, and Liens of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-208 or 4-210 of the UCC in effect in the relevant jurisdiction or any similar law of any foreign jurisdiction on items in the course of collection;

 

(q)  Liens encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;

 

(r)  Liens that are contractual rights of set-off or rights of pledge (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any Subsidiary to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the or (3) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any of Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

(s)  Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in repurchase agreements under Section 6.04;

 

(t)  the modification, replacement, renewal or extension of any Lien permitted by clauses (d) and (e) of this Section 6.02; provided that (i) the Lien does not extend to any additional

 

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property, other than (A) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien and (B) proceeds and products thereof, and (ii) the renewal, extension or refinancing of the obligations secured or benefited by such Liens is permitted by Section 6.01 (to the extent constituting Indebtedness); and

 

(u)  (i) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds thereof of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances or letters of credit issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods in the ordinary course of business.

 

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.02, (A) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in clauses (a) through (u) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (B) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in clauses (a) through (u), the Company may, in its sole discretion, classify or divide such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 6.02 and will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien (or any portion thereof) in one of the above clauses and such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or portion thereof) will be treated as being incurred or existing pursuant to only such clause or clauses (or any portion thereof).

 

SECTION 6.03.  Fundamental Changes.

 

(a)  None of the Company or any Subsidiary will merge into or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

 

(i)   any Person (other than the Company or any Subsidiary) may merge or consolidate with the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that any such merger or consolidation involving (A) the Company must result in the Company as the surviving entity, (B) any Borrower must result in such Borrower as the surviving entity and (C) a Subsidiary Guarantor must result in such Subsidiary Guarantor as the surviving entity or, if such Subsidiary Guarantor is not the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation, the Person surviving such merger or consolidation becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor following the consummation of such merger or consolidation in accordance with Section 5.09(a);

 

(ii)   any Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate with a Loan Party in a transaction in which the surviving entity is such Loan Party (provided that any such merger involving (A) the Company must result in the Company as the surviving entity and (B) a Borrower must result in such Borrower as the surviving entity);

 

(iii)   any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may merge into or consolidate with another Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party;

 

(iv)   any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may liquidate, wind up or dissolve if the Company determines in good faith that such liquidation, winding up or dissolution is in the best

 

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interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; and

 

(v)   any Subsidiary may liquidate, wind up or dissolve if its assets are transferred to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or, if such Subsidiary is not a Subsidiary Guarantor, to any other Subsidiary.

 

(b)  The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business substantially different from businesses of the type conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) on the Effective Date and businesses reasonably related, ancillary, similar, complementary or synergistic thereto or reasonable extensions, development or expansion thereof.

 

(c)  The Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its fiscal year from the basis in effect on the Effective Date.

 

(d)  The Company will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under its certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational documents, in each case to the extent such amendment, modification or waiver would be materially adverse to the Lenders.

 

SECTION 6.04.  Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions.  None of the Company or any Subsidiary will purchase, hold, acquire (including pursuant to any merger or consolidation with any Person that was not a wholly-owned Subsidiary prior thereto), make or otherwise permit to exist any Investment in any other Person, except:

 

(a)                                 the PCB Acquisition and, to the extent constituting Investments, the Transactions;

 

(b)                                 cash and Permitted Investments;

 

(c)                                  (i) Investments existing on the Effective Date in Subsidiaries and (ii) other Investments existing or contemplated on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.04 and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof provided that the amount of any Investment permitted pursuant to this Section 6.04(c) is not increased from the amount of such Investment on the Effective Date except pursuant to the terms of such Investment as of the Effective Date or as otherwise permitted by this Section 6.04;

 

(d)                                 (i) additional Investments by the Company in any Subsidiary Guarantor and by any Subsidiary Guarantor in the Company or in another Subsidiary Guarantor, and (ii) Investments (including by way of capital contributions) by the Company and the Subsidiaries in Equity Interests in their Subsidiaries; provided, in the case of clause (ii), that (x) any such Equity Interests held by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall be pledged in accordance with the requirements of Section 5.09 and (y) the aggregate amount of Investments made by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor in reliance on this clause (d), when combined with the aggregate amount of Guarantees made by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Guarantees of obligations not constituting Indebtedness) of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor in reliance on clause (e) below, shall not exceed the greater of (x) $35,000,000 and (y) 3% of Consolidated Total Assets (at the time made);

 

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(e)                                  Guarantees by the Company or any Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary (including any such Guarantees arising as a result of any such Person being a joint and several co-applicant with respect to any letter of credit or letter of guaranty); provided that (i) any such Guarantee of Subordinated Indebtedness is subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms no less favorable to the Lenders than those of the Subordinated Indebtedness, (ii) any such Guarantee constituting Indebtedness is permitted by Section 6.01 (other than clause (d) thereof) and (iii) the aggregate amount of Guarantees made by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, Guarantees of obligations not constituting Indebtedness) of any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor in reliance on this clause (e), when combined with the aggregate amount of Investments made by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor in reliance on clause (d) above, shall not exceed the greater of (x) $35,000,000 and (y) 3% of Consolidated Total Assets (at the time made);

 

(f)                                   loans, advances or other extensions of credit to officers, directors and employees of the Company or any Subsidiary (i) to finance the purchase of Equity Interests of the Company pursuant to employee plans, (ii) for reasonable and customary business-related travel, entertainment, and moving and relocation, business machines or supplies, automobiles and other similar expenses and advances, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (iii) for purposes not described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time under clause (iii) not to exceed $10,000,000;

 

(g)                                  Investments received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, or consisting of securities acquired in connection with the satisfaction or enforcement of claims due or owing to the Company or any Subsidiary, in each case in the ordinary course of business or upon the foreclosure with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;

 

(h)                                 Permitted Acquisitions (including any intercompany investments, loans and advances used to consummate Permitted Acquisitions);

 

(i)                                     Investments held by a Subsidiary acquired after the Effective Date or of a Person merged or consolidated with or into the Company or a Subsidiary after the Effective Date, in each case as permitted hereunder, to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger or consolidation;

 

(j)                                    Investments constituting, or made as a result of the receipt of noncash consideration from a sale, transfer, lease or other disposition of any asset in compliance with Section 6.05;

 

(k)                                 Investments by the Company or any Subsidiary that result solely from the receipt by the Company or such Subsidiary from any of its subsidiaries of a dividend or other Restricted Payment in the form of Equity Interests, evidences of Indebtedness or other securities (but not any additions thereto made after the date of the receipt thereof);

 

(l)                                     Investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted under Section 6.07;

 

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(m)                             Investments by Foreign Subsidiaries in other Foreign Subsidiaries or by any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor in any other Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

(n)                                 Investments constituting deposits described in clauses (c) and (d) of the definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”;

 

(o)                                 Investments consisting of (i) extensions of trade credit, (ii) deposits made in connection with the purchase of goods or services or the performance of leases, licenses or contracts, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, (iii) notes receivable of, or prepaid royalties and other extensions of credit to, customers and suppliers that are not Affiliates of the Company and that are made in the ordinary course of business and (iv) Guarantees made in the ordinary course of business in support of obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries not constituting Indebtedness for borrowed money, including operating leases and obligations owing to suppliers, customers and licensees;

 

(p)                                 mergers and consolidations permitted under Section 6.03 that do not involve any Person other than the Company and Subsidiaries that are wholly-owned Subsidiaries;

 

(q)                                 intercompany loans or other intercompany Investments made by Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business to or in any Foreign Subsidiary to provide funds as necessary to enable the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to comply with changes in statutory or contractual capital requirements (other than any contractual requirement that constitutes a Guarantee);

 

(r)                                    Investments consisting of Guarantees in the ordinary course of business to support the obligations of any Subsidiary under its worker’s compensation and general insurance agreements;

 

(s)                                   the Company’s entry into (including payments of premiums in connection therewith), and the performance of obligations under, Permitted Call Spread Swap Agreements in accordance with their terms;

 

(t)                                    other Investments, including Investments in connection with the acquisition of Foreign Subsidiaries or other Persons that will not be Subsidiary Guarantors, in an aggregate amount not in excess of (i) $25,000,000 plus (ii) if the Total Leverage Ratio immediately after giving effect (including pro forma effect) to any such Investment, calculated on a pro forma basis for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which Financials have been delivered, is less than 4.75 to 1.00, in an amount not in excess of the Available Amount at the time such Investment is made; provided, however, that at the time any such Investment is made pursuant to this clause (t), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto;

 

(u)                                 other Investments, including Investments in connection with the acquisition of Foreign Subsidiaries or other Persons that will not be Subsidiary Guarantors; provided that (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing prior to making such Investment or would arise after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto and (ii) after giving effect (including pro forma effect) to such Investment, the Total Leverage Ratio, calculated on a pro forma basis for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which Financials have been delivered, shall not exceed 2.75:1.00;

 

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(v)                                 Investments in joint ventures of the Company or any Subsidiary, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (v) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (i) $20,000,000 and (ii) 2.00% of Consolidated Total Assets (in each case, determined on the date such Investment is made, with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;

 

(w)                               Investments to the extent that payment for such Investments is made solely with Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Company;

 

(x)                                 the forgiveness or conversion to equity of any Indebtedness owed by the Company or any Subsidiary and permitted by Section 6.01;

 

(y)                                 Investments in any Term Loans in accordance with Section 9.04(f)

 

(z)                                  to the extent that they constitute Investments, purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials or equipment or purchases, acquisitions, licenses or leases of other assets, Intellectual Property, or other rights, in each case in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(aa)                          Investments arising as a result of Sale and Leaseback Transactions; and

 

(bb)                          to the extent constituting Investments, intercompany loans or other intercompany Investments made by Loan Parties in the ordinary course of business to or in any Foreign Subsidiary to provide funds as necessary to enable the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to comply with changes in statutory or contractual capital requirements (other than any contractual requirement that constitutes a Guarantee).

 

Notwithstanding anything contrary set forth above, if any Investment is denominated in a foreign currency, no fluctuation in currency values shall result in a breach of this Section 6.04.  For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.04, in the event that an Investment (or any portion thereof) (other than any Investment made pursuant to clause (t) above) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Investments described in clauses (a) through (bb) (but excluding clause (t)) above, the Company, in its sole discretion, will be permitted to divide and classify such Investment (or any portion thereof) on the date of incurrence, and at any time and from time to time may later reclassify all or any portion of any Investment as having been incurred under any category of permitted Investments described in clauses (a) through (bb) (but excluding clause (t)) above so long as such Investment is permitted to be incurred pursuant to such provision at the time of reclassification.

 

SECTION 6.05.  Asset Sales. None of the Company or any Subsidiary will sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest owned by it, nor will any Subsidiary issue any additional Equity Interest in such Subsidiary (other than issuing directors’ qualifying shares and other than issuing Equity Interests to the Company or another Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04(d)) (each, a “Disposition”), except:

 

(a)                                 Dispositions of (i) inventory or goods held for sale (including, for the avoidance of doubt, such Dispositions made by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors, so long as such Dispositions are at prices and on terms and conditions at least substantially as favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor as those that could be obtained at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not a Subsidiary), (ii) immaterial assets (including allowing any registrations or any applications for registration of any immaterial intellectual property to lapse or go abandoned in

 

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the ordinary course of business), (iii) used, obsolete, damaged or surplus property or equipment, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and (iv) cash and Permitted Investments, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b)                                 Dispositions to the Company or a Subsidiary; provided that any such Disposition to a Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor (i) shall be made in compliance with Sections 6.04 and 6.08 if and to the extent applicable and (ii) shall not, in the case of any Disposition by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors in any fiscal year that are not made as Investments permitted by Section 6.04, involve assets having an aggregate fair market value for all such assets so Disposed in such fiscal year in excess of $10,000,000;

 

(c)                                  Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice and not as part of any accounts receivables financing transaction;

 

(d)                                 (i) to the extent constituting Dispositions, transactions permitted by Sections 6.01 and 6.03, (ii) Dispositions of assets to the extent that such Disposition constitutes an Investment referred to in and permitted by Section 6.04 and (iii) Dispositions of assets to the extent that such Disposition constitute a Restricted Payment referred to in and permitted by Section 6.09;

 

(e)                                  Sale and Leaseback Transactions permitted by Section 6.06;

 

(f)                                   Licenses, leases or subleases entered into in the ordinary course of business, including in connection with effectuating any tax subsidy arrangement, including a payment-in-lieu of taxes arrangement, to the extent that they do not materially interfere with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(g)                                  Licenses or sublicenses of intellectual property in the ordinary course of business, to the extent that they do not materially interfere with the business of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(h)                                 Dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any asset of any of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(i)                                     Dispositions of assets (including as a result of like-kind exchanges) to the extent that (i) such assets are exchanged for credit (on a fair market value basis) against the purchase price of similar or replacement assets or (ii) such asset is Disposed of for fair market value and the proceeds of such Disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of similar or replacement assets;

 

(j)                                    Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements;

 

(k)                                 the abandonment, cancellation, non-renewal or discontinuance of use or maintenance of non-material intellectual property or rights relating thereto (including registrations and applications for registration) that the Company determines in its reasonable judgment to be desirable to the conduct of its business and not materially disadvantageous to the interests of the Lenders;

 

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(l)                                     Dispositions of assets acquired pursuant to or in order to effectuate a Permitted Acquisition which assets are not used or useful to the core or principal business of the Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed 30% of the aggregate consideration in respect of such Permitted Acquisition;

 

(m)                             Dispositions of assets that the Company determines in its reasonable judgment to be no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company or any Subsidiary outside the ordinary course of business (and for consideration complying with the requirements applicable to Dispositions pursuant to clause (n) below) in an aggregate amount not to exceed $20,000,000;

 

(n)                                 any swap of assets in exchange for services or other assets of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of the Company and the Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Company;

 

(o)                                 Dispositions of Investments in joint ventures to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the joint venture parties set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

 

(p)                                 the unwinding of any Swap Contract pursuant to its terms;

 

(q)                                 Dispositions contemplated as of the Effective Date and listed on Schedule 6.05; and

 

(r)                                    any other Disposition of assets (including Equity Interests); provided that (i) if the total fair market value of the assets subject to any such Disposition or series of related Dispositions is in excess of $10,000,000, it shall be for fair market value (or if not for fair market value, the shortfall is permitted as and treated as an Investment under Section 6.04), (ii) at least 75% of the total consideration for any such Disposition in excess of $10,000,000 received by the Company and its Subsidiaries is in the form of cash or Permitted Investments, (iii) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto (except if such Disposition is made pursuant to an agreement entered into at a time when no Default or Event of Default exists) and (iv) the requirements of Section 2.11(d), to the extent applicable, are complied with in connection therewith; provided, however, that for purposes of clause (ii) above, the following shall be deemed to be cash:  (A) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of the Company or such Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Obligations) that are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition and for which the Company and its Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, (B) any securities received by the Company or such Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Subsidiary into cash or Permitted Investments (to the extent of the cash or Permitted Investments received in the conversion) within one hundred eighty (180) days following the closing of the applicable Disposition and (C) aggregate non-cash consideration received by the Company or such Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value (determined in good faith by the Company as of the closing of the applicable Disposition for which such non-cash consideration is received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) not to exceed the greater of $20,000,000 and 2.00% of Total Assets at any time since the Effective Date (net of any non-cash consideration converted into cash and Cash Equivalents).

 

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SECTION 6.06.  Sale and Leaseback Transactions.  None of the Company or any Subsidiary will enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction unless (a) any Capital Lease Obligations arising in connection therewith are permitted under Section 6.01 and (b) any Liens arising in connection therewith (including Liens deemed to arise in connection with any such Capital Lease Obligations) are permitted under Section 6.02.

 

SECTION 6.07.  Swap Agreements.  None of the Company or any Subsidiary will enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate risks to which the Company or any Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than those in respect of the Equity Interests or Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary), (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or investment of the Company or any Subsidiary, (c) Permitted Call Spread Swap Agreements and (d) any Permitted TEU Capped Call Transaction.

 

SECTION 6.08.  Transactions with Affiliates.  None of the Company or any Subsidiary will sell, lease or otherwise transfer any assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except:

 

(a)                                 transactions that are at prices and on terms and conditions at least substantially as favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary (or, in the case of a transaction between a Loan Party and a non-Loan Party, at least substantially as favorable to such Loan Party) as those that could be obtained at the time in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate;

 

(b)                                 transactions between or among the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors or any Person that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor as a result of or in connection with such loan or other transaction to the extent permitted hereunder and not involving any other Affiliate;

 

(c)                                  (i) transactions between or among Subsidiaries that are not Subsidiary Guarantors and not involving any other Affiliate and (ii) transactions between any Loan Party and any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent permitted hereunder;

 

(d)                                 any Investment (including loans or advances to employees) permitted under Section 6.04;

 

(e)                                  the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Company or any Subsidiary who are not employees of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(f)                                   compensation, expense reimbursement and indemnification of, and other employment arrangements (including severance arrangements and health, disability and similar insurance or benefit plans) with, directors, officers, managers, employees and consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary entered into in the ordinary course of business and transactions pursuant to equity-based plans and employee benefit plans and arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)                                  any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 6.09;

 

(h)                                 any issuance or sale of Equity Interests to, and any repurchase, retirement, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of Equity Interests owned by, Affiliates to the extent not prohibited under this Agreement;

 

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(i)                                     any payments or other transactions pursuant to any tax sharing agreement among the Loan Parties and their subsidiaries; provided that, any such tax sharing agreement is on arm’s-length terms usual and customary for agreements of that type;

 

(j)                                    the consummation of the Transactions and the payment of the Transaction Costs;

 

(k)                                 the payment of customary fees and reasonable out of pocket costs to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, directors, officers, managers, employees and consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

(l)                                     transactions pursuant to agreements in existence on the Effective Date and set forth on Schedule 6.08 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect;

 

(m)                             a joint venture which would constitute a transaction with an Affiliate solely as a result of the Company or any Subsidiary owning an equity interest or otherwise controlling such joint venture or similar entity;

 

(n)                                 transactions with joint ventures, customers, suppliers, contractors, joint venture partners (including physicians) or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, in each case which are in the ordinary course of business (including pursuant to joint venture agreements) and otherwise in compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, and which are fair to the Company or its applicable Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the board of directors, chief executive officer or chief financial officer of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party;

 

(o)                                 existing Indebtedness and any other obligations otherwise permitted hereunder pursuant to an agreement existing on the Effective Date as set forth on Schedule 6.01, as such agreement may be amended pursuant to Section 6.01; and

 

(p)                                 any lease or sublease entered into between the Company or any Subsidiary, as lessee, and any Affiliate of the Company, as lessor or sublessor, which is approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the board of directors of the Company in good faith.

 

SECTION 6.09.  Restricted Payments.  None of the Company or any Subsidiary will declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:

 

(a)  any Subsidiary may declare and pay dividends or make other distributions with respect to its Equity Interests, in each case ratably to the holders of such Equity Interests (or if not ratably, on a basis more favorable to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors);

 

(b)  the Company may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in shares of Qualified Equity Interests of the Company;

 

(c)  the Company may repurchase, purchase, acquire, cancel or retire for value Equity Interests of the Company from present or former employees, officers, directors or consultants (or their estates or beneficiaries under their estates) of the Company or any Subsidiary upon the death, disability, retirement or termination of employment or service of such employees, officers, directors or consultants,

 

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or to the extent required, pursuant to employee benefit plans, employment agreements, stock purchase agreements or stock purchase plans, or other benefit plans; provided that the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made pursuant to this Section 6.09(c) shall not exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year (with unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years subject to a maximum of $10,000,000; provided, further, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

 

(i)   the net cash proceeds from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Equity Interests) of the Company or any Subsidiary to members of management, managers, directors or consultants of the Company or any Subsidiary that occurs after the Effective Date, to the extent net cash proceeds from the sale of such Equity Interests have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of clause Section 6.09(b) or this Section 6.09(c).

 

(ii)   the net cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or any Subsidiary; less

 

(iii)   the amount of any Restricted Payments previously made with the cash proceeds described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 6.09(c);

 

(d)  the Company may make cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares representing insignificant interests in the Company in connection with (i) the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests in the Company and (ii) any dividend, split or combination thereof or any Permitted Acquisition;

 

(e)  the Company may acquire Equity Interests of the Company upon the exercise of stock options for such Equity Interests of the Company if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such stock options or in connection with tax withholding obligations arising in connection with the exercise of options by, or the vesting of restricted Equity Interests held by, any current or former director, officer or employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries;

 

(f)  the Company may convert or exchange any Equity Interests of the Company for or into Qualified Equity Interests of the Company;

 

(g)  the Company and its Subsidiaries may make any other Restricted Payment so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing prior to making such Restricted Payment or would arise after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto and (ii) any of the following conditions are satisfied after giving effect (including pro forma effect) to such Restricted Payments: (A) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments (when combined with the aggregate amount of required repurchases made during such fiscal year of Permitted TEU Notes in connection with the exercise by the Company of its right to require the early mandatory settlement (other than pursuant to a Merger Termination Redemption) of the Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts) made in reliance on this clause (A) during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $30,000,000, (B) the Total Leverage Ratio, calculated on a pro forma basis for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which Financials have been delivered, shall not exceed 2.50:1.00 or (C) both (1) the Total Leverage Ratio, calculated on a pro forma basis for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which Financials have been delivered, shall not exceed 4.50:1.00 and (2) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments made in reliance on this clause (C) during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed the Available Amount;

 

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(h)  the Company may make Restricted Payments within sixty (60) days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration of such Restricted Payments, such Restricted Payments would have been permitted pursuant to another clause of this Section 6.09; and

 

(i)  the Company and its Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments to effect the Transactions.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may also repurchase, exchange or induce the conversion of Permitted Convertible Notes by delivery of shares of the Company’s common stock and/or a different series of Permitted Convertible Notes (which series (x) matures after, and does not require any scheduled amortization or other scheduled payments of principal prior to, the analogous date under the indenture governing the Permitted Convertible Notes that are so repurchased, exchanged or converted and (y) has terms, conditions and covenants that are no less favorable to the Company than the Permitted Convertible Notes that are so repurchased, exchanged or converted (as determined by the board of directors of the Company, or a committee thereof, in good faith)) (any such series of Permitted Convertible Notes, “Refinancing Convertible Notes”) and/or by payment of cash (in an amount that does not exceed the proceeds received by the Company from the substantially concurrent issuance of shares of the Company’s common stock and/or a Refinancing Convertible Notes plus the net cash proceeds, if any, received by the Company pursuant to the related exercise or early unwind or termination of the related Permitted Call Spread Swap Agreements pursuant to the immediately following proviso); provided that, substantially concurrently with, or a commercially reasonable period of time before or after, the related settlement date for the Permitted Convertible Notes that are so repurchased, exchanged or converted, the Company shall (and, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be permitted under this Section 6.09 to) exercise or unwind or terminate early (whether in cash, shares or any combination thereof) the portion of the Permitted Call Spread Swap Agreements, if any, corresponding to such Permitted Convertible Notes that are so repurchased, exchanged or converted.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, (i) the settlement by the Company (by delivery of the Company’s common stock or other securities or property following a merger event or other change in the common stock of the Company, and including any payment of cash in lieu of a fractional share and cash included in the purchase obligation upon the Merger Termination Redemption) of any Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts in accordance with the terms of the purchase contract agreement governing such Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts shall not constitute a Restricted Payment; provided that, to the extent that the amount of cash included in the Company’s repurchase obligation per Permitted Tangible Equity Unit (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the cash redemption amount of each Permitted TEU Purchase Contract and the repurchase price of each Permitted TEU Note; and determined for such purpose as if any separate Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts and any separate Permitted TEU Note were recreated as Permitted Tangible Equity Units) in respect of the Merger Termination Redemption exceeds $100.00, such excess will be deemed to be a Restricted Payment notwithstanding this clause (i); provided that, the Company will not exercise any right to require the early mandatory settlement of the Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts unless such exercise satisfies the requirements of Section 6.13; and (ii) any required payment with respect to, or required early unwind or settlement of, any Permitted TEU Capped Call Transaction, in each case, in accordance with the terms of the agreement governing such Permitted TEU Capped Call Transaction shall not constitute a Restricted Payment.

 

SECTION 6.10.  Subordinated Indebtedness and Amendments to Subordinated Indebtedness Documents.

 

(a)  The Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly voluntarily prepay, defease or in substance defease, purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire, any

 

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Subordinated Indebtedness or any Indebtedness from time to time outstanding under the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents, except:

 

(i)                                     regularly scheduled interest and principal payments as and when due in respect of any Subordinated Indebtedness, other than payments prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof;

 

(ii)                                  refinancings of Subordinated Indebtedness with the proceeds of Refinancing Indebtedness permitted in respect thereof under Section 6.01;

 

(iii)                               payments of or in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness made solely with Qualified Equity Interests in the Company or the conversion of any Subordinated Indebtedness into Qualified Equity Interests of the Company;

 

(iv)                              prepayments of intercompany Subordinated Indebtedness permitted hereby owed by the Company or any Subsidiary to the Company or any Subsidiary, other than prepayments prohibited by the subordination provisions governing such Subordinated Indebtedness; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, the prepayment of any Subordinated Indebtedness owed by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to any Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor shall be permitted so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto;

 

(v)                                 so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Company may on any date make payments of or in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness in an amount equal to (A) $25,000,000 plus (B) the Available Amount on such date; provided, however, that at the time of the making of such payments and immediately after giving effect to such payments made in reliance on subclause (v)(B), the Total Leverage Ratio on such date, calculated on a pro forma basis for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which Financials have been delivered, is not in excess of 4.75 to 1.00; and

 

(vi)                              so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, the Company may on any date make additional payments of or in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness; provided that the Total Leverage Ratio immediately after giving effect to any such payment, calculated on a pro forma basis for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which Financials have been delivered, is less than 2.75 to 1.00.

 

(b)  Furthermore, the Company will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, amend the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents relating to any Subordinated Indebtedness or any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents (or any replacements, substitutions, extensions or renewals thereof) or pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued where such amendment, modification or supplement amends, modifies or adds any provision thereof in a manner which (i) when taken as a whole, is materially adverse the Lenders or (ii) is more onerous than the applicable provision in this Agreement (except in each case to the extent permitted under the applicable subordination agreement governing such Subordinated Indebtedness).

 

SECTION 6.11.  Restrictive Agreements.  None of the Company or any Subsidiary will, directly or indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement that restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its assets to secure the Secured Obligations or (b) the ability of any

 

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Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to the Company or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to (A) restrictions and conditions imposed by law or by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any purchase contract agreement governing any Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts, or any documentation evidencing any Qualified LC Obligations, (B) restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement or document governing or evidencing Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness referred to in clause (A) (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Permitted First Priority Refinancing Indebtedness or Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Indebtedness) or Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided that the restrictions and conditions contained in any such agreement or document referred to in this clause (B) are not less favorable in any material respect to the Lenders than the restrictions and conditions imposed by this Agreement, (C) restrictions and conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule 6.11, and restrictions and conditions contained in any agreement evidencing any renewal, extension or refinancing permitted hereunder of any agreement identified on Schedule 6.11 so long as such renewal, extension or refinancing does not expand the scope of such restrictions or conditions, (D) in the case of any Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary, restrictions and conditions imposed by its organizational documents or any related joint venture or similar agreements; provided that such restrictions and conditions apply only to such Subsidiary and to the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, (E) restrictions imposed by any agreement governing Indebtedness incurred by any Loan Party after the Effective Date and permitted under Section 6.01 that are, taken as a whole, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no more restrictive with respect to the Company or any Subsidiary than those contained in this Agreement, (F) customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale, transfer, lease or other Disposition of a Subsidiary or any assets of the Company or any Subsidiary, in each case pending such transaction; provided that, such restrictions and conditions apply only to such Subsidiary or the assets that are to be sold, leased or otherwise transferred and, in each case, such transaction is permitted hereunder, (G) restrictions relating to assets encumbered by a Lien permitted by Section 6.02, (H) restrictions or conditions set forth in any agreement governing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01; provided that such restrictions and conditions are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the comparable restrictions and conditions set forth in this Agreement as determined in the good faith judgment of the Company, (I) restrictions imposed by any agreement governing Indebtedness of a Subsidiary which is not a Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent such Indebtedness is permitted by Section 6.01, and (J) restrictions or conditions on cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business; and (ii) clause (a) of this Section 6.11 shall not apply to (A) restrictions and conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by clause (f), (g), (h), (j), (k), (m) and (n) of Section 6.01 if such restrictions and conditions apply only to the assets securing such Indebtedness, (B) customary provisions in leases, subleases, licenses and other agreements restricting the assignment thereof and (C) restrictions imposed by agreements relating to Indebtedness of any Subsidiary in existence at the time such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary and otherwise permitted by Section 6.01(g); provided that such restrictions apply only to such Subsidiary and its assets (or any special purpose acquisition Subsidiary without material assets acquiring such Subsidiary pursuant to a merger).  Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to modify the obligations of the Loan Parties under Section 5.09 or under the Collateral Documents.

 

SECTION 6.12.  Financial Covenants.

 

(a)  Maximum Total Leverage Ratio.  Except with the written consent of the Required Revolving Lenders, the Company will not permit the ratio (the “Total Leverage Ratio”), determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters ending on and after October 1, 2016, of (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated

 

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basis, to be greater than the ratio set forth below opposite the day or the period in which such fiscal quarter ends:

 

	
Day or Period
    	
 
    	
Ratio
    	
 
    
	
October 1, 2016
    	
 
    	
5.25:1.00
    	
 
    
	
December 31, 2016 through July 1, 2017
    	
 
    	
4.75:1.00
    	
 
    
	
September 30, 2017
    	
 
    	
4.50:1.00
    	
 
    
	
December 30, 2017
    	
 
    	
4.25:1.00
    	
 
    
	
March 31, 2018
    	
 
    	
4.00:1.00
    	
 
    
	
June 30, 2018 through December 29, 2018
    	
 
    	
3.75:1.00
    	
 
    
	
March 30, 2019 and thereafter
    	
 
    	
3.50:1.00
    	
 
    

 

(b)  Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio.  Except with the written consent of the Required Revolving Lenders, the Company will not permit the ratio (the “Interest Coverage Ratio”), determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters ending on and after September 30, 2016, of (i) Consolidated EBITDA to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense, in each case for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all calculated for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be less than 3.50 to 1.00.

 

The provisions of Section 6.12 are solely for the benefit of Revolving Lenders and, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.02, or any other Section herein, the Required Revolving Lenders may (i) amend or otherwise modify Section 6.12 or, solely for purposes of Section 6.12, the defined terms used, directly or indirectly, therein, or (ii) waive any noncompliance with Section 6.12 or any Event of Default resulting from any such noncompliance, in each case without the consent of any other Lenders.

 

SECTION 6.13.  Material TEU Amendments; Early Mandatory Settlement. No Loan Party will, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or waive any of its rights under any agreement relating to any Permitted Tangible Equity Units, Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts or Permitted TEU Notes, in each case, except (a) to the extent any such amendment, modification or waiver is expressly required pursuant to the terms of the purchase contract agreement and/or indenture, as applicable, governing such Permitted Tangible Equity Units, Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts or Permitted TEU Notes (as in effect on the first original issuance date of such Permitted Tangible Equity Units, Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts or Permitted TEU Notes) or (b) to the extent any such amendment, modification or waiver does not amend, modify or waive the purchase contract agreement and/or indenture, as applicable, governing such Permitted Tangible Equity Units, Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts or Permitted TEU Notes in a manner that would be materially adverse to the Lenders.

 

In addition, the Company will not exercise any right to require the early mandatory settlement of the Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts unless (other than pursuant to a Merger Termination Redemption): (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing prior to making such exercise or would arise after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto (including the resulting settlement of the Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts and the maximum required repurchase of the Permitted TEU Notes) and (ii) any of the following conditions are satisfied after giving effect (including pro forma effect) thereto (including the resulting settlement of the Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts and the maximum required repurchase of the Permitted TEU Notes): (A) the aggregate amount of required repurchases of the Permitted TEU Notes in connection with such exercise by the Company of its right to require the early mandatory settlement (when combined with the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made in reliance on Section 6.09(g)(ii)(A)) made in reliance on this clause (A) during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $30,000,000, (B) the Total Leverage Ratio, calculated on a pro forma basis for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which

 

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Financials have been delivered, shall not exceed 2.50:1.00 or (C) both (1) the Total Leverage Ratio, calculated on a pro forma basis for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company for which Financials have been delivered, shall not exceed 4.50:1.00 and (2) the aggregate amount of such required repurchases made in reliance on this clause (C) during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed the Available Amount.

 

ARTICLE VII

 

Events of Default

 

If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur:

 

(a)  any Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof or otherwise;

 

(b)  any Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days;

 

(c)  any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Borrower or any other Loan Party in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification hereof or thereof or waiver hereunder or thereunder, or in any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made;

 

(d)  any Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in (i) Section 5.02(a), 5.03 (with respect to any Borrower’s existence), 5.08 or 5.09, in Article VI (other than Section 6.12) or in Article X or (ii) Section 6.12; provided that, any failure to comply with Section 6.12 shall not constitute an Event of Default with respect to any Term Loans unless and until the Administrative Agent or the Required Revolving Lenders shall have terminated the Revolving Commitments or exercised remedies with respect to outstanding Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit pursuant to clauses (i) and/or (ii) of the last paragraph of this Article VII;

 

(e)  any Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty (30) days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Company (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender);

 

(f)  any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness of such Loan Party or Material Subsidiary, as applicable, when and as the same shall become due and payable, which is not cured within any applicable grace period therefor;

 

(g)  any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits, after giving effect to the expiration of any applicable grace period, and delivery of any applicable required notice, provided in the applicable agreement or instrument under which such Indebtedness was created, the holder or holders of such

 

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Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment, repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity; provided that this clause (g) shall not apply to (i) secured Material Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of the sale, transfer or other disposition (including as a result of a casualty or condemnation event) of the property or assets securing such Indebtedness (to the extent such sale, transfer or other disposition is not prohibited under this Agreement), (ii) any Material Indebtedness that becomes due as a result of a refinancing thereof permitted by Section 6.01, (iii) any reimbursement obligation in respect of a letter of credit, bankers acceptance or similar obligation as a result of a drawing thereunder by a beneficiary thereunder in accordance with its terms, (iv) any such Material Indebtedness that is mandatorily prepayable prior to the scheduled maturity thereof with the proceeds of the issuance of capital stock, the incurrence of other Indebtedness or the sale or other disposition of any assets, so long as such Material Indebtedness that has become due is so prepaid in full with such net proceeds required to be used to prepay such Material Indebtedness when due (or within any applicable grace period) and such event shall not have otherwise resulted in an event of default with respect to such Material Indebtedness, (v) any redemption, exchange, repurchase, conversion or settlement with respect to any Permitted Convertible Notes, or satisfaction of any condition giving rise to or permitting the foregoing, pursuant to their terms unless such redemption, repurchase, conversion or settlement results from a default thereunder or an event of the type that constitutes an Event of Default, (vi) any early payment requirement or unwinding or termination with respect to any Permitted Call Spread Swap Agreement, or satisfaction of any condition giving rise to or permitting the foregoing, in accordance with the terms thereof where neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates is the “defaulting party” (or substantially equivalent term) under the terms of such Permitted Call Spread Swap Agreement, (vii) any early payment requirement or unwinding or termination with respect to any Permitted TEU Capped Call Transaction, or satisfaction of any condition giving rise to or permitting the foregoing, in accordance with the terms thereof where neither the Borrowers nor any of their respective Affiliates are the “defaulting party” (or substantially equivalent term) under the terms of such Permitted TEU Capped Call Transaction, (viii) any right of the holders of Permitted TEU Notes to require the repurchase by the Company thereof as a result of a Merger Termination Redemption or an exercise by the Company of its right to require the early mandatory settlement of the Permitted TEU Purchase Contracts, which exercise satisfies the requirements of Section 6.13, or (ix) any such event or condition that has been (1) remedied by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or (2) waived (including in the form of amendment) by the requisite holders of the applicable Material Indebtedness, in either case, prior to acceleration of the Loans pursuant to this Article VII;

 

(h)  an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(i)  any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

 

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(j)  any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

(k)  one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $15,000,000 (to the extent not paid, fully bonded or covered by a solvent and unaffiliated insurer that has not denied coverage) shall be rendered against any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed (by reason of pending appeal or otherwise), or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of any Loan Party or any Material Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment and such action shall not have been stayed;

 

(l)  an ERISA Event shall have occurred that, when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(m)  a Change in Control shall occur;

 

(n)  the Company or any of its Affiliates shall fail to comply with the “market flex” provisions of the Arranger Fee Letter or the marketing or information provisions of the Commitment Letter (including, without limitation, implementing amendments to the Loan Documents to reflect the terms of the “market flex” provisions of the Arranger Fee Letter);

 

(o)  any Loan Document, after execution thereof and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or in satisfaction in full of the Obligations, ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable against the Company or any other Loan Party party thereto in accordance with its terms in all material respects (or any Loan Party shall challenge the enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any action or inaction based on any such assertion, that any material provision of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms in any material respect, other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or the satisfaction in full in cash of the Obligations then due and payable); or

 

(p)  any Collateral Document, after execution thereof, shall for any reason fail to create a valid and perfected security interest in any material portion of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, except (i) as permitted by the terms of any Loan Document or (ii) as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent so long as not resulting from the breach or non-compliance with any Loan Document by any Loan Party;

 

then, and in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Company described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Company, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times:  (i) terminate the Commitments (and the Letter of Credit Commitments), and thereupon the Commitments (and the Letter of Credit Commitments) shall terminate immediately, (ii) declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other Secured Obligations of the Borrowers accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers and (iii) require cash collateral for the LC Exposure in accordance with Section 2.06(j); and in case of any event with respect to any Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments (and the Letter of Credit Commitments) shall automatically terminate and the principal of the Loans then outstanding and the cash collateral for the LC Exposure, together with accrued interest

 

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thereon and all fees and other Secured Obligations accrued hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrowers; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default attributable to a failure to comply with Section 6.12, (x) actions pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) may be taken by the Required Revolving Lenders with respect to the Revolving Loans only (without the requirement for Required Lender action) or by the Administrative Agent at the direction of such Lenders, and (y) only if action has been taken in respect of such Event of Default under clause (i) or (ii) (with respect to the Revolving Loans) by the Required Revolving Lenders or by the Administrative Agent at the direction of such Lenders, then such Event of Default will be deemed to be an Event of Default with respect to all Lenders hereunder and the remedies set forth above can be exercised in respect of all Loans.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall, exercise any rights and remedies provided to the Administrative Agent under the Loan Documents or at law or equity, including all remedies provided under the UCC.

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

The Administrative Agent

 

Each of the Lenders, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties, and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent as its agent and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf, including execution of the other Loan Documents, and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of the Loan Documents, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  In furtherance of the foregoing, and not in limitation, each of the Lenders authorizes the Administrative Agent to enter into one or more Intercreditor Agreements reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent in connection with any Permitted First Priority Refinancing Indebtedness or Permitted Second Priority Refinancing Indebtedness.  In addition, to the extent required under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States of America, each of the Lenders, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties, and the Issuing Bank hereby grants to the Administrative Agent any required powers of attorney to execute any Collateral Document governed by the laws of such jurisdiction on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s behalf.  The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Bank), and neither the Company nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” as used herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law.  Instead, such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

 

The bank serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and such bank and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of business with the Company or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly

 

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contemplated by the Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving as Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.  The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 9.02) or in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.  The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until written notice thereof is given to the Administrative Agent by the Company or a Lender, and the Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with any Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or in connection with any Loan Document, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth in any Loan Document, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of any Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral or the existence of the Collateral or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere in any Loan Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Company), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

The Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of the preceding paragraphs shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

 

Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time by notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Company.  Upon any such resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Company, to appoint a successor.  If no successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any such bank.  Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder.  The fees payable by any Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its

 

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predecessor unless otherwise agreed between such Borrower and such successor.  After the Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and Section 9.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while it was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that the extensions of credit made hereunder are commercial loans and letters of credit and not investments in a business enterprise or securities.  Each Lender further represents that it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans in the ordinary course of its business and has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder.  Each Lender shall, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information (which may contain MNPI) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder and in deciding whether or to the extent to which it will continue as a lender or assign or otherwise transfer its rights, interests and obligations hereunder.

 

None of the Lenders, if any, identified in this Agreement as a Syndication Agent or Co-Documentation Agent shall have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to all Lenders as such.  Without limiting the foregoing, none of such Lenders shall have or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender.  Each Lender hereby makes the same acknowledgments with respect to the relevant Lenders in their respective capacities as Syndication Agent or Co-Documentation Agents, as applicable, as it makes with respect to the Administrative Agent in the preceding paragraph.

 

The Lenders are not partners or co-venturers, and no Lender shall be liable for the acts or omissions of, or (except as otherwise set forth herein in case of the Administrative Agent) authorized to act for, any other Lender.  The Administrative Agent shall have the exclusive right on behalf of the Lenders to enforce the payment of the principal of and interest on any Loan after the date such principal or interest has become due and payable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

In its capacity, the Administrative Agent is a “representative” of the Secured Parties within the meaning of the term “secured party” as defined in the UCC.  Each Lender authorizes the Administrative Agent to enter into each of the Collateral Documents to which it is a party and to take all action contemplated by such documents.  Each Lender agrees that no Secured Party (other than the Administrative Agent) shall have the right individually to seek to realize upon the security granted by any Collateral Document, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties upon the terms of the Collateral Documents.  In the event that any Collateral is hereafter pledged by any Person as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized, and hereby granted a power of attorney, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Secured Parties any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties.  The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Lien granted to or held by the Administrative Agent upon any Collateral (i) as described in Section 9.02(d); (ii) as permitted by, but only in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Loan Document; or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders, unless such release is required to be approved by all of the Lenders hereunder.  Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant hereto.  Upon any sale, transfer or

 

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other Disposition of assets constituting Collateral which is permitted pursuant to the terms of any Loan Document, or consented to in writing by the Required Lenders or all of the Lenders, as applicable, and upon three (3) Business Days’ (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Administrative Agent) prior written request by the Company to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Lenders to) execute such documents as may be necessary to evidence the release of the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties herein or pursuant hereto upon the Collateral that was sold or transferred; provided, however, that (i) the Administrative Agent shall not be required to execute any such document on terms which, in the Administrative Agent’s opinion, would expose the Administrative Agent to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Liens without recourse or warranty, and (ii) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect or impair the Secured Obligations or any Liens upon (or obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary in respect of) all interests retained by the Company or any Subsidiary, including (without limitation) the proceeds of the sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.  Any execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent of documents in connection with any such release shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

 

In case of the pendency of any proceeding with respect to any Loan Party under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or any LC Disbursement shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Company) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Exposure and all other Secured Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (including any claim under Sections 2.12, 2.13, 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b) collect and receive any monies 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 proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each other Secured Party to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank or the other Secured Parties, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due to it, in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, under the Loan Documents (including under Section 9.03).

 

The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Secured Obligations (including by accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Secured Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Credit Party is subject, or (b) at any other sale, foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable law.  In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Secured Obligations owed to the Secured

 

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Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders on a ratable basis (with Secured Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that shall vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) for the asset or assets so purchased (or for the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are issued in connection with such purchase).  In connection with any such bid (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles and to assign any successful credit bid to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, (ii) each of the Secured Parties’ ratable interests in the Secured Obligations which were credit bid shall be deemed without any further action under this Agreement to be assigned to such vehicle or vehicles for the purpose of closing such sale, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by, and the governing documents shall provide for, control by the vote of the Required Lenders or their permitted assignees under the terms of this Agreement or the governing documents of the applicable acquisition vehicle or vehicles, as the case may be, irrespective of the termination of this Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in Section 9.02 of this Agreement), (iv) the Administrative Agent on behalf of such acquisition vehicle or vehicles shall be authorized to issue to each of the Secured Parties, ratably on account of the relevant Secured Obligations which were credit bid, interests, whether as equity, partnership, limited partnership interests or membership interests, in any such acquisition vehicle and/or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (v) to the extent that Secured Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Secured Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of Secured Obligations credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Secured Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Secured Parties pro rata and the equity interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of such Secured Obligations shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action.  Notwithstanding that the ratable portion of the Secured Obligations of each Secured Party are deemed assigned to the acquisition vehicle or vehicles as set forth in clause (ii) above, each Secured Party shall execute such documents and provide such information regarding the Secured Party (and/or any designee of the Secured Party which will receive interests in or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the formation of any acquisition vehicle, the formulation or submission of any credit bid or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such credit bid.

 

Each Borrower, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subsidiaries, and each Lender, on its behalf and on the behalf of its affiliated Secured Parties, hereby irrevocably constitute the Administrative Agent as the holder of an irrevocable power of attorney (fondé de pouvoir within the meaning of Article 2692 of the Civil Code of Québec) in order to hold hypothecs and security granted by each Borrower or any Subsidiary on property pursuant to the laws of the Province of Québec to secure obligations of any Borrower or any Subsidiary under any bond, debenture or similar title of indebtedness issued by any Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with this Agreement, and agree that the Administrative Agent may act as the bondholder and mandatary with respect to any bond, debenture or similar title of indebtedness that may be issued by any Borrower or any Subsidiary and pledged in favor of the Secured Parties in connection with this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 32 of the An Act respecting the special powers of legal persons (Québec), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent may acquire and be the holder of any bond issued by any Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with this Agreement (i.e., the fondé de pouvoir may acquire and hold the first bond issued under any deed of hypothec by any Borrower or any Subsidiary).

 

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The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to execute and deliver any documents necessary or appropriate to create and perfect the rights of pledge for the benefit of the Secured Parties including a right of pledge with respect to the entitlements to profits, the balance left after winding up and the voting rights of the Borrower as ultimate parent of any subsidiary of the Borrower which is organized under the laws of the Netherlands and the Equity Interests of which are pledged in connection herewith (a “Dutch Pledge”).  Without prejudice to the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree with the creation of parallel debt obligations of the Borrower or any relevant Subsidiary as will be described in any Dutch Pledge (the “Parallel Debt”), including that any payment received by the Administrative Agent in respect of the Parallel Debt will - conditionally upon such payment not subsequently being avoided or reduced by virtue of any provisions or enactments relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, preference, liquidation or similar laws of general application - be deemed a satisfaction of a pro rata portion of the corresponding amounts of the Secured Obligations, and any payment to the Secured Parties in satisfaction of the Secured Obligations shall - conditionally upon such payment not subsequently being avoided or reduced by virtue of any provisions or enactments relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, preference, liquidation or similar laws of general application - be deemed as satisfaction of the corresponding amount of the Parallel Debt.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that, for purposes of a Dutch Pledge, any resignation by the Administrative Agent is not effective until its rights under the Parallel Debt are assigned to the successor Administrative Agent.

 

The parties hereto acknowledge and agree for the purposes of taking and ensuring the continuing validity of German law governed pledges (Pfandrechte) with the creation of parallel debt obligations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as will be further described in a separate German law governed parallel debt undertaking.  The Administrative Agent shall (i) hold such parallel debt undertaking as fiduciary agent (Treuhaender) and (ii) administer and hold as fiduciary agent (Treuhaender) any pledge created under a German law governed Collateral Document which is created in favor of any Secured Party or transferred to any Secured Party due to its accessory nature (Akzessorietaet), in each case of (i) and (ii) in its own name and for the account of the Secured Parties.  Each Lender, on its own behalf and on behalf of its affiliated Secured Parties, hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to enter as its agent (Vertreter) in its name and on its behalf into any German law governed Collateral Document, to accept as its agent in its name and on its behalf any pledge under such Collateral Document and to agree to and execute as agent in its name and on its behalf any amendments, supplements and other alterations to any such Collateral Document and to release any such Collateral Document and any pledge created under any such Collateral Document in accordance with the provisions herein and/or the provisions in any such Collateral Document.

 

ARTICLE IX

 

Miscellaneous

 

SECTION 9.01.  Notices.  (a)  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopy, as follows:

 

(i)   if to any Borrower, to it c/o MTS Systems Corporation, 14000 Technology Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344, Attention of Andy Cebulla, Treasurer (Telecopy No. (952) 937-4515; Telephone No. (952) 937-4020);

 

(ii)   if to the Administrative Agent, (A) in the case of Borrowings denominated in Dollars, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention of Katy Tyler (Telecopy No. (844) 490-5663), (B) in the case

 

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of Borrowings denominated in Foreign Currencies, to J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, 25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5JP, Attention of The Manager, Loan & Agency Services (Telecopy No. 44 207 777 2360; Email address: loan_and_agency_london@jpmorgan.com), and in each case of the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), with a copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 10 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention of Krys Szremski (Telecopy No. (312) 325-3239) and (C) in the case of a notification of the DQ List, to JPMDQ_Contact@jpmorgan.com;

 

(iii)   if to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as an Issuing Bank, to it at (A) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention of Katy Tyler (Telecopy No. (844) 490-5663) and (B) in the case of any other Issuing Bank, to it at the address and telecopy number specified from time to time by such Issuing Bank to the Company and the Administrative Agent;

 

(iv)   if to the Swingline Lender, to it at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 10 South Dearborn Street, Floor L2, Chicago, Illinois 60603, Attention of Katy Tyler (Telecopy No. (844) 490-5663); and

 

(v)   if to any other Lender or Issuing Bank, to it at its address (or telecopy number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient).  Notices delivered through Electronic Systems, to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

 

(b)  Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Electronic Systems pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender.  The Administrative Agent or the Company may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

(c)  Any party hereto may change its address or telecopy number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

 

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(d)  Electronic Systems.

 

(i)   The Company agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make Communications (as defined below) available to the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders by posting the Communications on Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, ClearPar or a substantially similar Electronic System.

 

(ii)   Any Electronic System used by the Administrative Agent is provided “as is” and “as available.”  The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of such Electronic Systems and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications.  No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or any Electronic System.  In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to any Loan Party, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including, without limitation, direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Communications through an Electronic System, except with respect to actual or direct damages to the extent determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of any Agent Party; provided that any Communication to any Lenders, prospective Lenders, Participants or prospective Participants or, to the extent such disclosure is otherwise permitted, to any other Person through an Electronic System shall be made subject to the acknowledgement and acceptance by such Person that such Communication is being disseminated or disclosed on a confidential basis (on terms substantially the same as set forth in Section 9.12 or otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Company), which shall in any event require “click through” or other affirmative actions on the part of the recipient to access such Communication.  “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through an Electronic System.

 

SECTION 9.02.  Waivers; Amendments.  (a)  No failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power.  The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have.  No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Borrower therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

(b)  Except as provided in Section 2.20 with respect to an Incremental Amendment, Section 2.26 with respect to Loan Modification Agreements and Section 2.27 with respect to a

 

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Refinancing Amendment, or pursuant to the Arranger Fee Letter, neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrowers and the Required Lenders or by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall:

 

(i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.02 or the waiver of any Default or mandatory prepayment shall not constitute an increase of any Commitment of any Lender);

 

(ii) reduce the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided that (x) any amendment or modification of the financial covenants in this Agreement (or defined terms used in the financial covenants in this Agreement) shall not constitute a reduction in the rate of interest or fees for purposes of this clause (ii) and (y) only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to reduce or waive any obligation of the Borrowers to pay interest or any other amount at the applicable default rate set forth in Section 2.13(c) or to amend Section 2.13(c);

 

(iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (other than (x) any reduction of the amount of, or any extension of the payment date for, the mandatory prepayments required under Section 2.11 and (y) with respect to the matters set forth in clauses (ii)(x) and (ii)(y) above);

 

(iv) change Section 2.18(b) or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(v) change any of the provisions of this Section 9.02 or the definition of “Required Lenders,” “Required Revolving Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(vi) amend the definition of “Secured Obligations” to remove the Qualified LC Obligations or amend the definition of “Secured Parties” to remove the Qualified LC Issuer, in each case without the written consent of the Qualified LC Issuer;

 

(vii) (x) release the Company from its obligations under Article X or (y) release all or substantially all of the Subsidiary Guarantors from their obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty, in each case, without the written consent of each Lender; or

 

(viii) except as provided in clause (d) of this Section or in any Collateral Document, release all or substantially all of the Collateral, without the written consent of each Lender;

 

provided further that (A) no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder without the prior

 

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written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be (it being understood that any change to Section 2.25 shall require the consent of the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender), (B) any amendment or waiver that by its terms affects the rights or duties of Lenders holding Loans or Commitments of a particular Class (but not the Lenders holding Loans or Commitments of any other Class) will require only the requisite percentage in interest of the affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders; and (C) the Required Revolving Lenders may (x) amend or otherwise modify Section 6.12 or, solely for purposes of Section 6.12, the defined terms used, directly or indirectly, therein, or (y) waive any noncompliance with Section 6.12 or any Event of Default resulting from any such noncompliance, in each case without the consent of any other Lenders.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no consent with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement shall be required of any Defaulting Lender, except with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification referred to in clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of the first proviso of this paragraph and then only in the event such Defaulting Lender shall be directly affected by such amendment, waiver or other modification.

 

(c)  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and each Borrower (x) to add one or more credit facilities (in addition to the Incremental Term Loans pursuant to an Incremental Amendment) to this Agreement and to permit extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Revolving Loans, the Tranche B Term Loans, Incremental Term Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (y) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders and Lenders.

 

(d)  The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its sole discretion, to release any Liens granted to the Administrative Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral (i) upon the termination of all the Commitments, payment and satisfaction in full in cash of all Secured Obligations (other than Unliquidated Obligations), and the cash collateralization of all Unliquidated Obligations in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (ii) constituting property being sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of (including by distribution or assignment) if the Company certifies to the Administrative Agent that such sale, transfer or other disposition is made in compliance with the terms of this Agreement (and the Administrative Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), (iii) constituting property leased to the Company or any Subsidiary under a lease which has expired or been terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, (iv) of any Subsidiary Guarantor released from its obligations under the Loan Documents pursuant to Section 9.14(a) or 9.14(b), (v) on any Equity Interests of a Subsidiary that no longer constitutes a Pledge Subsidiary, (vi) on any Excluded Assets or (vii) as required to effect any sale or other disposition of such Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Article VII.  Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Secured Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral (except to the extent any of the foregoing constitutes Excluded Assets).  In addition, each of the Lenders, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties, irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, (i) to subordinate any Lien on any assets granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 6.02(e) or (ii) in the event that the Company shall have advised the Administrative Agent that, notwithstanding the use by the Company of commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the consent of such holder (but without the requirement to pay any sums to obtain such consent) to permit the Administrative Agent to retain its liens

 

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(on a subordinated basis as contemplated by clause (i) above), the holder of such other Indebtedness requires, as a condition to the extension of such credit, that the Liens on such assets granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document be released, to release the Administrative Agent’s Liens on such assets.

 

(e)  If, in connection with any proposed amendment, waiver or consent requiring the consent of “each Lender” or “each Lender directly affected thereby,” the consent of the Required Lenders is obtained, but the consent of other necessary Lenders is not obtained (any such Lender whose consent is necessary but not obtained being referred to herein as a “Non-Consenting Lender”), then the Company may elect to replace a Non-Consenting Lender as a Lender party to this Agreement, provided that, concurrently with such replacement, (i) another bank or other entity which is reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Administrative Agent shall agree, as of such date, to purchase for cash the Loans and other Obligations due to the Non-Consenting Lender pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption and to become a Lender for all purposes under this Agreement and to assume all obligations of the Non-Consenting Lender to be terminated as of such date and to comply with the requirements of clause (b) of Section 9.04, and (ii) such Non-Consenting Lender shall have received in same day funds on the day of such replacement (1) all interest, fees and other amounts then accrued but unpaid to such Non-Consenting Lender by such Borrower hereunder to and including the date of termination, including without limitation payments due to such Non-Consenting Lender under Sections 2.15 and 2.17, and (2) an amount, if any, equal to the payment which would have been due to such Lender on the day of such replacement under Section 2.16 had the Loans of such Non-Consenting Lender been prepaid on such date rather than sold to the replacement Lender.

 

(f)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein the Administrative Agent may, with the consent of the Borrowers only, amend, modify or supplement this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (i) to correct, amend, resolve or cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency or correct any typographical error or other manifest error in any Loan Document, (ii) to comply with local law or advice of local counsel in any jurisdiction the laws of which govern any Collateral Document or that are relevant to the creation, perfection, protection and/or priority of any Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, (iii) to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties, (iv) to make administrative or operational changes not adverse to any Lender or (v) to add a guarantor or collateral or otherwise enhance the rights and benefits of the Lenders.

 

SECTION 9.03.  Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.  (a)  The Company shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arrangers and their respective Affiliates (including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of one primary counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent and the Lead Arrangers and their respective Affiliates, in each case, for all such parties taken together) in connection with the syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet or through a service such as Intralinks) of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender (including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of one primary counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction for the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders taken as a whole (and, in light of actual or potential conflicts of interest or the availability of different claims or defenses (as reasonably determined by the affected party), one additional firm of counsel to each group of similarly affected parties)) in

 

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connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement and any other Loan Document, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

 

(b)  The Company shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees, disbursements and other charges of (x) one primary counsel and one local counsel in each applicable jurisdiction, in each case for the Indemnitees taken as a whole and (y) one additional counsel for each affected Indemnitee in light of actual or potential conflicts of interest or the availability of different claims or defenses) incurred by or asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of any Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations thereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or any other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not such claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding is brought by the Company or any other Loan Party or its or their respective equity holders, Affiliates, creditors or any other third Person and whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from (x) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) the material breach in bad faith by such Indemnitee of its express obligations under this Agreement pursuant to a claim initiated by the Company.  This Section 9.03(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims or damages arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

(c)  To the extent that the Company fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, and each Revolving Lender severally agrees to pay to the relevant Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount (it being understood that the Company’s failure to pay any such amount shall not relieve the Company of any default in the payment thereof); provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such.

 

(d)  To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Borrower shall assert, and each Borrower hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee (i) for any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet) other than actual or direct damages that are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or any of its Related Parties.  To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Indemnitee shall assert against any Loan Party or its Related

 

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Parties and no Loan Party shall assert against any Indemnitee, and each Indemnitee and Loan Party hereby waives, any claim, or (ii) on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof; provided that, nothing contained in this sentence shall limit the Company’s indemnity obligations to the extent set forth in Section 9.03(b).

 

(e)  All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than fifteen (15) days after written demand therefor.

 

SECTION 9.04.  Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)  The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the relevant Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) no Borrower may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by any Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section.  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the relevant Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of this Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)  (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) of:

 

(A)   the Company; provided that, (i) no consent of the Company shall be required for an assignment during the primary syndication of the Tranche B Term Loans, (ii) the Company shall be deemed to have consented to any assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof and (iii) no consent of the Company shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, any other assignee;

 

(B)   the Administrative Agent; provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund;

 

(C)   each Issuing Bank; provided that no consent of any Issuing Bank shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan; and

 

(D)   the Swingline Lender; provided that no consent of the Swingline Lender shall be required for an assignment of all or any portion of a Term Loan.

 

(ii)   Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

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(A)   except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 (in the case of Revolving Commitments and Revolving Loans) or $1,000,000 (in the case of a Term Loan) unless each of the Company and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Company shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(B)   each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans;

 

(C)   the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (x) an Assignment and Assumption or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 (unless waived by the Administrative Agent), such fee to be paid by either the assigning Lender or the assignee Lender or shared between such Lenders; provided that (1) only one such processing and recordation fee shall be payable in the event of simultaneous assignments and delegations from any Lender or its Approved Funds to one or more other Approved Funds of such Lender and (2) with respect to any assignment and delegation pursuant to Section 2.19(b) or 9.02(e), the parties hereto agree that such assignment and delegation may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Company, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and that the Lender required to make such assignment and delegation need not be a party thereto;

 

(D)   the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire in which the assignee designates one or more credit contacts to whom all syndicate-level information (which may contain MNPI about the Company and its affiliates and their Related Parties or their respective securities) will be made available and who may receive such information in accordance with the assignee’s compliance procedures and applicable laws, including Federal and state securities laws; and

 

(E)   any Loans assigned to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be cancelled immediately upon such assignment.

 

For the purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the terms “Approved Fund” and “Ineligible Institution” have the following meanings:

 

“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

“Ineligible Institution” means (a) a natural person, (b) a Defaulting Lender or its Lender Parent, (c) a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof or (d) a Disqualified Lender.

 

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(iii)   Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03).  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section.

 

(iv)   The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of each Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Company, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(v)   Upon its receipt of (x) a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee or (y) to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and the parties to the Assignment and Assumption are participants, the assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section and any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided that if either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(c), 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein in the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full, together with all accrued interest thereon.  No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this paragraph.

 

(c)  Any Lender may, without the consent of any Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a “Participant”), other than an Ineligible Institution, in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any

 

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amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant.  Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at any Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with such Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 2.19 with respect to any Participant.  Each Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.17(f) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.17(f) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 2.18 and 2.19 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.15 or 2.17, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such Commitment, Loan, Letter of Credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

(d)  Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(e)  Disqualified Lenders.

 

(i)                                     No assignment or participation shall be made to any Person that was a Disqualified Lender as of the date (the “Trade Date”) on which the assigning Lender entered into a binding agreement to sell and assign or grant a participation in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement to such Person (unless the Company has consented to such assignment or participation in writing in its sole and absolute discretion, in which case such Person will not be considered a Disqualified Lender for the purpose of such assignment or participation). For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any assignee or Participant that becomes a Disqualified Lender after the applicable Trade Date (including as a result of the delivery of a written supplement to the list of “Disqualified Lenders” referred to in, the definition of “Disqualified Lender”), (x) such assignee or Participant shall not retroactively be disqualified from becoming a Lender or Participant and (y) the execution by the Company of an Assignment

 

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and Assumption with respect to such assignee will not by itself result in such assignee no longer being considered a Disqualified Lender. Any assignment or participation in violation of this clause (e)(i) shall not be void, but the other provisions of this clause (e) shall apply.

 

(ii)                                  If any assignment or participation is made to any Disqualified Lender without the Company’s prior written consent in violation of clause (i) above, or if any Person becomes a Disqualified Lender after the applicable Trade Date, the Company may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to the applicable Disqualified Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Disqualified Lender to assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in this Section 9.04), all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Agreement to one or more Persons (other than an Ineligible Institution) at the lesser of (x) the principal amount thereof and (y) the amount that such Disqualified Lender paid to acquire such interests, rights and obligations in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder.

 

(iii)                               Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Disqualified Lenders to whom an assignment or participation is made in violation of clause (i) above (A) will not have the right to (x) receive information, reports or other materials provided to Lenders by the Company, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (y) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, or (z) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and (B) for purposes of any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of, or any action under, and for the purpose of any direction to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, each Disqualified Lender will be deemed to have consented in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Disqualified Lenders consented to such matter.

 

(iv)                              The Administrative Agent shall have the right, and the Company hereby expressly authorizes the Administrative Agent, to (A) post the list of Disqualified Lenders provided by the Company and any updates thereto from time to time (collectively, the “DQ List”) on a Platform, including that portion of such Platform that is designated for “public side” Lenders and/or (B) provide the DQ List to each Lender or potential Lender requesting the same.

 

(v)                                 The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Lenders.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any other Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Institution or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, by any other Person to any Disqualified Lender.

 

(f)  Purchasing Borrower Parties.

 

(i)   Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary contained in this Agreement, any Lender may assign all or a portion of its Term Loans to the Company or any Subsidiary (each, a “Purchasing Borrower Party”) in accordance with this Section 9.04(f) (which assignment will not constitute a prepayment of Loans for any purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents); provided that:

 

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(A) no Default or Event of Default has occurred or is continuing or would result therefrom;

 

(B) each Auction Purchase Offer shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures, terms and conditions set forth in this Section 9.04(f) and the Auction Procedures;

 

(C) the assigning Lender and Purchasing Borrower Party purchasing such Lender’s Term Loans, as applicable, shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an assignment agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G-2 hereto (an “Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption”) in lieu of an Assignment and Assumption;

 

(D) for the avoidance of doubt, the Lenders shall not be permitted to assign Revolving Commitments or Revolving Loans to any Purchasing Borrower Party;

 

(E) any Term Loans assigned to any Purchasing Borrower Party shall, without further action by any Person, be immediately deemed permanently cancelled for all purposes and no longer outstanding (and may not be resold by any Purchasing Borrower Party), and the principal amount of the Term Loans so assigned shall be applied on a pro rata basis to reduce the scheduled remaining installments of principal on such Class of Term Loans, it being understood and agreed that any gains or losses by any Purchasing Borrower Party upon purchase or acquisition and cancellation of such Term Loans shall not be taken into account in the calculation of Excess Cash Flow, Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA;

 

(F) in no event shall any Purchasing Borrower Party be entitled to vote hereunder in connection with the assigned Term Loans;

 

(G) no more than one (1) Auction Purchase Offer with respect to any Class may be ongoing at any one time, no more than four (4) Auction Purchase Offers (regardless of Class) may be made in any one year and any Auction Purchase Offer with respect to any Class shall be offered to all Term Lenders holding Term Loans of such Class on a pro rata basis;

 

(H) the Purchasing Borrower Party shall not have any MNPI with respect to any Loan Parties that either (a) has not been disclosed to the Lenders (other than Lenders that do not wish to receive MNPI with respect to any of the Loan Parties) on or prior to the date of any initiation of an Auction by such Purchasing Borrower Party or (b) if not disclosed to the Lenders, could reasonably be expected to have a material effect upon, or otherwise be material to, (x) a Lender’s decision to participate in any such Auction or (y) the market price of the Term Loans; and

 

(I) no Purchasing Borrower Party may use the proceeds from Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans to purchase any Term Loans.

 

(ii)   In connection with any Term Loans assigned and cancelled pursuant to this Section 9.04(f), the Administrative Agent is authorized to make appropriate entries in the Register to reflect any such cancellation. Any payment made by any Purchasing Borrower Party in connection with an assignment permitted by this Section 9.04(f) shall not be subject to any of the pro rata payment or sharing requirements of this Agreement.

 

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(iii)   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no Purchasing Borrower Party shall have any right to (A) attend (including by telephone) any meeting or discussions (or portion thereof) among the Administrative Agent or any Lender to which representatives of the Company and its Subsidiaries are not invited, (B) receive any information or material prepared by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any communication by or among the Administrative Agent and/or one or more Lenders, except to the extent such information or materials have been made available to the Company, any Subsidiary or their respective representatives or (C) make or bring any claim, in its capacity as a Lender, against the Administrative Agent with respect to any duties or obligations or alleged duties or obligations of such agent under the Loan Documents.

 

SECTION 9.05.  Survival.  All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document is outstanding and unpaid (except for Unliquidated Obligations) or any Letter of Credit is outstanding (unless such Letter of Credit has been cash collateralized or backstopped pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) and so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated.  The provisions of Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

 

SECTION 9.06.  Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Arranger Fee Letter and any separate letter agreements with respect to (i) fees payable to the Administrative Agent and (ii) reductions of the Letter of Credit Commitment of any Issuing Bank constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, e-mailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.  The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act;

 

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provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept electronic signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent.

 

SECTION 9.07.  Severability.  Any provision of any Loan Document held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions thereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

SECTION 9.08.  Right of Setoff.  If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final and in whatever currency denominated) at any time held and other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor against any of and all of the Secured Obligations held by such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under the Loan Documents and although such obligations may be unmatured.  The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.

 

SECTION 9.09.  Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.  (a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

 

(b)  Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, and of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court.  Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.  Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.

 

(c)  Each Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

 

(d)  Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.01.  Each Foreign Subsidiary Borrower irrevocably designates and appoints the Company, as its authorized agent, to accept and acknowledge on its behalf, service of any and all process which may be served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 9.09(b) in any federal or New York State court sitting in New York City.  The Company hereby represents, warrants and confirms that the Company has agreed to accept such appointment (and any similar appointment by a Subsidiary Guarantor which is a Foreign Subsidiary).  Said designation and

 

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appointment shall be irrevocable by each such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower until all Loans, all reimbursement obligations, interest thereon and all other amounts payable by such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall have been paid in full in accordance with the provisions hereof and thereof and such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower shall have been terminated as a Borrower hereunder pursuant to Section 2.23.  Each Foreign Subsidiary Borrower hereby consents to process being served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in Section 9.09(b) in any federal or New York State court sitting in New York City by service of process upon the Company as provided in this Section 9.09(d); provided that, to the extent lawful and possible, notice of said service upon such agent shall be mailed by registered or certified air mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Company and (if applicable to) such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower at its address set forth in the Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement to which it is a party or to any other address of which such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower shall have given written notice to the Administrative Agent (with a copy thereof to the Company).  Each Foreign Subsidiary Borrower irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all claim of error by reason of any such service in such manner and agrees that such service shall be deemed in every respect effective service of process upon such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower in any such suit, action or proceeding and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be taken and held to be valid and personal service upon and personal delivery to such Foreign Subsidiary Borrower.  To the extent any Foreign Subsidiary Borrower has or hereafter may acquire any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether from service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution of a judgment, execution or otherwise), each Foreign Subsidiary Borrower hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect of its obligations under the Loan Documents.  Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

 

SECTION 9.10.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

SECTION 9.11.  Headings.  Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

SECTION 9.12.  Confidentiality.  Each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any Governmental Authority (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or

 

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any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (1) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement (and such actual or prospective assignee or Participant shall also be permitted to receive the DQ List so long as such Person is not identified by name on such DQ List) or (2) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to any Borrower and its obligations, (g) on a confidential basis to (1) any rating agency in connection with rating the Company or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided for herein or (2) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facilities provided for herein, (h) with the consent of the Company or (i) to the extent such Information (1) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (2) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Company.  For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Company relating to the Company or its business, whether or not identified at the time of delivery as confidential, other than (x) any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Company, (y) any such information that is independently developed, discovered or arrived at by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender and (z) information pertaining to this Agreement routinely provided by arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry; provided that, in the case of information received from the Company after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

EACH LENDER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING PARAGRAPH FURNISHED TO IT PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY INCLUDE MNPI CONCERNING THE COMPANY AND ITS RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES, AND CONFIRMS THAT IT HAS DEVELOPED COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES REGARDING THE USE OF MNPI AND THAT IT WILL HANDLE SUCH MNPI IN ACCORDANCE WITH THOSE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

 

ALL INFORMATION, INCLUDING REQUESTS FOR WAIVERS AND AMENDMENTS, FURNISHED BY THE COMPANY OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PURSUANT TO, OR IN THE COURSE OF ADMINISTERING, THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE SYNDICATE-LEVEL INFORMATION, WHICH MAY CONTAIN MNPI ABOUT THE COMPANY, THE OTHER LOAN PARTIES AND THEIR RELATED PARTIES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SECURITIES.  ACCORDINGLY, EACH LENDER REPRESENTS TO THE COMPANY AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT THAT IT HAS IDENTIFIED IN ITS ADMINISTRATIVE QUESTIONNAIRE A CREDIT CONTACT WHO MAY RECEIVE INFORMATION THAT MAY CONTAIN MNPI IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES AND APPLICABLE LAW.

 

SECTION 9.13.  USA PATRIOT Act.  Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the Patriot Act hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Loan Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

 

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SECTION 9.14.  Releases of Subsidiary Guarantors.  (a)  A Subsidiary Guarantor shall automatically be released from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary; provided that, if so required by this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall have consented to such transaction and the terms of such consent shall not have provided otherwise.  In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to) execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release.  Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

 

(b)  Further, the Administrative Agent may (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to), upon the request of the Company, release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty if (i) such Subsidiary Guarantor is no longer a Material Domestic Subsidiary or is otherwise not required pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to provide a Subsidiary Guaranty or (ii) such release is approved, authorized or ratified by the requisite Lenders pursuant to Section 9.02.

 

(c)  At such time as the principal and interest on the Loans, all LC Disbursements, the fees, expenses and other amounts payable under the Loan Documents and the other Secured Obligations (other than Swap Obligations not due and payable, Banking Services Obligations not due and payable, and other Obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination) shall have been paid in full in cash, the Commitments shall have been terminated and all Letters of Credit and Qualified LCs have expired or terminated (or have been cash collateralized in accordance with (or, in the case of Qualified LCs, in a manner consistent with) Section 2.06(j)) or backstopped pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of any Qualified LCs, the Qualified LC Issuer)), the Subsidiary Guaranty and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of each Subsidiary Guarantor thereunder shall automatically terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.

 

SECTION 9.15.  Appointment for Perfection.  Each Lender hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC or any other applicable law can be perfected only by possession or control.  Should any Lender (other than the Administrative Agent) obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Administrative Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s instructions.

 

SECTION 9.16.  Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

 

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SECTION 9.17.  No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.  In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), each Borrower acknowledges and agrees that:  (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between such Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Lenders and their Affiliates, on the other hand, (B) such Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) such Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) each of the Lenders and their Affiliates is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for such Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) no Lender or any of its Affiliates has any obligation to such Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except, in the case of a Lender, those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) each of the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of such Borrower and its Affiliates, and no Lender or any of its Affiliates has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to such Borrower or its Affiliates.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against each of the Lenders and their Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

SECTION 9.18.  Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)  the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

(b)  the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i)   a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii)   a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii)   the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

 

ARTICLE X

 

Company Guarantee

 

In order to induce the Lenders to extend credit to the Borrowers hereunder and for other good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged), the

 

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Company hereby absolutely and irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety, the payment when and as due of (i) the Obligations of the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers and (ii) the Specified Ancillary Obligations (collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”).  The Company further agrees that the due and punctual payment of such Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee hereunder notwithstanding any such extension or renewal of any such Guaranteed Obligation.

 

The Company waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest to any Subsidiary of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, and also waives notice of acceptance of its obligations and notice of protest for nonpayment.  The obligations of the Company hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (or any of its Affiliates) to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against any Subsidiary under the provisions of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or release from, any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement or any other agreement; (d) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (e) the failure of the Administrative Agent (or any applicable Lender (or any of its Affiliates)) to take any steps to perfect and maintain any security interest in, or to preserve any rights to, any security or collateral for the Guaranteed Obligations, if any; (f) any change in the corporate, partnership or other existence, structure or ownership of any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations; (g) the enforceability or validity of the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to any collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations or any part thereof, or any other invalidity or unenforceability relating to or against any Subsidiary or any other guarantor of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, for any reason related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Swap Agreement, any Banking Services Agreement, or any provision of applicable law, decree, order or regulation of any jurisdiction purporting to prohibit the payment by such Subsidiary or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations, of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise affecting any term of any of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (h) any other act, omission or delay to do any other act which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of the Company or otherwise operate as a discharge of a guarantor as a matter of law or equity or which would impair or eliminate any right of the Company to subrogation.

 

The Company further agrees that its agreement hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment when due (whether or not any bankruptcy or similar proceeding shall have stayed the accrual or collection of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or operated as a discharge thereof) and not merely of collection, and waives any right to require that any resort be had by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (or any of its Affiliates) to any balance of any deposit account or credit on the books of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in favor of any Subsidiary or any other Person.

 

The obligations of the Company hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, and shall not be subject to any defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever, by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any impossibility in the performance of any of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise.

 

The Company further agrees that its obligations hereunder shall constitute a continuing and irrevocable guarantee of all Guaranteed Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall continue to be

 

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effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligation (including a payment effected through exercise of a right of setoff) is rescinded, or is or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (or any of its Affiliates) upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Subsidiary or otherwise (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by a holder of Guaranteed Obligations in its discretion).

 

In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (or any of its Affiliates) may have at law or in equity against the Company by virtue hereof, upon the failure of any Subsidiary to pay any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, after notice of prepayment or otherwise, the Company hereby promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (or any of its Affiliates), forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender (or any of such Lender’s Affiliates) in cash an amount equal to the unpaid principal amount of the Guaranteed Obligations then due, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon.  The Company further agrees that if payment in respect of any Guaranteed Obligation shall be due in a currency other than Dollars and/or at a place of payment other than New York, Chicago or any other Eurocurrency Payment Office and if, by reason of any Change in Law, disruption of currency or foreign exchange markets, war or civil disturbance or other event, payment of such Guaranteed Obligation in such currency or at such place of payment shall be impossible or, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender (or any of its Affiliates), disadvantageous to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or such Lender (or any of such Lender’s Affiliates) in any material respect, then, at the election of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, the Company shall make payment of such Guaranteed Obligation in Dollars (based upon the applicable Equivalent Amount in effect on the date of payment) and/or in New York, Chicago or such other Eurocurrency Payment Office as is designated by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and, as a separate and independent obligation, shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and such Lender (and such Lender’s Affiliates), as applicable, against any losses or reasonable out-of-pocket expenses that it shall sustain as a result of such alternative payment.

 

Upon payment by the Company of any sums as provided above, all rights of the Company against any Subsidiary arising as a result thereof by way of right of subrogation or otherwise shall in all respects be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations owed by such Subsidiary.

 

The Company hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each Subsidiary Guarantor to honor all of its obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty in respect of Specified Swap Obligations (provided, however, that the Company shall only be liable under this paragraph for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this paragraph or otherwise under this Article X voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount).  The Company intends that this paragraph constitute, and this paragraph shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

Nothing shall discharge or satisfy the liability of the Company hereunder except the full performance and payment in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

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

 

	
 
    	
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION, as the Company
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By 
    	
/s/ Jeffrey Graves
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Jeffrey Graves
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   President   and Chief Executive Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,   individually as a Lender, as Swingline Lender, as an Issuing Bank and as   Administrative Agent
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By 
    	
/s/ Sabir Hashmy
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: Sabir Hashmy
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Managing   Director
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., individually as a Lender and as   Syndication Agent
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By   
    	
/s/   Sharlyn Rekenthaler
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Sharlyn Rekenthaler
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:     Vice President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
U.S. BANK NATIONAL   ASSOCIATION,   individually as a Lender and as a Co-Documentation Agent
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By   
    	
/s/   Andrew Beckman
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Andrew Beckman
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:     Vice President
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
HSBC BANK USA, N.A., individually as a Lender and as a   Co-Documentation Agent
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By   
    	
/s/   Fik Durmus
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Fik Durmus
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:     Senior Vice President
    

 

Signature Page to Credit Agreement 

MTS Systems Corporation

 

 

SCHEDULE 2.01A

 

REVOLVING COMMITMENTS

 

	
LENDER
    	
 
    	
REVOLVING COMMITMENT
    	
 
    
	
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,   N.A.
    	
 
    	
$
    	
35,000,000
    	
 
    
	
WELLS FARGO   BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
    	
 
    	
$
    	
25,000,000
    	
 
    
	
U.S. BANK   NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
    	
 
    	
$
    	
20,000,000
    	
 
    
	
HSBC BANK USA,   NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
    	
 
    	
$
    	
20,000,000
    	
 
    
	
AGGREGATE   REVOLVING COMMITMENTS
    	
 
    	
$
    	
100,000,000
    	
 
    

 

TERM LOAN COMMITMENTS

 

	
LENDER
    	
 
    	
TERM LOAN COMMITMENT
    	
 
    
	
JPMORGAN CHASE   BANK, N.A.
    	
 
    	
$
    	
460,000,000
    	
 
    
	
AGGREGATE   TERM LOAN COMMITMENTS
    	
 
    	
$
    	
460,000,000
    	
 
    

 

 

SCHEDULE 2.01B

 

LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENTS

 

	
LENDER
    	
 
    	
LETTER OF CREDIT COMMITMENT
    	
 
    
	
JPMORGAN CHASE   BANK, N.A.
    	
 
    	
$
    	
50,000,000
    	
 
    
	
LETTER   OF CREDIT COMMITMENTS
    	
 
    	
$
    	
50,000,000
    	
 
    

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “Assignor”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “Assignee”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee.  The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees, and swingline loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”).  Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

	
1.
    	
Assignor:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.
    	
Assignee:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
[and is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify   Lender](1)]
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
3.
    	
Borrowers:
    	
MTS Systems Corporation and certain Foreign   Subsidiary Borrowers
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.
    	
Administrative Agent:
    	
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative   agent under the Credit Agreement
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.
    	
Credit Agreement:
    	
The Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2016   among MTS Systems Corporation, the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to   time parties thereto, the Lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,   as Administrative Agent, and the other agents parties thereto
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
6.
    	
Assigned Interest:
    	
 
    

 

(1)  Select as applicable.

 

1

 

	
Facility Assigned(2)
    	
 
    	
Aggregate Amount of 
   Commitment/Loans for all 
   Lenders
    	
 
    	
Amount of
   Commitment/
   Loans Assigned
    	
 
    	
Percentage Assigned
   of
   Commitment/Loans(3)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
%
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
%
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
%
    

 

Effective Date:                   , 20    [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

	
 
    	
ASSIGNOR
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[NAME   OF ASSIGNOR]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ASSIGNEE
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[NAME   OF ASSIGNEE]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

	
Consented to and   Accepted:
    
	
 
    
	
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,   N.A., as
    
	
Administrative Agent,   an Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender
    
	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
[                 ],   as
    	
 
    
	
an Issuing Bank
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    

 

(2)  Fill in the appropriate terminology for the types of facilities under the Credit Agreement that are being assigned under this Assignment (e.g., “Revolving Commitment”, “Term Loan Commitment”, etc.).

(3)  Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

 

2

 

	
[Consented to:](4)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    

 

(4)  To be added only if the consent of the Company is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

3

 

ANNEX I

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

1.  Representations and Warranties.

 

1.1.  Assignor.  The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2.  Assignee.  The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (v)  attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

2.  Payments.  From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

3.  General Provisions.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Acceptance and adoption of the terms of this Assignment and Assumption by the Assignee and the Assignor by Electronic Signature or delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by any Electronic System shall be effective as delivery of a manually

 

1

 

executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

2

 

EXHIBIT B

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

 

EXHIBIT C

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

 

EXHIBIT D

 

[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

 

 

EXHIBIT E

 

LIST OF CLOSING DOCUMENTS

 

MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
 CERTAIN FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY BORROWERS

 

CREDIT FACILITIES

 

July 5, 2016

 

LIST OF CLOSING DOCUMENTS(1)

 

A.                                    LOAN DOCUMENTS

 

1.                                      Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among MTS Systems Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (the “Company”), the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time parties thereto (collectively with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the institutions from time to time parties thereto as Lenders (the “Lenders”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent for itself and the other Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”), evidencing a revolving credit facility to the Borrowers from the Revolving Lenders in an initial aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 and a tranche B term loan facility to the Company from the Tranche B Term Lenders in an aggregate principal amount of $460,000,000.

 

SCHEDULES

 

	
Schedule 2.01A
    	
—
    	
Commitments
    
	
Schedule 2.01B
    	
—
    	
Letter of Credit Commitments
    
	
Schedule 2.06
    	
—
    	
Existing Letters of Credit
    
	
Schedule 3.01
    	
—
    	
Subsidiaries
    
	
Schedule 6.01
    	
—
    	
Existing Indebtedness
    
	
Schedule 6.02
    	
—
    	
Existing Liens
    
	
Schedule 6.04
    	
—
    	
Existing Investments
    
	
Schedule 6.11
    	
—
    	
Restrictive Agreements
    

 

EXHIBITS

 

	
Exhibit A
    	
—
    	
Form of Assignment and Assumption
    
	
Exhibit B
    	
—
    	
[Intentionally Omitted]
    
	
Exhibit C
    	
—
    	
[Intentionally Omitted]
    
	
Exhibit D
    	
—
    	
[Intentionally Omitted]
    
	
Exhibit E
    	
—
    	
List of Closing Documents
    
	
Exhibit F-1
    	
—
    	
Form of Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement
    
	
Exhibit F-2
    	
—
    	
Form of Borrowing Subsidiary Termination
    
	
Exhibit G-1
    	
—
    	
Auction Procedures
    
	
Exhibit G-2
    	
—
    	
Affiliated Lender Assignment Assumption
    
	
Exhibit H
    	
—
    	
Form of Compliance Certificate
    

 

(1)  Each capitalized term used herein and not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the above-defined Credit Agreement.  Items appearing in bold and italics shall be prepared and/or provided by the Company and/or Company’s counsel.

 

 

	
Exhibit I-1
    	
—
    	
Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign   Lenders That Are Not Partnerships)
    
	
Exhibit I-2
    	
—
    	
Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign   Participants That Are Not Partnerships)
    
	
Exhibit I-3
    	
—
    	
Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign   Participants That Are Partnerships)
    
	
Exhibit I-4
    	
—
    	
Form of U.S. Tax Certificate (Foreign   Lenders That Are Partnerships)
    
	
Exhibit J-1
    	
—
    	
Form of Borrowing Request
    
	
Exhibit J-2
    	
—
    	
Form of Interest Election Request
    

 

2.                                      Notes executed by the initial Borrowers in favor of each of the Lenders, if any, which has requested a note pursuant to Section 2.10(e) of the Credit Agreement.

 

3.                                      Guaranty executed by the initial Subsidiary Guarantors (collectively with the Borrowers, the “Loan Parties”) in favor of the Administrative Agent.

 

4.                                      Pledge and Security Agreement executed by the Loan Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent, together with pledged instruments and allonges, stock certificates, stock powers executed in blank, pledge instructions and acknowledgments, as appropriate.

 

5.                                      Confirmatory Grant of Security Interest in United States Patents made by certain of the Loan Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

	
Schedule   A
    	
—
    	
Registered Patents; Patent Applications;   Other Patents
    

 

6.                                      Confirmatory Grant of Security Interest in United States Trademarks made by certain of the Loan Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

	
Schedule   A
    	
—
    	
Registered   Trademarks; Trademark and Service Mark Applications; Other Trademarks
    

 

7.                                      Confirmatory Grant of Security Interest in United States Copyrights made by certain of the Loan Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

	
Schedule A
    	
—
    	
Registered Copyrights; Copyright Applications;   Other Copyrights
    

 

B.                                    UCC DOCUMENTS

 

8.                                      UCC, tax lien and name variation search reports naming each Loan Party from the appropriate offices in relevant jurisdictions.

 

9.                                      UCC financing statements naming each Loan Party as debtor and the Administrative Agent as secured party as filed with the appropriate offices in applicable jurisdictions.

 

C.                                    CORPORATE DOCUMENTS

 

10.                               Certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party certifying (i) that there have been no changes in the Certificate of Incorporation or other charter document of such Loan Party, as attached thereto and as certified as of a recent date by the Secretary of State (or analogous governmental entity) of the jurisdiction of its organization, since the date

 

2

 

of the certification thereof by such governmental entity, (ii) the By-Laws or other applicable organizational document, as attached thereto, of such Loan Party as in effect on the date of such certification, (iii) resolutions of the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Loan Party authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of each Loan Document to which it is a party and (iv) the names and true signatures of the incumbent officers of each Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (in the case of each Borrower) authorized to request a Borrowing or the issuance of a Letter of Credit under the Credit Agreement.

 

11.                               Good Standing Certificate (or analogous documentation if applicable) for each Loan Party from the Secretary of State (or analogous governmental entity) of the jurisdiction of its organization, to the extent generally available in such jurisdiction.

 

D.                                    OPINIONS

 

12.                               Favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, special counsel for the Loan Parties, covering such matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.  The Company hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.

 

13.                               Favorable written opinion (addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of Faegre Baker Daniels LLP, special Minnesota counsel for the Loan Parties, covering such matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents or the Transactions as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.  The Company hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.

 

E.                                     CLOSING CERTIFICATES AND MISCELLANEOUS

 

14.                               A Certificate signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the Company certifying that:

 

(i) the Specified Representations are true and correct in all material respects (provided that any representation or warranty that is qualified by materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language are true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects (provided that any representation or warranty that is qualified by materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language are true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date;

 

(ii) the PCB Merger Agreement Representations are true and correct in all material respects (provided that any such representation or warranty that is qualified by “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect,” or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects (provided that any representation or warranty that is qualified by “materiality,” “Material Adverse Effect,” or similar language shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date;

 

(iii) after giving effect to the Transactions, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Target and its subsidiaries) shall have any

 

3

 

Indebtedness outstanding other than the Permitted Surviving Debt and the Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement;

 

(iv) except as set forth in the “Schedules,” and except for any transactions contemplated by the PCB Merger Agreement, as in effect on April 5, 2016, and the other “Covered Agreements,” since the date of the “Reference Balance Sheet” there shall not have been any “Material Adverse Effect” (as each such quoted term is defined in the PCB Merger Agreement as in effect on April 5, 2016); and

 

(v) the PCB Acquisition shall, substantially concurrently with the initial funding of the Loans hereunder, be consummated pursuant to the PCB Merger Agreement, as in effect on April 5, 2016, and no provision thereof shall have been amended or waived, and no consent or request shall have been given under the PCB Merger Agreement, in any way that is materially adverse to the Lenders in their capacities as such.

 

15.                               A Solvency Certificate of the chief financial officer of the Company substantially in the form of Annex I hereto, certifying that the Company and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transactions, are solvent.

 

16.                               Payoff documentation providing evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Existing Credit Agreement has been terminated and cancelled (along with all of the agreements, documents and instruments delivered in connection therewith) and all Indebtedness owing thereunder has been repaid.

 

17.                               The following financial statements: (i) audited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and PCB and its subsidiaries, for the three most recently completed fiscal years ended at least ninety (90) days prior to the Effective Date and (ii) unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of each of the Company and its Subsidiaries and PCB and its subsidiaries, for each subsequent fiscal quarter ended at least sixty (60) days before the Effective Date (or the filing of the required financial statements on Form 10-K and/or Form 10-Q by the Company or PCB).

 

18.                               Pro forma consolidated balance sheet and related pro forma consolidated statement of income of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of and for the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the most recently completed four-fiscal quarter period ended at least sixty (60) days prior to the Effective Date, prepared after giving effect to the Transactions (including the PCB Acquisition) as if the Transactions had occurred as of such date (in the case of such balance sheet) or at the beginning of such period (in the case of such statement of income).

 

19.                               At least two (2) Business Days prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information about the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors as shall have been reasonably requested in writing by either the Administrative Agent or by the Lead Arrangers at least ten (10) days prior to the Effective Date and required by U.S. regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act.

 

4

 

Annex I to Exhibit E

 

FORM OF SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE

 

[          ], 20[  ]

 

This Solvency Certificate is being executed and delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(a) of the Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), dated as of July 5, 2016, among MTS Systems Corporation (the “Company”), the lenders party thereto from time to time and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent; the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined.

 

I, [          ], the chief financial officer of the Company, solely in such capacity and not in an individual capacity, hereby certify that I am the chief financial officer of the Company and that I am generally familiar with the businesses and assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole), I have made such other investigations and inquiries as I have deemed appropriate and I am duly authorized to execute this Solvency Certificate on behalf of the Company pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

I further certify, solely in my capacity as chief financial officer of the Company, and not in my individual capacity, as of the date hereof and after giving effect to the Transactions and the incurrence of the indebtedness and obligations being incurred in connection with the Credit Agreement and the Transactions on the date hereof, that, with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, (a) the sum of the liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, does not exceed the present fair saleable value of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) the capital of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, is not unreasonably small in relation to the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, contemplated on the date hereof and (c) the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, do not intend to incur, or believe that they will incur, debts including current obligations beyond their ability to pay such debt as they mature in the ordinary course of business.  For the purposes hereof, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability (irrespective of whether such contingent liabilities meet the criteria for accrual under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 5).

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

5

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Solvency Certificate on the date first written above.

 

 

	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
Title: Chief Financial Officer
    

 

6

 

EXHIBIT F-1

 

[FORM OF]

 

BORROWING SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT

 

BORROWING SUBSIDIARY AGREEMENT dated as of [     ], among MTS Systems Corporation, a Minnesota corporation (the “Company”), [Name of Foreign Subsidiary Borrower], a [          ] (the “New Borrowing Subsidiary”), and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”).

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Company, the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent.  Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.  Under the Credit Agreement, the Lenders have agreed, upon the terms and subject to the conditions therein set forth, to make Loans to certain Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers (collectively with the Company, the “Borrowers”), and the Company and the New Borrowing Subsidiary desire that the New Borrowing Subsidiary become a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower.  In addition, the New Borrowing Subsidiary hereby authorizes the Company to act on its behalf as and to the extent provided for in Article II of the Credit Agreement.  [Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the New Borrowing Subsidiary hereby designates the following officers as being authorized to request Borrowings under the Credit Agreement on behalf of the New Subsidiary Borrower and sign this Borrowing Subsidiary Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the New Borrowing Subsidiary is, or may from time to time become, a party:  [              ].]

 

Each of the Company and the New Borrowing Subsidiary represents and warrants that the representations and warranties of the Company in the Credit Agreement relating to the New Borrowing Subsidiary and this Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date hereof, other than representations given as of a particular date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of that date.  [The Company and the New Borrowing Subsidiary further represent and warrant that the execution, delivery and performance by the New Borrowing Subsidiary of the transactions contemplated under this Agreement and the use of any of the proceeds raised in connection with this Agreement will not contravene or conflict with , or otherwise constitute unlawful financial assistance under, Sections 677 to 683 (inclusive) of the United Kingdom Companies Act 2006 of England and Wales (as amended).](1) [INSERT OTHER PROVISIONS REASONABLY REQUESTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ITS COUNSELS]  The Company agrees that the Guarantee of the Company contained in the Credit Agreement will apply to the Obligations of the New Borrowing Subsidiary.  Upon execution of this Agreement by each of the Company, the New Borrowing Subsidiary and the Administrative Agent, the New Borrowing Subsidiary shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and shall constitute a “Foreign Subsidiary Borrower” for all purposes thereof, and the New Borrowing Subsidiary hereby agrees to be bound by all provisions of the Credit Agreement.

 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

(1)  To be included only if a New Borrowing Subsidiary will be a Borrower organized under the laws of England and Wales.

 

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

2

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their authorized officers as of the date first appearing above.

 

	
 
    	
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[NAME OF NEW BORROWING SUBSIDIARY]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

3

 

EXHIBIT F-2

 

[FORM OF]

 

BORROWING SUBSIDIARY TERMINATION

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
 as Administrative Agent
 for the Lenders referred to below
 10 South Dearborn Street
 Chicago, Illinois 60603
 Attention:  [          ]

 

[Date]

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned, MTS Systems Corporation (the “Company”), refers to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2016 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Company, the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent.  Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

The Company hereby terminates the status of [              ] (the “Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary”) as a Foreign Subsidiary Borrower under the Credit Agreement.  [The Company represents and warrants that no Loans made to the Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary are outstanding as of the date hereof and that all amounts payable by the Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary in respect of interest and/or fees (and, to the extent notified by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any other amounts payable under the Credit Agreement) pursuant to the Credit Agreement have been paid in full on or prior to the date hereof.] [The Company acknowledges that the Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary shall continue to be a Borrower until such time as all Loans made to the Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary shall have been prepaid and all amounts payable by the Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary in respect of interest and/or fees (and, to the extent notified by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any other amounts payable under the Credit Agreement) pursuant to the Credit Agreement shall have been paid in full, provided that the Terminated Borrowing Subsidiary shall not have the right to make further Borrowings under the Credit Agreement.]

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

 

This instrument shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

	
 
    	
Very truly yours,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

Copy to:            JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

270 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

 

2

 

EXHIBIT G-1

 

[FORM OF] AUCTION PROCEDURES

 

This Exhibit G-1 is intended to summarize certain basic terms of the reverse Dutch auction procedures pursuant to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of Section 9.04(f) of the Credit Agreement, of which this Exhibit G-1 is a part.  It is not intended to be a definitive statement of all of the terms and conditions of a reverse Dutch auction, the definitive terms and conditions for which shall be set forth in the applicable offering document.  None of the Administrative Agent, the Auction Manager or any of their respective Affiliates makes any recommendation pursuant to any offering document as to whether or not any Lender should sell its Term Loans to a Purchasing Borrower Party pursuant to any offering documents, nor shall the decision by the Administrative Agent or the Auction Manager (or any of their respective Affiliates) in its capacity as a Lender to sell its Term Loans to a Purchasing Borrower Party be deemed to constitute such a recommendation.  Each Lender should make its own decision as to whether to sell any of its Term Loans and as to the price to be sought for such Term Loans.  In addition, each Lender should consult its own attorney, business advisor or tax advisor as to legal, business, tax and related matters concerning each Auction Purchase Offer and the relevant offering documents. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Exhibit G-1 have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

Notice Procedures. In connection with each Auction Purchase Offer, a Purchasing Borrower Party will provide notification to the Auction Manager (for distribution to the Lenders) of the Class or Classes of Term Loans (as determined by such Purchasing Borrower Party in its sole discretion) that will be the subject of such Auction Purchase Offer (each, an “Auction Notice”).  Each Auction Notice shall contain (i) the maximum principal amount (calculated on the face amount thereof) of each Class or Classes of Term Loans that the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party offers to purchase in such Auction Purchase Offer (the “Auction Amount “), which shall be no less than $15,000,000 (across all such Classes); (ii) the range of discounts to par (the “Discount Range”), expressed as a range of prices (in increments of $25) per $1,000, at which such Purchasing Borrower Party would be willing to purchase Term Loans of each applicable Class in such Auction Purchase Offer; and (iii) the date on which such Auction Purchase Offer will conclude (which date shall not be less than three Business Days following the distribution of the Auction Notice to the Lenders of the applicable Class(es)), on which date Return Bids (as defined below) will be due by 1:00 p.m., New York City time (as such date and time may be extended by the Auction Manager, the “Expiration Time”). Such Expiration Time may be extended for a period not exceeding three (3) Business Days upon notice by the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party to the Auction Manager received not less than 24 hours before the original Expiration Time; provided that, only two (2) extensions per offer shall be permitted.  An Auction Purchase Offer shall be regarded as a “failed Auction Purchase Offer” in the event that either (x) the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party withdraws such Auction Purchase Offer in accordance with the terms hereof or (y) the Expiration Time occurs with no Qualifying Bids (as defined below) having been received. In the event of a failed Auction Purchase Offer, no Purchasing Borrower Party shall be permitted to deliver a new Auction Notice prior to the date occurring three (3) Business Days after such withdrawal or Expiration Time, as the case may be. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party shall not initiate any Auction Purchase Offer by delivering an Auction Notice to the Auction Manager until after the conclusion (whether successful or failed) of the previous Auction Purchase Offer (if any), whether such conclusion occurs by withdrawal of such previous Auction Purchase Offer or the occurrence of the Expiration Time of such previous Auction Purchase Offer.

 

Reply Procedures.  In connection with any Auction Purchase Offer, each Lender of the applicable Class(es) wishing to participate in such Auction Purchase Offer shall, prior to the Expiration Time,

 

 

provide the Auction Manager with a notice of participation, in the form included in the applicable offering document (each, a “Return Bid”) which shall specify (i) a discount to par that must be expressed as a price (in increments of $25) per $1,000 in principal amount of Term Loans (the “Reply Price”) of the applicable Class(es) within the Discount Range and (ii) the principal amount of Term Loans of the applicable Class(es), in an amount not less than $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, that such Lender offers for sale at its Reply Price (the “Reply Amount”). A Lender may submit a Reply Amount that is less than the minimum amount and incremental amount requirements described above only if the Reply Amount comprises the entire amount of the Term Loans of the applicable Class(es) held by such Lender. Lenders may only submit one Return Bid per Class per Auction Purchase Offer, but each Return Bid may contain up to three component bids, each of which may result in a separate Qualifying Bid and each of which will not be contingent on any other component bid submitted by such Lender resulting in a Qualifying Bid. In addition to the Return Bid, the participating Lender must execute and deliver, to be held in escrow by the Auction Manager, an Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption. No Purchasing Borrower Party will purchase any Term Loans at a price that is outside of the applicable Discount Range, nor will any Return Bids (including any component bids specified therein) submitted at a price that is outside such applicable Discount Range be considered in any calculation of the Applicable Threshold Price (as defined below).

 

Acceptance Procedures. Based on the Reply Prices and Reply Amounts received by the Auction Manager, the Auction Manager, in consultation with the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party, will determine the applicable discounted price (the “Applicable Discounted Price”) for the Auction, which will be (i) the lowest Reply Price for which such Purchasing Borrower Party can complete the Auction Purchase Offer at the Auction Amount or (ii) in the event that the aggregate amount of the Reply Amounts relating to such Auction Notice is insufficient to allow such Purchasing Borrower Party to purchase the entire Auction Amount, the highest Reply Price that is within the Discounted Range, so that such Purchasing Borrower Party can complete the purchase at such aggregate amount of Reply Amounts. Subject to the conditions contained in the Auction Notice, the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party shall purchase the Term Loans (or the respective portions thereof) from each Lender with a Reply Price that is equal to or less than the Applicable Discounted Price (“Qualifying Bids”) at the Applicable Discounted Price; provided that if the aggregate amount required to pay the Qualifying Bids would exceed the Auction Amount for such Auction Purchase Offer, such Purchasing Borrower Party shall pay such Qualifying Bids at the Applicable Discounted Price ratably based on the respective principal amounts of such Qualifying Bids (subject to rounding requirements specified by the Auction Manager). Each participating Term Lender shall be given notice as to whether its bid is a Qualifying Bid as soon as reasonably practicable but in no case later than five (5) Business Days from the date the Return Bid was due.

 

Notification Procedures. The Auction Manager will calculate the Applicable Discounted Price and will cause the Administrative Agent to post the Applicable Discounted Price and proration factor, if applicable, onto an internet or intranet site (including an IntraLinks, SyndTrak or other electronic workspace) in accordance with the Auction Manager’s standard dissemination practices by 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day during which the Expiration Time occurs. The Auction Manager will insert the principal amount of Term Loans of the applicable Class(es) to be assigned and the applicable settlement date into each applicable Auction Assignment and Assumption received in connection with a Qualifying Bid. Upon the request of any submitting Lender, the Auction Manager will promptly return any Auction Assignment and Assumption received in connection with a Return Bid that is not a Qualifying Bid.

 

Additional Procedures. After delivery of an Auction Notice, the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party may withdraw an Auction Purchase Offer only if no Qualifying Bid has been received by the Auction Manager at the time of withdrawal. Any Return Bid (including any component bid thereof)

 

2

 

delivered to the Auction Manager may not be withdrawn, modified, revoked, terminated or cancelled by a Lender. However, an Auction Purchase Offer may become void if the conditions to the purchase set forth in Section 9.04(f) of the Credit Agreement are not met. The purchase price in respect of each Qualifying Bid for which purchase by the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party is required in accordance with the foregoing provisions shall be paid directly by such Purchasing Borrower Party to the respective assigning Lender on a settlement date as determined jointly by such Purchasing Borrower Party and the Auction Manager (which shall be not later than ten Business Days after the date Return Bids are due). The applicable Purchasing Borrower Party shall execute each applicable Affiliated Lender Assignment and Assumption received in connection with a Qualifying Bid. All questions as to the form of documents and eligibility of Term Loans that are the subject of an Auction Purchase Offer will be determined by the Auction Manager, in consultation with the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party, and their determination will be final and binding so long as such determination is not inconsistent with the terms of Section 9.04(f) of the Credit Agreement or this Exhibit G-1. The Auction Manager’s interpretation of the terms and conditions of the offering document, in consultation with the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party, will be final and binding so long as such interpretation is not inconsistent with the terms of Section 9.04(f) of the Credit Agreement or this Exhibit G-1. None of the Administrative Agent, the Auction Manager or any of their respective Affiliates assumes any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information concerning the applicable Purchasing Borrower Party, the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates (whether contained in an offering document or otherwise) or for any failure to disclose events that may have occurred and may affect the significance or accuracy of such information. This Exhibit G-1 shall not require any Purchasing Borrower Party to initiate any Auction Purchase Offer.

 

3

 

EXHIBIT G-2

 

[FORM OF]

AFFILIATED LENDER ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “Assignor”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “Assignee”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee.  The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the facility identified below and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”).  Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.

 

	
1.
    	
Assignor:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
2.
    	
Assignee:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
3.
    	
Borrower:
    	
MTS Systems Corporation
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
4.
    	
Administrative Agent:
    	
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative   agent under the Credit Agreement
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
5.
    	
Credit Agreement:
    	
The Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2016   among MTS Systems Corporation, the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to   time parties thereto, the Lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,   as Administrative Agent, and the other agents parties thereto
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
6.
    	
Assigned Interest:
    	
 
    

 

2

 

	
Facility Assigned
    	
 
    	
Aggregate Amount of Loans 
   for all Lenders
    	
 
    	
Amount of
   Loans Assigned
    	
 
    	
Percentage Assigned
   of
   Loans(7)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
$
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
%
    
										

 

Effective Date:                   , 20    [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

	
 
    	
ASSIGNOR
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
ASSIGNEE
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

(7)  Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

 

3

 

ANNEX I

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

1.  Representations and Warranties.

 

1.1.  Assignor.  The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2.  Assignee.  The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) it is a Purchasing Borrower Party (as defined in the Credit Agreement); (iv) as of the date hereof the Assignee does not have any MNPI with respect to any Loan Party that either (A) has not been disclosed to the Lenders or (B) if not disclosed to the Lenders, could reasonably be expected to have a material effect upon, or otherwise be material (1) to a Lender’s decision to assign its Term Loans to the Assignee or (2) to the market price of the Term Loans; (v) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (vi) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (vii) attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

2.  Payments.  From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

 

1

 

3.  General Provisions.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Acceptance and adoption of the terms of this Assignment and Assumption by the Assignee and the Assignor by Electronic Signature or delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by any Electronic System shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

2

 

EXHIBIT H

 

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

 

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

I, the undersigned, [Name of Officer], [Title of Officer] of MTS SYSTEMS CORPORATION (the “Company”), a Minnesota corporation, do hereby certify, solely in my capacity as an officer of the Company and not in my individual capacity, on behalf of the Company, that:

 

1.                                      This Certificate is furnished pursuant to the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 5, 2016, among MTS Systems Corporation, the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers party thereto, the Lenders and agents party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Certificate shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.

 

2.                                      I have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements [for quarterly financial statements add:  and such financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes];

 

3.                                      The examinations described in paragraph 2 did not disclose, except as set forth below, and I have no knowledge of (i) the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default at the end of the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements or as of the date of this Certificate or (ii) any change in GAAP or in the application thereof that has occurred since the date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 of the Credit Agreement; and

 

4.                                      Exhibit A attached hereto sets forth financial data and computations evidencing the Company’s compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 6.12 of the Credit Agreement, all of which data and computations are true, complete and correct.

 

Described below are the exceptions, if any, to paragraph 3 by listing, in detail, the (i) nature of the condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which the Company has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect to each such condition or event or (i) the change in GAAP or the application thereof and the effect of such change on the attached financial statements:

 

[           ]

 

(signature page follows)

 

 

The foregoing certifications, together with the computations set forth in Exhibit A hereto and the financial statements delivered with this Certificate in support hereof, are made and delivered this       day of           , 20   .

 

	
 
    	
MTS   SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

2

 

EXHIBIT I-1

 

[FORM OF]

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 (For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among MTS Systems Corporation (the “Company”), the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto (collectively with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

	
[NAME OF LENDER]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:             ,   20[  ]
    	
 
    

 

 

EXHIBIT I-2

 

[FORM OF]

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 (For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among MTS Systems Corporation (the “Company”), the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto (collectively with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

	
[NAME   OF PARTICIPANT]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:             ,   20[  ]
    	
 
    

 

 

EXHIBIT I-3

 

[FORM OF]

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 (For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among MTS Systems Corporation (the “Company”), the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto (collectively with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption:  (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

	
[NAME   OF PARTICIPANT]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:             ,   20[  ]
    	
 
    

 

 

EXHIBIT I-4

 

[FORM OF]

 

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
 (For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2016 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among MTS Systems Corporation (the “Company”), the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto (collectively with the Company, the “Borrowers”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

 

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.17 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of any Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to any Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption:  (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

	
[NAME   OF LENDER]
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:             ,   20[  ]
    	
 
    

 

 

EXHIBIT J-1

 

FORM OF BORROWING REQUEST

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
 as Administrative Agent
 for the Lenders referred to below

 

[10 South Dearborn
 Chicago, Illinois 60603
 Attention:  [          ]
 Facsimile:  [          ]] (1)

 

With a copy to:

 

[          ]
 [          ]
 Attention:  [          ]
 Facsimile:  [          ]

 

Re:  MTS Systems Corporation

 

	
 
    	
[Date]
    

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2016 (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among MTS Systems Corporation (the “Company”), the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.  The [undersigned Borrower][Company, on behalf of [Foreign Subsidiary Borrower],] hereby gives you notice pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement that it requests a Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection the [undersigned Borrower][Company, on behalf of [Foreign Subsidiary Borrower],] specifies the following information with respect to such Borrowing requested hereby:

 

1.                                      Name of Borrower:

 

2.                                      The requested Borrowing is in respect of [the Revolving Commitment][the Term Loan Commitment]

 

3.                                      Aggregate principal amount of Borrowing:(2)

 

4.                                      Date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day):

 

5.                                      Type of Borrowing (ABR or Eurocurrency):

 

(1)  If request is in respect of Revolving Loans in a Foreign Currency, please replace this address with the London address from Section 9.01(a)(ii).

(2)  Not less than applicable amounts specified in Section 2.02(c).

 

 

6.                                      Interest Period and the last day thereof (if a Eurocurrency Borrowing):(3)

 

7.                                      Agreed Currency:

 

8.                                      Location and number of the applicable Borrower’s account or any other account agreed upon by the Administrative Agent and such Borrower to which proceeds of Borrowing are to be disbursed:

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

(3)  Which must comply with the definition of “Interest Period” and end not later than the Maturity Date.

 

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The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the conditions to lending specified in Section[s] [4.01 and](1)  4.02 of the Credit Agreement are satisfied as of the date hereof.

 

	
 
    	
Very   truly yours,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[MTS   SYSTEMS CORPORATION,
    
	
 
    	
as   the Company]
    
	
 
    	
[FOREIGN   SUBSIDIARY BORROWER,
    
	
 
    	
as   a Borrower]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    

 

(1)  To be included only for Borrowing on the Effective Date.

 

 

EXHIBIT J-2

 

FORM OF INTEREST ELECTION REQUEST

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
 as Administrative Agent
 for the Lenders referred to below

 

[10 South Dearborn
 Chicago, Illinois 60603
 Attention:  [       ]
 Facsimile:  ([  ]) [  ]-[     ]](1)

 

Re:  MTS Systems Corporation

 

	
 
    	
[Date]
    

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 5, 2016  (as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among MTS Systems Corporation (the “Company”), the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.  The [undersigned Borrower][Company, on behalf of [Subsidiary Borrower],] hereby gives you notice pursuant to Section 2.08 of the Credit Agreement that it requests to [convert][continue] an existing Borrowing under the Credit Agreement, and in that connection the [undersigned Borrower][Company, on behalf of [Foreign Subsidiary Borrower],] specifies the following information with respect to such [conversion][continuation] requested hereby:

 

1.                                      List Borrower, date, Type, Class, principal amount, Agreed Currency and Interest Period (if applicable) of existing Borrowing:

 

2.                                      Aggregate principal amount of resulting Borrowing:

 

3.                                      Effective date of interest election (which shall be a Business Day):

 

4.                                      Type of Borrowing (ABR or Eurocurrency):

 

5.                                      Interest Period and the last day thereof (if a Eurocurrency Borrowing):(2)

 

6.                                      Agreed Currency:

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

(1)  If request is in respect of Revolving Loans in a Foreign Currency, please replace this address with the London address from Section 9.01(a)(ii).

(2)  Which must comply with the definition of “Interest Period” and end not later than the Maturity Date.

 

 

	
 
    	
Very   truly yours,
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[MTS   SYSTEMS CORPORATION,
    
	
 
    	
as   the Company]
    
	
 
    	
[FOREIGN   SUBSIDIARY BORROWER,
    
	
 
    	
as   a Borrower]
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:EXHIBIT 10.2

 

(Hore – Execution Original)

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is made as of the 1st day of April, 2016 (“Effective Date”) between PCB GROUP, INC., 3425 Walden Avenue, Depew, New York (the “Company”) and DAVID T. HORE, an individual residing at 59 Grandview Trail, Orchard Park, New York (“Employee”).

 

WHEREAS the Company and its Affiliates own and/or possess certain valuable Confidential Information relating to their respective businesses and the businesses of their Business Partners and Customers;

 

WHEREAS Employee is currently employed by the Company and has had access to and will continue to have access to, and has contributed and may contribute to, Confidential Information of the Company and Company Affiliates;

 

WHEREAS the Company and Employee are parties to that certain Employment Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2004 (the “Existing Employment Agreement”), a copy of Sections 12, 13 and 14 of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit A;

 

WHEREAS the Company desires to continue to employ Employee, and Employee desires to continue to be employed by the Company, upon the terms herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto (individually, a “Party”; collectively, the “Parties”) hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1- DEFINITIONS

 

1.1                               Definitions.

 

a.                                      “Affiliate” of the Company means each entity listed on Schedule 1.1a.

 

b.                                      “Applicable Law” means all applicable: (1) laws, rules, regulations, statutes, orders and ordinances of any Government Entity; and (2) common law.

 

c.                                        “Business Partner” means any Person with whom a Party or any of its Affiliates transacts or has transacted business.

 

d.                                      “Cause” means any reasonable determination by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) that Employee has:

 

(1)                                 refused to follow any legal directive of the Board, to the extent such legal directive is not inconsistent with any terms of this Agreement;

 

(2)                                 committed any act or omission that:

 

 

(a)                                 constitutes a felony under the laws of the United States of America (“U.S.”) or any state;

 

(b)                                 constitutes any crime involving moral turpitude; or

 

(c)                                  involves dishonesty, willful malfeasance or willful misconduct that: (1) damages the Company or any Company Affiliate; (2) results in the Company or any Company Affiliate: (i) having committed a felony under the laws of the U.S. or any state; or (ii) being subjected to any material civil penalty or liability that would have a material adverse effect on the business, property or condition of the Company or any Company Affiliate;

 

(3)                                 engaged in fighting with (other than in self defense), threatened or attempted bodily harm to, or maliciously harassed any employee, director or agent of the Company or any Company Affiliate;

 

(4)                                 breached or defaulted in the performance of any agreement made by Employee in this Agreement or under the Existing Confidentiality Provisions or failed to fulfill any duty or obligation that he is required to perform in this Agreement or under the Existing Confidentiality Provisions; which breach, default or failure: (a) would have a material adverse effect on the business, property or condition of the Company or any Company Affiliate; and (b) is not cured within Thirty (30) days after notice thereof to Employee; or

 

(5)                                 breached any, or made any false or fraudulent, representation or warranty in this Agreement.

 

e.                                       “Change in Control” means:

 

(1)                                 any Person or Persons (who are not shareholders of the Company on the Effective Date) becoming the beneficial owner or owners, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing a majority of  the total voting power of all of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;

 

(2)                                 a merger or consolidation of the Company in which its outstanding voting securities immediately prior to such merger or consolidation do not represent, or are not converted into securities that represent, a majority of the voting power of all outstanding voting securities of the surviving entity immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

 

(3)                                 a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

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f.                                        “Company Policies” means all policies, procedures, rules, regulations and decisions that the Company or PCB Piezotronics, Inc. (“Piezotronics”) has in effect on the Effective Date relating to the operation of its business and affairs.

 

g.                                       “Confidential Information” means all information, in whatever form, relating to any business of the Company or any of its Affiliates or Business Partners, that: (1) is treated as confidential by the Company or any Company Affiliate; and (2) has been or is disclosed to Employee or otherwise learned, observed or perceived by Employee, at any time during the Employment Relationship (including all such information made, conceived, originated, created, developed, derived or reduced to practice by Employee at any time during the Employment Relationship).  “Confidential Information” includes data, formulas, formulations, drawings, blueprints, plans, equipment, prototypes, compositions, research and development, processes, business, financial and other plans, reports and records, names, locations, buying history, contact information and requirements of Customers and suppliers, customer leads, specifications, inventions, ideas, product designs, services, budgets, accounts, projections, partnerships, information systems, computer hardware, software, systems, programs, source codes and object codes, forecasts, revenues, market information, pricing, costs, sales, profits, intellectual property, technology, patent applications, licenses, trade secrets, know-how, techniques, original works of authorship and any other information of a similar nature, whether or not patentable or copyrightable.  “Confidential Information” also includes all documents, computer disks, compact discs, notes and other tangible materials containing or relating to any such information (collectively, the “Tangible Materials”) and all observations, oral disclosures, visual disclosures, electronic disclosures and any other information (in whatever form) that may be perceived, reproduced, transmitted or communicated in any way, whether or not patentable or copyrightable.  “Confidential Information” does not include information that is generally known to the public prior to disclosure or after disclosure becomes generally known to the public through no act or failure to act on the part of Employee; provided, however, to the extent that Confidential Information consists of a combination of elements individually generally known to the public, this exclusion shall not apply if such elements are not generally known to the public in said combination.  The burden of proof to establish the foregoing exception shall be on Employee.

 

h.                                      “Customer” means:

 

(1)                                 any customer of the Company or any Company Affiliate that purchased or purchases any product or service from the Company or any Company Affiliate, as the case may be, at any time during the Five (5) year period prior to the Effective Date, or on or after the Effective Date; and

 

(2)                                 any prospective customer solicited by the Company or any Company Affiliate, as the case may be, at any time during the Two (2) year period prior to the Effective Date, or on or after the Effective Date, to purchase: (a) any product or service offered by the Company or any Company Affiliate; or (b) any product or service competitive with or similar in form or function to, any

 

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product or service offered by the Company or any Company Affiliate.

 

i.                                          “Disability” means any mental or physical condition that renders Employee unable to perform his duties hereunder for at least One Hundred Eighty (180) days within any Three Hundred Sixty (360) day period.

 

j.                                         “Employment Relationship” means the employment relationship between the Company and Employee, both during the Term and thereafter as employment at will.

 

k.                                      “Existing Confidentiality Provisions” means Section 12 of the Existing Employment Agreement and Sections 13 and 14 thereof to the extent they pertain to said Section 12.

 

l.                                          “Good Reason” means one or more of the following circumstances:

 

(1)                                 the assignment to Employee of duties materially and adversely inconsistent with respect to his offices, titles and reporting requirements as they existed on the Effective Date;

 

(2)                                 any required relocation of Employee outside of the Buffalo, New York metropolitan area; or

 

(3)                                 any requirement that Employee travel outside the Buffalo, New York metropolitan area more than a total of Ninety (90) days in any Three Hundred Sixty (360) consecutive day period.

 

m.                                  “Government Entity” means any supranational, national, state, provincial, regional, municipal, local or foreign government, any instrumentality, subdivision, court, tribunal, arbitral body, administrative agency or commission or other governmental authority or instrumentality, or any quasi-governmental or private body exercising any tax, regulatory or governmental or quasi-governmental authority.

 

n.                                      “Inventions” means any right, title or interest of any of the following anywhere in the world: all ideas, inventions, concepts, discoveries, designs, methods, acknowledgements, improvements, processes, patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, copyrights, moral rights, copyrightable works, trade dress, trade secrets, know-how, designs, techniques, data, work product, computer software, programs, source codes and object codes, workpapers, computer disks, content, electronic files, digital files, derivative work, original works of authorship, business ideas and all other intellectual property rights and proprietary rights, of any kind (whether or not they can be or are patented, registered or otherwise protected under any patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property law) and all rights and claims related thereto, in whatever form, and all rights and claims related thereto, that:

 

(1)                                 are made, conceived, originated, created, developed, derived or reduced to practice, whether actually or constructively, by Employee, either individually or jointly with any Person, at any

 

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time during the Employment Relationship, either during or after normal working hours; and

 

(2)                                 directly or indirectly:

 

(a)                                 relate to any aspect of the Business in which the Company or any Company Affiliate was engaged at any time during the Employment Relationship;

 

(b)                                 relate to any actual or contemplated Business research or development of the Company or any Company Affiliate;

 

(c)                                  relate to or result or arise from any of the work, labor or services performed by Employee for the Company or any Company Affiliate pursuant to the Employment Relationship;

 

(d)                                 involve or result from access to or the use of any equipment, supplies or facilities of the Company or any Company Affiliate or any Confidential Information; or

 

(e)                                  incorporate, embody, arise from or relate to any Confidential Information.

 

o.                                      “PCB Senior Management Team” means the individuals listed on Schedule 1.1o.

 

p.                                      “Person” means any individual, association, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, Government Entity or any other entity of any kind.

 

q.                                      “Similar Business” means any business competitive with or substantially similar to the business of the Company and/or any Company Affiliate on and as of the Effective Date.

 

r.                                         “Termination Date” means the effective date of the expiration or termination of the Employment Relationship.

 

ARTICLE 2- EMPLOYMENT; TERM; DUTIES

 

2.1                               Employment.  The Company hereby employs Employee, and Employee hereby accepts such employment, upon the terms set forth herein.

 

2.2                               Term.  The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) commences on the Effective Date and (unless renewed as set forth below) expires on the Two (2) year anniversary of the later to occur of: (a) the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”); or (b) the consummation date of any Change in Control that occurs during the Initial Term or any Renewal Term. The Term will be automatically renewed for successive periods (each, a “Renewal Term”), each commencing at

 

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the end of the then current Term and expiring on the next following anniversary of the Effective Date, unless written notice of election not to renew has been given by one Party to the other at least Ninety (90) days prior to the end of the then current Term.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Term may be earlier terminated pursuant to Article 5 below.

 

2.3                               Capacity.  During the Term, Employee will: (a) be employed by the Company as President, his powers and duties in that capacity to be such as may be reasonably determined by the Board and as usually pertain to such position, and be subject to the general supervision, direction and control of the Board; and (b) serve, without additional compensation, in such other offices of the Company or any Company Affiliate to which he may be elected or appointed by or at the direction of the Board, consistent with the discharge of his duties as President.

 

2.4                               Duties.  During the Term, Employee agrees to devote his: (a) full business time, attention and energies to the business of the Company; and (b) reasonable, good faith efforts, skills and abilities to faithfully perform such duties as are customary and appropriate in his capacity as President as set forth in Section 2.3 above, in each case to the best of his ability.  Employee will have all power and authority reasonably required to enable him to discharge such duties in an effective manner, including the authority to bind the Company.  Employee agrees to comply with all Company Policies in the performance of his duties hereunder.

 

2.5                               Place of Employment.  Employee will perform his duties hereunder at the Company’s headquarters in Depew, New York; provided, however: (a) he acknowledges that he will be required to travel from time to time and render services in different locations incident to the performance of his duties hereunder; and (b) he will not be required to travel outside the Buffalo, New York metropolitan area more than a total of Ninety (90) days in any Three Hundred Sixty (360) consecutive day period.

 

2.6                               Employee Representations and Warranties.  Employee hereby represents and warrants that he: (a) is able to enter into this Agreement; (b) is not a party to or bound by any agreement with a third party or other legal obligation that would conflict in any manner with, or restrict him in any way in, the performance of his duties hereunder; (c) has returned all property and confidential information belonging to all prior employers; and (d) has not, and will not during the Employment Relationship, disclose to the Company or use for the Company’s benefit any confidential information or material in violation of the rights of former employers or any third parties.  Employee will immediately report to the Board any request from any Person within or without the Company to use or disclose any such confidential information.

 

ARTICLE 3 - COMPENSATION; BENEFITS

 

3.1                               Compensation.  The Company will pay Employee a salary of Five Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($500,000.00) per year, as such salary may be increased in accordance with Section 3.2 below (“Salary”).  The Salary, less any amounts required to be withheld by Applicable Law, will be payable in accordance with the Company’s general payroll procedures.  No Salary shall be payable for any period of time in which Employee is suffering from a Disability.

 

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3.2                               Salary Review.  The Company will review Employee’s performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with Company Policies.  The Company may, from time to time, in its sole discretion, increase, but not decrease, the Salary payable to Employee.

 

3.3                               Other Benefits.  The Company will also provide the following benefits to Employee:

 

a.                                      Paid Time Off — Five (5) weeks of paid time off for each calendar year during the Term, payable in accordance with the terms of Company Policies in effect, copies of which have been provided to Employee.

 

b.                                      Holidays — Paid holidays in accordance with the terms of Company Policies.

 

c.                                       Bonuses — Payment of any bonus compensation as the Board may from time to time determine, in its sole discretion.

 

d.                                      Other Benefit Plans — Participation in and receipt of benefits consistent with all other similarly situated employees at the Company or Piezotronics under any 401(k) plan, insurance plan, medical insurance plan and other employee benefit plans, and other benefits (that may be provided through the Company or Piezotronics) as may be adopted by the Company or Piezotronics from time to time, in its sole discretion.  The eligibility criteria and amount and extent of benefits to which Employee may be entitled shall be governed by such benefit plans as such may be amended from time to time.

 

3.4                               Expenses.  The Company will pay or reimburse Employee (in accordance with the Company Policies in effect) for all reasonable business travel and other business expenses actually incurred or paid by Employee in furtherance of performance of his duties hereunder, upon presentation of expense statements and such other supporting information as the Company may reasonably request.  In the event of any actual or apparent conflict between this Section 3.4 and the Company Policies, the latter shall control.

 

ARTICLE 4 - CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; INVENTIONS;
 NONCOMPETITION; NONSOLICITATION

 

4.1                               Confidential Information.

 

a.                                      Existing Confidentiality Provisions — Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Existing Confidentiality Provisions shall: (1) govern the disclosure of any Company confidential or proprietary information between the Parties prior to the Effective Date; and (2) survive and continue to bind the Parties after the Effective Date to the extent and for so long as may be necessary to give effect to the rights, duties and obligations of the Company pursuant to the Existing Confidentiality Provisions, subject to any applicable statutes of limitation.

 

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b.                                      Duty — During the Employment Relationship and after the expiration or earlier termination of the Employment Relationship (whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary or is with or without Cause or Good Reason), Employee will:  (1) comply with all Company Policies relating to the use and protection of the Confidential Information; (2) maintain the Confidential Information in confidence and take all necessary steps to protect the confidential nature of the Confidential Information; (3) except as set forth in Section 4.1b(4) below, not publish or disclose the Confidential Information in any way, directly or indirectly, to any Person other than employees of the Company or any Company Affiliate who have a specific “need to know” such Confidential Information, and then only to the extent necessary for the purpose of enabling such individuals to perform their assigned tasks for the Company and/or any Company Affiliate, as the case may be, and for no other purpose of any kind; (4) use the Confidential Information only as needed in the ordinary course of performing his duties pursuant to the Employment Relationship and for no other purpose of any kind; and (5) not copy any Confidential Information or remove any Confidential Information from any premises of the Company or any Company Affiliate, except as required to perform his duties pursuant to the Employment Relationship.

 

c.                                       Ownership - The disclosure of Confidential Information shall not be construed as granting to Employee, either expressly or by implication, any right, title or interest of any kind in any intellectual property of the Company, any Company Affiliate or any Business Partner, as the case may be, or any other Confidential Information.  All Confidential Information and all copies thereof (including all Tangible Materials) are and shall at all times remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company or the appropriate Company Affiliate or Business Partner, as the case may be.

 

d.                                      Legal Order - If Confidential Information is required to be disclosed by Employee by process of law or pursuant to a law, rule, regulation, statute, order or ordinance of any Government Entity having jurisdiction thereof (“Legal Order”), then, prior to making any such disclosure, Employee, unless precluded by Applicable Law or court order from doing so, shall provide the Company with immediate written notice of such Legal Order so that the Company or Company Affiliate, as the case may be, may seek a protective order or other appropriate equitable remedy with respect thereto, and Employee shall not disclose any part of such Confidential Information pending conclusion of any legal proceedings regarding such disclosure.  If such protective order or other appropriate equitable remedy cannot be obtained, Employee shall disclose only such part of the Confidential Information as is specifically required by such Legal Order and exercise his best efforts to obtain reliable assurance that confidential treatment shall be accorded the Confidential Information.

 

e.                                       Return — Upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Employment Relationship, Employee will: (1) immediately return to the Company all Tangible Materials disclosed to him pursuant to the Employment Relationship and retain no copies, summaries or abstracts thereof; and (2) certify to the Company that he has fully complied with all of his duties in this Section 4.1.  The expiration or earlier termination of the Employment Relationship shall not affect any right, title or interest of any kind of the Company or any Company Affiliate in the Confidential Information.

 

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4.2                               Inventions.

 

a.                                      Company Ownership — During the Employment Relationship and at all times after the expiration or earlier termination of the Employment Relationship (whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary or is with or without Cause or Good Reason), Employee hereby agrees:

 

(1)                                 that the Company shall own solely and exclusively all right, title and interest in and to all Inventions;

 

(2)                                 that all Inventions protectable by copyright shall be owned solely and exclusively by the Company.  If Employee shall be deemed to retain any right, title or interest in any such copyright, by operation of law or otherwise, then, without any requirement of further consideration, Employee agrees to assign and hereby does assign to the Company all of Employee’s right, title and interest in and to any such copyright, throughout the world, and waives all moral rights in association thereto;

 

(3)                                 if Employee shall be deemed to retain any right, title or interest in any Invention, by operation of law or otherwise, then, without any requirement of further consideration, Employee hereby agrees to: (a) assign and hereby does assign, to the Company all of Employee’s right, title and interest in and to all such Invention throughout the world, all applications for any patent relating to any Invention, and all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade dress and registrations, and any other intellectual property rights and any other proprietary rights, of any kind, relating to any such Invention; and (b) promptly review and execute, without additional compensation, all Invention applications, assignments, declarations, powers of attorney and all other documents relating to any Invention as and when requested by the Company (including instruments of conveyance and waivers of moral rights), and to otherwise generally assist the Company, without additional compensation, as to the obtaining, maintaining, protecting and/or confirming of any intellectual right and/or any other proprietary right, of any kind, in any Invention, all at the Company’s expense;

 

(4)                                 that he waives and agrees to waive, unconditionally and irrevocably, all moral rights and all rights of a similar nature that Employee has or in the future may have in or to any Inventions anywhere in the world, to the fullest extent that such rights may be waived;

 

(5)                                 not to, directly or indirectly, file or cause to be filed by any Person, any domestic or foreign patent, trademark, service mark or copyright application relating to any Invention or any Confidential Information;

 

9

 

(6)                                 not to assert any right or claim that any Invention was made, conceived, originated, created, developed, derived or reduced to practice, whether actually or constructively, by Employee prior to the Employment Relationship;

 

(7)                                 not to challenge in any way the validity of any (domestic or foreign) patent, trademark, service mark or copyright obtained by the Company or any Company Affiliate in which Employee is an inventor and/or author; and

 

(8)                                 that the compensation paid to Employee during the Employment Relationship constitutes full and complete compensation for all of Employee’s duties in this Section 4.2 and all right, title and interest of Employee, if any, in any Invention.

 

4.3                               Noncompetition; Nonsolicitation.

 

a.                                      Scope of Restriction — Employee agrees that during the Employment Relationship and for a period of One (1) year after the expiration or earlier termination of the Employment Relationship (whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary or is with or without Cause or Good Reason), Employee will not in any way, anywhere in the world, directly or indirectly, for his own account or for the account of any Person, as owner, shareholder, partner, creditor, member, officer, director, employee, principal, sole proprietor, consultant, agent, representative or otherwise (other than for the Company or any Company Affiliate):

 

(1)                                 (a) engage in any Similar Business; (b) take part in, own, finance, operate, manage, control, affiliate with, consult with, be employed by, provide services to, act as an agent or representative for or otherwise participate in the business of, any Similar Business; or (c) subject to Section 4.3b below, share in the earnings of or invest in the securities of any Similar Business;

 

(2)                                 solicit, attempt to solicit or accept, the trade, business or patronage of any Customer as to: (a) any product or service promoted, marketed, sold, distributed or provided: (i) by the Company or any Company Affiliate at any time prior to the Effective Date; or (ii) by the Company or any Company Affiliate at any time during the Employment Relationship; or (b) any product or service competitive with or similar in form or function to any such product or service;

 

(3)                                 divert or attempt to divert the trade, business or patronage of any Customer from the Company or any Company Affiliate or encourage or attempt to persuade any Customer to reduce or terminate any business relationship with the Company or any Company Affiliate;

 

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(4)                                 solicit, attempt to solicit for employment or hire, as an employee, independent contractor or otherwise, any Person who was an employee or independent contractor of the Company or any Company Affiliate at any time during the One (1) year period prior to such solicitation, attempt or hiring;

 

(5)                                 encourage or attempt to encourage any then-current employee of the Company or any Company Affiliate to terminate his employment relationship with the Company or any Company Affiliate, as the case may be; or

 

(6)                                 interfere with the relationship between the Company and any of its employees, agents, representatives, consultants, distributors or suppliers.

 

b.                                      Permitted Investments — Notwithstanding Section 4.3a above, Employee will have the right to invest in the securities of a Person engaged in a Similar Business, but only if such securities are publicly traded on a national securities exchange or on a recognized over-the-counter market, and such investment does not exceed Five Percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding securities of such Person.

 

4.4                               Nondisparagement.  During the Employment Relationship and at all times after the expiration or earlier termination of the Employment Relationship (whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary or is with or without Cause or Good Reason): (a) Employee will not make any statement of any kind to any Person disparaging: (1) the Company or any Company Affiliate, or any of their respective businesses; or (2) any principal, member, shareholder, officer, director, manager or employee of the Company or any Company Affiliate; and (b) the Company will not make any statement of any kind to any Person disparaging Employee (other than as needed in the context of reviews and evaluations of Employee’s performance provided to Employee or the Board during the Employment Relationship).

 

4.5                               Acknowledgments.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that:

 

a.                                   the restrictions herein as to Employee are fair and reasonable in scope, duration, content and all other respects and are necessary to prevent competitive use of confidential or proprietary information and/or relationships that pertain particularly to the Company or any Company Affiliate, as the case may be;

 

b.                                      Employee has been given a full and complete opportunity to obtain suitable employment and earn a living with a business or perform services for a business other than as restricted herein, and Employee specifically waives any and all rights to claim otherwise;

 

c.                                       Employee is executing and delivering this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily of his own free will, without duress or coercion, in exchange for the consideration recited herein, which consideration Employee acknowledges and agrees is adequate and satisfactory; and

 

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d.                                      the term and worldwide geographic scope of such noncompetition and nonsolicitation covenants are both reasonable and necessary given the nature of the business of the Company and Company Affiliates.

 

4.6                               Equitable Remedies.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that: (a) any breach or threatened breach of any of his covenants in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4 above will result in irreparable injury to the Company and/or Company Affiliates for which there is no adequate remedy at law; (b) the Company and/or Company Affiliates will be entitled to immediate injunctive relief and specific performance of the covenants contained in Sections 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4 above (without the posting of a bond); and (c) such equitable relief shall not be deemed or constitute: (1) an election of remedies to the exclusion of any other remedies to which the Company and/or Company Affiliates may be entitled under this Agreement or at law or in equity; or (2) a limitation on damages to which the Company and/or any Company Affiliate may be entitled.  No right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Company or any Company Affiliate is exclusive of any right or remedy herein or permitted in law or in equity, but each shall be cumulative of every other right or remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity (or by statute or otherwise).

 

4.7                               Tolling.  If Employee is found to have breached any of his covenants in Section 4.1 or 4.3 above, then the time period provided for in such covenant shall deemed to be tolled (i.e., it shall not run) for so long as Employee is in violation of such covenant, and the duration of such covenant shall be extended accordingly.

 

ARTICLE 5 - TERMINATION

 

5.1                               Termination.  The Parties will have the right to terminate this Agreement and the Employment Relationship prior to the expiration of the Term, as follows (provided, however, that if the Employment Relationship is not terminated concurrently with the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement, Employee’s right under Section 5.2 below to payments after termination shall be determined and paid with reference to the termination of the Employment Relationship rather than the expiration or termination of this Agreement):

 

a.                                      With Cause — Subject to Section 5.2a below, the Company, by action of the Board, will have the right to terminate this Agreement and the Employment Relationship at any time with Cause, effective upon written notice to Employee.  Such Company right will not be exercisable by the Company unless Employee shall have failed to remedy the situation constituting Cause within Thirty (30) days after written notice has been delivered to Employee by the Company; provided, however, that no notice of Cause or opportunity to remedy such Cause shall be required if: (1) the situation constituting Cause is of a kind that is incapable of being remedied within a Thirty (30) day period; or (2) a similar situation constituting Cause has already occurred or been committed by Employee during the Term.

 

b.                                      Voluntary Without Good Reason — Subject to Section 5.2a below, Employee will have the right to voluntarily terminate this Agreement and the Employment Relationship without Good Reason on Thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Company.

 

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c.                                       Without Cause — Subject to Section 5.2b below, the Company, by action of the Board, will have the right to terminate this Agreement and the Employment Relationship without Cause on Thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to Employee.

 

d.                                      With Good Reason — Subject to Section 5.2b below, Employee will have the right to terminate this Agreement and the Employment Relationship upon the occurrence of any circumstance constituting Good Reason which continues for a period in excess of Thirty (30) days after receipt by the Company of notice from Employee specifying such circumstances in reasonable detail.

 

e.                                       Death — Subject to Sections 5.2c below, this Agreement and the Employment Relationship will automatically terminate upon Employee’s death.  Termination for Employee’s death shall become effective upon death.

 

f.                                        Disability — Subject to Sections 5.2c below, if, during the Term, Employee fails to perform any of his duties hereunder on account of Disability, the Company will have the right to terminate this Agreement and the Employment Relationship upon the occurrence of Employee’s disability, effective upon written notice to Employee.

 

5.2                               Payments After Termination.

 

a.                                      With Cause by Company or Upon Employee’s Voluntary Termination of Employment Without Good Reason — If the Company terminates this Agreement and the Employment Relationship with Cause (as provided in Section 5.1a above) or if Employee voluntarily terminates this Agreement and the Employment Relationship without Good Reason (as provided in Section 5.1b above), then, in either event, the Company will pay Employee:

 

(1)                                 any accrued but unpaid Salary for the period through and including the Termination Date;

 

(2)                                 all accrued and unpaid vacation pay;

 

(3)                                 such other benefits, if any, to which Employee is entitled under any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Company Affiliate for the period through and including the Termination Date; and

 

(4)                                 any reimbursable expenses (as provided herein) for the period through and including the Termination Date.

 

b.                                      Without Cause by Company or With Good Reason by Employee — If the Company terminates this Agreement and the Employment Relationship without Cause (as provided in Section 5.1c above) or Employee terminates this Agreement and the Employment Relationship for Good Reason (as provided in Section 5.1d above), then, in either event, the Company will pay Employee:

 

(1)                                 any accrued but unpaid Salary for the period through and including the Termination Date;

 

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(2)                                 severance payments (the “Severance Payments”) equal to Employee’s Salary on the Termination Date:

 

(a)                                 if the Termination Date occurs in the first Eighteen (18) months of the Initial Term, for the remainder of the Initial Term (the “Non-CIC Severance Payments”); plus

 

(b)                                 if the Termination Date occurs in the first Eighteen (18) months after the date of consummation of a Change in Control, if any (the “CIC Date”), in addition to any Non-CIC Severance Payments, for the remainder of the Twenty-Four (24) month period immediately following the CIC Date (the “CIC Severance Period”) (but only for any portion of the CIC Severance Period that occurs after the end of the Initial Term) (the “CIC Severance Payments”); or

 

(c)                                  if the Termination Date occurs at any time after the Eighteen (18) month anniversary of the later of the Effective Date or the CIC Date (if any), for the Six (6) month period after the Termination Date (the payment periods described in (a), (b) and (c) immediately preceding, collectively, the “Severance Period”);

 

(3)                                 the amount of any bonus compensation payable to Employee, if any, accrued as of the Termination Date, provided that Employee has achieved any required performance goals in connection therewith;

 

(4)                                 all accrued and unpaid vacation pay;

 

(5)                                 such other benefits, if any, to which Employee is entitled under any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Company Affiliate for the period through and including the Termination Date; and

 

(6)                                 any reimbursable expenses (as provided herein) for the period through and including the Termination Date.

 

In addition, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and under the rules of any applicable insurer, the Company shall continue to provide, for a period equal to the duration of the Severance Payments pursuant to Section 5.2b(2) above, those benefits described in Section 3.3e above.  The Severance Payments shall be paid to Employee in accordance with the Company’s regular payroll policy during the Severance Period and all Severance Payments shall be conditioned upon Employee’s full release of all of Employee’s rights and claims against the Company, all Company Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and advisors pursuant to the terms of a waiver and release, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, in its sole discretion, that releases the Company, all

 

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Company Affiliates and their respective officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents and advisors from and against any and all claims of any nature whatsoever (including any and all statutory claims), and Employee does not revoke such waiver and release during any applicable statutory revocation period.  After termination of the Employment Relationship (as provided in this Section 5.2b), Employee shall not be deemed to be employed by the Company or any Company Affiliate, and neither the Company nor any Company Affiliate shall have any liability for any other form of compensation, damages or benefits of any kind (except as set forth above), arising under this Agreement or Applicable Law.

 

c.                                       Upon Death or Disability — Upon any termination of this Agreement and the Employment Relationship due to Employee’s death or Disability (as provided in Sections 5.1e and 5.1f above), then the Company will pay to Employee or his legal representative, as the case may be:

 

(1)                                 any accrued but unpaid Salary for the period through and including the Termination Date;

 

(2)                                 the amount of any bonus compensation payable to Employee, if any, accrued as of the Termination Date, provided that Employee has achieved any required performance goals in connection therewith;

 

(3)                                 all accrued and unpaid vacation pay;

 

(4)                                 such other benefits, if any, to which Employee is entitled under any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Company Affiliate for the period through and including the Termination Date; and

 

(5)                                 any reimbursable expenses (as provided herein) for the period through and including the Termination Date.

 

5.3                               Return of Property.  Upon the expiration of the Employment Relationship, Employee will promptly return to the Company all Company property, whether tangible or intangible, that he possessed or had control over at any time during Employee’s employment with the Company, including, all Tangible Materials, and all Company credit cards, access cards, keys, computer equipment, cellular telephones, manuals, directories and books and records and any copies, compilations, extracts, summaries and other notes thereof or relating thereto.

 

5.4                               Transfer.  Upon the expiration of the Employment Relationship, Employee will cooperate with any request of the Company that is reasonable (as determined in light of Employee’s then current circumstances) relating to: (a) the winding up or transferring to other Company employees of any pending work or projects; (b) the defense of any action brought by any third party against the Company that relates to Employee’s employment with the Company; or (c) any matter of which Employee has knowledge relating to Employee’s employment with the Company.

 

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ARTICLE 6 - MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1                               Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws.

 

6.2                               Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Existing Confidentiality Provisions, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties regarding the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements between the Parties, whether written or oral, with respect to such subject matter.

 

6.3                               Survivability.  All representations, warranties and agreements herein shall survive and continue to bind the Parties after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement (whether such termination is voluntary or involuntary or is with or without Cause or Good Reason), to the extent and for as long as may be necessary to give effect to the rights, duties and obligations of the Parties pursuant to this Agreement, subject to any applicable statute of limitations.

 

6.4                               Waiver.  Failure by either Party to insist upon strict performance of any provision herein by the other Party shall not be deemed a waiver by such Party of its rights or remedies or a waiver by it of any subsequent default by the other Party, and no waiver by either Party shall be effective unless it is in writing and duly executed by such Party.

 

6.5                               Assignment.  Employee shall not have the right to assign any of his rights or duties hereunder.  In the event of a Change in Control, this Agreement may be assigned by the Company to its successor, provided the assignee shall assume in writing all of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement.

 

6.6                               Parties Bound.  This Agreement inures to the benefit of and is binding upon the Parties and their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns, subject to the restrictions against assignment provided in Section 6.5 above.

 

6.7                               Amendment.  This Agreement may only be amended by a writing executed by both Parties.

 

6.8                               Headings.  The headings herein are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

6.9                               Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in Two (2) or more counterparts, any of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

6.10                        Notices.  All notices hereunder shall be in writing and shall be: (a) personally delivered (effective upon personal delivery); or (b) sent by a nationally recognized, commercial overnight delivery service with provisions for a receipt, delivery charges prepaid (effective upon receipt by addressee); and shall be addressed to the Parties as follows:

 

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To the Company:
    	
To Employee:
    
	
PCB Group, Inc.
    	
David T. Hore
    
	
3425 Walden Avenue
    	
c/o Waterford Advisors, LLC
    
	
Depew, New York 14043
    	
6225 Sheridan Drive, Suite 214
    
	
Attn.: Joseph M. Marris, General Counsel
    	
Williamsville, New York 14221
    

 

Notice of change of address shall be given in accordance with the terms of this Section 6.10 and shall be effective only upon receipt.

 

6.11                        Disputes.  Any dispute arising between the Parties hereunder shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of and shall be finally settled in an action commenced and maintained in any state or federal court sitting in Erie County, New York.  The Parties irrevocably consent and submit to the personal jurisdiction and venue of said courts and agree not to challenge or assert any defense to the jurisdiction and venue of said courts, including forum non conveniens.

 

6.12                        Expenses.  The nonprevailing Party in any litigation hereunder shall be required to reimburse the prevailing Party for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in any such litigation, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

6.13                        Inconsistencies.  Except as provided in Section 3.3 above, if any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent with any Company Policies, then the provision of this Agreement shall control.  If any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent with the Existing Employment Agreement, then the provisions of this Agreement shall control.

 

6.14                        Waiver of Jury Trial.  The Company and Employee each hereby expressly waives its/his respective rights to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action arising out of this Agreement or the relationship of the Parties hereunder.  The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this Agreement, including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other common law and statutory claims.  The Company and Employee each further warrants and represents that it/he has reviewed this waiver with its/his legal counsel and that each voluntarily waives its/his jury trial rights following consultation with legal counsel.  This waiver is irrevocable and may only be modified in an amendment to this Agreement.  In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to trial (without a jury) by the court.  THE COMPANY AND EMPLOYEE EACH HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS SECTIONS 6.11 AND 6.12 ABOVE AND THIS SECTION 6.14, WHICH GOVERN REMEDIES, CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  THE COMPANY AND EMPLOYEE EACH UNDERSTANDS THAT BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY AND EMPLOYEE EACH RESPECTIVELY AGREES THAT THIS CLAUSE CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF SUCH PARTY’S RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.

 

6.15                        Third Parties.  All Company Affiliates are intended third party beneficiaries of all the Company’s rights and remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

6.16                        Severability.  If any provision herein is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, such provision shall be automatically reformed and construed so as to be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted

 

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by Applicable Law.  Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, if any provision herein shall be declared invalid, illegal or unenforceable because it extends for too long a period of time or over too great a range of activities or is too broad a geographic area, such provision shall be interpreted by such court to extend only over the maximum period of time, the maximum range of activities or the maximum geographic area, as the case may be, as to which it may be enforceable.  The invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of any part of this Agreement shall not render invalid the remainder of this Agreement.

 

6.17                        Cooperation.  Each Party agrees to take all such steps, execute and deliver such further documents and perform such acts as may be reasonably requested by the other Party in order to effectuate the purposes of this Agreement.

 

6.18                        Construction.  All pronouns and any variation thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, neuter, singular and/or plural as the identity of the Person or the context may require.  The Parties have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting of this Agreement.  In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring either Party by virtue of the authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement or the changes made through revisions.  Any reference to any federal, state, local, municipal or foreign statute or law shall be deemed also to refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the context requires otherwise.  The word “including” shall mean “including, without limitation”.

 

6.19                        Termination of Existing Employment Agreement. Except to the extent set forth in Section 4.1a above, the Existing Employment Agreement is hereby terminated as of the Effective Date and is of no further force or effect. Except as may be provided by Applicable Law, Employee’s right to benefits (including any group medical and dental insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k) plan, and all other benefits, if any) as provided in the Existing Employment Agreement, ended on the Effective Date.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have duly executed this Employment Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

 

	
 
    	
THE   COMPANY:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PCB   GROUP, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:   
    	
/s/   David M. Carroll
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
David M. Carroll,   Treasurer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
EMPLOYEE:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   David T. Hore
    
	
 
    	
DAVID T. HORE
    

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.1a

 

COMPANY AFFILIATES

 

1.                                      Piezotronics.

 

2.                                      PCB Piezotronics srl.

 

3.                                      PCB Piezotronics Europe GmbH.

 

4.                                      PCB Piezotronics Limited.

 

5.                                      The Modal Shop, Inc.

 

6.                                      PCB Group Sales Company, Inc.

 

7.                                      3395 Walden Avenue Acquisition Corp.

 

8.                                      DI U.S. Holdings, Inc.

 

9.                                      Dalimar Instruments ULC.

 

10.                               Digiducer, Inc.

 

11.                               PCB Piezotronics S.A.

 

12.                               PCB Piezotronics Sensor Technology (Beijing) Co. Ltd.

 

13.                               PCB Synotech GmbH.

 

14.                               PCB Piezotronics of North Carolina, Inc.

 

15.                               Accumetrics, Inc.

 

16.                               PCB Exports, Inc.

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.1o

 

PCB SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

 

David Carroll, Director of Human Resources, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Jeff Case, Vice President, Michigan Operations, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Ken Gonyea, Director of Manufacturing, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Dave Hore, President, PCB Group, Inc. and PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Ken Kumiega, Director of Research & Development, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Joseph Marris, General Counsel, PCB Group, Inc. and PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Jim McIntosh, Director of Manufacturing Services, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Mike Numrich, Director of Quality, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Dave Rosen, General Manager, Utah R&D and Manufacturing Center, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Harold Scott, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Mike Simon, Vice President — Finance, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Shawn Thompson, Director of Manufacturing Engineering, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

Joe Van Slycke, Chief Information Officer, PCB Piezotronics, Inc.

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

EXISTING CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS

 

[Attached]

 

 

EXCERPTS FROM DAVID T. HORE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF JANUARY 1, 2004

 

12.                               Non-Disclosure. The Employee agrees, during the term of this Agreement and at any time thereafter, not to use, make use of, nor to divulge to anyone other than authorized personnel or representatives of the Employer, any information or knowledge relating to the past, present, planned or considered business activities of the Employer or its subsidiaries, including, but not limited to, information about technologies, patents, manufacturing or assembly processes, business plans or strategies, accounting procedures, training methods or techniques, data processes, research, costing, sales prospects, customers or suppliers lists, bidding formulations, formulae, sales, deposits, investments, profits or costs, or any other information regarding the

 

Employer’s technologies, products, business, operations or methods. The obligation of the  Employee hereunder shall not extend to any information (i) demonstrably known to the Employee prior to the commencement of his employment with the Employer from a source other than the Employer, (ii) generally known to the public prior to disclosure to the Employee, or (iii) that is made public or becomes generally known to the public from a source other than the Employee and not as a result of the Employee’s violation of his obligations hereunder.

 

13.                               Injunctive Relief. The Employee hereby stipulates and agrees that a breach of Sections 11 or 12 of this Agreement will result in irreparable damage and injury to the Employer, for which no money damages could adequately compensate it. Thus, if the Employee breaches Sections 11 or 12 of this Agreement, in addition to all other remedies to which the Employer may be entitled, the Employee agrees that the Employer shall be entitled to an injunction to enforce the provisions of this Agreement, to be issued by any court of competent jurisdiction, to enjoin and restrain the Employee and each and every person, firm or corporation, concerned or acting in concert with the Employee, from the continuance of such breach. The Employee waives any claim or defense that an adequate remedy at law exists for any such breach.

 

14.                               Survival. The obligations of the Employee pursuant to Sections 11 and 12 hereof shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

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