Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

Execution Version

 

HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC

 

€300,000,000 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021

 

guaranteed on a senior basis as to the

payment of principal, premium,
 if any, and interest by

 

AIRSTAR CORPORATION

HUNTSMAN ADVANCED MATERIALS AMERICAS LLC

HUNTSMAN ADVANCED MATERIALS LLC

HUNTSMAN AUSTRALIA LLC

HUNTSMAN AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS LLC

HUNTSMAN CHEMICAL PURCHASING LLC

HUNTSMAN ENTERPRISES LLC

HUNTSMAN ETHYLENEAMINES LLC

HUNTSMAN FUELS LLC

HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL LLC

HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL FUELS LLC

HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL TRADING CORPORATION

HUNTSMAN MA INVESTMENT CORPORATION

HUNTSMAN MA SERVICES CORPORATION

HUNTSMAN PETROCHEMICAL LLC

HUNTSMAN PETROCHEMICAL PURCHASING LLC

HUNTSMAN PROCUREMENT LLC

HUNTSMAN PROPYLENE OXIDE LLC

HUNTSMAN PURCHASING, LTD.

HUNTSMAN SURFACTANTS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

TIOXIDE AMERICAS (HOLDINGS) LLC

TIOXIDE AMERICAS LLC

TIOXIDE GROUP

 

Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement

 

 

December 23, 2013

 

Citigroup Global Markets Limited
 Barclays Bank PLC
 Merrill Lynch International 
 Goldman, Sachs & Co.
 HSBC Bank plc
 J.P. Morgan Securities plc
 PNC Capital Markets LLC
 RBC Europe Limited
 The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Limited

Citigroup Centre, Canada Square

Canary Wharf

London E14 5LB

United Kingdom

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Huntsman International LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the Purchasers (as defined herein) upon the terms set forth in the Purchase Agreement (as defined herein) €300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021, which are guaranteed on a senior basis by each of the guarantors listed on Schedule I hereto.

 

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and in satisfaction of a condition to the obligations of the Purchasers thereunder, the Company and the Guarantors agree with Citigroup Global Markets Limited, as representative of the Purchasers, for the benefit of holders (as defined herein) from time to time of the Registrable Securities (as defined herein) as follows:

 

1.             Certain Definitions.  For purposes of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

“Base Interest” shall mean the interest that would otherwise accrue on the Securities under the terms thereof and the Indenture, without giving effect to the provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“broker-dealer” shall mean any broker or dealer registered with the Commission under the Exchange Act.

 

“Closing Date” shall mean the date on which the Securities are initially issued.

 

“Commission” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or any other federal agency at the time administering the Exchange Act or the Securities Act, whichever is the relevant statute for the particular purpose.

 

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“Effective Time” in the case of (i) an Exchange Registration, shall mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Exchange Registration Statement effective or as of which the Exchange Registration Statement otherwise becomes effective and (ii) a Shelf Registration, shall mean the time and date as of which the Commission declares the Shelf Registration Statement effective or as of which the Shelf Registration Statement otherwise becomes effective.

 

“Electing Holder” shall mean any holder of Registrable Securities that has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in accordance with Section 3(d)(ii) or 3(d)(iii) hereof.

 

“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.

 

“Exchange Offer” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

“Exchange Registration” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 3(c) hereof.

 

“Exchange Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

“Exchange Securities” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

“Guarantee” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Indenture.

 

“Guarantor” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Indenture.

 

“holder” shall mean each of the Purchasers and other persons who acquire Registrable Securities from time to time (including any successors or assigns), in each case for so long as such person owns any Registrable Securities.

 

“Indenture” shall mean the Indenture, dated as of December 23, 2013, between the Company, the Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee, as the same shall be amended from time to time relating to the Securities.

 

“Notice and Questionnaire” means a Notice of Registration Statement and Selling Securityholder Questionnaire substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.

 

“person” shall mean a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, organization, business, individual, government or political subdivision thereof or governmental agency.

 

“Purchase Agreement” shall mean the Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 11, 2013, among the Purchasers, the Guarantors and the Company relating to the Securities.

 

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“Purchasers” shall mean the Purchasers named in Schedule I to the Purchase Agreement.

 

“Registrable Securities” shall mean the Securities; provided, however, that a Security shall cease to be a Registrable Security when (i) in the circumstances contemplated by Section 2(a) hereof, the Security has been exchanged for an Exchange Security in an Exchange Offer as contemplated in Section 2(a) hereof (provided that any Exchange Security that, pursuant to the last two sentences of Section 2(a), is included in a prospectus for use in connection with resales by broker-dealers shall be deemed to be a Registrable Security with respect to Sections 5, 6 and 9 until resale of such Security has been effected within the 120-day period referred to in Section 2(a)); (ii) in the circumstances contemplated by Section 2(b) hereof, a Shelf Registration Statement registering such Security under the Securities Act has been declared or becomes effective and such Security has been sold or otherwise transferred by the holder thereof pursuant to and in a manner contemplated by such effective Shelf Registration Statement; (iii) such Security is sold pursuant to Rule 144 under circumstances in which any legend borne by such Security relating to restrictions on transferability thereof, under the Securities Act or otherwise, is removed by the Company or pursuant to the Indenture; (iv) such Security may be sold to the public in accordance with Rule 144 per the person that is not an “affiliate” (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company where no conditions of Rule 144 are then applicable (other than the holding period requirement in paragraph (d) of Rule 144, so long as such holding period requirement is satisfied at such time of determination); or (v) such Security shall cease to be outstanding.

 

“Registration Default” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.

 

“Registration Default Period” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.

 

“Registration Expenses” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4 hereof.

 

“Resale Period” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(a) hereof.

 

“Restricted Holder” shall mean (i) a holder that is an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405, (ii) a holder who acquires Exchange Securities outside the ordinary course of such holder’s business, (iii) a holder who has arrangements or understandings with any person to participate in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of distributing Exchange Securities and (iv) a holder that is a broker-dealer, but only with respect to Exchange Securities received by such broker-dealer pursuant to an Exchange Offer in exchange for Registrable Securities acquired by the broker-dealer directly from the Company.

 

“Rule 144,” “Rule 405” and “Rule 415” shall mean, in each case, such rule promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor provision), as the same shall be amended from time to time.

 

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“Securities” shall mean the €300,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 to be issued and sold to the Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and securities issued in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof pursuant to the Indenture (other than Exchange Securities).  Each Security is entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee provided for in the Indenture and, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference herein to a “Security,” an “Exchange Security” or a “Registrable Security” shall include a reference to the related Guarantee.

 

“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, or any successor thereto, as the same shall be amended from time to time.

 

“Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(b) hereof.

 

“Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(b) hereof.

 

“Special Interest” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2(c) hereof.

 

“Trustee” shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Indenture.

 

“Trust Indenture Act” shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, or any successor thereto, and the rules, regulations and forms promulgated thereunder, all as the same shall be amended from time to time.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference herein to a “Section” or “clause” refers to a Section or clause, as the case may be, of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, and the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Section or other subdivision.

 

2.             Registration Under the Securities Act.

 

(a)           Except as set forth in Section 2(b) below, the Company and the Guarantors agree to use their reasonable best efforts to file under the Securities Act a registration statement relating to offers to exchange (such registration statement, the “Exchange Registration Statement,” and such offers, collectively, the “Exchange Offer”) any and all of the Registrable Securities for a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities issued by the Company and guaranteed by the Guarantors, which debt securities and guarantee are substantially identical to the Securities and the related Guarantees, respectively (and are entitled to the benefits of a trust indenture which is substantially identical to the Indenture and which has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act), except that they have been registered pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and do not contain provisions for registration rights or the Special Interest contemplated in Section 2(c) below (such new debt securities and guarantee hereinafter called “Exchange Securities”).  The Company and the Guarantors agree to use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act no later than September 19, 2014.  The Exchange Offer will be registered 

 

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under the Securities Act on the appropriate form and will comply with all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the Exchange Act.  The Company further agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to commence and complete the Exchange Offer within 45 days after the date the Exchange Registration Statement is declared effective by the Commission, hold the Exchange Offer open for at least 20 business days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is mailed to the holders and exchange Exchange Securities for all Registrable Securities that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn on or prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer.  The Exchange Offer will be deemed to have been “completed” only if the debt securities and related guarantee received by holders other than Restricted Holders in the Exchange Offer for Registrable Securities are, upon receipt, transferable by each such holder without restriction under the Securities Act and without material restrictions under the blue sky or securities laws of a substantial majority of the States of the United States of America, it being understood that broker-dealers receiving Exchange Securities will be subject to certain prospectus delivery requirements with respect to resale of the Exchange Securities.  The Exchange Offer shall be deemed to have been completed upon the earlier to occur of (i) the Company having exchanged the Exchange Securities for all outstanding Registrable Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer and (ii) the Company having exchanged, pursuant to the Exchange Offer, Exchange Securities for all Registrable Securities that have been properly tendered and not withdrawn before the expiration of the Exchange Offer, which shall be on a date that is at least 20 business days following the commencement of the Exchange Offer.  The Company and the Guarantors agree (x) to include in the Exchange Registration Statement a prospectus for use in any resales by any holder of Exchange Securities that is a broker-dealer and (y) to keep such Exchange Registration Statement effective for a period (the “Resale Period”) beginning when Exchange Securities are first issued in the Exchange Offer and ending upon the earlier of the expiration of the 120th day after the Exchange Offer has been completed or such time as such broker-dealers no longer own any Registrable Securities.  With respect to such Exchange Registration Statement, such holders shall have the benefit of the rights of indemnification and contribution set forth in Sections 6(a), (c), (d) and (e) hereof.

 

Each holder that participates in the Exchange Offer will be required, as a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, to represent to the Company in writing (which may be contained in the applicable letter of transmittal) (i) that any Exchange Securities to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) that at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer, such holder has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in violation of the Securities Act, (iii) that such holder is not an “affiliate” of the Company as such term is defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act, (iv) if such holder is a broker-dealer, that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of Exchange Securities; and (v) if such holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Securities that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities (an “Exchanging Dealer”), that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with the resale of such Exchange Securities.  A broker-dealer that is not able to make the representation in clause (v) above will not be permitted to participate in the Exchange Offer.

 

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(b)           If on or prior to the time the Exchange Offer is completed, any law or the existing Commission interpretations are changed such that (i) the debt securities or the related guarantee received by holders other than Restricted Holders in the Exchange Offer for Registrable Securities are not or would not be, upon receipt, transferable by each such holder without restriction under the Securities Act, (ii) for any other reason the Exchange Offer has not been completed within 45 days after September 19, 2014, or (iii) the Exchange Offer is not available to any holder of the Securities by reason of U.S. law or Commission policy (other than due solely to the status of such holder as an affiliate of the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or as an Exchanging Dealer), the Company and the Guarantors shall, in lieu of (or, in the case of clause (iii), in addition to) conducting the Exchange Offer contemplated by Section 2(a), file under the Securities Act as soon as practicable, and cause to become or be declared effective no later of 90 days after the time such obligation to file arises, a “shelf” registration statement providing for the registration of, and the sale on a continuous or delayed basis by the holders of, all of the Registrable Securities, pursuant to Rule 415 or any similar rule that may be adopted by the Commission (such filing, the “Shelf Registration” and such registration statement, the “Shelf Registration Statement”).  The Company and the Guarantors agree to use its reasonable best efforts (x) to cause the Shelf Registration Statement to become or be declared effective and to keep such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective for a period ending on the earlier of the second anniversary of the Effective Time or such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities outstanding; provided, however, that (I) no holder shall be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement or to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities unless such holder is an Electing Holder and (II) the Company shall be permitted to take any action that would suspend the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement or result in holders covered by a Shelf Registration Statement not being able to offer and sell such Securities if (i) such action is required by law or (ii) such action is taken by the Company in good faith and for valid business reasons involving a material undisclosed event, and (y) after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, within 30 days following the request of any holder of Registrable Securities that is not then an Electing Holder, to take any action reasonably necessary to enable such holder to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, any action necessary to identify such holder as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement; provided, however, that nothing in this clause (y) shall relieve any such holder of the obligation to return a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in accordance with Section 3(d)(iii) hereof.  The Company further agrees to supplement or make amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement, as and when required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder for shelf registration, and the Company agrees to furnish to each Electing Holder copies of any such supplement or amendment prior to its being used or promptly following its filing with the Commission.

 

(c)           In the event that (i) the Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement has not become effective or been declared effective by the Commission on or before the date on which such registration statement is required to become or be declared effective pursuant to Section 2(a) or 2(b), respectively, (ii) the Exchange Offer has not been completed within 45 days after the initial effective date of the Exchange Registration Statement 

 

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relating to the Exchange Offer (if the Exchange Offer is then required to be made) or (iii) any Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement required by Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter either be withdrawn by the Company or shall become subject to an effective stop order issued pursuant to Section 8(d) of the Securities Act suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement (except as specifically permitted herein) without being succeeded immediately by an additional registration statement filed and declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a “Registration Default” and each period during which a Registration Default has occurred and is continuing, a “Registration Default Period”), then, as liquidated damages for such Registration Default, subject to the provisions of Section 9(b), special interest (“Special Interest”), in addition to the Base Interest, shall accrue at a per annum rate of 0.125% for the first 90 days of the Registration Default Period, at a per annum rate of 0.25% for the second 90 days of the Registration Default Period, at a per annum rate of 0.375% for the third 90 days of the Registration Default Period and at a per annum rate of 0.5% thereafter for the remaining portion of the Registration Default Period; provided, however, that Special Interest shall not accrue if the failure of the Company to comply with its obligations hereunder is a result of the failure of any of the holders, underwriters, Purchasers or placement or sales agents to fulfill their respective obligations hereunder; and provided, further, Special Interest shall only accrue until, but excluding, the earlier of (1) the date on which such Registration Default has been cured or (2) the date on which the Securities accruing such Special Interest cease to be Registrable Securities.  Special Interest accrued for any period shall be payable at the relevant interest payment date for such period under the terms of the applicable series of Securities.

 

(d)           Notwithstanding the foregoing: (1) the amount of Special Interest that accrues will not increase because more than one Registration Default has occurred and is pending; (2) a holder of Registrable Securities or Exchange Securities who is not entitled to the benefits of the Shelf Registration Statement (including, but not limited to any such holder who has not returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company in accordance with Section 3(d)(iii) hereof) will not be entitled to Special Interest with respect to a Registration Default that pertains to the Shelf Registration Statement; and (3) a holder of Registrable Securities constituting an unsold allotment from the original sale of the notes or who otherwise is not entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer will not be entitled to the accrual of Special Interest by reason of a Registration Default that pertains to the Exchange Offer.

 

(e)           The Company shall take, and shall cause the Guarantors to take, all actions necessary or advisable to be taken by it to ensure that the transactions contemplated herein are effected as so contemplated, including all actions necessary or desirable to register the Guarantees under the registration statement contemplated in Section 2(a) or 2(b) hereof, as applicable.

 

(f)            Any reference herein to a registration statement as of any time shall be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, therein by reference as of such time and any reference herein to any post-effective amendment to a registration statement as of any time shall be deemed to include any document incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, therein by reference as of such time.

 

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3.             Registration Procedures.

 

If the Company and the Guarantors file a registration statement pursuant to Section 2(a) or Section 2(b), the following provisions shall apply:

 

(a)           At or before the Effective Time of the Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration, as the case may be, the Company shall qualify the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

(b)           In the event that such qualification would require the appointment of a new trustee under the Indenture, the Company shall appoint a new trustee thereunder pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

 

(c)           In connection with the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations with respect to the registration of Exchange Securities as contemplated by Section 2(a) (the “Exchange Registration”), if applicable, the Company and the Guarantors shall, as soon as reasonably practicable (or as otherwise specified):

 

(i)      use their reasonable best efforts to prepare and file with the Commission an Exchange Registration Statement on any form which may be utilized by the Company and the Guarantors and which shall permit the Exchange Offer and resales of Exchange Securities by broker-dealers during the Resale Period to be effected as contemplated by Section 2(a), and use its best reasonable efforts to cause such Exchange Registration Statement to become effective no later than September 19, 2014;

 

(ii)     after the Effective Time of the Exchange Registration Statement, except as permitted hereunder, prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Exchange Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to effect and maintain the effectiveness of such Exchange Registration Statement for the periods and purposes contemplated in Section 2(a) hereof and as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions applicable to the form of such Exchange Registration Statement, and promptly provide each broker-dealer holding Exchange Securities with such number of copies of the prospectus included therein (as then amended or supplemented), in conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, as such broker-dealer may reasonably request prior to the expiration of the Resale Period, for use in connection with resales of Exchange Securities;

 

(iii)    after the Effective Time of the Exchange Registration Statement and during the Resale Period promptly notify each broker-dealer that has requested copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement, and confirm such advice in writing, (A) with respect to such Exchange Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the 

 

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effectiveness of such Exchange Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (C) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Exchange Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, or (D) at any time during the Resale Period when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, that such Exchange Registration Statement, prospectus, prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment does not conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, which such notice, in the case of clauses (B), (C) and (D) shall require any broker-dealer to suspend the use of such prospectus until further notice;

 

(iv)    in the event that the Company and the Guarantors would be required, pursuant to Section 3(c)(iii)(D) above, to notify any broker-dealers holding Exchange Securities, prepare and furnish to each such holder a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of such Exchange Securities during the Resale Period, such prospectus shall conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to amend or supplement such prospectus if (i) not permitted by law or (ii) the Company in good faith and for valid business reasons determines that to do so would involve disclosing a material undisclosed event;

 

(v)     use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Exchange Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest practicable date unless the Company in good faith and for valid business reasons determines that to do so would involve disclosing a material undisclosed event;

 

(vi)    use its reasonable best efforts to (A) register or qualify the Exchange Securities under the securities laws or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as are contemplated by Section 2(a) no later than the commencement of the Exchange Offer, (B) keep such registrations or qualifications in effect and comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of offers, sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions until the expiration of the Resale Period and (C) take any and all other actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each broker-dealer holding Exchange Securities to consummate the disposition thereof in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that neither the 

 

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Company nor the Guarantors shall be required for any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for the requirements of this Section 3(c)(vi), (2) consent to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction or (3) make any changes to its incorporating documents or limited liability agreement or any other agreement between it and its stockholders or members;

 

(vii)  provide an ISIN and a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities, not later than the applicable Effective Time; and

 

(viii)  comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable but no later than 18 months after the effective date of such Exchange Registration Statement, an earning statement of the Company and its subsidiaries complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158 thereunder).

 

(d)           In connection with the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations with respect to the Shelf Registration, if applicable, the Company and the Guarantor shall, as soon as reasonably practicable (or as otherwise specified):

 

(i)      prepare and file with the Commission, as soon as reasonably practicable but in any case within the time periods specified in Section 2(b), a Shelf Registration Statement on any form which may be utilized by the Company and which shall register all of the Registrable Securities for resale by the holders thereof in accordance with such method or methods of disposition as may be specified by such of the holders as, from time to time, may be Electing Holders and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable but in any case within the time periods specified in Section 2(b);

 

(ii)     prior to the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, mail the Notice and Questionnaire to the holders of Registrable Securities; no holder shall be entitled to be named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement as of the Effective Time, and no holder shall be entitled to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities at any time, unless such holder has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company by the deadline for response set forth therein; provided, however, holders of Registrable Securities shall have at least 28 calendar days from the date on which the Notice and Questionnaire is first mailed to such holders to return a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company;

 

(iii)    after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities that is not then an Electing Holder, promptly send a Notice and Questionnaire to such holder; provided that the Company shall not be required to take any action to name such holder as a 

 

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selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement or to enable such holder to use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities until such holder has returned a completed and signed Notice and Questionnaire to the Company;

 

(iv)    after the Effective Time of the Shelf Registration Statement, except as permitted hereunder, as soon as reasonably practicable prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein as may be necessary to effect and maintain the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement for the period specified in Section 2(b) hereof and as may be required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and the instructions applicable to the form of such Shelf Registration Statement, and furnish to the Electing Holders copies of any such supplement or amendment simultaneously with or prior to its being used or filed with the Commission;

 

(v)     comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the Electing Holders provided for in such Shelf Registration Statement;

 

(vi)    provide (A) the Electing Holders, (B) the underwriters (which term, for purposes of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, shall include a person deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act), if any, thereof, (C) any sales or placement agent, if any, therefor, (D) counsel for any such underwriter or agent and (E) not more than one counsel for all the Electing Holders a copy of such Shelf Registration Statement, each prospectus included therein or filed with the Commission and each amendment or supplement thereto;

 

(vii)   for a reasonable period prior to the filing of such Shelf Registration Statement, and throughout the period specified in Section 2(b), make available at reasonable times at the Company’s principal place of business or such other reasonable place for inspection by the persons referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) above who shall certify to the Company that they have a current intention to sell the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration such financial and other information and books and records of the Company, and cause the officers, employees, counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company to respond to such inquiries, as shall be reasonably necessary, in the reasonable judgment of the respective counsel referred to in such Section, to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section 11 of the Securities Act; provided, however, that each such party shall be required to maintain in confidence and not to disclose to any other person any information or records reasonably designated by the Company as being confidential, until such time as (A) such information becomes a matter of public record (whether by virtue of its inclusion in such registration statement or otherwise), or (B) such person shall be 

 

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required so to disclose such information pursuant to a subpoena or order of any court or other governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the matter (subject to the requirements of such order, and only after such person shall have given the Company prompt prior written notice of such requirement), or (C) such information is set forth in such Shelf Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein or in an amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to such prospectus in order that such Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, amendment or supplement, as the case may be, complies with applicable requirements of the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the Commission and does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;

 

(viii)  promptly notify each of the Electing Holders, any sales or placement agent therefor and any underwriter thereof (which notification may be made through any managing underwriter that is a representative of such underwriter for such purpose) and confirm such advice in writing, (A) with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (B) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for that purpose, (C) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, or (D) if at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, that such Shelf Registration Statement, prospectus, prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment does not conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, which such notice, in the case of clauses (B), (C) and (D) shall require the suspension of the use of such prospectus until further notice;

 

(ix)    use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto at the earliest practicable date unless the Company in good faith and for valid business reasons determines that to do so would involve disclosing a material undisclosed event;

 

(x)     if reasonably requested by any managing underwriter or underwriters, any placement or sales agent or any Electing Holder, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such information as is required by the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and as such managing underwriter or underwriters, such agent or

 

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such Electing Holder specifies should be included therein relating to the terms of the sale of such Registrable Securities, including information with respect to the principal amount of Registrable Securities being sold by such Electing Holder or agent or to any underwriters, the name and description of such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, the offering price of such Registrable Securities and any discount, commission or other compensation payable in respect thereof, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and with respect to any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold by such Electing Holder or agent or to such underwriters; and make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment promptly after notification of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;

 

(xi)    furnish to each Electing Holder, each placement or sales agent, if any, therefor, each underwriter, if any, thereof and the respective counsel referred to in Section 3(d)(vi) above a conformed copy of such Shelf Registration Statement, each such amendment and supplement thereto (in each case including, upon request, all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein) and such number of copies of the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any summary prospectus), in conformity in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and such other documents, as such Electing Holder, agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, may reasonably request that may be required in connection with the offering and disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Electing Holder, offered or sold by such agent or underwritten by such underwriter and to permit such Electing Holder, agent and underwriter to satisfy the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act; and the Company hereby consents to the use of the prospectus contained in the Shelf Registration Statement at the Effective Time thereof and any amendment or supplement thereto by each such Electing Holder and by any such agent and underwriter, in each case in the form most recently provided to such person by the Company, in connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by such prospectus or any such supplement or amendment thereto;

 

(xii)   use reasonable best efforts to (A) register or qualify the Registrable Securities to be included in such Shelf Registration Statement under such securities laws or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Electing Holder and each placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and underwriter, if any, thereof shall reasonably request, (B) keep such registrations or qualifications in effect and comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of offers, sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions during the period the Shelf Registration is required to remain effective under Section 2(b) above and for so long as may be necessary to enable any such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter to complete its distribution of Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement and (C) 

 

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take any and all other actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such Electing Holder, agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities; provided, however, that neither the Company nor the Guarantors shall be required for any such purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be required to qualify but for the requirements of this Section 3(d)(xii), (2) consent to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction or (3) make any changes to its incorporating documents or limited liability agreement or any other agreement between it and its stockholders or members;

 

(xiii)  unless any Registrable Securities shall be in book-entry only form, cooperate with the Electing Holders and the managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold, which certificates, if so required by any securities exchange upon which any Registrable Securities are listed, shall be penned, lithographed or engraved, or produced by any combination of such methods, on steel engraved borders, and which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends; and, in the case of an underwritten offering, enable such Registrable Securities to be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing underwriters may request at least two business days prior to any sale of the Registrable Securities;

 

(xiv)  enter into one or more underwriting agreements, engagement letters, agency agreements, “best efforts” underwriting agreements or similar agreements, as appropriate, including customary provisions relating to indemnification and contribution (such indemnification and contribution obligations of the Company to be no more extensive than those contained in the Purchase Agreement), and take such other actions in connection therewith as any Electing Holders aggregating at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time outstanding shall reasonably request in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

(xv)  whether or not an agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(d)(xiv) hereof is entered into and whether or not any portion of the offering contemplated by the Shelf Registration is an underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent or any other entity, (A) make such representations and warranties to the Electing Holders and the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the underwriters, if any, thereof in form, substance and scope as are customarily made in connection with an offering of debt securities pursuant to any appropriate agreement or to a registration statement filed on the form applicable to the Shelf Registration; (B) obtain an opinion of counsel to the Company in customary form and covering such matters, of the type customarily covered by such an opinion, as the managing underwriters, if any, or as any Electing Holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time outstanding may reasonably request, addressed to such 

 

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Electing Holder or Electing Holders and the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the underwriters, if any, thereof and dated the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement (or if such Shelf Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering of a part or all of the Registrable Securities, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto) (it being agreed that the matters to be covered by such opinion shall include the due incorporation, organization or formation and good standing of the Company and the Guarantors; the qualification of the Company and the Guarantors to transact business as foreign corporations; the due authorization, execution and delivery of the relevant agreement, if any, of the type referred to in Section 3(d)(xiv) hereof; the due authorization, execution, authentication and issuance, and the validity and enforceability, of the Securities; the absence of governmental approvals required to be obtained in connection with the Shelf Registration, the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities, this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement or any agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(d)(xiv) hereof, except such approvals as may have been obtained or may be required under state securities or blue sky laws; the material compliance as to form of such Shelf Registration Statement and any documents incorporated by reference therein and of the Indenture with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, respectively; and, if addressed to any underwriters, as of the date of the opinion and of the Shelf Registration Statement or most recent post-effective amendment thereto, as the case may be, the absence from such Shelf Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein, as then amended or supplemented, and from the documents incorporated by reference therein (in each case other than the financial statements and other financial or accounting information contained therein) of an untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state therein a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of such documents, in the light of the circumstances existing at the time that such documents were filed with the Commission under the Exchange Act)); (C) obtain a “cold comfort” letter or letters from the independent certified public accountants of the Company addressed to the selling Electing Holders, the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor or the underwriters, if any, thereof, dated (i) the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) the effective date of any prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement which includes unaudited or audited financial statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to that of the latest such statements included in such prospectus (and, if such Shelf Registration Statement contemplates an underwritten offering pursuant to any prospectus supplement to the prospectus included in such Shelf Registration Statement or post-effective amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement which includes unaudited or audited financial statements as of a date or for a period subsequent to that of the latest such statements included in such prospectus, dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement relating thereto), such letter or letters to be in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by letters of such type; and (D) deliver 

 

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such documents and certificates, including officers’ certificates, as may be reasonably requested by any Electing Holders of at least 20% in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time outstanding or the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof to evidence the accuracy of the representations and warranties made pursuant to clause (A) above or those contained in Section 5(a) hereof and the compliance with or satisfaction of any agreements or conditions contained in the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company or the Guarantors;

 

(xvi)  notify in writing each holder of Registrable Securities of any proposal by the Company to amend or waive any provision of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement in any material respect pursuant to Section 9(h) hereof and of any such amendment or waiver effected pursuant thereto, each of which notices shall contain the text of the amendment or waiver proposed or effected, as the case may be;

 

(xvii)  in the event that any broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act shall underwrite any Registrable Securities or participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or “assist in the distribution” (within the meaning of the Conduct Rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) or any successor thereto, as amended from time to time) thereof, whether as a holder of such Registrable Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise, cooperate with such broker-dealer in connection with any filings required to be made by FINRA;

 

(xviii) comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable but in any event not later than 18 months after the effective date of such Shelf Registration Statement, an earning statement of the Company and its subsidiaries complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158 thereunder).

 

(e)           In the event that the Company would be required, pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(D) above, to notify the Electing Holders, the placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof, the Company shall as soon as reasonably practicable prepare and furnish to each of the Electing Holders, to each placement or sales agent, if any, and to each such underwriter, if any, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall conform in all material respects to the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing; provided, however, the Company shall not be required to 

 

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amend or supplement such prospectus if (i) not permitted by law or (ii) the Company in good faith and for valid business reasons determines that to do so would involve disclosing a material undisclosed event.  Each Electing Holder agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(D) hereof, such Electing Holder shall forthwith discontinue the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement applicable to such Registrable Securities until such Electing Holder shall have received copies of such amended or supplemented prospectus, and if so directed by the Company, such Electing Holder shall deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Electing Holder’s possession of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

(f)            In the event of a Shelf Registration, in addition to the information required to be provided by each Electing Holder in its Notice and Questionnaire, the Company may require such Electing Holder to furnish to the Company such additional information regarding such Electing Holder and such Electing Holder’s intended method of distribution of Registrable Securities as may be required in order to comply with the Securities Act.  Each such Electing Holder agrees to (i) notify the Company as promptly as practicable of (A) any inaccuracy or change in information previously furnished by such Electing Holder to the Company or (B) of the occurrence of any event in either case as a result of which any prospectus relating to such Shelf Registration contains or would contain an untrue statement of a material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing Holder’s intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities or omits to state any material fact regarding such Electing Holder or such Electing Holder’s intended method of disposition of such Registrable Securities required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing, and (ii) promptly to furnish to the Company any additional information required to correct and update any previously furnished required information or so that such prospectus shall not contain, with respect to such Electing Holder or the disposition of such Registrable Securities, an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing.

 

(g)           Until the expiration of two years after the Closing Date, the Company will not, and will not permit any of its “affiliates” (as defined in Rule 144) to, resell any of the Securities that have been reacquired by any of them except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act.

 

4.             Registration Expenses.

 

The Company agrees to bear and to pay or cause to be paid promptly all expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, including (a) all Commission and any FINRA registration, filing and review fees and expenses, (b) all fees and expenses in connection with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under the State securities and blue sky laws referred to in Section 3(d)(xii) hereof under the laws of such jurisdictions as any managing underwriters or the Electing Holders

 

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may designate, including any fees and disbursements of one counsel for the Electing Holders or underwriters in connection with such qualification, (c) all expenses relating to the preparation, printing, production, distribution and reproduction of each registration statement required to be filed hereunder, each prospectus included therein or prepared for distribution pursuant hereto, each amendment or supplement to the foregoing, and the expenses of preparing the Securities for delivery, (d) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses relating to the preparation of documents referred in clause (c) above, (e) fees and expenses of the Trustee under the Indenture, (f) internal expenses (including all salaries and expenses of the Company’s officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), (g) fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel and independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any opinions or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance), (h) reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of one counsel for the Electing Holders retained in connection with a Shelf Registration, as selected by the Electing Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities held by Electing Holders (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company), (j) any fees charged by securities rating services for rating the Securities, and (k) fees, expenses and disbursements of any other persons, including special experts, retained by the Company in connection with such registration (collectively, the “Registration Expenses”).  To the extent that any Registration Expenses are incurred, assumed or paid by any holder of Registrable Securities or any placement or sales agent therefor or underwriter thereof, the Company shall reimburse such person for the full amount of the reasonable Registration Expenses so incurred, assumed or paid promptly after receipt of a request therefor.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holders of the Registrable Securities being registered shall pay all agency fees and commissions and underwriting discounts and commissions attributable to the sale of such Registrable Securities and the fees and disbursements of any counsel or other advisors or experts retained by such holders (severally or jointly), other than the counsel and experts specifically referred to above.

 

5.             Representations and Warranties.

 

The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to, and agree with, each Purchaser and each of the holders from time to time of Registrable Securities that:

 

(a)           Each registration statement covering Registrable Securities and each prospectus (including any preliminary or summary prospectus) contained therein or furnished pursuant to Section 3(d) or Section 3(c) hereof and any further amendments or supplements to any such registration statement or prospectus, when it becomes effective or is filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and at all times subsequent to the Effective Time when a prospectus would be required to be delivered under the Securities Act, other than from (i) such time as a notice has been given to holders of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 3(d)(viii)(D) or Section 3(c)(iii)(D) hereof until (ii) such time as the Company furnishes an amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant to Section 3(e) or 

 

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Section 3(c)(iv) hereof, each such registration statement, and each prospectus (including any summary prospectus) contained therein or furnished pursuant to Section 3(d) or Section 3(c) hereof, as then amended or supplemented, will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by a holder of Registrable Securities, a placement or sales agent or an underwriter expressly for use therein.

 

(b)           Any documents incorporated by reference in any prospectus referred to in Section 5(a) hereof, when they become or became effective or are or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform or conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and, as of such effective or filing date, none of such documents will contain or contained an untrue statement of a material fact or will omit or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by a holder of Registrable Securities, a placement or sales agent or an underwriter expressly for use therein.

 

(c)           The compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and the consummation of the transactions herein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is a party or by which the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company is subject, except for such conflict, breach or default which (x) would not have a material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise) or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (any such event, a “Material Adverse Effect”) or (y) have been waived nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the organizational documents of the Company or the Guarantors or violate any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or any of their properties except for such violation which would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the consummation by the Company and the Guarantors of the transactions contemplated by this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, except the registration under the Securities Act of the Securities, qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or blue sky laws in connection with the offering and distribution of the Securities.

 

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(d)                                 This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Guarantors.

 

6.                                      Indemnification.

 

(a)                                 Indemnification by the Company and the Guarantors.  The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, will indemnify and hold harmless each of the holders of Registrable Securities included in an Exchange Registration Statement, each broker dealer selling Exchange Securities during the Resale Period, and each of the Electing Holders of Registrable Securities included in a Shelf Registration Statement against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such holder may become subject under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Exchange Registration Statement or Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be, under which such Registrable Securities were registered under the Securities Act, or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein or furnished by the Company to any such holder, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse such holder for any out-of-pocket legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that (i) neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be liable to any such person in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, or preliminary, final or summary prospectus, or amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any holder, placement or sales agent or underwriter expressly for use therein  and (ii) such indemnity with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any holder, placement agent or underwriter (or any person controlling such person) to the extent that any loss, claim, damage or liability of such person results from the fact that such person sold Securities to a person as to whom it shall be established that there was not sent or given, a copy of the final prospectus (or the final prospectus as amended or supplemented) at or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Securities to such person if (x) the Company has previously furnished copies thereof in sufficient quantity to such indemnified person and the loss, claim, damage or liability of such indemnified person results from an untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in such preliminary prospectus which was corrected in the final prospectus (or the final prospectus as amended or supplemented) and (y) such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense would have been eliminated by the delivery of such corrected final prospectus or the final prospectus as then amended or supplemented.

 

(b)                                 Indemnification by the Holders and Any Agents and Underwriters.  As a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof or to entering into any underwriting agreement with respect thereto, each Electing Holder of such Registrable Securities and each underwriter named in any such underwriting agreement, severally and not jointly, will (i) indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors, and all other holders of Registrable Securities, against any losses,

 

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claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company, the Guarantors or such other holders of Registrable Securities may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement, or any preliminary, final or summary prospectus contained therein or furnished by the Company to any such Electing Holder, agent or underwriter, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Electing Holder or underwriter expressly for use therein, and (ii) reimburse the Company and the Guarantors for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company and the Guarantors in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that no such Electing Holder shall be required to undertake liability to any person under this Section 6(b) for any amounts in excess of the proceeds to be received by such Electing Holder from the sale of such Electing Holder’s Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration.

 

(c)                                  Notices of Claims, Etc.  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) above of written notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against an indemnifying party pursuant to the indemnification provisions of or contemplated by this Section 6, notify such indemnifying party in writing of the commencement of such action; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under the indemnification provisions of or contemplated by Section 6(a) or 6(b) above.  In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify an indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, such indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, such indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.  In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances.  No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an

 

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admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.  No indemnifying party shall be liable under this Section 6(c) for any settlement of any claim or action effected without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

 

(d)                                 Contribution.  If for any reason the indemnification provisions contemplated by Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) above are unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of such indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by such indemnifying party or by such indemnified party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 6(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the holders or any agents or underwriters or all of them were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 6(d).  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6(d), no holder shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the proceeds received by such holder from the sale of any Registrable Securities (after deducting any fees, discounts and commissions applicable thereto) exceeds the amount of any damages which such holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission, and no underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Registrable Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The holders’ and any underwriters’ obligations in this Section 6(d) to contribute shall be several in proportion to the principal amount of Registrable Securities registered or underwritten, as the case may be, by them and not joint.

 

(e)                                  The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 6 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or the Guarantors may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer, director and partner of each holder, agent and underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any holder, agent or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act; and the obligations of the holders and any

 

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agents or underwriters contemplated by this Section 6 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective holder, agent or underwriter may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company or the Guarantors and to each person, if any, who controls the Company or a Guarantor within the meaning of the Securities Act.

 

7.                                      Underwritten Offerings.

 

(a)                                 Selection of Underwriters.  If any of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration are to be sold pursuant to an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter or underwriters thereof shall be designated by Electing Holders holding at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities to be included in such offering, provided that such designated managing underwriter or underwriters is or are reasonably acceptable to the Company.

 

(b)                                 Participation by Holders.  Each holder of Registrable Securities hereby agrees with each other such holder that no such holder may participate in any underwritten offering hereunder unless such holder (i) agrees to sell such holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.

 

8.                                      Rule 144.

 

The Company covenants to the holders of Registrable Securities that to the extent it shall be required to do so under the Exchange Act, the Company shall timely file the reports required to be filed by it under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act (including the reports under Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act referred to in subparagraph (c)(1) of Rule 144 adopted by the Commission under the Securities Act) and the rules and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder, and shall take such further action as any holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such holder to sell Registrable Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitations of the exemption provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar or successor rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.  Upon the request of any holder of Registrable Securities in connection with that holder’s sale pursuant to Rule 144, the Company shall deliver to such holder a written statement as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

9.                                      Miscellaneous.

 

(a)                                 No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company represents, warrants, covenants and agrees that it has not granted, and shall not grant, registration rights with respect to Registrable Securities or any other securities which would be inconsistent with the terms contained in this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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(b)                                 Remedy.  Special Interest pursuant to Section 2(c) hereof is the sole remedy available to holders of Registrable Securities in the event the Company does not comply with any of its registration and other obligations set forth in Section 2 herein.  In addition, the parties hereto acknowledge that there would be no adequate remedy at law if the Company fails to perform any of its other obligations under Sections 4, 6, or 8 hereunder and that the Purchasers and the holders from time to time of the Registrable Securities may be irreparably harmed by any such failure, and accordingly agree that the Purchasers and such holders, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to compel specific performance of such obligations in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, in any court of the United States or any State thereof having jurisdiction.

 

(c)                                  Notices.  All notices, requests, claims, demands, waivers and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered by hand, if delivered personally, by facsimile or by courier, or three days after being deposited in the mail (registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) as follows:  If to the Company, to it at 500 Huntsman Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, Attention: General Counsel, and if to a holder, to the address of such holder set forth in the security register or other records of the Company, or to such other address as the Company or any such holder may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

 

(d)                                 Parties in Interest.  All the terms and provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the parties hereto and the holders from time to time of the Registrable Securities and the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto and such holders.  In the event that any transferee of any holder of Registrable Securities shall acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by gift, bequest, purchase, operation of law or otherwise, such transferee shall, without any further writing or action of any kind, be deemed a beneficiary hereof for all purposes and such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such transferee shall be entitled to receive the benefits of, and be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound by all of the applicable terms and provisions of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.  If the Company shall so request, any such successor, assign or transferee shall agree in writing to acquire and hold the Registrable Securities subject to all of the applicable terms hereof.

 

(e)                                  Survival.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and each other provision set forth in this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement or made pursuant hereto shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation (or statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any holder of Registrable Securities, any director, officer or partner of such holder, any agent or underwriter or any director, officer or partner thereof, or any controlling person of any of the foregoing, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Purchase Agreement and the transfer and registration of Registrable Securities by such holder and the consummation of an Exchange Offer.

 

24

 

(f)                                   Governing Law.  This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without reference to the conflict of law rules thereof.

 

(g)                                  Headings.  The descriptive headings of the several Sections and paragraphs of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement are inserted for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

 

(h)                                 Entire Agreement; Amendments.  This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and the other writings referred to herein (including the Indenture and the form of Securities) or delivered pursuant hereto which form a part hereof contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter.  This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to its subject matter.  This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by a written instrument duly executed by the Company and the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities at the time outstanding.  Each holder of any of the Registrable Securities at the time or thereafter outstanding shall be bound by any amendment or waiver effected pursuant to this Section 9(h), whether or not any notice, writing or marking indicating such amendment or waiver appears on such Registrable Securities or is delivered to such holder.

 

(i)                                     Inspection.  For so long as this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall be in effect, this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement and a complete list of the names and addresses of all the holders of Registrable Securities shall be made available for inspection and copying on any business day by any holder of Registrable Securities for proper purposes only (which shall include any purpose related to the rights of the holders of Registrable Securities under the Securities, the Indenture and this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement) at the offices of the Trustee under the Indenture.

 

(j)                                    Counterparts.  This Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement may be executed by the parties in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(k)                                 Severability.  If any provision of this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained in this Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

 

25

 

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us four counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Purchasers, this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Purchasers, the Guarantors and the Company.  It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of the Purchasers is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Purchasers, the form of which shall be submitted to the Company for examination upon request, but without warranty on your part as to the authority of the signers thereof.

 

Very truly yours,

 

HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC

 

 

	
By:
    	
/s/   J. Kimo Esplin
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name: J. Kimo   Esplin
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title: Executive   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    	
 
    

 

 

	
 
    	
GUARANTORS
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
AIRSTAR   CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   ADVANCED MATERIALS AMERICAS LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   ADVANCED MATERIALS LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   AUSTRALIA LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   AUSTRALIA HOLDINGS LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   CHEMICAL PURCHASING LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   ENTERPRISES LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   ETHYLENEAMINES LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   FUELS LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   INTERNATIONAL FUELS LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   INTERNATIONAL TRADING CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   MA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   MA SERVICES CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   PETROCHEMICAL LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   PETROCHEMICAL PURCHASING LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   PROCUREMENT LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   PROPYLENE OXIDE LLC
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   PURCHASING, LTD.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:  HUNTSMAN PROCUREMENT LLC, its   General Partner
    
	
 
    	
HUNTSMAN   SURFACTANTS TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    
	
 
    	
TIOXIDE   AMERICAS (HOLDINGS) LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   J. Kimo Esplin
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: J. Kimo   Esplin
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Executive   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    
				

 

2

 

	
Executed   as a Deed by
    	
 
    	
TIOXIDE   AMERICAS LLC
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
for and   on behalf of
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Tioxide   Americas LLC
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   J. Kimo Esplin
    
	
in the   presence of
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: J. Kimo   Esplin
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: Executive   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
    
	
Michelle   Fujinami
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Witness:   Michelle Fujinami
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

	
Executed   as a Deed by TIOXIDE GROUP
    	
 
    	
TIOXIDE   GROUP
    
	
acting by J. Kimo Esplin, a Director
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ J. Kimo Esplin
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
J. Kimo Esplin, a Director for
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
TIOXIDE GROUP
    
	
in   the presence of:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/ Michelle Fujinami
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Witness   
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
Michelle Fujinami
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Address:
    	
500 Huntsman Way
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, USA
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Occupation: Paralegal
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

	
Accepted   as of the date hereof:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
CITIGROUP   GLOBAL MARKETS LIMITED
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Tom Pauk
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
Tom   Pauk
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Director
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Acting   on its own behalf and as a
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
representative   of the several Purchasers
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

 

SCHEDULE I

 

	
GUARANTORS
    	
 
    	
JURISDICTION
   OF
   ORGANIZATION
    
	
Airstar   Corporation
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Huntsman   Advanced Materials Americas LLC
    	
 
    	
Delaware
    
	
Huntsman   Advanced Materials LLC
    	
 
    	
Delaware
    
	
Huntsman   Australia LLC
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Huntsman   Australia Holdings LLC
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Huntsman   Chemical Purchasing LLC
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Huntsman   Enterprises LLC
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Huntsman   Ethyleneamines LLC
    	
 
    	
Texas
    
	
Huntsman   Fuels LLC
    	
 
    	
Texas
    
	
Huntsman   International Financial LLC
    	
 
    	
Delaware
    
	
Huntsman   International Fuels LLC
    	
 
    	
Texas
    
	
Huntsman   International Trading Corporation
    	
 
    	
Delaware
    
	
Huntsman   MA Investment Corporation
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Huntsman   MA Services Corporation
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Huntsman   Petrochemical LLC
    	
 
    	
Delaware
    
	
Huntsman   Petrochemical Purchasing LLC
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Huntsman   Procurement LLC
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Huntsman   Propylene Oxide LLC
    	
 
    	
Texas
    
	
Huntsman   Purchasing, Ltd.
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Huntsman   Surfactants Technology Corporation
    	
 
    	
Utah
    
	
Tioxide   Americas LLC
    	
 
    	
Cayman   Islands
    
	
Tioxide   Americas (Holdings) LLC
    	
 
    	
Delaware
    
	
Tioxide   Group
    	
 
    	
United   Kingdom
    

 

 

Exhibit A

 

Huntsman International LLC

 

INSTRUCTION TO PARTICIPANTS

 

(Date of Mailing)

 

URGENT - IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUESTED

 

DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE:  [DATE] *

 

Euroclear Bank S.A/N.V. (“Euroclear”) and Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream”) have identified you as a Participant through which beneficial interests in the Huntsman International LLC (the “Company”) 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Securities”) are held.

 

The Company is in the process of registering the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933 for resale by the beneficial owners thereof.  In order to have their Securities included in the registration statement, beneficial owners must complete and return the enclosed Notice of Registration Statement and Selling Securityholder Questionnaire.

 

It is important that beneficial owners of the Securities receive a copy of the enclosed materials as soon as possible as their rights to have the Securities included in the registration statement depend upon their returning the Notice and Questionnaire by [Deadline For Response].  Please forward a copy of the enclosed documents to each beneficial owner that holds interests in the Securities through you.  If you require more copies of the enclosed materials or have any questions pertaining to this matter, please contact Huntsman International LLC, 500 Huntsman Way, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, (801) 532-5200.

 

*Not less than 28 calendar days from date of mailing.

 

 

Huntsman International LLC

 

Notice of Registration Statement

and

Selling Securityholder Questionnaire

 

(Date)

 

Reference is hereby made to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement (the “Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement”) among Huntsman International LLC (the “Company”), the Guarantors named therein and the Purchasers named therein.  Pursuant to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form [    ] (the “Shelf Registration Statement”) for the registration and resale under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Company’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 (the “Securities”).  A copy of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement has been filed as an exhibit to the Shelf Registration Statement.  All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Each beneficial owner of Registrable Securities (as defined below) is entitled to have the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it included in the Shelf Registration Statement.  In order to have Registrable Securities included in the Shelf Registration Statement, this Notice of Registration Statement and Selling Securityholder Questionnaire (“Notice and Questionnaire”) must be completed, executed and delivered to the Company’s counsel at the address set forth herein for receipt ON OR BEFORE [Deadline for Response].  Beneficial owners of Registrable Securities who do not complete, execute and return this Notice and Questionnaire by such date (i) will not be named as selling securityholders in the Shelf Registration Statement and (ii) may not use the prospectus forming a part thereof for resales of Registrable Securities.

 

Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus.  Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being named or not being named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and related prospectus.

 

The term “Registrable Securities” is defined in the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

 

A-2

 

ELECTION

 

The undersigned holder (the “Selling Securityholder”) of Registrable Securities hereby elects to include in the Shelf Registration Statement the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it and listed below in Item (3).  The undersigned, by signing and returning this Notice and Questionnaire, agrees to be bound with respect to such Registrable Securities by the terms and conditions of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 6 of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, as if the undersigned Selling Securityholder were an original party thereto.

 

Upon any sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, the Selling Securityholder will be required to deliver to the Company and the Trustee for the Securities the Notice of Transfer set forth in Appendix A to the Prospectus and as Exhibit B to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

 

The Selling Securityholder hereby provides the following information to the Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and complete:

 

A-3

 

QUESTIONNAIRE

 

	
(1)
    	
(a)
    	
Full   Legal Name of Selling Securityholder:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(b)
    	
Full   Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as in (a) above) of   Registrable Securities Listed in Item (3) below:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(c)
    	
Full   Legal Name of Euroclear Participant (if applicable and if not the same as   (b) above) Through Which Registrable Securities Listed in Item   (3) below are Held:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(2)
    	
Address   for Notices to Selling Securityholder:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Telephone:
    
	
 
    	
Fax:
    
	
 
    	
Contact   Person:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
(3)
    	
Beneficial   Ownership of Securities:
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Except as set forth below in this Item (3), the undersigned does not   beneficially own any Securities.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(a)
    	
Principal   amount of Registrable Securities beneficially owned:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
CUSIP/ISIN   No(s). of such Registrable Securities:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(b)
    	
Principal   amount of Securities other than Registrable Securities beneficially owned:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
CUSIP/ISIN   No(s). of such other Securities:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(c)
    	
Principal   amount of Registrable Securities which the undersigned wishes to be included   in the Shelf Registration Statement:

 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
CUSIP/ISIN   No(s). of such Registrable Securities to be included in the Shelf   Registration Statement:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(4)
    	
 
    	
Beneficial   Ownership of Other Securities of the Company:
    

 

A-4

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Except as set forth below in this Item (4), the undersigned Selling   Securityholder is not the beneficial or registered owner of any other   securities of the Company, other than the Securities listed above in Item   (3).
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
State   any exceptions here:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(5)
    	
 
    	
Relationships   with the Company:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Except as set forth below, neither the Selling Securityholder nor any   of its affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (5% or   more) has held any position or office or has had any other material   relationship with the Company (or its predecessors or affiliates) during the   past three years.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
State   any exceptions here:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
(6)
    	
 
    	
Plan   of Distribution:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Except as set forth below, the undersigned Selling Securityholder intends   to distribute the Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3) only   as follows (if at all):  Such   Registrable Securities may be sold from time to time directly by the   undersigned Selling Securityholder or, alternatively, through underwriters,   broker-dealers or agents.  Such   Registrable Securities may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed   prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at varying prices   determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices.  Such sales may be effected in transactions   (which may involve crosses or block transactions) (i) on any national   securities exchange or quotation service on which the Registered Securities   may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, (ii) in the   over-the-counter market, (iii) in transactions otherwise than on such   exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market, or (iv) through   the writing of options.  In connection   with sales of the Registrable Securities or otherwise, the Selling   Securityholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which   may in turn engage in short sales of the Registrable Securities in the course   of hedging the positions they assume.    The Selling Securityholder may also sell Registrable Securities short   and deliver Registrable Securities to close out such short positions, or loan   or pledge Registrable Securities to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such   securities.
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
State   any exceptions here:
    

 

By signing below, the Selling Securityholder acknowledges that it understands its obligation to comply, and agrees that it will comply, with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, particularly Regulation M.

 

In the event that the Selling Securityholder transfers all or any portion of the Registrable Securities listed in Item (3) above after the date on which such information is provided to the Company, the Selling Securityholder agrees to notify the transferee(s) at the time of the transfer

 

A-5

 

of its rights and obligations under this Notice and Questionnaire and the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement.

 

By signing below, the Selling Securityholder consents to the disclosure of the information contained herein in its answers to Items (1) through (6) above and the inclusion of such information in the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus.  The Selling Securityholder understands that such information will be relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation of the Shelf Registration Statement and related Prospectus.

 

In accordance with the Selling Securityholder’s obligation under Section 3(d) of the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement to provide such information as may be required by law for inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, the Selling Securityholder agrees to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes in the information provided herein which may occur subsequent to the date hereof at any time while the Shelf Registration Statement remains in effect.  All notices hereunder and pursuant to the Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement shall be made in writing, by hand-delivery, first-class mail, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery as follows:

 

	
(i)
    	
To the   Company:
    	
Huntsman   International LLC
    
	
 
    	
500   Huntsman Way
    
	
 
    	
Salt   Lake City, Utah 84108
    
	
 
    	
Attention:   General Counsel
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
(ii)
    	
With a   copy to:
    	
Latham &   Watkins LLP
    
	
 
    	
885   Third Avenue
    
	
 
    	
New   York, New York 10022-4834
    
	
 
    	
Attention:   Kirk A. Davenport
    

 

Once this Notice and Questionnaire is executed by the Selling Securityholder and received by the Company’s counsel, the terms of this Notice and Questionnaire, and the representations and warranties contained herein, shall be binding on, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be enforceable by the respective successors, heirs, personal representatives, and assigns of the Company and the Selling Securityholder (with respect to the Registrable Securities beneficially owned by such Selling Securityholder and listed in Item (3) above).  This Notice and Questionnaire shall be governed in all respects by the laws of the State of New York.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has caused this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in person or by its duly authorized agent.

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Selling   Securityholder
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
(Print/type   full legal name of beneficial owner of Registrable Securities)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    	
 
    
							

 

A-6

 

	
 
    	
Name:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE FOR RECEIPT ON OR BEFORE [DEADLINE FOR RESPONSE] TO THE COMPANY’S COUNSEL AT:

 

Huntsman International LLC

500 Huntsman Way

Salt Lake City, Utah 84108

 

A-7

 

Exhibit B

 

NOTICE OF TRANSFER PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT

 

[        ]

Huntsman International LLC

[c/o       ]

[                                ]

[                                ]

Attention:  Huntsman Administrator

 

	
Re:
    	
Huntsman   International LLC (the “Company”)
    
	
 
    	
5.125%   Senior Notes due 2021
    

 

Dear Sirs:

 

Please be advised that [      ] has transferred  €                       aggregate principal amount of the above-referenced Securities pursuant to an effective Registration Statement on Form [] (File No. 333-           ) filed by the Company.

 

We hereby certify that the prospectus delivery requirements, if any, of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, have been satisfied and that the above-named beneficial owner of the Securities is named as a “Selling Holder” in the Prospectus dated [date] or in supplements thereto, and that the aggregate principal amount of the Securities transferred are the Securities listed in such Prospectus opposite such owner’s name.

 

	
Dated:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Very   truly yours,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
(Name)
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
(Authorized   Signature)Exhibit 4.3.1

 

	
 
    

 

THE KROGER CO.

TO

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(formerly known as Firstar Bank, N.A.)

Trustee

 

 

TWENTY-NINTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

Dated as of December 23, 2013

TO

INDENTURE

Dated as of June 25, 1999

 

 

SENIOR FLOATING RATE NOTES DUE 2016

 

	
 
    

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
ARTICLE   ONE DEFINITIONS
    	
2
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 101.
    	
Definitions
    	
2
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE   TWO SECURITY FORMS
    	
5
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 201.
    	
Form of Securities of this Series
    	
5
    
	
Section 202.
    	
Form of Face of Security
    	
5
    
	
Section 203.
    	
Form of Reverse of Security
    	
7
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE   THREE THE SERIES OF SECURITIES
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 301.  
    	
Title and Terms
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE   FOUR MODIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE INDENTURE
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 401.
    	
Modifications to the Consolidation, Merger,   Conveyance, Transfer or Lease Provisions
    	
15
    
	
Section 402.
    	
Other Modifications
    	
15
    
	
Section 403.
    	
Additional Covenants; Defeasance and Covenant   Defeasance
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE   FIVE MISCELLANEOUS
    	
25
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 501.
    	
Miscellaneous
    	
25
    

 

TWENTY-NINTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of December 23, 2013, between The Kroger Co., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio (herein called the “Company”), having its principal office at 1014 Vine Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 and U.S. Bank National Association (formerly known as Firstar Bank, N.A.), a banking corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio, as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”).

 

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

 

The Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture dated as of June 25, 1999 (the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance from time to time of the Company’s unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein and therein called the “Securities”), to be issued in one or more series as in the Indenture provided.

 

 

Section 201 of the Indenture permits the form of the Securities of any series to be established pursuant to an indenture supplemental to the Indenture.

 

Section 301 of the Indenture permits the terms of the Securities of any series to be established in an indenture supplemental to the Indenture.

 

Section 901(7) of the Indenture provides that, without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into one or more indentures supplemental to the Indenture for the purpose of establishing the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301 of the Indenture.

 

The Company, pursuant to the foregoing authority, proposes in and by this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture to establish the terms and form of the Securities of a new series and to amend and supplement the Indenture in certain respects with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

All things necessary to make this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture a valid agreement of the Company, and a valid amendment of and supplement to the Indenture, have been done.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, THIS TWENTY-NINTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

 

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

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 101.                             Definitions.

 

(a)                                 For all purposes of this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture:

 

(1)                                 Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings specified in the Indenture;

 

(2)                                 All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture and, where so specified, to the Articles and Sections of the Indenture as supplemented by this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture; and

 

(3)                                 The terms “hereof”, “herein”, “hereby”, “hereto”, “hereunder” and “herewith” refer to this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture.

 

(b)                                 For all purposes of the Indenture and this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, with respect to the Securities of the series created hereby, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:

 

2

 

“Attributable Debt” means, in connection with a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, as of any particular time, the aggregate of present values (discounted at a rate per annum equal to the interest rate borne by the Securities of the series created by this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture) of the obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for net rental payments during the remaining primary term of the applicable lease, calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  The term “net rental payments” under any lease for any period shall mean the sum of the rental and other payments required to be paid in such period by the lessee thereunder, not including, however, any amounts required to be paid by such lessee (whether or not designated as rental or additional rental) on account of maintenance and repairs, reconstruction, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates, operating and labor costs or similar charges required to be paid by such lessee thereunder or any amounts required to be paid by such lessee thereunder contingent upon the amount of sales, maintenance and repairs, reconstruction, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in New York City or Cincinnati, Ohio are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

 

“Capital Lease” means any lease of property which, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, should be capitalized on the lessee’s balance sheet or for which the amount of the asset and liability thereunder as if so capitalized should be disclosed in a note to such balance sheet; and “Capitalized Lease Obligation” means the amount of the liability which should be so capitalized or disclosed.

 

 “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, the aggregate amounts of assets (less depreciation and valuation reserves and other reserves and items deductible from gross book value of specific asset accounts under generally accepted accounting principles) which under generally accepted accounting principles would be included on a balance sheet after deducting therefrom (a) all liability items except deferred income taxes, commercial paper, short-term bank Indebtedness, Funded Indebtedness, other long-term liabilities and shareholders’ equity and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, which in each case would be so included on such balance sheet.

 

“Funded Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness maturing by its terms more than one year from the date of the determination thereof, including (i) any Indebtedness having a maturity of 12 months or less but

 

3

 

by its terms renewable or extendible at the option of the obligor to a date later than 12 months from the date of the determination thereof and (ii) rental obligations payable more than 12 months from the date of determination thereof under Capital Leases (such rental obligations to be included as Funded Indebtedness at the amount so capitalized at the date of such computation and to be included for the purposes of the definition of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets both as an asset and as Funded Indebtedness at the amount so capitalized).

 

“Non-Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that the Company’s Board of Directors has in good faith declared pursuant to a written resolution not to be of material importance, either singly or together with all other Non-Restricted Subsidiaries, to the business of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

“Operating Assets” means all merchandise inventories, furniture, fixtures and equipment (including all transportation and warehousing equipment but excluding office equipment and data processing equipment) owned or leased pursuant to Capital Leases by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“Operating Property” means all real property and improvements thereon owned or leased pursuant to Capital Leases by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and constituting, without limitation, any store, warehouse, service center or distribution center wherever located, provided that such term shall not include any store, warehouse, service center or distribution center which the Company’s Board of Directors declares by written resolution not to be of material importance to the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“Restricted Subsidiaries” means all Subsidiaries other than Non-Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

“Sale and Lease-Back Transaction” has the meaning specified in Section 1010.

 

“Subsidiary” means (i) any corporation or other entity of which securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other persons performing similar functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries or (ii) any partnership of which more than 50% of the partnership interest is owned by the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

4

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

SECURITY FORMS

 

Section 201.                             Form of Securities of this Series.

 

The Securities of this series shall be in the form set forth in this Article.

 

Section 202.                             Form of Face of Security.

 

                                                                                          This Security is a Global Security within the meaning of the Indenture hereinafter referred to and is registered in the name of a Depositary or a nominee of a Depositary.  This Security is not exchangeable for Securities registered in the name of a Person other than the Depositary or its nominee except in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture, and no transfer of this Security (other than a transfer of this Security as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary) may be registered except in the limited circumstances described in the Indenture.

 

                                                                                          Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to The Kroger Co. or its agent for registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

 

No.

 

THE KROGER CO.

 

Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2016

 

	
CUSIP No.
    	
501044 CV1
    	
 
    
	
ISIN No.
    	
US501044CV14
    	
$
    

 

The Kroger Co., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Ohio (herein called the “Company”, which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to               , or registered assigns, the principal sum of $                    on October 17, 2016 and to pay interest thereon from December 23, 2013, or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided

 

5

 

for, quarterly on January 17, April 17, July 17 and October 17 in each year, commencing April 17, 2014 at a floating rate per annum. The per annum rate at which interest on the Securities will be payable during the initial Interest Period will be based on an interpolated LIBOR (between three-month and six-month LIBOR), determined on December 19, 2013, plus 0.53%. The per annum rate at which interest on the Securities will be payable during each subsequent Interest Period will be equal to three-month LIBOR, determined on the Interest Determination Date for that Interest Period, plus 0.53%. The daily interest amount will be calculated by dividing the interest rate in effect for such day by 360 and multiplying the result by the principal amount of the Securities. The amount of interest to be paid on the Securities for any Interest Period will be calculated by adding the daily interest amounts for each day in such Interest Period. The rate of interest on the Securities will be reset on the Interest Reset Date for each relevant Interest Period. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the 15th calendar day (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, preceding such Interest Payment Date.  Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

 

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in Cincinnati, Ohio, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register.

 

If any Interest Payment Date or Interest Reset Date or the maturity date for the Securities would otherwise be a day that is not a LIBOR Business Day, such Interest Payment Date or Interest Reset Date shall be the next succeeding LIBOR Business Day, unless the next succeeding LIBOR Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case such interest payment date or interest reset date or the maturity date shall be the immediately preceding LIBOR Business Day.

 

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

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Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed under its corporate seal.

 

	
Dated: December 23, 2013
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
THE KROGER CO.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title:
    
	
Attest:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

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

 

	
 
    	
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
    
	
 
    	
as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Authorized Officer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Attest:
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

Section 203.                             Form of Reverse of Security.

 

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of Securities of the Company (the “Securities”) issued and to be issued under an Indenture dated as of June 25, 1999, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 25, 1999, the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 25, 1999, the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 25, 1999, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 22, 1999, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 22, 1999, the Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 22, 1999, the Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 11, 2000, the Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 11, 2000, the Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 21, 2000, the Tenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 11, 2001, the Eleventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 11, 2001, the Twelfth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 16, 2001, the Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 3, 2002, the Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of

 

7

 

June 17, 2002, the Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 28, 2003, the Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 20, 2004, the Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 15, 2007, the Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 16, 2008, the Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 27, 2008, the Twentieth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 27, 2008, the Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 25, 2008, the Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 2009, the Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 13, 2010, the Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 19, 2012, the Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 16, 2012, the Twenty-Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 16, 2012, the Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 25, 2013, the Twenty-Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 25, 2013, the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 23, 2013, the Thirtieth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 23, 2013, the Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 23, 2013 and the Thirty-Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 23, 2013 (as so supplemented, herein called the “Indenture”), each between the Company and Firstar Bank, N.A. (now known as U.S. Bank National Association), as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee”, which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered.  This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $500,000,000.

 

The Company may from time to time, without notice to or consent of the registered holders of the Securities issue further Securities (“Additional Securities”). The Additional Securities will rank equal with the Securities in all respects (or in all respects other than the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of the Additional Securities, or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of the Additional Securities). The Additional Securities may be consolidated and form a single series with the Securities and may have the same terms as to status or otherwise, as the Securities.

 

The Securities will not be redeemable prior to maturity.

 

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, Holders of Securities will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of their Securities pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”).  In the Change of Control Offer, the Company shall offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Securities repurchased, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”).  Within 30 days following any Change of Control Triggering Event, or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to Holders of Securities describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Securities on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures described herein and in such notice.  The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control

 

8

 

Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice.  The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions herein, the Company shall be required to comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions herein by virtue of such conflicts.

 

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (ii) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered; and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities properly accepted, together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities or portions of Securities being purchased.

 

“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Securities are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by any two of the three Rating Agencies (as defined below) on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Securities is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade below investment grade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Trustee in writing at the Company’s request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:  (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company or one of its subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares of the Company’s voting stock; or (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (1) the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company that has agreed to be bound by the terms of the Securities and (2) the Holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the Holders of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to that transaction.

 

9

 

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

 

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, members of the Board of Directors of the Company who (1) were members of such Board of Directors on the date of original issuance of the Securities; or (2) were nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the continuing directors under clause (1) or (2) of this definition who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election (either by a specific vote or by approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).

 

“Fitch” means Fitch, Inc.

 

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P and Fitch, and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by the Company.

 

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

 

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint stock company, business trust, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or political subdivision or agency thereof.

 

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if Fitch, Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Securities or fails to make a rating of the Securities publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by the Company (as certified by a Board Resolution) as a replacement agency for Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, or any of them, as the case may be.

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

 

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of (i) the entire indebtedness of this Security or (ii) certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth therein.

 

If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the principal of all Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

 

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of 50% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected.  The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon

 

10

 

the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

 

As set forth in, and subject to, the provisions of the Indenture, no Holder of any Security will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for any remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities a direction inconsistent with such request and shall have failed to institute such proceeding within 60 days; provided, however, that such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by the Holder hereof for the enforcement of payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or any interest on this Security on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

 

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

 

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

 

The Securities are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.  As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of like tenor, of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

 

Except where otherwise specifically provided in the Indenture, no service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

 

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

11

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

THE SERIES OF SECURITIES

 

Section 301.  Title and Terms.

 

There shall be a series of Securities designated as the “Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2016” of the Company. Their Stated Maturity shall be October 17, 2016. The Securities will bear interest for each Interest Period at a variable rate per annum calculated by the calculation agent, which shall initially be the Trustee, subject to the maximum interest rate permitted by New York law or other applicable state law, as such law may be modified by United States law of general application. The per annum rate at which interest on the Securities will be payable during the initial Interest Period will be based on an interpolated LIBOR (between three-month and six-month LIBOR), determined on December 19, 2013, plus 0.53%. The per annum rate at which interest on the Securities will be payable during each subsequent Interest Period will be equal to three-month LIBOR, determined on the Interest Determination Date for that Interest Period, plus 0.53%. The rate of interest on the Securities will be reset on the Interest Reset Date for each relevant interest period.

 

 “Designated LIBOR Page” means the display on Page LIBOR01 of Reuters (or any successor service) for the purpose of displaying the London interbank offered rates of major banks for U.S. dollars (or such other page as may replace that page on that service (or any successor service) for the purpose of displaying such rates).

 

“Interest Determination Date” means the second London Business Day immediately preceding the first day of the relevant Interest Period.

 

“Interest Period” means the period commencing on any Interest Payment Date for the Securities (or, with respect to the initial Interest Period only, commencing on December 23, 2013) to, but excluding, the next succeeding Interest Payment Date for the Securities, and in the case of the last such period, from and including the Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the maturity date to but not including such maturity date. If the maturity date is not a LIBOR Business Day, then the principal amount of the Securities plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon shall be paid on the next succeeding LIBOR Business Day and no interest shall accrue for the maturity date, or any day thereafter.

 

“Interest Reset Date” means the first day of the relevant Interest Period.

 

“LIBOR Business Day” means any Business Day that is also a day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.

 

“London Business Day” means any day on which dealings in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.

 

“Three-month LIBOR,” for any Interest Determination Date, will be the offered rate for deposits in the London interbank market in U.S. dollars having an index maturity of three months for a period commencing on the second London Business Day immediately following such Interest Determination Date in amounts of not less than $1,000,000, as such rate appears on the designated LIBOR page at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on such Interest Determination Date; provided

 

12

 

however, that if no rate appears on the designated LIBOR page on such Interest Determination Date, the calculation agent will request the principal London offices of each of four major reference banks, as selected by the calculation agent, in the London interbank market, as selected by the calculation agent, to provide the calculation agent with its offered quotation for deposits in United States dollars for the period of three months, commencing on the second London Business Day immediately following such Interest Determination Date, to prime banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on that Interest Determination Date and in a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in United States dollars in that market at that time. If at least two quotations are provided, then LIBOR on that Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of those quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, then LIBOR on the Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m., in the City of New York, on the Interest Determination Date by three major banks in the City of New York selected by the calculation agent for loans in United States dollars to leading European banks, having a three-month maturity and in a principal amount that is representative for a single transaction in United States dollars in that market at that time; provided that if the banks selected by the calculation agent are not providing quotations in the manner described by this sentence, LIBOR will be the same as the rate determined for the immediately preceding Interest Reset Date or if there is no immediately preceding Interest Reset Date, LIBOR will be the same as the rate determined for the initial Interest Period.

 

The interest rate and amount of interest to be paid on the Securities for each Interest Period will be calculated by the calculation agent. The calculation agent will, upon the request of any holder of Securities, provide the interest rate then in effect with respect to the Securities. All calculations made by the calculation agent shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive for all purposes and binding on the Company and the holders of the Securities. So long as three-month LIBOR is required to be determined with respect to the Securities, there will at all times be a calculation agent. In the event that any then acting calculation agent shall be unable or unwilling to act, or that such calculation agent shall fail duly to establish LIBOR for any interest period, or that the Company proposes to remove such calculation agent, the Company will act as calculation agent, or will appoint another person which is a bank, trust company, investment banking firm or other financial institution to act as the calculation agent.

 

All percentages resulting from any of the calculations described in this Section 301 will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point (e.g., 8.986865% (or 0.08986865) being rounded to 8.98687% (or 0.0898687)), or more, being rounded upwards and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent, or more, being rounded upwards).

 

Interest on the Securities of this series will be payable quarterly on January 17, April 17, July 17 and October 17 of each year, commencing April 17, 2014, until the principal thereof is made available for payment. The amount of interest for each day that the Securities are outstanding (the “daily interest amount”) will be calculated by dividing the interest rate in effect for such day by 360 and multiplying the result by the principal amount of the Securities. The amount of interest to be paid on the Securities for any interest period will be calculated by adding the daily interest amounts for each day in such interest period. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will be paid to the Person in whose name the Securities of this series (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the 15th calendar day (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be,

 

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preceding such Interest Payment Date. If any Interest Payment Date or Interest Reset Date or the maturity date for the Securities would otherwise be a day that is not a LIBOR Business Day, such Interest Payment Date or Interest Reset Date shall be the next succeeding LIBOR Business Day, unless the next succeeding LIBOR Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case such Interest Payment Date or Interest Reset Date or the maturity date shall be the immediately preceding LIBOR Business Day.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture is initially limited to $500,000,000, except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration or transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of this series pursuant to Section 304, 305 and 306 of the Indenture and except for any Securities of this series which, pursuant to Section 303 of the Indenture, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered under the Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may from time to time, without notice to or consent of the registered holders of the Securities issue further Securities (“Additional Securities”). The Additional Securities will rank equal with the Securities in all respects (or in all respects other than the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of the Additional Securities, or except for the first payment of interest following the issue date of the Additional Securities). The Additional Securities may be consolidated and form a single series with the Securities and may have the same terms as to status or otherwise, as the Securities.

 

The Securities of this series will be represented by one or more Global Securities representing the entire $500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Securities of this series (as such amount may be increased by the Additional Securities), and the Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Global Securities will be The Depository Trust Company.

 

The Place of Payment for the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of this series shall be the office or agency of the Company in the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio, maintained for such purpose, which shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee and at any other office or agency maintained by the Company for such purpose; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register.

 

The Securities of this series are not redeemable prior to maturity.

 

The Securities of this series are not subject to a sinking fund and the provisions of Section 501(3) and Article Twelve of the Indenture shall not be applicable to the Securities of this series.

 

The Securities of this series are subject to defeasance at the option of the Company as provided in this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture.

 

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ARTICLE FOUR

 

MODIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO THE INDENTURE

 

Section 401.                             Modifications to the Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease Provisions.

 

With respect to the Securities of this series, Section 801 of the Indenture shall be deleted in its entirety and the following shall be substituted therefor:

 

“Section 801. Covenant Not to Merge, Consolidate, Sell or Convey Property Except Under Certain Conditions.

 

 The Company covenants that it will not merge with or into or consolidate with any corporation, partnership, or other entity or sell, lease or convey all or substantially all of its assets to any other Person, unless (i) either the Company shall be the continuing corporation, or the successor entity or the Person which acquires by sale, lease or conveyance all or substantially all the assets of the Company (if other than the Company) shall be a corporation or partnership organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume all obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities of the series created by the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, including the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on all the Securities of the series created by the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed or observed by the Company, by supplemental indenture in form satisfactory to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee by such entity, and (ii) the Company, such person or such successor entity, as the case may be, shall not, immediately after such merger or consolidation, or such sale, lease or conveyance, be in default in the performance of any such covenant or condition and, immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing.

 

Section 802.  Successor Substituted

 

 Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into, any other Person or any sale, lease or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease or conveyance is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.”

 

Section 402.                             Other Modifications.

 

With respect to the Securities of this series, the Indenture shall be modified as follows:

 

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(a)   The eighth paragraph of Section 305 of the Indenture shall be modified by inserting “, and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days” at the end of clause (i) in such paragraph; and

 

(b)   Section 401 of the Indenture shall be modified by adding to the end of such Section the following paragraph:

 

“For the purpose of this Section 401, trust funds may consist of (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in Section 1304) which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the Securities of this series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of interest on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities of this series.”

 

Section 403.                             Additional Covenants; Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.

 

(a)  With respect to the Securities of this series, the following provisions shall be added as Sections 1009, 1010 and 1011 and as Article Thirteen (Section references contained in these additional provisions are to the Indenture as supplemented by this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture):

 

“Section 1009.  Limitations on Liens.

 

 After the date hereof and so long as any Securities of the series created by the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture are Outstanding, the Company will not issue, assume or guarantee, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue, assume or guarantee, any Indebtedness which is secured by a mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give any of the foregoing) (each being hereinafter referred to as a “lien” or “liens”) of or upon any Operating Property or Operating Asset, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary without effectively providing that the Securities of the series created by the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other Indebtedness of the Company ranking equally with the Securities) shall be equally and ratably secured by a lien on such assets ranking ratably with and equal to (or at the Company’s option prior to) such secured Indebtedness; provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:

 

(a)         liens on any property or assets of any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary provided that such lien does not extend to any other property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(b)         liens on any property or assets (including stock) existing at the time of acquisition of such property or assets by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or liens to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price of such property or assets (including

 

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stock) upon the acquisition of such property or assets by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or to secure any indebtedness incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price of such property or, in the case of real property, construction or improvements thereon or attaching to property substituted by the Company to obtain the release of a lien on other property of the Company on which a lien then exists, which indebtedness is incurred, assumed or guaranteed prior to, at the time of, or within 18 months after such acquisition (or in the case of real property, the completion of construction (including any improvements on an existing asset) or commencement of full operation at such property, whichever is later (which in the case of a retail store is the opening of the store for business to the public)); provided that in the case of any such acquisition, construction or improvement, the lien shall not apply to any other property or assets theretofore owned by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(c)          liens on any property or assets to secure Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(d)         liens on any property or assets of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a purchase, lease or other acquisition of the assets of a corporation or firm as an entirety or substantially as an entirety by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary provided that such lien does not extend to any other property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

(e)          liens on any property or assets of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the United States of America or any State thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States of America or any State thereof, or in favor of any other country, or any political subdivision thereof, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any Indebtedness incurred or guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price (or, in the case of real property, the cost of construction) of the property or assets subject to such liens (including, but not limited to, liens incurred in connection with pollution control, industrial revenue or similar financings);

 

(f)           liens existing on properties or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the date hereof; provided that such liens secure only those obligations which they secure on the date hereof or any extension, renewal or replacement thereof;

 

(g)          any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part, of any lien referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (f), inclusive; provided that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of the property or assets which secured the lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus improvements and construction on real property);

 

(h)         liens imposed by law, such as mechanics’, workmen’s, repairmen’s, materialmen’s, carriers’, warehouseman’s, vendors’, or other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or governmental (federal, state or municipal) liens arising out of contracts for the sale of products or services by

 

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the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or deposits or pledges to obtain the release of any of the foregoing liens;

 

(i)             pledges, liens or deposits under worker’s compensation laws or similar legislation and liens or judgments thereunder which are not currently dischargeable, or in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of money) or leases to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party, or to secure the public or statutory obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or in connection with obtaining or maintaining self-insurance or to obtain the benefits of any law, regulation or arrangement pertaining to unemployment insurance, old age pensions, social security or similar matters, or to secure surety, appeal or customs bonds to which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party, or in litigation or other proceedings such as, but not limited to, interpleader proceedings, and other similar pledges, liens or deposits made or incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(j)            liens created by or resulting from any litigation or other proceeding which is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, including liens arising out of judgments or awards against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in good faith prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review or for which the time to make an appeal has not yet expired; or final unappealable judgment liens which are satisfied within 30 days of the date of judgment; or liens incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of obtaining a stay or discharge in the course of any litigation or other proceeding to which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is a party;

 

(k)         liens for taxes or assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or delinquent, or which can thereafter be paid without penalty, or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; landlord’s liens on property held under lease; and any other liens or charges incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or the ownership of the property or assets of any of them which were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit and which do not, in the opinion of the Company, materially impair the use of such property or assets in the operation of the business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary or the value of such property or assets for the purposes of such business; or

 

(l)             liens not permitted by clauses (a) through (k) above if at the time of, and after giving effect to, the creation or assumption of any such lien, the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by all such liens not so permitted by clauses (a) through (k) above together with the Attributable Debt in respect of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions permitted by paragraph (a) of Section 1010 does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

 

Section 1010.  Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions.

 

After the date hereof and so long as any Securities of the series created by the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture are Outstanding, the Company agrees that it will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of any Operating Property or Operating Asset (other than any such arrangement involving a lease for a term, including

 

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renewal rights, for not more than three years and leases between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries), whereby such Operating Property or Operating Asset has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to such Person (herein referred to as a “Sale and Lease-Back Transaction”), unless:

 

(a)         the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would, at the time of entering into a Sale and Lease-Back transaction, be entitled to incur Indebtedness secured by a lien on the Operating Property or Operating Asset to be leased in an amount at least equal to the Attributable Debt in respect of such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction without equally and ratably securing the Securities of the series created by the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture pursuant to Section 1009; or

 

(b)         the proceeds of the sale of the Operating Property or Operating Asset to be leased are at least equal to the fair market value of such Operating Property or Operating Asset (as determined by the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company) and an amount in cash equal to the net proceeds from the sale of the Operating Property or Operating Asset so leased is applied, within 180 days of the effective date of any such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, to the purchase or acquisition (or, in the case of Operating Property, the construction) of Operating Property or Operating Assets or to the retirement, repurchase or repayment (other than at maturity or pursuant to a mandatory sinking fund or redemption provision and other than Indebtedness owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) of Securities of the series created by the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture or of Funded Indebtedness of the Company ranking on a parity with or senior to the Securities of the series created by the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, or in the case of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction by a Restricted Subsidiary, of Funded Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that in connection with any such retirement, any related loan commitment or the like shall be reduced in an amount equal to the principal amount so retired.

 

 The foregoing restriction shall not apply to, in the case of any Operating Property or Operating Asset acquired or constructed subsequent to the date eighteen months prior to the date of this Indenture, any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to such Operating Asset or Operating Property (including presently owned real property upon which such Operating Property is to be constructed) if a binding commitment is entered into with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction within 18 months after the later of the acquisition of the Operating Property or Operating Asset or the completion of improvements or construction thereon or commencement of full operations at such Operating Property (which in the case of a retail store is the opening of the store for business to the public).

 

Section 1011.  Change of Control.

 

If a Change of Control Triggering Event occurs, Holders of Securities will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof) of their Securities pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”).  In the Change of Control Offer, the Company shall offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Securities repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on the Securities repurchased, to the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”).  Within 30 days following any Change of Control

 

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Triggering Event, or, at the Company’s option, prior to any Change of Control, but after the public announcement of the Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to Holders of Securities describing the transaction or transactions that constitute or may constitute the Change of Control Triggering Event and offering to repurchase the Securities on the date specified in the notice, which date will be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), pursuant to the procedures described herein and in such notice.  The notice shall, if mailed prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control, state that the offer to purchase is conditioned on the Change of Control Triggering Event occurring on or prior to the payment date specified in the notice.  The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Securities as a result of a Change of Control Triggering Event.  To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control provisions herein, the Company shall be required to comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions herein by virtue of such conflicts.

 

On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful, (i) accept for payment all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer; (ii) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered; and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities properly accepted, together with an officers’ certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities or portions of Securities being purchased.

 

“Below Investment Grade Rating Event” means the Securities are rated below an Investment Grade Rating by any two of the three Rating Agencies (as defined below) on any date from the date of the public notice of an arrangement that could result in a Change of Control until the end of the 60-day period following public notice of the occurrence of the Change of Control (which 60-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Securities is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade below investment grade by any of the Rating Agencies); provided that a Below Investment Grade Rating Event otherwise arising by virtue of a particular reduction in rating shall not be deemed to have occurred in respect of a particular Change of Control (and thus shall not be deemed a Below Investment Grade Rating Event for purposes of the definition of Change of Control Triggering Event) if the Rating Agencies making the reduction in rating to which this definition would otherwise apply do not announce or publicly confirm or inform the Trustee in writing at the Company’s request that the reduction was the result, in whole or in part, of any event or circumstance comprised of or arising as a result of, or in respect of, the applicable Change of Control (whether or not the applicable Change of Control shall have occurred at the time of the Below Investment Grade Rating Event).

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:  (1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as 

 

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that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) other than the Company or one of its subsidiaries; (2) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the then outstanding number of shares of the Company’s voting stock; or (3) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Company’s Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if (1) the Company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company that has agreed to be bound by the terms of the Securities and (2) the Holders of the voting stock of such holding company immediately following that transaction are substantially the same as the Holders of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to that transaction.

 

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Below Investment Grade Rating Event.

 

“Continuing Directors” means, as of any date of determination, members of the Board of Directors of the Company who (1) were members of such Board of Directors on the date of original issuance of the Securities; or (2) were nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors with the approval of a majority of the continuing directors under clause (1) or (2) of this definition who were members of such Board of Directors at the time of such nomination or election (either by a specific vote or by approval of the Company’s proxy statement in which such member was named as a nominee for election as a director, without objection to such nomination).

 

“Fitch” means Fitch, Inc.

 

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P and Fitch, and the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any replacement rating agency or rating agencies selected by the Company.

 

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

 

“Person” means any individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint stock company, business trust, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a government or political subdivision or agency thereof.

 

“Rating Agencies” means (1) each of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P; and (2) if Fitch, Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Securities or fails to make a rating of the Securities publicly available for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” as defined in Section 3(a)(62) of the Exchange Act, selected by the Company (as certified by a Board Resolution) as a replacement agency for Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, or any of them, as the case may be.

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

 

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ARTICLE THIRTEEN

 

DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

 

Section 1301.  Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time, elect to have either Section 1302 or Section 1303 applied to the Outstanding Securities of this series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Thirteen.

 

Section 1302.  Defeasance and Discharge.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise of the option provided in Section 1301 applicable to this Section, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to the Outstanding Securities of the series created by the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Defeasance”).  For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities of this series and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities of this series and this Indenture insofar as such Securities of this series are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities of this series to receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1304 and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such securities when such payments are due, (B) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities of this series under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this Article Thirteen.  Subject to compliance with this Article Thirteen, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 1302 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 1303.

 

Section 1303.  Covenant Defeasance.

 

Upon the Company’s exercise of the option provided in Section 1301 applicable to this Section, the Company shall be released from its obligations under Section 501(4) (in respect of the covenants in Sections 1008 through 1010), Section 801 and Sections 1008 through 1010, the Securities of this series and the Holders of Securities of this series, on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”).  For this purpose, such covenant Defeasance means that the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such Section, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities of this series shall be unaffected thereby.

 

Section 1304.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 1302 or Section 1303 to the Outstanding Securities of this series:

 

(1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements 

 

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of Section 609 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Thirteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities of this series, (A) money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of, premium, if any, and each installment of interest on the Securities of this series on the Stated Maturity of such principal or installment of interest on the day on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities of this series.  For this purpose, “U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (x) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (y) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the Company thereof, and shall also include a depository receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depository receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

 

(2) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as subsections 501(6) and (7) are concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 121st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).

 

(3) Such Defeasance or covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in Section 608 and for 

 

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purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any securities of the Company.

 

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

 

(5) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to either the Defeasance under Section 1302 or the covenant Defeasance under Section 1303 (as the case may be) have been complied with.

 

(6) In the case of an election under Section 1302, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (x) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, and in the case of an election under Section 1303 the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that, the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of this series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such Defeasance or covenant Defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Defeasance or covenant Defeasance had not occurred.

 

Section 1305.  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

 

Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee—collectively, for purposes of this Section 1305, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 1304 in respect of the Securities of this series shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities of this series and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of this series, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1304 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of this series.

 

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Anything in this Article Thirteen to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1304 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Defeasance or covenant Defeasance.

 

Section 1306.  Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in accordance with Section 1302 or 1303 by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of this series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article Thirteen until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1302 or 1303; provided, however, that if the Company makes any payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Security of this series following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subjugated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities of this series to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.”

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 501.                             Miscellaneous.

 

(a)   The Trustee accepts the trusts created by the Indenture, as supplemented by this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, and agrees to perform the same upon the terms and conditions of the Indenture, as supplemented by this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture.

 

(b)   The recitals contained herein shall be taken as statements of the Company, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their correctness.  The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture.

 

(c)   All capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

 

(d)   Each of the Company and the Trustee makes and reaffirms as of the date of execution of this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture all of its respective representations, covenants and agreements set forth in the Indenture.

 

(e)   All covenants and agreements in this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture by the Company or the Trustee and each Guarantor shall bind its respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

 

25

 

(f)    In case any provisions in this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

(g)   Nothing in this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors under the Indenture and the Holders of the series of Securities created hereby, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under the Indenture.

 

(h)   If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as may be amended from time to time, that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, the latter provision shall control.  If any provision hereof modifies or excludes any provision of such Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

 

(i)    This Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

 

(j)    All amendments to the Indenture made hereby shall have effect only with respect to the series of Securities created hereby.

 

(k)   All provisions of this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture shall be deemed to be incorporated in, and made a part of, the Indenture; and the Indenture, as supplemented by this Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture, shall be read, taken and construed as one and the same instrument.

 

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

 

26

 

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

 

	
 
    	
THE KROGER CO.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ Todd A. Foley
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: 
    	
Todd A. Foley
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: 
    	
Vice President and Treasurer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
    
	
 
    	
as Trustee
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/ William E. Sicking
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name: 
    	
William E. Sicking
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Title: 
    	
Vice President and Trust Officer
    

 

 

	
Attest:
    	
 
    
	
/s/ Carla D. Hofmann
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Name: 
    	
Carla D. Hofmann
    	
 
    
	
Title:
    	
Assistant Vice President
    	
 
    
				

 

 

	
STATE OF OHIO
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
) ss.:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
COUNTY OF HAMILTON
    	
)
    	
 
    

 

On the 23rd day of December, 2013, before me personally came Todd A. Foley, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is Vice President and Treasurer of The Kroger Co., one of the corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument, and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.

 

 

	
 
    	
/s/ Dorothy D. Roberts
    

 

 

	
STATE OF OHIO
    	
)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
) ss.:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
COUNTY OF HAMILTON
    	
)
    	
 
    

 

On the 23rd day of December, 2013, before me personally came William E. Sicking, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is a Vice President and Trust Officer of U.S. Bank National Association, one of the corporations described in and which executed the foregoing instrument, and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.

 

	
 
    	
/s/ Dorothy D. Roberts
    

 

1

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