Document:

Exhibit 10.2

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10179

 

CONFIDENTIAL

 

November 29, 2011

 

TE Connectivity Ltd.

Tyco Electronics Group S.A.

17, bd Grande-Duchesse Charlotte
 L-1331 Luxembourg
 Attention: Thomas G. Ernst, Vice President & Assistant Treasurer

 

New Bank Facility

Commitment Letter

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

TE Connectivity Ltd., a company organized under the laws of Switzerland (the “Guarantor”), and Tyco Electronics Group S.A., a company organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (the “Borrower” and, together with the Guarantor, “you”), have advised JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMCB”) and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“JPMorgan” and, together with JPMCB, “we”, “us” or the “Commitment Parties”) that you intend to cause an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Borrower to acquire (the “Acquisition”) all the issued and outstanding equity interests of a company previously identified to us as “Burgundy” (the “Acquired Company”).

 

You have further advised us that, in connection with the foregoing, (a) the Borrower may obtain a senior unsecured 364-day bridge loan facility in the principal amount of US$700,000,000 (the “Bridge Loan Facility”), (b) repay certain indebtedness of the Acquired Company and (c) pay the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing.  It is anticipated that all or a portion of the Bridge Loan Facility will be replaced or refinanced by (i) the issuance of senior unsecured notes of the Borrower in a public offering or in a Rule 144A or other private placement (the “New Notes”) or (ii) the proceeds of a senior unsecured 364-day revolving credit facility in the principal amount of US$700,000,000, having the terms substantially as set forth in the Summary of Principal Terms and Conditions attached as Exhibit A hereto (the “Term Sheet”) (the “364-Day Facility”), or, if so determined by you and us, any other syndicated credit or loan facility (including any incremental facility under the existing revolving credit facility of the Borrower) (any of the foregoing being referred to as an “Other Bank Facility”).  The transactions described in this paragraph are collectively referred to

 

 

as the “Transactions”.  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings assigned thereto in the Term Sheet.

 

1.             Commitment.

 

In connection with the foregoing and subject to the terms and conditions set forth or referred to in this commitment letter (together with the Term Sheet (including the Annexes thereto), this “Commitment Letter”), JPMCB is pleased to advise you of its commitment to provide US$210,000,000 of the 364-Day Facility.  You understand and agree that JPMCB’s commitment is subject to the successful syndication of the remainder of the 364-Day Facility not committed to by JPMCB to one or more banks satisfactory to us and to you on terms substantially similar to the terms of this Commitment Letter with respect to the 364-Day Facility.

 

2.             Titles and Roles.

 

You hereby appoint (a) JPMorgan to act, and JPMorgan hereby agrees to act, as sole arranger and sole bookrunner for the 364-Day Facility and (b) JPMCB to act, and JPMCB hereby agrees to act, as sole administrative agent for the 364-Day Facility, in each case upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth or referred to in this Commitment Letter.

 

You hereby further appoint JPMorgan to act as sole arranger and sole bookrunner for any Other Bank Facility that you or any of your subsidiaries may seek to obtain in connection with the Acquisition (or any other acquisition of all or substantially all of the equity interest in, or all or substantially all of the assets of, the Acquired Company and its subsidiaries) or the replacement or refinancing of the Bridge Loan Facility, in each case upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth or referred to in this Commitment Letter.  You acknowledge and agree that this Commitment Letter is neither an express nor an implied commitment by JPMCB or any other affiliate of JPMorgan to provide any portion of any Other Bank Facility, and any such commitment, if provided, will be subject to the terms of such Other Bank Facility being satisfactory to JPMCB and will be provided pursuant to a separate writing from JPMCB to you.

 

JPMorgan, in its capacities as the sole arranger and sole bookrunner (in such capacities, the “Arranger”) for the 364-Day Facility or for any Other Bank Facility with respect to which, in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph, it acts in such capacities (the 364-Day Facility or such Other Bank Facility being referred to as a “New Bank Facility”), will perform the duties, and exercise the authority, customarily performed by it in such role, including using its commercially reasonable efforts to secure commitments for each New Bank Facility from other banks and other financial institutions pursuant to a syndication to be managed exclusively by the Arranger (such banks and other financial institutions participating in any New Bank Facility being referred to as the “Lenders”).  At the Arranger’s option (in consultation with the Borrower), JPMorgan and JPMCB and/or one or more of their affiliates may also be designated with such other titles in respect of any New Bank Facility as may be deemed appropriate or desirable by the Arranger (in consultation with the Borrower).  In connection with the syndication of any New Bank Facility, it is understood and agreed that additional financial institutions may be appointed to serve as agents or co-agents for, and other titles may be awarded in connection with, such New Bank Facility, in each case as mutually agreed between you and the Arranger; provided that no financial institution shall receive any arrangement, structuring, underwriting or similar fee in connection with its participation in any New Bank Facility other

 

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than as provided in the Fee Letter referred to below.  You agree that, except as contemplated above, no other agents, co-agents, arrangers or bookrunners will be appointed, no other titles will be awarded and no compensation (other than that expressly contemplated by this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter) will be paid in connection with any New Bank Facility unless you and we shall so agree.

 

3.             Syndication.

 

All aspects of the syndication of any New Bank Facility, including, without limitation, timing, potential syndicate members to be approached (which shall identified by the Arranger subject to your approval right as set forth below), titles, initial and final allocations and division of fees, shall be determined by the Arranger in consultation with you; provided that each potential syndicate member to be approached must be approved by you (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) (it being agreed that each person that is currently a “Lender”, or hereafter becomes a “Lender” with your consent, under the Existing Credit Agreement is hereby approved by you).  JPMCB reserves the right, prior to or after the execution of definitive documentation for the 364-Day Facility (but not before (i) the public announcement by you of the Acquisition and (ii) the receipt of customary commitment advices from Lenders other than JPMCB for at least US$490,000,000 of the principal amount of the 364-Day Facility), to syndicate all or a portion of its commitment hereunder to one or more Lenders pursuant to a syndication to be managed exclusively by the Arranger.

 

The Arranger intends to commence its syndication efforts with respect to the 364-Day Facility promptly upon your execution and delivery to us of this Commitment Letter, and will commence the syndication of any other New Bank Facility as such time as shall be mutually determined by you and by the Arranger.  Until the closing under the definitive documentation for any New Bank Facility (such date, the “Syndication End Date” with respect to such New Bank Facility), you agree to actively assist the Arranger in completing a syndication of such New Bank Facility that is reasonably satisfactory to us, including, without limitation, by promptly preparing and providing the Arranger with such information with respect to the Guarantor and its subsidiaries, in each case including financial information, as the Arranger may reasonably deem necessary to arrange and complete a successful syndication of any New Bank Facility.  Such assistance shall include, (a) your using your commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that any syndication efforts benefit materially from your existing lending and investment banking relationships, (b) direct contact between senior management, representatives and advisors of you, on the one hand, and the proposed Lenders and rating agencies identified by the Arranger, on the other hand, at times and places reasonably requested by the Arranger and consented to by the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), (c) assistance by you in the prompt preparation of a Confidential Information Memorandum for any New Bank Facility and other marketing materials and information reasonably deemed necessary by the Arranger to complete a successful syndication of such New Bank Facility for delivery to potential syndicate members and participants, in each case in form and substance customary for transactions of this type and otherwise reasonably satisfactory to the Arranger, including, without limitation, estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking financial information prepared by the Guarantor regarding the future consolidated performance of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries (including projections for the fiscal years 2012 and 2013 that include the Acquired Company and its subsidiaries in the form of such projections delivered to and approved by the Arranger prior to the date hereof) (collectively, the “Projections”), and (d) the hosting,

 

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with the Arranger, of one or more meetings or conference calls with prospective Lenders at the request of the Arranger.  You further agree that prior to, or promptly after, the announcement of the Acquisition you will advise each of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw Hill Corporation (“S&P”), and Fitch IBCA, Inc. (“Fitch”) of the Transactions, including the nature of the contemplated financing therefor.  You also agree that, until the Syndication End Date, you and your subsidiaries will not issue, sell, offer, place or arrange, or engage in any discussions with respect to any of the foregoing, any debt securities or commercial bank or other credit facilities of the Guarantor, the Borrower or their respective subsidiaries, other than (i) the Bridge Loan Facility, (ii) any New Bank Facility, (iii) the New Notes (it being understood that the amount thereof may be up to $1,000,000,000), (iv) indebtedness under the existing commitments available under the Existing Credit Agreement, (v) working capital and overdraft facilities provided to the Borrower and its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and (vi) commercial paper financings in the ordinary course of business, without the prior written consent of the Arranger.

 

4.             Information.

 

You represent, warrant and covenant that (a) (i) no written information that has been or is hereafter furnished by you or on your behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby (other than the Projections) and (ii) no other information given at any due diligence call or any information meetings for potential syndicate members and, in each case, supplied or approved by you or on your behalf (other than the Projections) (such written information and other information (other than the Projections) being referred to herein collectively as the “Information”) taken as a whole contained (or, in the case of Information furnished after the date hereof, will contain), as of the time it was (or hereafter is) furnished, any material misstatement of fact or omitted (or will omit) as of such time to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein taken as a whole not misleading, in the light of the circumstances under which they were (or hereafter are) made, and (b) the Projections that have been or are hereafter furnished by you or on your behalf in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby have been (or, in the event Projections are furnished after the date hereof, will be) prepared in good faith based upon accounting principles consistent in all material respects with your historical audited financial statements (except as otherwise expressly disclosed in the Projections) and upon assumptions believed by you to be reasonable at the time made and at the time the Projections are so furnished (it being understood that projections by their nature are inherently uncertain and no assurances are being given that the results reflected in the Projections will be achieved); provided that, with respect to any Information or Projections prepared by or relating to the Acquired Company or its subsidiaries, the foregoing representations are made only to the best of your knowledge.  You agree that if at any time prior to the Syndication End Date any of the representations and warranties in the preceding sentence would be incorrect in any material respect if the Information and Projections were being furnished (and, in the case of Projections, the applicable assumptions were being made), and such representations and warranties were being made, at such time, then you will promptly supplement the Information and the Projections so that such representations or warranties will be correct in all material respects under those circumstances.  You understand that, in arranging and syndicating any New Bank Facility, the Arranger will be entitled to use and rely on the Information and the Projections without responsibility for independent verification thereof.  Before distribution of any Information or the Projections to prospective Lenders, you shall

 

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provide us with a customary letter authorizing the dissemination of such Information; provided that any such distribution shall be subject to the confidentiality provisions contained in clause (e) of the second paragraph of Section 9 hereof.

 

5.             Conditions Precedent.

 

The commitment of JPMCB and the agreements of JPMCB and JPMorgan hereunder are subject to only (a) there not occurring or becoming known to us any event, change, condition, occurrence or circumstance which, either individually or in the aggregate, has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse effect on (i) the financial condition, business or operations of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries (including the Borrower) taken as a whole since September 30, 2011, (ii) the rights or remedies of the Lenders under the New Bank Facility or (iii) the ability of the Guarantor or the Borrower to perform its respective obligations to the Lenders under the New Bank Facility (each, a “Material Adverse Effect”), (b) the negotiation, execution and delivery of definitive documentation for the New Bank Facility consistent with this Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet and the Fee Letter, prepared by our counsel and satisfactory to us and you and (c) the other conditions set forth or referred to herein and, in the case of the 364-Day Facility, the Term Sheet.

 

6.             Fees.

 

As consideration for JPMCB’s and JPMorgan’s agreements hereunder, you agree to pay to us the fees as set forth in the fee letter dated the date hereof and delivered herewith (the “Fee Letter”).

 

7.             Expenses; Indemnification.

 

To induce the Commitment Parties to issue this Commitment Letter, you hereby agree that all reasonable, out-of-pocket fees and expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel (but limited, in the case of fees and expenses of counsel, to one counsel for all the Commitment Parties and, if determined by the Commitment Parties to be reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction for all the  Commitment Parties) of the Commitment Parties and their respective affiliates arising in connection with any New Bank Facility and the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and enforcement of this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter and the definitive documentation for any New Bank Facility (including in connection with their due diligence and syndication efforts) shall be for your account (and that you shall from time to time upon request by any Commitment Party reimburse it and its affiliates for all such fees and expenses paid or incurred by them), whether or not the Transactions are consummated or any New Bank Facility is made available or the definitive documentation for any New Bank Facility is executed.  You further agree to indemnify and hold harmless each Commitment Party (whether in its capacity as an agent, arranger, Lender or otherwise) and each other agent or co-agent (if any) designated by the Arranger (as reasonably agreed by you) with respect to any New Bank Facility and their respective affiliates and each director, officer, employee, representative, member, partner, trustee and agent thereof (each, an “Indemnified Person”) from and against any and all actions, suits, proceedings (including any investigations or inquiries), claims, losses, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be incurred by or asserted against or involve any Indemnified Person as a result of or arising out of or in any way related to or resulting from the Transactions, this

 

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Commitment Letter or the Fee Letter, any New Bank Facility and the actual or proposed use of the proceeds thereof and any related transaction and, upon demand, to pay and reimburse each Indemnified Person for any reasonable legal or other out-of-pocket expenses (but limited, in the case of legal fees and expenses, to one counsel for such Indemnified Persons taken as a whole and, solely in the case of a conflict of interest (as reasonably determined by the affected Indemnified Persons), one additional counsel for all affected Indemnified Persons (or similarly situated affected Indemnified Persons), in either case taken as a whole (and, if determined by us to be reasonably necessary, of one local counsel in any relevant jurisdiction for all such Indemnified Persons, taken as a whole, and, solely in the case of a conflict of interest (as reasonably determined by the affected Indemnified Persons), one additional local counsel for all affected Indemnified Persons (or similarly affected Indemnified Persons), in either case taken as a whole)) paid or incurred in connection with investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such action, suit, proceeding (including any inquiry or investigation) or claim (whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party to any action, suit or proceeding (including any inquiry or investigation)  out of which any such expenses arise or such matter is initiated by a third party or by you or any of your affiliates); provided, however, that (i) you shall not have to indemnify any Indemnified Person against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability to the extent same resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable judgment), (ii) each Indemnified Person shall consult with the Borrower from time to time at the reasonable request of the Borrower regarding the conduct of the defense in any such proceeding (other than in respect of proceedings in which the Borrower or any of its affiliates is a party adverse to such Indemnified Person), provided that the failure of any Indemnified Party to so consult with the Borrower shall not relieve you of your obligations under this Commitment Letter (including under this Section 7), and (iii) each Indemnified Person that proposes to settle or compromise any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding for which you may be liable for payment of indemnity hereunder shall obtain the Borrower’s consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to such settlement or compromise.  Neither JPMCB, JPMorgan nor any other Indemnified Person shall be responsible or liable to you or any other person or entity for  any damages arising from the use by others of information or other materials obtained through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems. Except to the extent you may be so responsible or liable pursuant to your obligations under this Section 7, no party hereto, nor any of their respective affiliates or their or their affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, representatives, members, partners, trustees or agents, shall be responsible or liable for any indirect, special, exemplary, incidental, punitive or consequential damages (including, without limitation, any loss of profits, business or anticipated savings) that may be alleged as a result of the Transactions, this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter, any New Bank Facility and the actual or proposed use of the proceeds thereof and any related transaction.

 

8.             Sharing Information; Absence of Fiduciary Relationship; Affiliate Activities.

 

Each of us reserves the right to employ the services of our affiliates in providing services contemplated by this Commitment Letter and to allocate, in whole or in part, to our affiliates certain fees payable to us in such manner as we and our affiliates may agree in our sole discretion.  You acknowledge that (a) each of us may share with any of our affiliates, and such affiliates may share with us, any information related to the Transaction, the Guarantor and the Acquired Company, and their respective subsidiaries and other affiliates, or any of the matters

 

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contemplated hereby and (b) each of us and our affiliates may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which the Guarantor, the Acquired Company and their respective affiliates may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein or otherwise.  Each of us agrees to treat, and cause any such of our affiliates to treat, all non-public information provided to us by you and your subsidiaries (and clearly and conspicuously identified as such by you) as confidential information in accordance with the provisions hereof and customary banking industry practices. None of us will, however, furnish confidential information obtained from you by virtue of the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter or our other relationships with you to other persons (other than your affiliates).  You also acknowledge that none of us has any obligation to use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter, or to furnish to you, confidential information obtained by us from other persons.

 

You further acknowledge and agree that (a) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between you and us, or any other implied duty on our behalf, is intended to be or has been created in respect of any of the financing transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter, including in connection with the process leading thereto or the communications pursuant hereto or otherwise, in each case irrespective of whether we or our affiliates have advised or are advising you on other matters, (b) we, on the one hand, and you, on the other hand, have an arms’-length business relationship that does not directly or indirectly give rise to, nor do you rely on, any fiduciary, advisory or agency duty on our part, (c) you are capable of evaluating and understanding, and you understand and accept, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter, (d) you have been advised that we and our affiliates are engaged in a broad range of transactions that may involve interests that differ from your interests and that we and our affiliates have no obligation to disclose such interests and transactions to you by virtue of any fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship, and (e) you waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims you may have against us or our affiliates for breach of fiduciary duty or alleged breach of fiduciary duty and agree that we and our affiliates shall have no liability (whether direct or indirect) to you in respect of such a fiduciary duty claim or to any person asserting a fiduciary duty claim on behalf of or in right of you, including your stockholders, employees or creditors.

 

You further acknowledge that JPMCB and JPMorgan, together with their affiliates, are a full service securities firm engaged in securities trading and brokerage activities as well as providing investment banking and other financial services.  In the ordinary course of business, JPMCB, JPMorgan and their affiliates may provide investment banking and other financial services to, and/or acquire, hold or sell, for their own accounts and the accounts of customers, equity, debt and other securities and financial instruments (including bank loans and other obligations) of, the Guarantor, the Acquired Company and their respective subsidiaries and other companies with which you or your subsidiaries may have commercial or other relationships.  With respect to any securities and/or financial instruments so held by any of us, any of our affiliates or any of our or their customers, all rights in respect of such securities and financial instruments, including any voting rights, will be exercised by the holder of the rights, in its sole discretion.

 

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9.             Confidentiality.

 

This Commitment Letter is delivered to you on the understanding that neither this Commitment Letter nor the Fee Letter nor any of their terms or substance shall be disclosed, directly or indirectly, by you to any other person or entity, except (a) to your and your affiliates’ respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys, accountants and advisors who have agreed to maintain the confidentiality of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter in accordance with the terms hereof, and then only on a confidential and “need to know” basis in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, (b) as required by applicable law, rule, regulation or stock exchange requirement (including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority or stock exchange) or compulsory legal process or in connection with any pending legal proceeding or regulatory review (provided that in each such case you agree, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to (i) inform us promptly thereof and (ii) furnish only that portion of this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter or any of their terms or substance as you are required to disclose), and (c) in the case of this Commitment Letter and the contents hereof (but not the Fee Letter or the contents thereof, except as part of generic disclosure of sources and uses with respect to the Transactions) to any rating agencies on a confidential basis.

 

Each of us and our affiliates will use all confidential information provided to us or our affiliates by or on behalf of you hereunder solely for the purpose of providing the services that are the subject of this Commitment Letter and our other relationships with you and your affiliates and will treat confidentially all such information; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any of us or any of our affiliates from disclosing any such information (a) pursuant to the order of any court or administrative agency or in any pending legal or administrative proceeding, or otherwise as required by applicable law or compulsory legal process (in which case we (i) to the extent permitted by law, agree to inform you promptly thereof and (ii) shall furnish only that portion of such information which we or our affiliate is legally required to disclose), (b) upon the request or demand of any regulatory authority or self-regulatory body having jurisdiction or oversight over us or any of our affiliates (in which case, to the extent permissible, we (i) agree to inform you promptly thereof (except in connection with any ordinary course inquiry or audit) and (ii) shall furnish only that portion of such information which we or our affiliate is required (based on advice of counsel, which may be external counsel) to disclose), (c) to the extent that such information becomes publicly available other than by reason of improper disclosure by us or any of our affiliates, (d) to our respective affiliates and their respective employees, legal counsel, independent auditors and other experts or agents who need to know such information in connection with the Transaction (provided that such information is provided on a confidential basis and we shall be responsible for our affiliates’ compliance with this paragraph), (e) to potential Lenders, participants or assignees or any potential counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower or any of its affiliates or any of their respective obligations, in each case who agree to be bound by the terms of this paragraph (or, pursuant to any customary “click-through” confidentiality undertakings employed by Intralinks or a similar platform or any language substantially similar to this paragraph) or (f) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense or in connection with any action or proceeding relating to this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter or the transactions contemplated hereby or the enforcement of any rights hereunder or thereunder (in which case we (i) to the extent permitted by law, agree to inform you promptly thereof and (ii) shall furnish only that portion of such information which is necessary or advisable (based on advice of counsel, which may be external

 

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counsel) to protect against the interest of us or our affiliate with respect to such proceeding).  Our obligations under this paragraph shall automatically, as applicable, (x) terminate upon the one year anniversary of the termination or expiration of the commitment hereunder or (y) terminate and be superseded by the confidentiality provisions in the definitive documentation for any New Bank Facility upon the effectiveness thereof.

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any party to this Commitment Letter (and any employee, representative or other agent of such party) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter and all materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided to it relating to such tax treatment and tax structure, except that (a) tax treatment and tax structure shall not include the identity of any existing or future party (or any affiliate of such party) to this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letter, and (b) no party shall disclose any information relating to such tax treatment and tax structure to the extent nondisclosure is reasonably necessary in order to comply with applicable securities laws.  For this purpose, the tax treatment of the transactions contemplated by this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter is the purported or claimed U.S. Federal income tax treatment of such transactions and the tax structure of such transactions is any fact that may be relevant to understanding the purported or claimed U.S. Federal income tax treatment of such transactions.

 

Additionally, you acknowledge and agree that none of us is advising you as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction.  You shall consult with your own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making your own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and we shall have no responsibility or liability to you with respect thereto.

 

10.           Assignments; Etc.

 

This Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter (and your rights and obligations hereunder and thereunder) shall not be assignable by you without the prior written consent of each of us (and any attempted assignment without such consent shall be null and void), are intended to be solely for the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto (and Indemnified Persons), are not intended to confer any benefits upon, or create any rights in favor of, or be enforceable by or at the request of any person other than the parties hereto and thereto (and Indemnified Persons) and may not be relied upon by any person or entity other than you.  JPMCB may assign its commitment hereunder to one or more prospective Lenders satisfactory to JPMCB and you, on terms and subject to binding commitment agreements satisfactory to JPMCB and you.  In addition, JPMCB’s commitment hereunder shall be superseded by the commitments in respect of the 364-Day Facility set forth in the definitive credit agreement therefor, and upon the execution and delivery of the definitive credit agreement for the 364-Day Facility by the parties thereto, JPMCB shall be released from its commitment hereunder.  Any and all obligations of, and services to be provided by, JPMCB or JPMorgan hereunder (including, without limitation, the commitment of JPMCB) may be performed, and any and all rights of any of JPMCB and JPMorgan hereunder may be exercised, by or through any of its affiliates or branches; provided that neither JPMCB nor JPMorgan shall be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder in the event any such affiliate shall fail to perform such obligation in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

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11.           Amendments; Governing Law; Etc.

 

This Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter may not be amended or modified, or any provision hereof or thereof waived, except by an instrument in writing signed by each party hereto.  Each of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement.  Delivery of an executed signature page of this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letter by facsimile (or other electronic) transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof or thereof, as the case may be.  Section headings used herein and in the Fee Letter are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letter, as the case may be, and are not to affect the construction of, or to be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letter, as the case may be.  You acknowledge that information and documents relating to any New Bank Facility may be transmitted through Intralinks, the internet, email or similar electronic transmission systems, and that none of JPMCB, JPMorgan or the other Indemnified Persons shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by others of information or documents transmitted in such manner.  JPMCB and JPMorgan may (upon receipt of your written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) place customary advertisements in financial and other newspapers and periodicals or on a home page or similar place for dissemination of customary information on the Internet or worldwide web as it may choose, and circulate similar promotional materials, after the closing of the Transactions in the form of a “tombstone” or otherwise describing the names of the Borrower and its affiliates (or any of them), and the amount, type and closing date of the transactions contemplated hereby, all at the expense of JPMCB and JPMorgan.  This Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter set forth the entire agreement among the parties hereto as to the New Bank Facility and supersede all prior understandings, whether written or oral, among us and you with respect to the matters herein and therein.  Matters that are not covered or made clear in this Commitment Letter or in the Fee Letter are subject to mutual agreement of the parties hereto.  THIS COMMITMENT LETTER AND THE FEE LETTER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS THEREOF, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE SAME ARE NOT MANDATORILY APPLICABLE BY STATUTE AND WOULD REQUIRE OR PERMIT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION).

 

12.           Jurisdiction, Etc.

 

Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the jurisdiction of any New York State court or Federal court of the United States of America in each case sitting in the County of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the Guarantor and the Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims arising out of or relating to this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby brought by it or any of its affiliates shall be brought, and shall be heard and determined, exclusively in such New York State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court.  Each party hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (a) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any

 

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objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby in any New York State or Federal court, as the case may be, (b) 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 and (c) 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.  You agree to use commercially reasonable efforts to irrevocably designate and appoint CT Corporation, having an office on the date hereof at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, as your authorized agent, to receive, accept and acknowledge on your behalf, or in respect of your property, service of any and all process that may be served in any suit, action or proceeding of the nature referred to in this Section 12 in any New York State or Federal court sitting in the County of New York.  Such service may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to you in care of CT Corporation at its address set forth above.  Service of any process may also be served in any other manner permitted by law.

 

You represent and warrant that (a) you are subject, under the laws of the jurisdiction of your organization or existence, to civil and commercial laws with respect to your obligations under this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter, and the execution, delivery and performance by you of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter constitute and will constitute private and commercial acts and not public or governmental acts and (b) none of your or any of your properties has any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized and existing in respect of its obligations under this Commitment Letter or the Fee Letter.  In the event you or any of your properties have or hereafter acquire, in any jurisdiction in which judicial proceedings may at any time be commenced with respect to this Commitment Letter, the Fee Letter or any transaction contemplated hereby any immunity from jurisdiction, legal proceedings, attachment (whether before or after judgment), execution, judgment or setoff, you hereby irrevocably agree not to claim, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive, such immunity.

 

13.           Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING, SUIT, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY OR ON BEHALF OF ANY PARTY HERETO RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS COMMITMENT LETTER, THE FEE LETTER OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER.

 

14.           Surviving Provisions.

 

The provisions of Sections 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14 of this Commitment Letter and the provisions of the Fee Letter shall remain in full force and effect regardless of whether the definitive documentation for any New Bank Facility shall be executed and delivered and notwithstanding the termination of this Commitment Letter or the commitment of the Commitment Parties hereunder and our agreements to perform the services described herein; provided  that your obligations under Section 7 shall automatically terminate and be superseded by the definitive documentation for any New Bank Facility on the date of effectiveness thereof,

 

11

 

in each case, only to the extent a similar provision relating to expense reimbursement and indemnification (covering the parties and matters covered by Section 7 hereof) is contained in such definitive documentation.

 

15.           PATRIOT Act Notification.

 

Each of JPMCB and JPMorgan hereby notifies you that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT ACT (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001) (as amended from time to time, the “PATRIOT Act”)), it and the Lenders are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and the Guarantor, which information includes the name, address, tax identification number and other information regarding the Borrower and the Guarantor that will allow JPMCB, JPMorgan and the Lenders to identify the Borrower and the Guarantor in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.  This notice is given in accordance with the requirements of the PATRIOT Act and is effective as to JPMCB, JPMorgan and each Lender.

 

16.           Termination and Acceptance.

 

JPMCB’s commitment hereunder in respect of the 364-Day Facility, and JPMCB’s and JPMorgan’s agreements to perform the services described herein with respect to the 364-Day Facility, will automatically terminate (without further action or notice and without further obligation to you) upon the first to occur (a) on 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 31, 2012, unless on or prior to such date a definitive credit agreement for the 364-Day Facility, satisfactory in form and substance to us shall have been entered into and become effective pursuant to the terms thereof, (b) the consummation of the Acquisition and (c) the abandonment or termination of the Acquisition Agreement.  JPMorgan’s agreements to perform the services described herein with respect to any other New Bank Facility may be terminated (i) by you at any time, with or without cause, after the first anniversary of the later of (A) the date of the consummation of the Acquisition and (B) the termination or expiration of all commitments in respect of the Bridge Loan Facility, effective, in each case, upon delivery of written notice to that effect and payment of any fees then due to JPMCB, JPMorgan or any of their affiliates; and (ii) by JPMCB and JPMorgan at any time with or without cause effective upon delivery of written notice to that effect.

 

If the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement with you, please indicate your acceptance of the terms of this Commitment Letter and of the Fee Letter by returning to us executed counterparts hereof and of the Fee Letter not later than 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on November 29, 2011.  JPMCB’s commitment and the agreements of JPMCB and JPMorgan hereunder will expire at such time automatically (and without further action or notice and without further obligation to you) at such time in the event that we have not received such executed counterparts in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence.

 

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

 

12

 

We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to assist you in connection with this important financing.

 

Very truly yours,

 

	
 
    	
JPMORGAN   CHASE BANK, N.A.,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
by
    	
/s/   ROBERT D. BRYANT
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Robert D. Bryant
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Vice President
    

 

 

	
 
    	
J.P.   MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
by
    	
/s/   THOMAS DELANEY
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:   Thomas Delaney
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:   Executive Director
    

 

Accepted and agreed to as of

the date set forth above by:

 

 

	
TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.,
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
by
    	
/s/   TERRENCE R. CURTIN
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:   Terrence R. Curtin
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:   Executive Vice President and
   Chief Financial Officer
    	
 
    

 

 

	
TYCO ELECTRONICS GROUP S.A.,
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
by
    	
/s/   THOMAS G. ERNST
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:   Thomas G. Ernst
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:   Director
    	
 
    

 

13

 

EXHIBIT A

CONFIDENTIAL

 

TE Connectivity Ltd.
 US$700,000,000 364-Day Senior Credit Facility
 Summary of Principal Terms and Conditions

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit A shall have the meanings set forth in the commitment letter to which this Exhibit A is attached (the “Commitment Letter”).

 

	
Borrower:
    	
 
    	
Tyco   Electronics Group S.A., a company organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy   of Luxembourg (the “Borrower”).
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Administrative   Agent:
    	
 
    	
JPMorgan   Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMCB”) will act as sole administrative agent (in   such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for a syndicate of banks,   financial institutions and other lenders (together with JPMCB, the “Lenders”)   and will perform the duties customarily associated with such role.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Sole   Lead Arranger  and Sole Bookrunner:
    	
 
    	
J.P.   Morgan Securities LLC (in such capacity, the “Arranger”).
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Facility:
    	
 
    	
(a)   Amount: Senior unsecured 364-day   revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of US$700,000,000   (the “364-Day Facility”). Loans under the 364-Day Facility will be   available in U.S. dollars. 

 

(b)   Use of Proceeds: The proceeds of loans   under the 364-Day Facility shall be utilized for working capital, capital   expenditures and general corporate purposes (including acquisition financing,   refinancing of indebtedness and financing of share repurchases). 

 

(c)   Maturity: The final maturity date   of the 364-Day Facility shall be 364 days from the Closing Date (the “Maturity   Date”). The aggregate commitments of the Lenders shall terminate on the   Maturity Date and all outstanding loans will be repaid on such date. 

 

(d)   Availability: Loans under the 364-Day   Facility may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed on and after the date of the   execution and delivery of the definitive documentation for the 364-Day   Facility by the parties thereto and the closing thereunder (the “Closing   Date”) and prior to the Maturity Date in accordance with the terms of the   definitive credit documentation governing the 364-Day Facility (the “Credit   Documentation”).
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Guaranties:
    	
 
    	
TE   Connectivity Ltd., a company organized under the law of Switzerland (the “Guarantor”),   shall be required to provide an unconditional guaranty (the “Guaranty”)   of all amounts owing under the 364-Day Facility. The Guaranty shall be in   form and substance 
    

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
substantially   similar to the guaranty required and provided under the Existing Credit   Agreement (as defined below) and shall be a guaranty of payment and not of   collection. In addition, each subsidiary of the Guarantor that provides a   guaranty in respect of the Existing Credit Agreement or any other any   material debt of the Borrower for or in respect of borrowed money shall be   obligated to provide a guaranty of all amounts owing under the 364-Day   Facility in form and substance substantially identical to the corresponding   guaranty required under the Existing Credit Agreement (and, to the extent not   covered by the form of such guaranties, the Borrower, the Guarantor and each   such subsidiary shall enter into customary indemnity, contribution and   subrogation agreement with respect thereto).
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Security:
    	
 
    	
None.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Optional   Commitment Reductions:
    	
 
    	
The   unutilized portion of the total commitments under the 364-Day Facility may,   upon three business days’ notice, be reduced or terminated by the Borrower   without penalty in minimum amounts and multiples to be mutually agreed.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Voluntary   Prepayments:
    	
 
    	
Voluntary   prepayments of loans under the 364-Day Facility may be made at any time on   three business days’ notice in the case of LIBOR Loans, or one business day’s   notice in the case of Base Rate Loans, without premium or penalty, in minimum   principal amounts and multiples to be mutually agreed; provided that   voluntary prepayments of LIBOR Loans made on a date other than the last day   of an interest period applicable thereto shall be subject to customary   breakage costs.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Documentation:
    	
 
    	
The   364-Day Facility will be documented under a credit agreement that will be   based upon the Borrower’s Five-Year Senior Credit Agreement dated as of   June 24, 2011, as in effect on the date hereof (the “Existing Credit   Agreement”), with such changes thereto as are necessary or reasonably   appropriate to reflect the terms set forth in this Exhibit A, in the   Commitment Letter and in the Fee Letter or the nature of the transactions   contemplated hereby or as are otherwise agreed by the Borrower and the   Arranger. Without limiting the foregoing, the definitive credit agreement for   the 364-Day Facility will contain representations and warranties, affirmative   covenants, negative covenants, financial covenants and events of default that   are identical (including as to exceptions, qualifications and grace periods   contained therein) to those set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement, save   for such changes thereto as are necessary or reasonably appropriate to   reflect the terms set forth in this Exhibit A, in the Commitment Letter   and in the Fee Letter or the nature of the transactions contemplated hereby   or as otherwise agreed by the Borrower and the Arranger.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Interest   Rates:
    	
 
    	
At   the Borrower’s option, loans may be maintained from time to time as   (a) Base Rate Loans, which shall bear interest at the Base Rate in
    

 

2

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
effect   from time to time plus the Applicable Margin (as defined below), or   (b) LIBOR Loans, which shall bear interest at LIBOR (adjusted for   maximum reserves) as determined by the Administrative Agent for the   respective interest period plus the Applicable Margin. 

 

“Applicable   Margin” shall be determined based on the Pricing Grid attached to this   Exhibit A as Annex I (the “Pricing Grid”). 

 

“Base   Rate” shall mean the highest of (a) the rate that the Administrative   Agent announces from time to time as its prime lending rate, as in effect   from time to time, (b) 1/2 of 1.00% in excess of the overnight Federal   Funds Rate and (c) LIBOR for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%.   

 

“LIBOR”   will be defined in a manner to be agreed between JPMCB and the Borrower. 

 

Interest   periods of 1, 2 or 3 months shall be available in the case of LIBOR Loans. 

 

The   Credit Documentation shall include customary protective provisions for such   matters as capital adequacy and liquidity, increased costs (including   provisions for increased costs in the form of taxes (other than customary   excluded taxes) and customary Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer   Protection Act and Basel III yield protections), reserves, funding losses,   illegality and withholding, stamp and other similar excise or property taxes   and VAT. The Borrower shall have the right to replace any Lender that   (a) charges a material amount in excess of that being charged by the   other Lenders with respect to contingencies described in the immediately   preceding sentence or (b) refuses to consent to certain amendments to or   waivers of the Credit Documentation that expressly require the consent of   such Lender and which have been approved by the Required Lenders. 

 

Interest   in respect of Base Rate Loans shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the   last business day of each calendar quarter. Interest in respect of LIBOR   Loans shall be payable in arrears at the end of the applicable interest   period. Interest will also be payable at the time of repayment of any loans   and at maturity. All interest on Base Rate Loans, LIBOR Loans and facility   fees shall be based on a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (or, in the   case of Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the prime lending rate, a   365 or 366-day year, as applicable, and actual days elapsed).
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Default   Interest:
    	
 
    	
Overdue   principal shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the rate which is   2% in excess of the rate then borne by the applicable borrowing. Overdue   interest and other amounts shall bear interest at the rate which is 2% in   excess of the rate otherwise applicable to Base 
    

 

3

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Rate   Loans under the 364-Day Facility from time to time. Such interest shall be   payable on demand.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Facility   Fee:
    	
 
    	
A   facility fee, at a per annum rate determined in accordance with the Pricing   Grid, which shall accrue on the daily amount of the then applicable   commitment of each Lender (whether used or unused) under the 364-Day   Facility, will commence accruing on the Closing Date and will be payable   quarterly in arrears.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Conditions   Precedent:
    	
 
    	
A.    To Closing Date: Those conditions   precedent set forth herein, in the Commitment Letter and on Annex II hereto. 

 

B.    To All Borrowings: 

 

(a)   the receipt of a borrowing notice therefor, 

 

(b) all representations and warranties (other   than, after the Closing Date, those representations and warranties relating   to historical financial statements, absence of Material Adverse Effect and   absence of material litigation (other than litigation affecting the Credit   Documentation)) shall be true and correct in all material respects on and as   of the date of such borrowing (although any representations and warranties   which expressly relate to a given date or period shall be required to be true   and correct in all material respects as of the respective date or for the   respective period, as the case may be), before and after giving effect to   such borrowing and to the application of the proceeds therefrom, as though   made on and as of such date, 

 

(c) no event of default under the 364-Day   Facility, or event which with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both   would be an event of default under the 364-Day Facility, shall have occurred   and be continuing, or would result from such borrowing.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Representations   and Warranties:
    	
 
    	
Representations   and warranties (applicable to the Guarantor, the Borrower and, as applicable,   certain of their respective subsidiaries) will be limited to the following:   corporate status; power and authority; due authorization, execution and   delivery and enforceability; no violation or conflicts with laws, contracts   or charter documents; governmental and third-party approvals; financial   statements; absence of a Material Adverse Effect (to be defined in a manner   consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement); absence of material   litigation; true and complete disclosure; compliance with Margin Regulations   and inapplicability of Investment Company Act; tax returns and payments;   compliance with ERISA and environmental law; and subsidiaries. Any   qualification based on disclosure in the periodic reports filed by 
    

 

4

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
the   Guarantor shall be limited to disclosures in such reports filed prior to the   date of the Commitment Letter and shall exclude disclosures in the risk   factors, cautionary statements, forward-looking statements and the like.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Covenants:
    	
 
    	
Affirmative,   negative and financial covenants (applicable to the Guarantor, the Borrower   and, as applicable, certain of their respective subsidiaries) will be limited   to the following: 

 

(a)   Affirmative Covenants: compliance   with laws and regulations; maintenance of adequate insurance and properties;   preservation of corporate existence, rights, privileges and franchises and   nature and conduct of business; visitation and inspection rights; keeping of   proper books in accordance with US GAAP (or IFRS, if adopted by the   Guarantor); notice of defaults, material litigation and certain other   material events; financial and other reporting requirements (including,   without limitation, unaudited quarterly and audited annual financials for the   Guarantor and its subsidiaries (including the Borrower) on a consolidated   basis (in accordance with US GAAP (or IFRS, if adopted by the Guarantor));   use of proceeds; and subsidiary guaranties. 

 

(b)   Negative Covenants: restrictions on liens;   incurrence of subsidiary debt; fundamental changes (to include additional   flexibility for the Borrower and Guarantor to be organized in the United   States, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands,   Sweden or the United Kingdom); transactions with affiliates; and restrictions   on distributions, advances and asset transfers by subsidiaries. 

 

(c)   Financial Covenant. The following financial   covenant (the “Financial Covenant”) (with financial definitions and   covenant levels identical to those contained in the Existing Credit Agreement   unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower and the Arranger): 

 

·      Maintenance of a maximum ratio (the “Total   Leverage Ratio”) of Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated EBITDA not to   exceed 3.50:1.00 

 

The   Financial Covenant will be tested and calculated on a quarterly basis in the   same manner as under the Existing Credit Agreement.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Events   of Default:
    	
 
    	
Events   of Default (applicable to the Guarantor, the Borrower and, as applicable,   certain of their respective subsidiaries) will be limited to the following:   nonpayment of principal when due or of interest, fees or other amounts after   a grace period of five business days; failure to perform or observe covenants   set forth in the Credit Documentation; 
    

 

5

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
any   representation or warranty proving to have been incorrect in any material   respect when made or deemed made; cross-payment default and   cross-acceleration to other material indebtedness (in an aggregate principal   amount outstanding exceeding US$75,000,000); bankruptcy, insolvency   proceedings, etc.; inability to pay debts, attachment, etc.;   monetary judgment defaults in an aggregate amount in excess of US$55,000,000;   customary ERISA defaults; actual or asserted invalidity of Credit   Documentation; and Change of Control (to be defined and including the   Borrower ceasing to be a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of the   Guarantor).
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Defaulting Lenders:
    	
 
    	
The   Credit Documentation will contain customary “defaulting lender” provisions.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Assignments   and Participations:
    	
 
    	
Neither   the Guarantor nor the Borrower may assign its rights or obligations under the   364-Day Facility without the prior written consent of the Lenders. Any Lender   may assign, and may sell participations in, its rights and obligations under   the 364-Day Facility, subject (a) in the case of participations, to customary   restrictions on the voting rights of the participants and restrictions on   participations to the Guarantor, the Borrower and their respective affiliates   and (b) in the case of assignments, to such limitations as may be   established by the Administrative Agent (including (i) a minimum   assignment amount of US$5,000,000 (or, if less, the entire amount of such   assignor’s commitments and outstanding loans at such time), (ii) an   assignment fee in the amount of $3,500 to be paid by the respective assignor   or assignee to the Administrative Agent, (iii) restrictions on   assignments to any entity that is not an Eligible Assignee (to be defined to   exclude the Guarantor, the Borrower and their respective affiliates), and   (iv) except in the case of an assignment to any Lender or an affiliate   or an “approved fund” of a Lender, the receipt of the consent of the   Administrative Agent and, so long as no event of default exists under the   364-Day Facility, the Borrower (such consent, in any such case, not to be   unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned and with the consent of the   Borrower to have been deemed granted if it has not objected to a proposed   assignment within 5 business days’ notice thereof)). The 364-Day Facility   shall provide for a mechanism which will allow for each assignee to become a   direct signatory to the 364-Day Facility and will relieve the assigning   Lender of its obligations with respect to the assigned portion of its   commitment and/or loans, as applicable. Participations will have customary   benefits with regard to yield protection and increased costs.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Waivers   and Amendments:
    	
 
    	
Amendments   and waivers of the provisions of the Credit Documentation will require the   approval of Lenders holding commitments and loans representing more than 50%   of the aggregate commitments and loans under the 364-Day Facility (the “Required   Lenders”), except that (a) the consent of each Lender directly   affected 
    

 

6

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
thereby   will be required with respect to customary matters to be agreed by the   Borrower and the Arranger, including (i) increases in commitment   amounts, (ii) reductions of principal, rate of interest or fees,   (iii) extensions of scheduled payments of any loans (including at final   maturity) or times for payment of interest or fees, and   (iv) modifications to the pro  rata sharing or payment   provisions, assignment provisions or the voting percentages, and (b) the   consent of all of the Lenders shall be required with respect to customary   matters to be agreed by the Borrower and the Arranger, including releases of   all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty provided by the   Guarantor and, if any, the other guaranties in respect of the 364-Day   Facility, taken as a whole; provided that if any of the matters   described in clause (a) or (b) above is agreed to by the Required   Lenders, so long as no default or event of default is continuing at such   time, the Borrower shall have the right to either (i) substitute any   non-consenting Lender by having its commitment and loans assigned, at par, to   one or more other institutions, subject to the assignment provisions   described above, or (ii) with the express written consent of the   Required Lenders, terminate the commitment of any non-consenting Lender,   subject to repayment in full of all obligations of the Borrower owed to such   Lender relating to the 364-Day Facility held by such Lender.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Expenses   and Indemnification:
    	
 
    	
The   Credit Documentation will contain customary indemnities for the   Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Lenders and their respective   affiliates’ employees, officers and agents, in each case other than as a   result of such person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined   by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final and nonappealable decision,   and customary expense reimbursement agreements (including, without   limitation, for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the   Lenders incurred after the occurrence, and during the continuance of, a   default under the 364-Day Facility).
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Governing   Law and Forum:
    	
 
    	
New   York. The parties to the Credit Documentation will submit to the New York   jurisdiction, and the Guarantor and the Borrower shall agree that any claim   arising out of the Credit Documentation or the transactions contemplated   thereby brought by them or their affiliates shall be brought exclusively in   New York. The Credit Documentation will contain provisions customary for   U.S. credit facilities provided to entities organized outside the United   States, including a requirement that the Guarantor and the Borrower appoint a   U.S. agent for the service of process and waive any immunity from   jurisdiction or legal proceeding.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Counsel   to Administrative Agent and Arranger:
    	
 
    	
Cravath,   Swaine & Moore LLP.
    

 

7

 

ANNEX I

TO EXHIBIT A

 

PRICING GRID
  (in each case in basis points)

 

	
Index Debt Rating
   (in the order of S&P/Moody’s/Fitch)
    	
 
    	
Facility Fee
    	
 
    	
Applicable Margin
   for LIBOR Loans
    	
 
    	
Applicable Margin for
   Base Rate Loans
    	
 
    
	
3 A-/A3/A-
    	
 
    	
10.0
    	
 
    	
102.5
    	
 
    	
2.5
    	
 
    
	
BBB+/Baa1/ BBB+
    	
 
    	
12.5
    	
 
    	
112.5
    	
 
    	
12.5
    	
 
    
	
BBB/Baa2/ BBB
    	
 
    	
15.0
    	
 
    	
122.5
    	
 
    	
22.5
    	
 
    
	
BBB-/Baa3/BBB-
    	
 
    	
17.5
    	
 
    	
132.5
    	
 
    	
32.5
    	
 
    
	
Lower than BBB-/Baa3/BBB-
    	
 
    	
22.5
    	
 
    	
152.5
    	
 
    	
52.5
    	
 
    

 

The Facility Fee and the Applicable Margin shall be, at any time, the rate per annum set forth in the Pricing Grid opposite the Index Debt Rating by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch;  provided, however, that if the S&P rating, the Moody’s rating and the Fitch rating fall within different levels, then (i) if two of the ratings are at the same level and the other rating is one level higher or one level lower than the two same ratings, then the Facility Fee and the Applicable Margin will be based on the two ratings at the same level, (ii) if two of the ratings are at the same level and the other rating is two or more levels above the two same ratings, then the Facility Fee and the Applicable Margin will be based on the rating that is one level above the two same ratings, (iii) if two of the ratings are at the same level and the other rating is two or more levels below the two same ratings, then the Facility Fee and the Applicable Margin will be based on the rating that is one level below the two same ratings, and (iv) if the three ratings are at three different levels, then the Facility Fee and the Applicable Margin will be based on the rating level that is the second highest rating level of the three different ratings levels.  For purposes of the foregoing, “Index Debt Rating” means a rating of senior, unsecured, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of the Borrower that is not guaranteed by any Person other than the Guarantor or subject to any other credit enhancement (it being understood that coupon step-ups in the Borrower’s long-term indebtedness shall not be deemed credit enhancement).

 

8

 

ANNEX II

TO EXHIBIT A

 

TE Connectivity Ltd.
 US$700,000,000 364-Day Senior Credit Facility
 Summary of Additional Conditions Precedent

 

The effectiveness of the 364-Day Facility on the Closing Date shall be subject to the following additional conditions precedent:

 

1.             All necessary governmental (domestic and foreign) and material third party approvals and/or consents in connection with the 364-Day Facility shall have been obtained and remain in effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken by any competent authority which, in the judgment of the Arranger, restrains, prevents, or imposes materially adverse conditions upon, the effectiveness of the 364-Day Facility.  Additionally, there shall not exist any judgment, order, injunction or other restraint prohibiting or imposing materially adverse conditions upon the 364-Day Facility.

 

2.             No litigation by any entity (private or governmental) shall be pending or threatened with respect to the 364-Day Facility or any documentation executed in connection therewith, or that has had, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

 

3.             The Lenders shall have received (a) legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent from counsel (including, without limitation, New York counsel) covering matters reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (b) a solvency certificate in the form attached hereto as Schedule I, from the chief financial officer of the Borrower, and (c) other customary and reasonably satisfactory closing and corporate documents, resolutions, certificates, instruments, and deliverables.

 

4.             All costs, fees, and all reasonable and documented expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees and expenses) and other compensation contemplated hereby for which invoices have been presented no later than the second day preceding the Closing Date, payable to the Arranger, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have been paid to the extent due.

 

5.             The Lenders shall have received all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations (including without limitation the PATRIOT Act) and requested at least five business days prior to the Closing Date.

 

B-1Exhibit 10.1

 

CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

December 1, 2011

 

XXXXXX XXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXX XX XXXXX

 

Dear XXXXXX:

 

Mesa Laboratories, Inc. (the “Company”), considers it essential to the best interests of its stockholders to attract top executives. In this connection, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) recognizes that the possibility of a change of control may exist and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction of management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders.

 

The Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to ensure the continuity of management and to foster objectivity in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a change of control of the Company, although no such change is now contemplated. In order to induce you to remain in the employ of the Company and in consideration of your further services to the Company, the Company agrees that effective as of the date of this letter, you shall receive the severance benefits from the Company, set forth in this letter agreement (“Agreement”) in the event you Separate from Service with the Company subsequent to a Change of Control of the Company (as defined in Section 2(d) hereof) under the circumstances described below.

 

1.               Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue in effect until the earlier of (i) your Separation from Service other than within twenty four (24) months following a Change of Control; (ii) such time as you no longer are a Corporate Executive Officer of the Company other than within twenty four (24) months following a Change of Control; (iii) the Company’s satisfaction of all of its obligations under this Agreement; or (iv) the execution of a written agreement between the Company and you terminating this Agreement.

 

2.               Definitions. As used in this Agreement:

 

(a)               “Beneficial Owner” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

(b)              “Cause” means (i) any act of personal dishonesty taken by you in connection with your responsibilities as an employee and intended to result in substantial personal enrichment to you; (ii) use, possession, sale, or distribution of illegal substances; (iii) your acknowledgment or conviction of, fraud or any crime in which the Board reasonably believes has or could have a material detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation or business; (iv) conduct endangering, or likely to endanger, the health or safety of another employee, or (v) falsifying or misrepresenting information on Company records.

 

(c)               “Change of Control” of the Company means and includes each and all of the following occurrences:

 

i.     The stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent company) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity, or its parent company, outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company’s assets.

 

ii.    The acquisition by any Person as Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities.

 

iii.   Any other provision of this Section 2 notwithstanding, the term Change in Control shall not include either of the following even ts undertaken at the election of the Company:

 

1.               Any transaction, the sole purpose of which is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation; or

 

 

2.               A transaction, the result of which is to sell all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to another corporation (the “surviving corporation”); provided that the surviving corporation is owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company immediately following such transaction in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company’s Common Stock immediately preceding such transaction; and provided, further, that the surviving corporation expressly assumes this Agreement.

 

(d)              “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(e)               “Company” or “Mesa” means Mesa Laboratories, Inc., a Colorado corporation, and any successor as provided in Section 8 hereof.

 

(f)                 “Current Monthly Salary” means the highest monthly base salary rate that you were paid by the Company in the 12-month period prior to the date of your Separation from Service (the “Look-Back Period”);

 

(g)              “Disability” means that, at the time you Separate from Service, you have been unable to perform the duties of your position for a period of 180 consecutive days as the result of your incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

 

(h)              “Good Reason” means the occurrence of one of the following without your express written consent (i) a significant reduction of your duties, position or responsibilities, or your removal from such position and responsibilities, unless you are offered a comparable position (i.e., a position of equal or greater organizational level, duties, authority, compensation, title and status); (ii) a reduction by the Company in your base compensation (base salary and target bonus) as in effect immediately prior to such reduction; (iii) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of employee benefits to which you are entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that your overall benefits package is significantly reduced; (iv) you are requested to relocate (except for office relocations that would not increase your one way commute by more than 50 miles); or (v) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.

 

(i)                  “Person” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and as used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including a group as defined in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act but excluding the Company and any subsidiary and any employee benefit plan sponsored or maintained by the Company or any subsidiary (including any trustee of such plan acting as Trustee).

 

(j)                  “Separation from Service” or “Separates from Service” means a termination of employment with Mesa that the Company determines is a Separation from Service in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.

 

(k)               “Severance Payment” means the payment of severance compensation as provided in Section 3 of this Agreement.

 

3.               Compensation Upon Separation from Service Following a Change of Control. If you Separate from Service on account of (i) an involuntary termination without Cause or (ii) a voluntary termination for Good Reason, within twenty four (24) months after a Change in Control, then subject to (x) your signing and not revoking a separation agreement and release of claims in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and (y) Sections 4 and 5 below:

 

(a)               You will be entitled to Severance Payments, as follows:

 

i.     Your then Current Monthly Salary will continue to be paid to you within 10 days after the end of every month for a period of 24 months after your date of termination.  If required by taxing authorities, this continuation pay will be net of any withheld taxes.

 

ii.    The same percentage of Company-paid health and group-term life insurance benefits as were provided to you and your family under plans of the Company as of the Change of Control for a total of twenty-four (24) months. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, at its option, satisfy any requirement that the Company provide coverage under any plan by instead providing coverage under a separate plan or plans providing coverage that is no less favorable.

 

(b)              The Company agrees that, in addition to the payments and benefits provided under Section 3(a), all outstanding unvested stock options, restricted stock, performance shares and stock appreciation rights previously granted to you under any Company equity or long-term incentive plan or program (a “Company Incentive Plan”) (including any stock options, restricted stock, performance shares and stock appreciation rights assumed by the Company in connection with its acquisition of another entity) shall immediately be 100% vested upon such Separation from Service. You shall be entitled to exercise any stock options or stock appreciation rights until the expiration of three months following your Separation from Service (or until such later date as may be applicable under the terms of the award agreement governing the stock option or stock appreciation right upon termination of employment), subject to the

 

 

maximum full term of the stock option or stock appreciation right. In addition, the Company agrees that all restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units, and long-term incentive cash programs (“Long-Term Incentives”) previously granted to you under any Company Incentive Plan shall immediately be 100% vested upon such Separation from Service; however, the issuance or payment of such restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units or Long-Term Incentives shall be governed by your applicable grant or award agreement. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, in no event will the 100% vesting apply to restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units or Long-Term Incentives if the 100% vesting would cause adverse tax consequences under Code Sec. 409A.

 

Notwithstanding anything contained in subsections (a) and (b) above, the Company shall have no obligation to make any payment or offer any benefits to you under this Section 3 if you Separate from Service prior to a Change in Control or if you Separate from Service within twenty four (24) months after a Change in Control for Cause, death, Disability, retirement or voluntary resignation other than for Good Reason or if you Separate from Service for any reason after twenty four (24) months following a Change in Control.

 

4.               Parachute Payments. In the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by you in connection with your Separation from Service with the Company (collectively, the “Severance Parachute Payments”) would (i) constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code or any similar or successor provision to 280G and (ii) but for this Section 4, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any similar or successor provision to Section 4999 (the “Excise Tax”), then such Severance Parachute Payments shall be reduced to the largest amount which would result in no portion of the Severance Parachute Payments being subject to the Excise Tax. In the event any reduction of benefits is required pursuant to this Agreement, you shall be allowed to choose which benefits hereunder are reduced (e.g., reduction first from the Severance Payment, then from the vesting acceleration). Any determination as to whether a reduction is required under this Agreement and as to the amount of such reduction shall be made in writing by the independent public accountants appointed for this purpose by the Company (the “Accountants”) prior to, or immediately following, the Change of Control, whose determinations shall be conclusive and binding upon you and the Company for all purposes. If the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) determines that the Severance Parachute Payments are subject to the Excise Tax, then the Company or any related corporation, as their exclusive remedy, shall seek to enforce the provisions of Section 5 hereof. Such enforcement of Section 5 below shall be the only remedy, under any and all applicable state and federal laws or otherwise, for your failure to reduce the Severance Parachute Payments so that no portion thereof is subject to the Excise Tax. The Company or related corporation shall reduce the Severance Parachute Payments in accordance with this Section 4 only upon written notice by the Accountants indicating the amount of such reduction, if any. The Company shall bear all costs the Accountants may reasonably incur in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Agreement.

 

5.               Remedy. If, notwithstanding the reduction described in Section 4 hereof, the IRS determines that you are liable for the Excise Tax as a result of the receipt of a Severance Parachute Payment, then you shall, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, be obligated to pay to the Company (the “Repayment Obligation”) an amount of money equal to the Repayment Amount (defined below). The “Repayment Amount” with respect to the Severance Parachute Payments shall be the smallest such amount, if any, as shall be required to be paid to the Company so that your net proceeds with respect to any Severance Parachute Payments (after taking into account the payment of the Excise Tax imposed on such Severance Parachute Payments) shall be maximized. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Repayment Amount with respect to the Severance Parachute Payments shall be zero if a Repayment Amount of more than zero would not eliminate the Excise Tax imposed on such Severance Parachute Payment. If the Excise Tax is not eliminated through the performance of the Repayment Obligation, you shall pay the Excise Tax. The Repayment Obligation shall be performed within thirty (30) days of either (i) your entering into a binding agreement with the IRS as to the amount of your Excise Tax liability or (ii) a final determination by the IRS or a decision by a court of competent jurisdiction requiring you to pay the Excise Tax with respect to the Severance Parachute Payments from which no appeal is available or is timely taken.

 

6.               No Mitigation. You shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in Section 3 hereof by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of such payment be reduced by reason of compensation or other income you receive for services rendered after your Separation from Service from the Company.

 

 

7.               Exclusive Remedy. In the event of your Separation from Service on account of an involuntary termination without Cause or a voluntary termination for Good Reason within twenty four (24) months following a Change of Control, the provisions of Section 3 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which you or the Company may otherwise be entitled (including any contrary provisions in any employment agreement you may have with the Company), whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement.

 

8.               Company’s Successors. The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, to expressly assume and agree to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Section 8, Company includes any successor to its business or assets as aforesaid which executes and delivers this Agreement or which otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.

 

9.               Notice. Notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or five (5) days after deposit with postal authorities transmitted by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth on the first or last page of this Agreement, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

 

10.         Amendment or Waiver. No provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified, waived or discharged unless you and the Company agree to such amendment, modification, waiver or discharge in writing. No amendment, modification, waiver or discharge of this Agreement shall result in the accelerated payment of any Severance Payment provided for in Section 3. No waiver by either party at any time of the breach of, or lack of compliance with, any conditions or provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed a waiver of the provisions or conditions hereof.

 

11.         Sole Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire agreement between you and the Company with respect to the matters set forth herein and supersedes and replaces any prior agreements in their entirety. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement will be made by either party which are not set forth expressly herein. No future agreement between you and the Company may supersede this Agreement, unless it is in writing and specifically makes reference to this Section 11.

 

12.         Employee’s Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by your personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. If you should die while any amounts are still payable to you hereunder, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to your devisee, legatee, or other designee or, if there be no such designees, to your estate.

 

13.         Funding. This Agreement shall be unfunded. Any payment made under the Agreement shall be made from the Company’s general assets.

 

14.         Waiver. No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

 

15.         Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

 

16.         Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

 

17.         Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes.

 

18.         Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions). This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

19.         Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

If the foregoing conforms to your understanding, please indicate your agreement to the terms hereof by signing where indicated below and returning one copy of this Agreement to the undersigned.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed effective as of the date set forth above.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ACCEPTED   AND AGREED TO AS OF THE
    	
 
    	
Sincerely,
    
	
DATE   FIRST SET FORTH ABOVE:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Mesa   Laboratories, Inc.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
XXXXXXXXX   XXXXXXXXX
    	
 
    	
Steven   W. Peterson 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Vice   President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary

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