Document:

exhibit10_60.htm

EXHIBIT 10.60

 

Published CUSIP Number: 12709QAA9

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of February 13, 2012

 

among

 

[Missing Graphic Reference]

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION,

as the Borrower,

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

 

as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender

 

and an L/C Issuer,

 

and

 

The Other Lenders Party Hereto

 

BANK OF AMERICA MERRILL LYNCH

and

J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC,

as

Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as

Syndication Agent

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as

Documentation Agent

 

 

 

  

1

  

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SectionPage

 

	
ARTICLE I.

	
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS 

	
 

 

	
  

	
1.01

	
Defined Terms 

	
 

	
  

	
1.02

	
Other Interpretive Provisions 

	
 

	
  

	
1.03

	
Accounting Terms 

	
 

	
  

	
1.04

	
Rounding 

	
 

	
  

	
1.05

	
Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents 

	
 

	
  

	
1.06

	
Additional Alternative Currencies 

	
 

	
  

	
1.07

	
Change of Currency 

	
 

	
  

	
1.08

	
Times of Day 

	
 

	
  

	
1.09

	
Letter of Credit Amounts 

	
 

 

	
ARTICLE II.

	
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS 

	
 

 

	
  

	
2.01

	
Loans 

	
 

	
  

	
2.02

	
Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans 

	
 

	
  

	
2.03

	
Letters of Credit 

	
 

	
  

	
2.04

	
Swing Line Loans 

	
 

	
  

	
2.05

	
Prepayments 

	
 

	
  

	
2.06

	
Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments 

	
 

	
  

	
2.07

	
Repayment of Loans 

	
 

	
  

	
2.08

	
Interest 

	
 

	
  

	
2.09

	
Fees 

	
 

	
  

	
2.10

	
Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate 

	
 

	
  

	
2.11

	
Evidence of Debt 

	
 

	
  

	
2.12

	
Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback 

	
 

	
  

	
2.13

	
Sharing of Payments by Lenders 

	
 

	
  

	
2.14

	
Revolving Credit Facility Increase 

	
 

	
  

	
2.15

	
Cash Collateral 

	
 

	
  

	
2.16

	
Defaulting Lenders. 

	
 

 

	
ARTICLE III.

	
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY 

	
 

 

	
  

	
3.01

	
Taxes 

	
 

	
  

	
3.02

	
Illegality 

	
 

	
  

	
3.03

	
Inability to Determine Rates 

	
 

	
  

	
3.04

	
Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans 

	
 

	
  

	
3.05

	
Compensation for Losses 

	
 

	
  

	
3.06

	
Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders 

	
 

	
  

	
3.07

	
Survival 

	
 

 

	
ARTICLE IV.

	
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS 

	
 

 

	
  

	
4.01

	
Conditions to Effectiveness 

	
 

	
  

	
4.02

	
Conditions to all Credit Extensions 

	
 

 

 

  

2

  

 

 

	
ARTICLE V.

	
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES 

	
 

 

	
  

	
5.01

	
Existence, Qualification and Power 

	
 

	
  

	
5.02

	
Authorization; No Contravention 

	
 

	
  

	
5.03

	
Governmental Authorization; Other Consents 

	
 

	
  

	
5.04

	
Binding Effect 

	
 

	
  

	
5.05

	
Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect 

	
 

	
  

	
5.06

	
Litigation 

	
 

	
  

	
5.07

	
No Default 

	
 

	
  

	
5.08

	
Ownership of Property; Liens 

	
 

	
  

	
5.09

	
Environmental Compliance 

	
 

	
  

	
5.10

	
Insurance 

	
 

	
  

	
5.11

	
Taxes 

	
 

	
  

	
5.12

	
ERISA Compliance 

	
 

	
  

	
5.13

	
Subsidiaries 

	
 

	
  

	
5.14

	
Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act 

	
 

	
  

	
5.15

	
Disclosure 

	
 

	
  

	
5.16

	
Compliance with Laws 

	
 

	
  

	
5.17

	
Taxpayer Identification Number 

	
 

	
  

	
5.18

	
Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc 

	
 

	
  

	
5.19

	
OFAC 

	
 

	
  

	
5.20

	
Solvency 

	
 

	
  

	
5.21

	
Collateral Documents 

	
 

 

	
ARTICLE VI.

	
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 

	
 

 

	
  

	
6.01

	
Financial Statements 

	
 

	
  

	
6.02

	
Certificates; Other Information 

	
 

	
  

	
6.03

	
Notices 

	
 

	
  

	
6.04

	
Payment of Obligations 

	
 

	
  

	
6.05

	
Preservation of Existence, Etc 

	
 

	
  

	
6.06

	
Maintenance of Properties 

	
 

	
  

	
6.07

	
Maintenance of Insurance 

	
 

	
  

	
6.08

	
Compliance with Laws 

	
 

	
  

	
6.09

	
Books and Records 

	
 

	
  

	
6.10

	
Inspection Rights 

	
 

	
  

	
6.11

	
Use of Proceeds 

	
 

	
  

	
6.12

	
Additional Subsidiaries 

	
 

	
  

	
6.13

	
Further Assurances 

	
 

	
  

	
6.14

	
Compliance with Contracts 

	
 

 

	
ARTICLE VII.

	
NEGATIVE COVENANTS 

	
 

 

	
  

	
7.01

	
Liens 

	
 

	
  

	
7.02

	
Investments 

	
 

	
  

	
7.03

	
Indebtedness 

	
 

	
  

	
7.04

	
Fundamental Changes 

	
 

	
  

	
7.05

	
Dispositions 

	
 

	
  

	
7.06

	
Restricted Payments 

	
 

	
  

	
7.07

	
Change in Nature of Business 

	
 

	
  

	
7.08

	
Transactions with Affiliates 

	
 

	
  

	
7.09

	
Burdensome Agreements 

	
 

	
  

	
7.10

	
Use of Proceeds 

	
 

	
  

	
7.11

	
Financial Covenants 

	
 

	
  

	
7.12

	
Amendments to Organization Documents 

	
 

 

	
ARTICLE VIII.

	
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES 

	
 

 

	
  

	
8.01

	
Events of Default 

	
 

	
  

	
8.02

	
Remedies Upon Event of Default 

	
 

	
  

	
8.03

	
Application of Funds 

	
 

 

 

  

3

  

 

 

	
ARTICLE IX.

	
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT 

	
 

 

	
  

	
9.01

	
Appointment and Authority 

	
 

	
  

	
9.02

	
Rights as a Lender 

	
 

	
  

	
9.03

	
Exculpatory Provisions 

	
 

	
  

	
9.04

	
Reliance by Administrative Agent 

	
 

	
  

	
9.05

	
Delegation of Duties 

	
 

	
  

	
9.06

	
Resignation of Administrative Agent 

	
 

	
  

	
9.07

	
Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders 

	
 

	
  

	
9.08

	
No Other Duties, Etc 

	
 

	
  

	
9.09

	
Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding 

	
 

	
  

	
9.10

	
Collateral and Guaranty Matters 

	
 

	
  

	
9.11

	
Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements114

 

	
ARTICLE X.

	
MISCELLANEOUS 

	
 

 

	
  

	
10.01

	
Amendments, Etc 

	
 

	
  

	
10.02

	
Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication 

	
 

	
  

	
10.03

	
No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement 

	
 

	
  

	
10.04

	
Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver 

	
 

	
  

	
10.05

	
Payments Set Aside 

	
 

	
  

	
10.06

	
Successors and Assigns 

	
 

	
  

	
10.07

	
Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality 

	
 

	
  

	
10.08

	
Right of Setoff 

	
 

	
  

	
10.09

	
Interest Rate Limitation 

	
 

	
  

	
10.10

	
Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness 

	
 

	
  

	
10.11

	
Survival of Representations and Warranties 

	
 

	
  

	
10.12

	
Severability 

	
 

	
  

	
10.13

	
Replacement of Lenders 

	
 

	
  

	
10.14

	
Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc 

	
 

	
  

	
10.15

	
Waiver of Jury Trial 

	
 

	
  

	
10.16

	
No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility 

	
 

	
  

	
10.17

	
Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents 

	
 

	
  

	
10.18

	
USA PATRIOT Act 

	
 

	
  

	
10.19

	
Judgment Currency 

	
 

 

SIGNATURES.....................................................................................S-1

  

4

  

SCHEDULES

 

1.01           Mandatory Cost Formulae

2.01           Commitments and Applicable Percentages

2.03           Existing Letters of Credit

2.07(a)                      Term Loan Repayment

5.06           Litigation

5.13           Subsidiaries

7.01           Existing Liens

7.02           Existing Investments

7.03           Existing Indebtedness

7.09           Existing Burdensome Agreements

 

10.02           Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices

 

EXHIBITS

Form of

 

A           Loan Notice

B           Swing Line Loan Notice

C-1           Revolving Credit Note

C-2           Term Loan Note

D           Compliance Certificate

E           Assignment and Assumption

F           Guaranty

G           Pledge Agreement

H           Security Agreement

I           IP Security Agreement

J-1-4           U.S. Tax Compliance Certificates

K           Letter of Credit Reports

 

  

5

  

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of February 13, 2012, among CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.

 

The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a revolving credit facility and a term loan facility, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I.                      DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

1.01           Defined Terms.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

 

“Acquisition” means the acquisition, whether through a single transaction or a series of related transactions, by the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries of, or any transaction that results in the Borrower and/or any of its Subsidiaries owning, whether by purchase, merger, exclusive inbound license or otherwise, (a) a controlling equity interest or other controlling ownership interest in another Person (including the purchase of an option, warrant or convertible or similar type of security to acquire such a controlling interest at the time it becomes exercisable by the holder thereof), whether by purchase of such equity or other ownership interest or upon the exercise of an option or warrant for, or conversion of securities into, such equity or other ownership interest, or (b) assets of another Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person or of a division, line of business or other business unit of such Person.

 

“Administrative Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

 

“Administrative Agent’s Office” means, with respect to any currency, the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02 with respect to such currency, or such other address or account with respect to such currency as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the Lenders.

 

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

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

 

“Aggregate Commitments” means the Commitments of all the Lenders.

 

“Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments” means the Revolving Credit Commitments of all the Revolving Credit Lenders.

 

“Agreement” means this Credit Agreement.

 

“Alternative Currency” means each of Euro, Sterling, Yen, Singapore Dollar and, subject to availability after the Closing Date, each other currency (other than Dollars) that is approved in accordance with Section 1.06 (including, without limitation, New Taiwan Dollar and South Korean Won approved in accordance with Section 1.06).

 

“Alternative Currency Equivalent” means, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in the applicable Alternative Currency as determined by the Administrative Agent or any L/C Issuer, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of such Alternative Currency with Dollars.

 

“Alternative Currency Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of the Aggregate Commitments and $50,000,000.  The Alternative Currency Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments.

 

“Applicable Percentage” means (a) in respect of the Term Loan Facility, with respect to any Term Loan Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Term Loan Facility represented by (i) at any time during the Availability Period, such Term Loan Lender’s Term Loan Commitment at such time and (ii) thereafter, the principal amount of such Term Loan Lender’s Term Loans outstanding at such time, and (b) in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments represented by such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, in each case, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16.  If the commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and the obligation of each L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 2.06 or Section 8.02, or if the Revolving Credit Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Revolving Credit Lender in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Revolving Credit Lender in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments.  The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender in respect of each Facility is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable.

 

“Applicable Rate” means the applicable percentage per annum set forth below determined by reference to the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(b):

 

	
Pricing Level

	
Consolidated

Leverage Ratio

	
Eurocurrency Rate Loans/Letter of Credit Fees

	
Base Rate Loans

	
Commitment Fee/Ticking Fee

	
1

	
Greater than or equal to 1.75 to 1.00

	
2.00%

	
0.25%

	
0.35%

	
2

	
Less than 1.75 to 1.00, but greater than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00

	
1.75%

	
0.25%

	
0.30%

	
3

	
Less than 1.25 to 1.00

	
1.50%

	
0.00%

	
0.25%

 

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b); provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, upon the request of the Required Term Loan Lenders (in the case of the Term Loan Facility) and the Required Revolving Lenders (in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility), Pricing Level 1 shall apply in respect of the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility, in each case as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and in each case shall remain in effect until the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered.  The Applicable Rate in effect from the Closing Date, subject to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, until the date on which the Administrative Agent receives a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 6.02(b) for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2012 shall be determined based upon Pricing Level 2.

 

 

  

6

  

 

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b).

 

“Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage” means with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility at such time.

 

“Applicable Time” means, with respect to any borrowings and payments in any Alternative Currency, the local time in the place of settlement for such Alternative Currency as may be determined by the Administrative Agent or any L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to be necessary for timely settlement on the relevant date in accordance with normal banking procedures in the place of payment.

 

“Appropriate Lender” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any Facility, a Lender that has a Commitment with respect to such Facility or holds a Loan under such Facility at such time, (b) with respect to the Letter of Credit Sublimit, (i) an L/C Issuer and (ii) if any Letters of Credit have been issued pursuant to Section 2.03(a), the Revolving Credit Lenders and (c) with respect to the Swing Line Sublimit, (i) the Swing Line Lender and (ii) if any Swing Line Loans are outstanding pursuant to Section 2.04(a), the Revolving Credit Lenders.

 

“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

“Arrangers” means MLPFS and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, in their respective capacities as joint lead arrangers and joint book managers.

 

“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit E or any other form (including electronic documentation generated by MarkitClear or other electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, but without duplication, (a) in respect of any Capitalized Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a Capitalized Lease.

 

“Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholder’s equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

 

“Auto-Extension Letter of Credit” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii).

 

“Availability Period” means (a) in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) the date of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (iii) the date of termination of the commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and of the obligation of each L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02 and (b) in respect of the Term Loan Facility, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the date that falls three months after the Closing Date and (ii) the date of termination of the commitments of the respective Term Loan Lenders to make Term Loans pursuant to Section 8.02.

 

“Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

 

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

 

“Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate on such day plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate,” and (c) the Eurocurrency Rate plus 1.00%.  The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate.  Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

 

“Base Rate Loan” means a Revolving Credit Loan or a Term Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.  All Base Rate Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

“Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

 

“Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

 

“Borrowing” means a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a Swing Line Borrowing or a Term Loan Borrowing, as the context may require.

 

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, New York, California or the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office with respect to Obligations denominated in Dollars is located, and:

 

(a)  if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, any such day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market;

 

(b)  if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in Euro, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Euro in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, a TARGET Day;

 

(c)  if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, any such day on which dealings in deposits in the relevant currency are conducted by and between banks in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market for such currency; and

 

(d)  if such day relates to any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in a currency other than Dollars or Euro in respect of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, or any other dealings in any currency other than Dollars or Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan (other than any interest rate settings), any such day on which banks are open for foreign exchange business in the principal financial center of the country of such currency.

 

 

  

7

  

 

 

“Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person for any period, any expenditure in respect of the purchase or other acquisition of any fixed or capital asset (excluding normal replacements and maintenance which are properly charged to current operations).  For purposes of this definition, the purchase price of equipment that is purchased simultaneously with insurance proceeds, indemnity payments, condemnation awards (or payments in lieu thereof) or damage recovery proceeds shall be included in Capital Expenditures only to the extent of the gross amount by which such purchase price exceeds the amount of such insurance proceeds, indemnity payments, condemnation awards (or payments in lieu thereof) or damage recovery proceeds, as the case may be.

 

“Capitalized Leases” means, in respect of any Person, all leases by that Person as lessee that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases on the balance sheet of that Person.

 

“Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the L/C Issuers or the Revolving Credit Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Revolving Credit Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer benefitting from such collateral shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to customary documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer and in each case in an amount equal to 105% of the aggregate face amount of the applicable Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations.  “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

 

“Cash Equivalents” means any of the following types of Investments, to the extent owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens created under the Collateral Documents and other Liens permitted hereunder):

 

(a)           readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof (or, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries or foreign operations, any country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”)) having maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America (or, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries or foreign operations, any country that is a member of the OECD) is pledged in support thereof;

 

(b)           (i) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank or (ii) overnight Federal Funds transactions that are issued or sold by any bank or its holding company or by a commercial banking institution that (A)(1)(x) is a Lender or (y) is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, (2) issues (or the parent of which issues) commercial paper rated as described in clause (c) of this definition and (3) has combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000, in each case with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof, or (B) in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries or foreign operations, a commercial banking institution organized under the laws of any country that is a member of the OECD and whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof;

 

(c)           commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America and rated at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Moody’s or at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case with maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(d)           Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which are administered by financial institutions that have a rating of at least Aa2 from Moody’s or AA from S&P;

 

(e)           tax exempt variable rate commercial paper, tax-exempt adjustable rate option tender bonds and other tax-exempt bonds or notes issued by municipalities in the United States, having a short term rating of at least MIG-1 or VMIG-1 or SP-1 or a long term rating of at least AA by S&P or Aa2 by Moody’s;

 

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

 

(g)           with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary or foreign operations: (i) readily marketable obligations issued by the national government of the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office or such Foreign Subsidiary or foreign operations conduct business provided such country is a member of the OECD, in each case maturing within one year after the date of investment therein, (ii) certificates of deposit of, bankers acceptances of, or time deposits with, any commercial bank which is organized and existing under the Laws of the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office or such Foreign Subsidiary or foreign operations conduct business provided such country is a member of the OECD, and whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an “Approved Foreign Bank”), and in each case with maturities of not more than 180 days from the date of acquisition and (iii) the equivalent of demand deposit accounts which are maintained with an Approved Foreign Bank; and

 

(h)           other financial instruments or investments as agreed by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent from time to time.

 

“Cash Management Agreement” means any agreement to provide treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overnight draft, credit cards, debit cards, p-cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.

 

“Cash Management Bank” means any Person in its capacity as a party to a Cash Management Agreement that, (a) at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes a Lender, is a party to a Cash Management Agreement with a Loan Party, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement (even if such Person ceases to be a Lender or such Person’s Affiliate ceased to be a Lender); provided, however, that for any of the foregoing to be included as a “Secured Cash Management Agreement” on any date of determination by the Administrative Agent, the applicable Cash Management Bank (other than the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) must have delivered a written notice to the Administrative Agent prior to such date of determination.

 

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

 

 

  

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“Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which:

 

(a)           any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the equity securities of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or

 

(b)           during any period of 24 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body.

 

“Closing Date” means the first date all the conditions precedent in Section 4.01 are satisfied or waived in accordance with Section 10.01.

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

“Collateral” means all of the property that is or is intended under the terms of the Collateral Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, including all of the “Collateral” referred to therein; provided that in no event will more than 65% of the voting stock of any Foreign Subsidiary be included in the Collateral or otherwise pledged as security for the Secured Obligations.

 

“Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the IP Security Agreement, collateral assignments, Security Joinder Agreements, Pledge Agreement Supplements, Pledge Joinder Agreements, IP Security Agreement Supplements, security agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.12, and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

“Commitment” means a Term Loan Commitment or a Revolving Credit Commitment, as the context may require.

 

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D.

 

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

 

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (a) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (i) Consolidated Interest Charges for such period, (ii) the provision for Federal, state, local and foreign taxes based on income, profits, revenue, business activities, capital or similar measures payable by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) other non-cash charges, losses and expenses (including, but not limited to, share-based compensation expense, abnormal capacity utilization expense and inventory revaluation and inventory writeoff expense), (v) other cash extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring losses, expenses or charges that (A) are attributable to financial advisory fees, accounting fees, legal fees and other similar advisory and consulting fees and related out-of-pocket expenses related to any offering of Equity Interests of the Borrower, any Investment permitted hereunder, any acquisition or incurrence of Indebtedness permitted hereunder, any global tax planning initiative, any litigation or any other unusual, extraordinary or nonrecurring event or transaction (in each case, whether or not such transaction is successful) or (B) are not of the type described in the foregoing clause (a)(v)(A) and, together with clause (a)(v)(A), do not to exceed an aggregate of $1,000,000 during any such period and (vi) fees, charges and expenses incurred in connection with the Special Dividend and the negotiation, execution and consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and minus (b) the following to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (i) Federal, state, local and foreign income, profits, revenue, business activities, capital or similar tax credits of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, (ii) all non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period, (iii) all amounts in respect of extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring cash gains not to exceed an aggregate of $1,000,000 during any such period and (iv) cash payments made during such period with respect to non-cash charges that were added back pursuant to clause (a)(iv) above in a prior period.

 

For purposes of making the calculation referred to in this definition, acquisitions or Investments that have been made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and including any related financing transactions, during the relevant period or subsequent to such period and on or prior to the date of such calculation (the “applicable transaction”), shall be deemed to have occurred on the first day of the applicable period and such calculation shall be made giving pro forma effect to any cost savings and other operating improvements and synergies in connection with such applicable transaction (without duplication of actual benefits realized during such period from the same) which cost savings and other operating improvements and synergies (a) are factually supportable and determined in good faith by the Borrower, as certified to the Administrative Agent, and (b) do not exceed, in respect of any applicable transaction, 5% of Consolidated EBITDA acquired in connection with such applicable transaction prior to the inclusion in such calculation of such cost savings and other operating improvements and synergies.

 

“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated EBITDA, less (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash Capital Expenditures, less (iii) the aggregate amount of Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash, in each case, of or by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to (b) the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Charges, (ii) the aggregate amount of all regularly scheduled principal payments or redemptions or similar acquisitions for value of outstanding Indebtedness for borrowed money, but excluding any such payments to the extent refinanced through the incurrence of additional Indebtedness otherwise expressly permitted under the terms of the this Agreement, (iii) the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments made in cash (but excluding Restricted Payments permitted under Sections 7.06(c), (e)(i), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) and (g)), (iv) to the extent the proceeds thereof are not used to fund Capital Expenditures or operating losses, the aggregate amount of all Investments made in cash permitted under Section 7.02(c)(iv), and (v) all cash payments under Capitalized Leases, in each case for the period of the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended.

 

“Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations, whether current or long-term, for borrowed money (including the Obligations) and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments, (b) all purchase money Indebtedness, (c) all direct obligations arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments, (d) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), (e) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations, (f) without duplication, all Guarantees with respect to outstanding Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (a) through (e) above of Persons other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and (g) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (f) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

 

“Consolidated Interest Charges” means, for any period, the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, (b) all interest paid or payable with respect to discontinued operations, and (c) the portion of rent expense under Capitalized Leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, in each case, of or by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

 

 

  

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“Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower most recently ended.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the net income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (excluding extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses) for that period.

 

“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

 

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

 

“Credit Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

 

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

 

“Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate and any Mandatory Cost) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum, and (b) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate under the Revolving Credit Facility plus 2% per annum.

 

“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.16(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s good-faith determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including, in the case of any Revolving Credit Lender, in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s good-faith determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or Federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender.  Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above, and of the effective date of such status, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.16(b)) as of the date established therefor by the Administrative Agent in a written notice of such determination, which shall be delivered by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower, the L/C Issuers, the Swing Line Lender and each other Lender promptly following such determination.

 

“Direct Foreign Subsidiary” means any Foreign Subsidiary owned directly by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person, including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

 

“Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

 

“Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any Alternative Currency, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent or any L/C Issuer, as the case may be, at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of Dollars with such Alternative Currency.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States other than any Subsidiary described in clause (b) of the definition of “Foreign Subsidiary”.

 

“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii) and (v) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).

 

“EMU” means the economic and monetary union in accordance with the Treaty of Rome 1957, as amended by the Single European Act 1986, the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 and the Amsterdam Treaty of 1998.

 

“EMU Legislation” means the legislative measures of the European Council for the introduction of, changeover to or operation of a single or unified European currency.

 

“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

 

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

 

“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

 

 

  

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“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

 

“ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; or (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon  the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

 

“Euro” and “EUR” mean the lawful currency of the Participating Member States introduced in accordance with the EMU Legislation.

 

“Eurocurrency Rate” means:

 

(a)           for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to (i) with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in any currency other than Singapore Dollars, the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“BBA LIBOR”), as published by Reuters (or such other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as may be designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two London Banking Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for deposits in the relevant currency (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period, (ii) with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Singapore Dollars, the offshore Singapore interest rate as determined by the Administrative Agent at 11:00 a.m., London time, as published on Reuters SGDF=, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for deposits in Singapore Dollars (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period or, (iii) if either such rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in the relevant currency for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in Same Day Funds in the approximate amount of the Eurocurrency Rate Loan being made, continued or converted and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch (or other Bank of America branch or Affiliate) to major banks in the London or other offshore interbank market for such currency at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two London Banking Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period; and

 

(b)           for any interest calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to (i) BBA LIBOR, at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time determined two London Banking Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for a term of one month commencing that day or (ii) if such published rate is not available at such time for any reason, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the date of determination in Same Day Funds in the approximate amount of the Base Rate Loan being made or maintained and with a term equal to one month would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London or other offshore interbank market for such currency at their request at the date and time of determination.

 

“Eurocurrency Rate Loan” means a Revolving Credit Loan or a Term Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate.”  Revolving Credit Loans may be denominated in Dollars or in an Alternative Currency.  All Revolving Credit Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency must be Eurocurrency Rate Loans.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.

 

“Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to any Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes or other Taxes imposed in lieu of net income, Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) any branch profits tax imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed in any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, (c) any backup withholding Tax that is required by the Code to be withheld from amounts payable to a Recipient, (d) U.S. Federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of a Recipient with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Recipient acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13) or (ii) in the case of a Lender, such Lender changes its Lending Office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(a) or (c), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender's assignor immediately before such Recipient became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its Lending Office, (e) Taxes attributable to such Recipient’s failure or inability (other than as a result of Change in Law) to comply with Section 3.01(e), and (f) any Taxes imposed pursuant to FATCA.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, “Excluded Taxes” shall not include any withholding tax imposed at any time on payments made by or on behalf of a Foreign Subsidiary to any Recipient hereunder or under any other Loan Document, provided that such Recipient shall have complied with Section 3.01(e)(i).

 

“Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 24, 2003, among the Borrower, Bank of America (as successor by merger to LaSalle Bank National Association), as administrative agent, and a syndicate of lenders, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 2008 and as further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

“Existing Letters of Credit” means those letters of credit existing on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 2.03.

 

“Facility” means the Term Loan Facility or the Revolving Credit Facility, as the context may require.

 

“Facility Termination Date” means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred: (a) the Aggregate Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations have been paid in full (other than obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements or Secured Hedge Agreements not yet due and payable and contingent indemnification obligations), and (c) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit that have been Cash Collateralized).

 

“FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

 

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with) and any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof.

 

“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

 

“Fee Letter” means the letter agreement, dated January 13, 2012, among the Borrower, Bank of America and MLPFS.

 

“Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement” has the meaning specified in Section 5.12(d).

 

 

  

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“Foreign Lender” means (a) if the Borrower is a U.S. Person, a Lender that is not a U.S. Person, and (b) if the Borrower is not a U.S. Person, a Lender that is resident or organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes.  For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

 

“Foreign Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 5.12(d).

 

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is (a) organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States or (b) a Domestic Subsidiary of a Subsidiary described in clause (a) above.

 

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

 

“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender that is a Revolving Credit Lender, (a) with respect to any L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Revolving Credit Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

 

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

“Guarantee” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien); provided, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business or customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Closing Date or entered into in connection with any Acquisition or Disposition of assets permitted under this Agreement (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness).  The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.  The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

“Guarantors” means, collectively, each existing and future direct and indirect Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower.

 

“Guaranty” means the Guaranty made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit F.

 

“Guaranty Joinder Agreement” means each Guaranty Joinder Agreement, substantially in the form thereof attached to the Guaranty, executed and delivered by a Guarantor or any other Person to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.12 or otherwise.

 

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

 

“Hedge Bank” means any Person that, (a) at the time it enters into a Swap Contract not prohibited under Article VII, is a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes a Lender, is a party to a Swap Contract not prohibited under Article VII, in each case, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Contract.

 

“IFRS” means international accounting standards within the meaning of IAS Regulation 1606/2002 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements delivered under or referred to herein.

 

“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

 

(a)           all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

 

(b)           all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

 

(c)           net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;

 

(d)           all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out or similar obligation until such obligation appears in the liabilities section of the balance sheet of such Person and (iii) any earn-out or similar obligation that appears in the liabilities section of the balance sheet of such Person to the extent that (A) such Person is indemnified for the payment thereof by a Solvent Person or (B) amounts to be applied to the payment therefor are in escrow);

 

(e)           indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

 

(f)           all Attributable Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations of such Person;

 

(g)           all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other Person, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and

 

(h)           all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

 

 

  

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For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person.  The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.

 

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

 

“Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).

 

“Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.

 

“Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made (with Swing Line Loans being deemed made under the Revolving Credit Facility for purposes of this definition).

 

“Interest Period” means as to each Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurocurrency Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice, or such other period that is twelve months or less requested by the Borrower and consented to by all the Appropriate Lenders; provided that:

 

(a)           any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

 

(b)           any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

 

(c)           no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made.

 

“Internal Restructuring” means, collectively, (a) (i) the Disposition of foreign branches of Domestic Subsidiaries and foreign assets of Domestic Subsidiaries to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (whether or not any such Subsidiary is a Guarantor) and (ii) the establishment of additional U.S. or foreign branches or Persons, in each case, as part of the implementation of international tax planning by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or (b) the Disposition of (i) assets of Cabot Microelectronics Global Corporation, Korea Branch, to Hanguk Cabot Microelectronics, LLC and (ii) assets of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Taiwan Branch to a direct or indirect Subsidiary, organized under the laws of the Republic of China, of Cabot Microelectronics Global Corporation or the Borrower.

 

“Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person (it being understood, for the avoidance of doubt, that the Guarantee of obligations of another Person that do not constitute Indebtedness shall not constitute an Investment), or (c) an Acquisition.  For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

 

“IP Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 5.18.

 

“IP Security Agreement” means an intellectual property security agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit I, as supplemented from time to time by the execution and delivery of IP Security Agreement Supplements.

 

“IP Security Agreement Supplement” means each IP Security Agreement Supplement, substantially in the form thereof attached to the IP Security Agreement executed and delivered by a Guarantor to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.12 or otherwise.

 

“IP Security Joinder Agreement” means each IP Security Joinder Agreement, substantially in the form thereof attached to the IP Security Agreement, executed and delivered by a Guarantor to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.12 or otherwise.

 

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

“ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

“Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application relating to such Letter of Credit, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of any L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.

 

“Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 10.19.

 

“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

 

“L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Revolving Credit Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage.  All L/C Advances shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

“L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Credit Borrowing.  All L/C Borrowings shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

“L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

 

“L/C Issuers” means (a) Bank of America or any of its Affiliates designated by Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor to Bank of America in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and (b) any other Lender, selected by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder or any successor to such Lender in its capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, which Lender consents to its appointment by the Borrower as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder pursuant to a joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.  All references to the L/C Issuer shall mean any L/C Issuer, the L/C Issuer issuing the applicable Letter of Credit, or all L/C Issuers, as the context may imply.

 

“L/C Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings.  For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.09.  For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

 

“Lender” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto and, unless the context requires otherwise, includes the Swing Line Lender.

 

“Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

 

  

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“Letter of Credit” means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder providing for the payment of cash upon the honoring of a presentation thereunder and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit.  Letters of Credit may be issued in Dollars or in an Alternative Currency.

 

“Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the applicable L/C Issuer.

 

“Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is seven days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect for the Revolving Credit Facility (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).

 

“Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(h).

 

“Letter of Credit Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $25,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments.  The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments.

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

 

“Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Term Loan, Revolving Credit Loan or a Swing Line Loan.

 

“Loan Documents” means, collectively, this Agreement, each Note, each Collateral Document, each Issuer Document, the Post-Closing Agreement, any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.15 of this Agreement, the Fee Letter, and the Guaranty.

 

“Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Term Loan Borrowing, (b) a Revolving Credit Borrowing, (c) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (d) a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

“London Banking Day” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

 

“Mandatory Cost” means, with respect to any period, the percentage rate per annum determined in accordance with Schedule 1.01.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse effect on the operations, business, properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrower or any Guarantor to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Borrower or any Guarantor of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

 

“Maturity Date” means February 13, 2017; provided, however, that if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

 

“Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, (a) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided to reduce or eliminate Fronting Exposure during the existence of a Defaulting Lender, an amount equal to 105% of the Fronting Exposure of the L/C Issuers with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time, and (b) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.15(a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) or otherwise an amount equal to 105% of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations.

 

“MLPFS” means Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, and its successors.

 

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

 

“Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

 

“Net Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to any Disposition pursuant to Section 7.05(g) by any Loan Party, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum of cash and Cash Equivalents received as consideration for such Disposition in excess of $1,000,000 (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) over (b) the sum of (i) the principal amount of, premium or penalty, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness that is secured by the applicable asset and that is required to be repaid in connection with such transaction (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents), (ii) the reasonable and customary (or reasonably necessary) out-of-pocket commissions, fees, transfer Taxes and other expenses (including attorneys’, accountants’ and investment banking fees) incurred by such Loan Party in connection with such transaction and (iii) income taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be actually payable within two years of the date of the relevant transaction as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith; provided that, if the amount of any estimated income taxes pursuant to subclause (iii) exceeds the amount of income taxes actually required to be paid in cash in respect of such Disposition, the aggregate amount of such excess shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds, as and when such excess is reasonably determined by the Borrower with finality (but in any event within one year after such income taxes were paid or payable).

 

“New Taiwan Dollar” means the lawful currency of the Republic of China.

 

“Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 10.01 and (b) has been approved by the Required Lenders.

 

“Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

 

“Non-Extension Notice Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iii).

 

 

  

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“Note” means a Term Loan Note or a Revolving Credit Note, as the context may require.

 

“Obligations” means (a) all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, or Letter of Credit and (b) the Borrower’s obligations pursuant to Section 10.04(a) and 10.04(b) in respect of costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent, its Affiliates, any Lender or any L/C Issuer, as applicable, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

 

“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

 

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

 

“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 3.06).

 

“Outstanding Amount” means (a) with respect to Term Loans and Swing Line Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Term Loans and Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; (b) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans on any date, the Dollar Equivalent amount of the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of such Revolving Credit Loans occurring on such date; and (c) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the Dollar Equivalent amount of the aggregate outstanding amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.

 

“Overnight Rate” means, for any day, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the greater of (i) the Federal Funds Rate and (ii) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer, or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in an Alternative Currency, the rate of interest per annum at which overnight deposits in the applicable Alternative Currency, in an amount approximately equal to the amount with respect to which such rate is being determined, would be offered for such day by a branch or Affiliate of Bank of America in the applicable offshore interbank market for such currency to major banks in such interbank market.

 

“Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

 

“Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

 

“Participating Member State” means each state so described in any EMU Legislation.

 

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

 

“Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

 

“Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

 

“Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

 

“Permitted Liens” means the Liens not prohibited by Section 7.01.

 

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

 

“Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.

 

“Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

 

“Pledge Agreement” means that certain Pledge Agreement dated as of the Closing Date among the Borrower, the Guarantors party thereto and the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit G, as supplemented from time to time by the execution and delivery of Pledge Joinder Agreements and Pledge Agreement Supplements.

 

“Pledge Agreement Supplement” means each Pledge Agreement Supplement, substantially in the form thereof attached to the Pledge Agreement executed and delivered by a Guarantor or any other Person to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.12 or otherwise.

 

“Pledge Joinder Agreement” means each Pledge Joinder Agreement, substantially in the form thereof attached to the Pledge Agreement executed and delivered by a Guarantor or any other Person to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.12 or otherwise.

 

 

  

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“Post-Closing Agreement” means that certain Post-Closing Agreement dated as of the Closing Date between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

 

“Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

 

“Qualifying Control Agreement” means a customary agreement, among a Loan Party, a depository institution or securities intermediary and the Administrative Agent, which agreement is in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and which provides the Administrative Agent with “control” (as such term is used in Article 9 of the UCC) over the deposit account(s) or securities account(s) described therein.

 

“Recipient” means the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder.

 

“Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).

 

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

 

“Removal Effective Date” has the meaning specified in Section 9.06(b).

 

“Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.

 

“Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, a Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application, and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.

 

“Required Facility Lenders” means (a) for the Revolving Credit Facility, the Required Revolving Lenders and (b) for the Term Loan Facility, the Required Term Loan Lenders.

 

“Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders having Total Credit Exposures representing more than 50% of the Total Credit Exposures of all Lenders.  The Total Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Lenders at any time; provided that, the amount of any participation in any Swing Line Loan and Unreimbursed Amounts that any Defaulting Lender which is a Revolving Credit Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to be held by the Lender that is the Swing Line Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in making such determination.

 

“Required Revolving Lenders” means, at any time, Revolving Credit Lenders having Total Revolving Credit Exposures representing more than 50% of the Total Revolving Credit Exposures of all Revolving Credit Lenders.  The Total Revolving Credit Exposure of any Defaulting Lender which is a Revolving Credit Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Revolving Lenders at any time; provided that, the amount of any participation in any Swing Line Loan and Unreimbursed Amounts that such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund that have not been reallocated to and funded by another Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to be held by the Lender that is the Swing Line Lender or L/C Issuer, as the case may be, in making such determination.

 

“Required Term Loan Lenders” means, at any time, Term Loan Lenders having Total Term Loan Exposures representing more than 50% of the Total Term Loan Exposures of all Lenders.  The Total Term Loan Exposure of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in determining Required Term Loan Lenders at any time.

 

“Resignation Effective Date” has the meaning specified in Section 9.06(a).

 

“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer, controller or any vice president of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party, and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a written notice to the Administrative Agent.  Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

 

“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to the Borrower’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Person thereof).

 

“Revaluation Date” means (a) with respect to any Loan, each of the following:  (i) each date of a Borrowing of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, (ii) each date of a continuation of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency pursuant to Section 2.02, (iii) the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, and (iv) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require (but in any event not more than once per calendar quarter); and (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, (ii) each date of an amendment of any such Letter of Credit having the effect of increasing the amount thereof (solely with respect to the increased amount), (iii) each date of any payment by any L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, (iv) in the case of the Existing Letters of Credit, February 29, 2012, (iv) the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, and (v) such additional dates as the Administrative Agent or any L/C Issuer shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require (but in any event not more than once per calendar quarter).

 

“Revolving Credit Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type, in the same currency and, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

“Revolving Credit Commitment” means, as to each Revolving Credit Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(b), (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans, in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Revolving Credit Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and such Revolving Credit Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans at such time.

 

“Revolving Credit Facility” means, at any time, the revolving credit facility provided in this Agreement in the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

 

“Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(d).

 

“Revolving Credit Lender” means, at any time, (a) so long as any Revolving Credit Commitment is in effect, any Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment at such time or (b) if the Revolving Credit Commitments have terminated or expired, any Lender that has a Revolving Credit Loan or a participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans at such time.

 

“Revolving Credit Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(b).

 

“Revolving Credit Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Revolving Credit Lender evidencing Revolving Credit Loans or Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, made by such Revolving Credit Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C-1.

 

 

  

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“Same Day Funds” means (a) with respect to disbursements and payments in Dollars, immediately available funds, and (b) with respect to disbursements and payments in an Alternative Currency, same day or other funds as may be determined by the Administrative Agent or an L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions in the relevant Alternative Currency.

 

“Sanctioned Entity” means (a) an agency of the government of, (b) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by, or (c) a Person resident in, a country that is subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained and published by OFAC and available at  http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs, or as otherwise published from time to time as such program may be applicable to such agency, organization or Person.

 

“Sanctioned Person” means a Person named on the list of Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons maintained by OFAC available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/​ofac/sdn /index.html, or as otherwise published from time to time.

 

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

 

“Secured Cash Management Agreement” means any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Cash Management Bank.

 

“Secured Hedge Agreement” means any Swap Contract permitted under Article VII that is entered into by and between any Loan Party and any Hedge Bank.

 

“Secured Obligations” means (a) all Obligations and (b) all obligations of the Borrower arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

 

“Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks party to a Secured Hedge Agreement, the Cash Management Banks party to a Secured Cash Management Agreement, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 9.05, and the other Persons the Obligations owing to which are or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the Collateral Documents.

 

“Security Agreement” means the Security Agreement dated as of the Closing Date by the Borrower and the Guarantors to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form of Exhibit H, as supplemented from time to time by the execution and delivery of Security Joinder Agreements.

 

“Security Joinder Agreement” means each Security Joinder Agreement, substantially in the form thereof attached to the Security Agreement, executed and delivered by a Guarantor or any other Person to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.12 or otherwise.

 

“Singapore Dollar” means the lawful currency of the Republic of Singapore.

 

“Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business.  The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

“South Korean Won” means the lawful currency of South Korea.

 

“Special Dividend” means that certain cash dividend to be made by the Borrower on or after the Closing Date not to exceed $15 per share of common stock of the Borrower, and expected to approximate an aggregate amount of $350,000,000, as may be adjusted for the share balances outstanding as of the payable date of such dividend.

 

“Special Notice Currency” means, at any time, an Alternative Currency other than Euros, Sterling and the currency of a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development at such time located in North America or Europe.

 

“Spot Rate” for a currency means the rate determined by the Administrative Agent or an L/C Issuer, as applicable, to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided that the Administrative Agent or an L/C Issuer may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Administrative Agent or such L/C Issuer if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency; and provided further that an L/C Issuer may use such spot rate quoted on the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made in the case of any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency.

 

“Sterling” and “£” mean the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

 

“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

 

  

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“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

 

“Swing Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04.

 

“Swing Line Lender” means Bank of America in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.

 

“Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).

 

“Swing Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

 

“Swing Line Sublimit” means, at any time, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $10,000,000 and (b) the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments.  The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments.

 

“Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of applicable Debtor Relief Laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

“TARGET Day” means any day on which the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) payment system (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system (if any) determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.

 

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

 

“Term Loan” means an advance made by any Term Loan Lender under the Term Loan Facility.  All Term Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

“Term Loan Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Term Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Term Loan Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

 

“Term Loan Commitment” means, as to each Term Loan Lender, its obligation during the Availability Period to make Term Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a) in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Term Loan Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Term Loan Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Term Loan Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

 

“Term Loan Credit Exposure” means, as to any Term Loan Lender at any time, the aggregate principal amount at such time of its outstanding Term Loans.

 

“Term Loan Facility” means the term loan facility provided for in this Agreement (a) at any time during the Availability Period and prior to the making of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.01(a), the aggregate amount of the Term Loan Commitments at such time and (b) thereafter, the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans of all Term Loan Lenders outstanding at such time.

 

“Term Loan Lender” means (a) at any time on or prior to the Closing Date, any Lender that has a Term Loan Commitment at such time, (b) at any time during the Availability Period in respect of the Term Loan Facility, any Lender that has a Term Loan Commitment at such time and (c) at any time after the Availability Period in respect of the Term Loan Facility, any Lender that holds Term Loans at such time.

 

“Term Loan Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Term Loan Lender evidencing Term Loans made by such Term Loan Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit C-2.

 

“Total Credit Exposure” means, as to any Lender at any time, the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposure and Total Term Loan Exposure of such Lender at such time.

 

“Total Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the unused Revolving Credit Commitments and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Revolving Credit Lender at such time.

 

“Total Revolving Credit Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans and L/C Obligations.

 

“Total Term Loan Exposure” means, as to any Term Loan Lender at any time, the unused Term Loan Commitments and Term Loan Credit Exposure of such Term Loan Lender at such time.

 

“Type” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan.

 

“UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York; provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

 

“UCP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

 

“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

 

“Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).

 

“U.S. Person” means any Person that is a “United States Person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B)(III).

 

“Yen” and “¥” mean the lawful currency of Japan.

 

 

  

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1.02           Other Interpretive Provisions.  With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

 

(a)           The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.”  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.”  Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

 

(b)           In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

 

(c)           Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

1.03           Accounting Terms.

 

(a)           Generally.  All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.

 

(b)           Changes in GAAP.  If at any time any change in GAAP (including the adoption of IFRS) would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.  Without limiting the foregoing, leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with that reflected in the Audited Financial Statements for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP relating thereto, unless a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes has been entered into, as provided for above.

 

(c)           Financial Covenant Adjustments.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, with respect to the calculation of any financial covenant, whether pursuant to Section 7.11 or otherwise, that includes a period (or a portion of a period) prior to the date of the consummation of any acquisition of any Person or substantially all the assets of any Person, references to “the Borrower and its Subsidiaries” shall include each acquired Person, and all such acquired assets and liabilities from any Person, as if the acquisition had been consummated on the first day of any such period of measurement.

 

1.04           Rounding.  Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

1.05           Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents.  The Administrative Agent or an L/C Issuer, as applicable, shall determine the Spot Rates as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Credit Extensions and Outstanding Amounts denominated in Alternative Currencies.  Such Spot Rates shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Spot Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur.  Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Loan Parties hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Administrative Agent or an L/C Issuer, as applicable.

 

(b)           Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Revolving Credit Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Revolving Credit Borrowing, Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in an Alternative Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Alternative Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternative Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent or an L/C Issuer, as the case may be.

 

(c)           Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with Sections 7.01, 7.02, 7.03 and 7.05 with respect to any amount of Lien, Investment, Indebtedness, Disposition, or Restricted Payment (each, a “Covenant Transaction”) in a currency other than Dollars, no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred solely as a result of changes in rates of exchange occurring after the time such Covenant Transaction is incurred or made.

 

1.06 Additional Alternative Currencies.  The Borrower may from time to time request that Eurocurrency Rate Loans be made and/or Letters of Credit be issued in a currency other than those specifically listed in the definition of “Alternative Currency;” provided that such requested currency is a lawful currency (other than Dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into Dollars.  In the case of any such request with respect to the making of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; and in the case of any such request with respect to the issuance of Letters of Credit, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer.

 

(b)           Any such request shall be made to the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m., ten Business Days prior to the date of the first desired Credit Extension in such currency, in the case of a Credit Extension involving the Borrowing of Loans, or five Business Days prior to the date of the first desired Credit Extension in such currency, in the case of a Credit Extension involving the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or such other time or date as may be agreed by the Administrative Agent and, in the case of any such request pertaining to Letters of Credit, the respective L/C Issuer, in its or their sole discretion).  In the case of any such request pertaining to Eurocurrency Rate Loans, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof; and in the case of any such request pertaining to Letters of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the respective L/C Issuer thereof.  Each Lender (in the case of any such request pertaining to Eurocurrency Rate Loans) or the respective L/C Issuer (in the case of a request pertaining to Letters of Credit) shall notify the Administrative Agent, not later than 11:00 a.m., five Business Days after receipt (or, in the case of an L/C Issuer, two Business Days after receipt) of such request whether it consents, in its sole discretion, to the making of Eurocurrency Rate Loans or the issuance of Letters of Credit, as the case may be, in such requested currency.

 

(c)           Any failure by a Lender or an L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to respond to such request within the time period specified in the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be a refusal by such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to permit Eurocurrency Rate Loans to be made or Letters of Credit to be issued in such requested currency.  If the Administrative Agent and all the Lenders consent to making Eurocurrency Rate Loans in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency hereunder for purposes of any Borrowings of Eurocurrency Rate Loans; and if the Administrative Agent and the applicable L/C Issuer consents to the issuance of Letters of Credit in such requested currency, the Administrative Agent shall so notify the Borrower and such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency hereunder for purposes of any Letter of Credit issuances. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to obtain consent to any request for an additional currency under this Section 1.06, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Borrower.

 

 

  

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1.07           Change of Currency.  Each obligation of the Borrower to make a payment denominated in the national currency unit of any member state of the European Union that adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the date hereof shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption (in accordance with the EMU Legislation).  If, in relation to the currency of any such member state, the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of that currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the London interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which such member state adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any Revolving Credit Borrowing in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Revolving Credit Borrowing, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

 

(b)           Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may from time to time agree (such consent of the Borrower not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by any member state of the European Union and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro.

 

(c)           Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Administrative Agent and the Borrower may from time to time agree (such consent of the Borrower not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned) to be appropriate to reflect a change in currency of any other country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the change in currency.

 

(d)           If the Euro ceases to be the lawful national currency unit of all of the Participating Member States that had adopted the Euro as their lawful currency on or prior to the Closing Date or if Sterling ceases to be the lawful currency of the United Kingdom, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent and the Revolving Credit Lenders will negotiate in good faith to amend the Loan Documents to (i) comply with any generally accepted conventions and market practice in the relevant interbank market, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, and (ii) otherwise appropriately reflect the change in currency.

 

1.08           Times of Day.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

 

1.09           Letter of Credit Amounts.  Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

 

ARTICLE II.                                THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

2.01           Loans.  (a)                      Term Loan Borrowing.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Term Loan Lender severally agrees to make a single loan to the Borrower in Dollars on any Business Day during the Availability Period in an amount not to exceed such Term Loan Lender’s Term Loan Commitment.  The Term Loan Borrowing shall consist of Term Loans made simultaneously by the Term Loan Lenders in accordance with their respective Term Loan Commitments.  Amounts borrowed under this Section 2.01(a) and repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.  Term Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

 

(b)           Revolving Credit Borrowings.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “Revolving Credit Loan”) to the Borrower in Dollars or in one or more Alternative Currencies from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment; provided, however, that (i) after giving effect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing, (A) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments and (B) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, and (ii) after giving effect to any Revolving Credit Borrowing in an Alternative Currency, the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies shall not exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit.  Within the limits of each Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.01(b), prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01(b).  Revolving Credit Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein.

 

2.02           Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

 

(a)           Each Term Loan Borrowing, each Revolving Credit Borrowing, each conversion of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone.  Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars or of any conversion of Eurocurrency Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, (ii) four Business Days (or five Business Days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) prior to the requested date of any Borrowing or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, and (iii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans; provided, however, that if the Borrower wishes to request Eurocurrency Rate Loans having an Interest Period other than one, two, three or six months in duration as provided in the definition of “Interest Period,” the applicable notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (i) four Business Days prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, or (ii) five Business Days (or six Business Days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, whereupon the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to the Lenders of such request and determine whether the requested Interest Period is acceptable to all of them.  Not later than 12:00 noon, (i) three Business Days before the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, or (ii) four Business Days (or five Business Days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) prior to the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower (which notice may be by telephone) whether or not the requested Interest Period has been consented to by all the Lenders.  Each telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.  Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $3,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or such lesser amount as is equal to the entire unused balance of the applicable Commitment.  Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c) and 2.04(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or such lesser amount as is equal to the entire unused balance of the applicable Commitment.  Each Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Term Loan Borrowing, a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a conversion of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans are to be converted, (v) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto, and (vi) in the case of any Revolving Credit Borrowing, the currency of the Revolving Credit Loans to be borrowed.  If the Borrower fails to specify a currency in a Loan Notice requesting a Revolving Credit Borrowing, then the Revolving Credit Loans so requested shall be made in Dollars.  If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans; provided, however, that in the case of a failure to timely request a continuation of Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, such Loans shall be continued as Eurocurrency Rate Loans in their original currency with an Interest Period of one month.  Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurocurrency Rate Loans.  If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in any such Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month.  No Revolving Credit Loan may be converted into or continued as a Revolving Credit Loan denominated in a different currency, but instead must be prepaid in the original currency of such Revolving Credit Loan and reborrowed in the other currency.

 

(b)           Following receipt of a Loan Notice for a Facility, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Appropriate Lender of the amount (and currency) of its Applicable Percentage under such Facility of the applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Appropriate Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans or continuation of Revolving Credit Loans denominated in a currency other than Dollars, in each case as described in the preceding subsection.  In the case of (i) a Term Loan Borrowing, each Appropriate Lender shall make the amount of its Term Loan available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office for Dollar-denominated payments not later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice, or (ii) a Revolving Credit Borrowing, each Appropriate Lender shall make the amount of its Revolving Credit Loan available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office for the applicable currency not later than 2:00 p.m., in the case of any Loan denominated in Dollars, and not later than the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent in the case of any Revolving Credit Loan in an Alternative Currency, in each case on the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice.  Upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02, the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date a Loan Notice with respect to a Revolving Credit Borrowing denominated in Dollars is given by the Borrower, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the proceeds of such Revolving Credit Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in full of any such L/C Borrowings, and second, shall be made available to the Borrower as provided above.

 

 

  

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(c)           Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurocurrency Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Rate Loan.  During the existence of an Event of Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurocurrency Rate Loans (whether in Dollars or, in the case of Revolving Credit Loans, any Alternative Currency) without the consent of the Required Lenders, and the Required Lenders may demand that any or all of the then outstanding Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency be prepaid, or redenominated into Dollars in the amount of the Dollar Equivalent thereof, on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto.

 

(d)           The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurocurrency Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate.  At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in Bank of America’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

 

(e)           After giving effect to all Term Loan Borrowings, all conversions of Term Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Term Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than five Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Term Loan Facility.  After giving effect to all Revolving Credit Borrowings, all conversions of Revolving Credit Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Revolving Credit Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than eight Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

2.03           Letters of Credit.

 

(a)           The Letter of Credit Commitment.

 

(i)           Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A) each L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in Dollars or in one or more Alternative Currencies for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; and (B) the Revolving Credit Lenders severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the account of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any drawings thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, (y) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, and (z) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit.  Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence.  Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.  All Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Closing Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions hereof.

 

(ii)           No L/C Issuer shall issue any Letter of Credit, if:

 

(A)           subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii), the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Required Revolving Lenders have approved such expiry date; or

 

(B)           the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless (1) the Revolving Credit Lenders have otherwise agreed or (2) the Borrower has Cash Collateralized all L/C Obligations with respect to such Letter of Credit.

 

(iii)           No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

 

(A)           any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain such L/C Issuer from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to such L/C Issuer or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that such L/C Issuer refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon such L/C Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which such L/C Issuer in good faith deems material to it;

 

(B)           the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of such L/C Issuer applicable to letters of credit generally;

 

(C)           except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and such L/C Issuer, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than the Dollar Equivalent of $100,000;

 

(D)           except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and such L/C Issuer, the Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars or an Alternative Currency;

 

(E)           any Revolving Credit Lender is at that time a Defaulting Lender, unless such L/C Issuer has entered into arrangements, including the delivery of Cash Collateral, satisfactory to such L/C Issuer (in its sole discretion) with the Borrower or such Revolving Credit Lender to eliminate such L/C Issuer’s actual or reasonably determined potential Fronting Exposure (after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)) with respect to the Defaulting Lender arising from either the Letter of Credit then proposed to be issued or that Letter of Credit and all other L/C Obligations as to which such L/C Issuer has actual or reasonably determined potential Fronting Exposure, as it may elect in its sole discretion; or

 

(F)           such L/C Issuer does not as of the issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit issue Letters of Credit in the requested currency.

 

(iv)           No L/C Issuer shall amend any Letter of Credit if such L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.

 

(v)           No L/C Issuer shall be under any obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) such L/C Issuer would have no obligation at such time to issue the Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.

 

(vi)           Each L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Revolving Credit Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents associated therewith, and each L/C Issuer shall have all of the benefits and immunities (A) provided to the Administrative Agent in Article IX with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by such L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or proposed to be issued by it and the Issuer Documents pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if the term “Administrative Agent” as used in Article IX included such L/C Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (B) as additionally provided herein with respect to such L/C Issuer.

 

(b)           Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.

 

(i)           Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the applicable L/C Issuer (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.  Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by facsimile, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the applicable L/C Issuer, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to such L/C Issuer.  Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. at least two Business Days (or such later date and time as the Administrative Agent and such L/C Issuer may agree in a particular instance in their sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be.  In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount and currency thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other customary matters as such L/C Issuer may reasonably request.  In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (D) such other customary matters as such L/C Issuer may reasonably request.  Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the applicable L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as such L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request pursuant to its policies of general applicability to other account parties for whom such L/C Issuer issues letters of credit.

 

(ii)           Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the applicable L/C Issuer will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit Application from the Borrower and, if not, the applicable L/C Issuer will provide the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof.  Unless one or more applicable conditions contained in Article IV shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, such L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower (or the applicable Subsidiary) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be, in each case in accordance with such L/C Issuer’s usual and customary business practices.  Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the applicable L/C Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage times the amount of such Letter of Credit.

 

 

  

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(iii)           If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, any L/C Issuer may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the such L/C Issuer to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve-month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued.  Unless otherwise directed by the applicable L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to such L/C Issuer for any such extension.  Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not require) the applicable L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date (unless the Borrower has Cash Collateralized all L/C Obligations under such Letter of Credit); provided, however, that such L/C Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) such L/C Issuer has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation, at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from the Administrative Agent, any Revolving Credit Lender or the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and in each such case directing such L/C Issuer not to permit such extension.

 

(iv)           Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the applicable L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

 

(c)           Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.

 

(i)           Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the applicable L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof.  In the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, the Borrower shall reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer in such Alternative Currency, unless (A) such L/C Issuer (at its option) shall have specified in such notice that it will require reimbursement in Dollars, or (B) in the absence of any such requirement for reimbursement in Dollars, the Borrower shall have notified such L/C Issuer promptly following receipt of the notice of drawing that the Borrower will reimburse such L/C Issuer in Dollars.  In the case of any such reimbursement in Dollars of a drawing under a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, such L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower of the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof.  Not later than 12:00 noon on the date of any payment by any L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in Dollars, or the Applicable Time on the date of any payment by any L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in an Alternative Currency (provided that the Borrower received notice thereof, in either case, prior to 10:00 a.m. on such date or, in the case of a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in an Alternative Currency, at least two hours prior to the Applicable Time and during normal business hours of the Borrower), the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing and in the applicable currency; and, if notice of drawing is not received by 10:00 a.m. (or, in the case of a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in an Alternative Currency, at least two hours prior to the Applicable Time and during normal business hours of the Borrower) on such date, the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Issuer through the Administrative Agent by 12:00 noon on the next Business Day (the date upon which the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse such L/C Issuer pursuant to this subclause (i), the “Honor Date”).  If the Borrower fails to so reimburse applicable L/C Issuer by such time, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the Honor Date, the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (in the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, expressed in Dollars in the amount of the Dollar Equivalent thereof) (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), and the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof.  In such event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving Credit Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than the delivery of a Loan Notice).  Any notice given by the applicable L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

 

(ii)           Each Revolving Credit Lender shall upon any notice pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) make funds available (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral provided for this purpose) for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer, in Dollars, at the Administrative Agent’s Office for Dollar-denominated payments in an amount equal to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Unreimbursed Amount not later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon, subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Revolving Credit Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount.  The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the applicable L/C Issuer.

 

(iii)           With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not fully refinanced by a Revolving Credit Borrowing of Base Rate Loans because the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 cannot be satisfied or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the applicable L/C Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default Rate.  In such event, each Revolving Credit Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C Advance from such Revolving Credit Lender in satisfaction of its participation obligation under this Section 2.03.

 

(iv)           Until each Revolving Credit Lender funds its Revolving Credit Loan or L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit, interest in respect of such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of such amount shall be solely for the account of such L/C Issuer.

 

(v)           Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or L/C Advances to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c), shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Credit Lender may have against such L/C Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default; or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (other than delivery by the Borrower of a Loan Notice).  No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by such L/C Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided herein.

 

(vi)           If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer any amount required to be paid by such Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii), then, without limiting the other provisions of this Agreement, such L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Credit Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to such L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by such L/C Issuer in connection with the foregoing.  If such Revolving Credit Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Loan included in the relevant Revolving Credit Borrowing or L/C Advance in respect of the relevant L/C Borrowing, as the case may be.  A certificate of the applicable L/C Issuer submitted to any Revolving Credit Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(d)           Repayment of Participations.

 

(i)           At any time after the applicable L/C Issuer has made a payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Revolving Credit Lender’s L/C Advance in respect of such payment in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if the Administrative Agent receives for the account of such L/C Issuer any payment in respect of the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof in Dollars and in same day funds.

 

(ii)           If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i) is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by such L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such L/C Issuer its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned by such Revolving Credit Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect.  The obligations of the Revolving Credit Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

 

  

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(e)           Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

 

(i)           any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;

 

(ii)           the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), such L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

 

(iii)           any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

 

(iv)           waiver by such L/C Issuer of any requirement that exists for such L/C Issuer’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by such L/C Issuer which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;

 

(v)           honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;

 

(vi)           any payment made by such L/C Issuer in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;

 

(vii)           any payment by such L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by such L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law;

 

(viii)           any adverse change in the relevant exchange rates or in the availability of the relevant Alternative Currency to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or in the relevant currency markets generally; or

 

(ix)           any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

 

The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the applicable L/C Issuer.  The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the applicable L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

 

(f)           Role of L/C Issuers. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the applicable L/C Issuer shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document.  None of the applicable L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the applicable L/C Issuer shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Revolving Credit Lenders or the Required Revolving Lenders, as applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or Issuer Document.  The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement.  None of the applicable L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the applicable L/C Issuer shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in clauses (i) through (ix) of Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim against the applicable L/C Issuer, and the applicable L/C Issuer may be liable to the Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by the applicable L/C Issuer’s willful misconduct or gross negligence or the applicable L/C Issuer’s willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s) strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the applicable L/C Issuer may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the applicable L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.  The applicable L/C Issuer may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.

 

(g)           Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the applicable L/C Issuer shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and the applicable L/C Issuer’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the applicable L/C Issuer required under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the applicable L/C Issuer or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade - International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.

 

(h)           Letter of Credit Fees.  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance, subject to Section 2.16, with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”), in Dollars, for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit.  For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.09.  Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) due and payable on the first Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (ii) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears.  If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, upon the request of the Required Revolving Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default Rate.

 

(i)           Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C Issuers. The Borrower shall pay directly to the applicable L/C Issuer for its own account, in Dollars, a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit, at a rate per annum equal to 0.125% (or such lesser amount to any respective L/C Issuer as the Borrower may agree to in writing with such L/C Issuer), computed on the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit on a quarterly basis in arrears  Such fronting fee shall be due and payable on the tenth Business Day after the end of each March, June, September and December in respect of the most recently-ended quarterly period (or portion thereof, in the case of the first payment), commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand.  For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.09.  In addition, the Borrower shall pay directly to the applicable L/C Issuer for its own account, in Dollars, the customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard costs and charges, of such L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time to time in effect.  Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.

 

(j)           Conflict with Issuer Documents.  In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.

 

(k)           Letter of Credit Reports.  For so long as any Letter of Credit issued by an L/C Issuer is outstanding, such L/C Issuer shall deliver to the Administrative Agent on the last Business Day of each calendar month, and on each date that an L/C Credit Extension occurs with respect to any such Letter of Credit, a report in the form of Exhibit K, appropriately completed with the information for every outstanding Letter of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer.

 

(l)           Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries.  Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit.  The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

 

 

  

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2.04           Swing Line Loans.

 

(a)           The Swing Line.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swing Line Lender, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, shall make loans in Dollars (each such loan, a “Swing Line Loan”) to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the Availability Period with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Swing Line Sublimit, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with the Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans and L/C Obligations of the Lender acting as Swing Line Lender, may exceed the amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment; provided, however, that (x) after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, and (ii) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender shall not exceed such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment, (y) the Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Swing Line Loan to refinance any outstanding Swing Line Loan, and (z) the Swing Line Lender shall not be under any obligation to make any Swing Line Loan if it has, or by such Credit Extension may have, Fronting Exposure.  Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.04, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.04.  Each Swing Line Loan shall be a Base Rate Loan.  Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Revolving Credit Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.

 

(b)           Borrowing Procedures.  Each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to be borrowed, which shall be a minimum of $100,000, and (ii) the requested borrowing date, which shall be a Business Day.  Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.  Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not, the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) of the contents thereof.  Unless the Swing Line Lender has received notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at the request of any Revolving Credit Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed Swing Line Borrowing (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the first proviso to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (B) that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Article IV is not then satisfied (and one or more such conditions are not, in fact, satisfied), then, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 3:00 p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of the Swing Line Lender with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to, and reasonably acceptable to, the Swing Line Lender by the Borrower.

 

(c)           Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.

 

(i)           The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request on its behalf), that each Revolving Credit Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount of Swing Line Loans then outstanding.  Such request shall be made in writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Loan Notice for purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, but subject to the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments and the conditions set forth in Section 4.02.  The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a copy of the applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such notice to the Administrative Agent.  Each Revolving Credit Lender shall make an amount equal to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount specified in such Loan Notice available to the Administrative Agent in Same Day Funds (and the Administrative Agent may apply Cash Collateral available with respect to the applicable Swing Line Loan) for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative Agent’s Office for Dollar-denominated payments not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Revolving Credit Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount.  The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.

 

(ii)           If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be refinanced by such a Revolving Credit Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Revolving Credit Lenders fund its risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Revolving Credit Lender’s payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed payment in respect of such participation.

 

(iii)           If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any amount required to be paid by such Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Credit Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swing Line Lender in connection with the foregoing.  If such Revolving Credit Lender pays such amount (with interest and fees as aforesaid), the amount so paid shall constitute such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Loan included in the relevant Revolving Credit Borrowing or funded participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan, as the case may be.  A certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(iv)           Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, or (C) any other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing; provided, however, that each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) is subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02.  No such funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with interest as provided herein.

 

(d)           Repayment of Participations.

 

(i)           At any time after any Revolving Credit Lender has purchased and funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof in the same funds as those received by the Swing Line Lender.

 

(ii)           If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances described in Section 10.05 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each Revolving Credit Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate.  The Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the Swing Line Lender.  The obligations of the Revolving Credit Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

(e)           Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender.  The Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Loans.  Until each Revolving Credit Lender funds its Base Rate Loan or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of such Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

 

(f)           Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender.  The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly to the Swing Line Lender.

 

2.05           Prepayments. (a)  Optional.  (i)  The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon (1) three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, (2) four Business Days (or five, in the case of prepayment of Loans denominated in Special Notice Currencies) prior to any date of prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, and (3) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars shall be in a principal amount of $2,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; (C) any prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies shall be in a minimum principal amount of the Alternative Currency Equivalent of $2,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; and (D) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding.  Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurocurrency Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s ratable portion of such prepayment (based on such Lender’s Applicable Percentage in respect of the relevant Facility).  If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein; provided that a notice of optional prepayment may state that such notice is conditional upon the effectiveness of any facility or instrument refinancing all or a portion of the outstanding Term Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments or upon the consummation of an acquisition transaction, in which case such notice of prepayment may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified date) if such condition is not satisfied. Any prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.  Each prepayment of the outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) shall be applied to the principal repayment installments thereof on a pro-rata basis.  Subject to Section 2.16, each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages in respect of each of the relevant Facilities.

 

(ii)           The Borrower may, upon notice to the Swing Line Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at any time or from time to time, voluntarily prepay Swing Line Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty; provided that (A) such notice must be received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date of the prepayment, and (B) any such prepayment shall be in a minimum principal amount of $100,000.  Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment.  If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein.

 

 

  

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(b)           Mandatory.

 

(i)           If any Loan Party Disposes of any property pursuant to Section 7.05(g) which results in the realization by such Person of Net Cash Proceeds, the Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of Term Loans (if any) equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds promptly upon receipt thereof by such Person (such prepayments to be applied as set forth in clause (ii) below); provided, however, that, with respect to any Net Cash Proceeds described in this Section 2.05(b)(i), at the election of the Borrower (as notified by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent promptly following the consummation of such Disposition), and so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such Loan Party may use all or any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds to acquire, maintain, develop, construct, improve, upgrade or repair assets useful in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or to make Acquisitions permitted under Section 7.02(f), so long as within 365 days after the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds, such use shall have been consummated (as certified by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent) (provided that to the extent such use has not consummated on or before the end of such 365-day period, if the Borrower certifies to the Administrative Agent that the Loan Party has entered into a binding commitment to use all or a portion of such Net Cash Proceeds for such reinvestment, such 365-day period shall be extended to 545 days from the date of the consummation of the applicable Disposition for all or such portion, as the case may be, of such Net Cash Proceeds); and provided further, however, that any Net Cash Proceeds not subject to such definitive agreement or so used shall be promptly applied to the prepayment of the Term Loans as set forth in this Section 2.05(b)(i).

 

(ii)           Each prepayment of Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(i) shall be applied to the principal repayment installments of the Term Loans on a pro-rata basis.  Subject to Section 2.16, such prepayments shall be paid to the Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages in respect of the Term Loan Facility.

 

(iii)           If for any reason the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings at any time exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments at such time, then within four Business Days after receipt of notice thereof from the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Credit Loans, Swing Line Loans and/or L/C Borrowings and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05(b)(iii) unless, after the prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans, the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

 

(iv)           If the Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies at such time exceeds an amount equal to 105% of the Alternative Currency Sublimit then in effect, then, within four Business Days after receipt of notice thereof from the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall prepay Revolving Credit Loans in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such Outstanding Amount as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed 100% of the Alternative Currency Sublimit then in effect.

 

(v)           Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.16, prepayments of the Revolving Credit Facility made pursuant to this Section 2.05(b), first, shall be applied ratably to the L/C Borrowings and the Swing Line Loans, and second, shall be applied ratably to the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans.

 

2.06           Termination or Reduction of Revolving Credit Commitments.

 

(a)           Optional.  The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, or from time to time permanently reduce the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. three Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $2,000,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof or such lesser amount as is equal to the entire unused balance of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit, as applicable, (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce (A) the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Credit Outstandings would exceed the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, (B) the Letter of Credit Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations not fully Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit, or (C) the Swing Line Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans would exceed the Swing Line Sublimit and (iv) if, after giving effect to any reduction or termination of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, the Alternative Currency Sublimit, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit exceeds the amount of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, such Sublimit shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.  The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Lenders of any such notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit.  The amount of any such Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment reduction shall not be applied to the Alternative Currency Sublimit or Letter of Credit Sublimit unless otherwise specified by the Borrower.  Any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments shall be applied to the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender according to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage.  All fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of all of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.  A notice of termination or reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Swing Line Sublimit delivered by the Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of any facility or instrument refinancing all or a portion of the outstanding Term Loans or Revolving Credit Commitments or upon the consummation of an acquisition transaction, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if such condition is not satisfied.

 

(b)           Mandatory.  The aggregate Term Loan Commitments shall be automatically and permanently reduced to zero at 1:00 p.m. on the last day of the Availability Period for the Term Loan Facility.

 

2.07           Repayment of Loans.

 

(a)           Term Loans.  If the Term Loan Facility has been funded in accordance with Section 2.01(a), then the Borrower shall repay Term Loans to the Term Loan Lenders in quarterly principal installments on the dates and in the principal amounts set forth on Schedule 2.07(a) (which principal amounts shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.05); provided, however, that the final principal repayment installment of the Term Loans shall be repaid on the Maturity Date and in any event shall be in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans outstanding on such date.

 

(b)           Revolving Credit Loans.  The Borrower shall repay to the Revolving Credit Lenders on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on such date.

 

(c)           Swing Line Loans.  The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on the earlier to occur of (i) the date ten Business Days after such Loan is made and (ii) the Maturity Date.

 

2.08           Interest.

 

(a)           Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurocurrency Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate plus (in the case of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan of any Lender denominated in an Alternative Currency, which Loan is lent from a Lending Office in the United Kingdom or a Participating Member State) the Mandatory Cost; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate; and (iii) each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

 

(b)           (i)           If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

(ii)           If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

(iii)           While any Event of Default exists under Section 8.01(f) of this Agreement, the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

(iv)           Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists (other than as set forth in clauses (b)(i), (b)(ii) and (b)(iii) above), the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

(v)           Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

 

(c)           Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein.  Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

 

  

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2.09           Fees.  In addition to certain fees described in subsections (h) and (i) of Section 2.03:

 

(a)           Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage, a commitment fee in Dollars equal to the Applicable Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments exceeds the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Credit Loans and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16. For the avoidance of doubt, the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line Loans shall not be counted towards or considered usage of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments for purposes of determining the commitment fee. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period.  The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

 

(b)           Ticking Fee.  If the Term Loan Facility has not been funded in accordance with Section 2.01(a) on or before the date that is 45 days after the Closing Date a ticking fee in Dollars shall accrue from such date until the earlier of the date upon which Term Loans are made pursuant to Section 2.01(a) hereof and the date upon which the Availability Period with respect to the Term Loan Facility terminates (such date, the “Ticking Fee Termination Date”) (including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met) in an amount equal to the Applicable Rate times the aggregate Term Loan Commitments.  Such ticking fee shall be due and payable to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Term Loan Lender in accordance with its Applicable Percentage, on the Ticking Fee Termination Date, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.16.

 

(c)           Other Fees. (i) The Borrower shall pay to (A) MLPFS and the Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts, in Dollars, fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter, and (B) any other Arranger (other than MLPFS), for its own account, in Dollars, fees as may be separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times specified in such agreements.  Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

(ii)           The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders, in Dollars, such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified.  Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

 

2.10           Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate.

 

(a)           All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed.  All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year), or, in the case of interest in respect of Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies (other than Euro, Sterling, Yen and Singapore Dollars) as to which the market practice differs from the foregoing, in accordance with such market practice.  Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day.  Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

(b)           If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Borrower or for any other reason, the Borrower or the Lenders determine that (i) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, promptly on demand by the Administrative Agent (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code, automatically and without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest and fees actually paid for such period.  This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under Section 2.03(c)(iii), 2.03(h) or 2.08(b) or under Article VIII.  The Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

 

2.11           Evidence of Debt.

 

(a)           The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business.  The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon.  Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.  Upon the request of any Lender to the Borrower made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records.  Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount, currency and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

(b)           In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection (a) above, each Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans.  In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.

 

2.12           Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.

 

(a)           General.  All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein and except with respect to principal of and interest on Revolving Credit Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in Same Day Funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder with respect to principal and interest on Revolving Credit Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable Administrative Agent’s Office in such Alternative Currency and in Same Day Funds not later than the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent on the dates specified herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may require that any payments due under this Agreement be made in the United States.  If, for any reason, the Borrower is prohibited by any Law from making any required payment hereunder in an Alternative Currency, the Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the Alternative Currency payment amount.  The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Applicable Percentage in respect of the relevant Facility (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office.  All payments received by the Administrative Agent (i) after 2:00 p.m., in the case of payments in Dollars, or (ii) after the Applicable Time specified by the Administrative Agent in the case of payments in an Alternative Currency, shall in each case be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.  If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

 

 

  

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(b)           (i)  Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent.  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Eurocurrency Rate Loans (or, in the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 1:00 p.m. on the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount.  In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in Same Day Funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the Overnight Rate, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans.  If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period.  If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.  Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

 

(ii)           Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent.  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuer hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Appropriate Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount due.  In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Appropriate Lenders or the applicable L/C Issuer, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, in Same Day Funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the Overnight Rate.

 

A notice from the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

(c)           Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent.  If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Article IV are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

 

(d)           Obligations of Lenders Several.  The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Term Loans and Revolving Credit Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint.  The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such participation or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).

 

(e)           Funding Source.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

 

2.13           Sharing of Payments by Lenders.  If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of (a) Obligations in respect of any of the Facilities due and payable to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations due and payable to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations in respect of the Facilities due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations in respect of the Facilities due and payable to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all the Lenders at such time or (b) Obligations in respect of any of the Facilities owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time in excess of its ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of such Obligations owing (but not due and payable) to such Lender at such time to (ii) the aggregate amount of the Obligations in respect of the Facilities owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time) of payments on account of the Obligations in respect of the Facilities owing (but not due and payable) to all Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents at such time obtained by all of the Lenders at such time, then, in each case under clauses (a) and (b) above, the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (A) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (B) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and subparticipations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of Obligations in respect of the Facilities then due and payable to the Lenders or owing (but not due and payable) to the Lenders, as the case may be, provided that:

 

(i)           if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

 

(ii)           the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender), (B) the application of Cash Collateral provided for in Section 2.15, or (C) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or subparticipations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans to any assignee or participant, other than an assignment to the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

 

The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

2.14           Revolving Credit Facility Increase.

 

(a)           Request for Revolving Credit Increase.  Upon notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Revolving Credit Lenders), the Borrower may from time to time, request an increase in the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments by an amount (for all such requests) not exceeding $75,000,000; provided that any such request for an increase shall be in a minimum amount of $25,000,000 and in increments of $5,000,000 in excess thereof or, if less, the entire remaining unused amount.  At the time of sending such notice, the Borrower (in consultation with the Administrative Agent) shall specify the time period within which each Revolving Credit Lender is requested to respond (which shall in no event be less than five Business Days from the date of delivery of such notice to the Revolving Credit Lenders).

 

(b)           Revolving Credit Lender Elections to Increase.  Each Revolving Credit Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent within such time period whether or not it agrees to increase its Revolving Credit Commitment and, if so, whether by an amount equal to, greater than, or less than its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of such requested increase.  Any Revolving Credit Lender not responding within such time period shall be deemed to have declined to increase its Revolving Credit Commitment.

 

(c)           Notification by Administrative Agent; Additional Revolving Credit Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and each Revolving Credit Lender of the Revolving Credit Lenders’ responses to each request made hereunder.  To achieve the full amount of a requested increase, and subject to the approval of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender (which approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Borrower may also invite additional Eligible Assignees to become Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to a customary joinder agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel.

 

(d)           Effective Date and Allocations.  If the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments are increased in accordance with this Section 2.14, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall determine the effective date (the “Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date”) and the final allocation of such increase.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Revolving Credit Lenders of the final allocation of such increase and the Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date.

 

(e)           Conditions to Effectiveness of Increase.  As a condition precedent to such increase, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate of each Loan Party dated as of the Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date signed by a Responsible Officer of such Loan Party (i) certifying and attaching the resolutions adopted by such Loan Party approving or consenting to such increase, and (ii) in the case of the Borrower, certifying that, before and after giving effect to such increase, (A) the representations and warranties contained in Article V and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent that such representation and warranty is qualified by reference to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case it shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent that such representation and warranty is qualified by reference to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case it shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 2.14, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01, and (B) no Default or Event of Default exists.  The Borrower shall prepay any Revolving Credit Loans outstanding on the Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date (and pay any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05) to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans ratable with any revised Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages arising from any nonratable increase in the Revolving Credit Commitments under this Section.  On any Revolving Credit Increase Effective Date, each Revolving Credit Lender that increased its Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to this Section 2.14 and each Eligible Assignee that became a Revolving Credit Lender in connection with this Section 2.14 (i) will be deemed to have purchased a participation in each then outstanding Eurocurrency Rate Loan that remains unpaid and Letter of Credit equal to its Applicable Percentage of such Revolving Credit Loan or Letter of Credit and the participation of each other Revolving Credit Lender in such Letter of Credit shall be adjusted accordingly and (ii) will acquire (and will pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Revolving Credit Lender, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to) its Applicable Percentage of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations.

 

(f)           Conflicting Provisions.  This Section shall supersede any provisions in Section 2.13 or 10.01 to the contrary.

 

 

  

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2.15           Cash Collateral.

 

(a)           Certain Credit Support Events.  If (i) the applicable L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, (ii) as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, (iii) the Borrower shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 8.02(c), or (iv) there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower shall promptly (in the case of clause (iii) above) or within four Business Days (in all other cases) following any request by the Administrative Agent or the applicable L/C Issuer, provide Cash Collateral in an amount not less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount (determined in the case of Cash Collateral provided pursuant to clause (iv) above, after giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).  In addition, if at any time that the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations at such time exceeds 105% of the Letter of Credit Sublimit then in effect, then, within four Business Days after receipt of notice from the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an amount equal to the amount by which the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations exceeds the Letter of Credit Sublimit.

 

(b)           Grant of Security Interest.  The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.15(c).  If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent or the L/C Issuers as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in blocked, interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. The Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.

 

(c)           Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.15 or Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.16 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations, obligations to fund participations therein (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Revolving Credit Lender that is a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.

 

(d)           Release.  Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce Fronting Exposure or to secure other obligations shall be released promptly following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure or other obligations giving rise thereto (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Revolving Credit Lender (or, as appropriate, its assignee following compliance with Section 10.06(b)(vi))) or (ii) the good-faith determination by the Administrative Agent and each L/C Issuer that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (x) any such release shall be without prejudice to, and any disbursement or other transfer of Cash Collateral shall be and remain subject to, any other Lien conferred under the Loan Documents and the other applicable provisions of the Loan Documents, and (y) the Person providing Cash Collateral and each L/C Issuer may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

 

2.16           Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a)           Adjustments.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as that Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable Law:

 

(i)           Waivers and Amendments.  Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders”, “Required Revolving Lenders”, “Required Term Loan Lenders” and Section 10.01.

 

(ii)           Defaulting Lender Waterfall.  Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article VIII or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 10.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, if such Defaulting Lender is a Revolving Credit Lender, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; third, if such Defaulting Lender is a Revolving Credit Lender, to Cash Collateralize any L/C Issuer’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.15; fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) if such Defaulting Lender is a Revolving Credit Lender, Cash Collateralize any L/C Issuer’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.15; sixth, in the case of a Defaulting Lender under any Facility, to the payment of any amounts owing to the other Lenders under such Facility (in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, including any L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender) as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender under such Facility (in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, including any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender) against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender's breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or L/C Borrowings in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and L/C Obligations owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders under the applicable Facility on a pro rata basis (and ratably among all applicable Facilities computed in accordance with the Defaulting Lenders’ respective funding deficiencies) prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or L/C Obligations owed to, such Defaulting Lender under the applicable Facility until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments hereunder without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv).  Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.16(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

(iii)           Certain Fees.

 

(A)           No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) or (b) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).

 

(B)           Each Defaulting Lender which is a Revolving Credit Lender shall be entitled to receive Letter of Credit Fees for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.15.

 

(C)           With respect to any fee payable under Section 2.09(a) or (b) or any Letter of Credit Fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender which is a Revolving Credit Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to an L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such L/C Issuer’s or Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

 

(iv)           Reallocation of Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages to Reduce Fronting Exposure.  All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders which are Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Revolving Credit Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any Non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment.  No reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

 

(v)           Cash Collateral, Repayment of Swing Line Loans.  If the reallocation described in clause (a)(iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under applicable Law, (x) first, prepay Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lender’s Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender; provided that such prepayment shall be applied to reduce such Defaulting Lender’s participation in such Swing Line Loans and shall not reduce the participation of any Non-Defaulting Lender in such Swing Line Loans and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the L/C Issuers’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.15.

 

(b)           Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and, in the case that a Defaulting Lender is a Revolving Credit Lender, the Swing Line Lender and the L/C Issuers agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Revolving Credit Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans to be held on a pro rata basis by the Lenders in accordance with their Applicable Percentages (without giving effect to Section 2.16(a)(iv)), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Non-Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

 

  

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ARTICLE III.                                TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

 

3.01           Taxes.

 

(a)           Payments Free of Taxes; Obligation to Withhold; Payments on Account of Taxes.

 

(i)           Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall to the extent permitted by applicable Laws be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable Laws.  If any applicable Laws (as determined in the good faith discretion of the Administrative Agent) require the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by the Administrative Agent or a Loan Party, then the Administrative Agent or such Loan Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding, upon the basis of the information and documentation to be delivered pursuant to subsection (e) below.

 

(ii)           If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) the Administrative Agent shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by the Administrative Agent to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) the Administrative Agent shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with the Code, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

 

(iii)           If any Loan Party or the Administrative Agent shall be required by any applicable Laws other than the Code to withhold or deduct any Taxes from any payment, then (A) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, as required by such Laws, shall withhold or make such deductions as are determined by it to be required based upon the information and documentation it has received pursuant to subsection (e) below, (B) such Loan Party or the Administrative Agent, to the extent required by such Laws, shall timely pay the full amount withheld or deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with such Laws, and (C) to the extent that the withholding or deduction is made on account of Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after any required withholding or the making of all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01) the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such withholding or deduction been made.

 

(b)           Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower.  Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, but without duplication, the Borrower shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

 

(c)           Tax Indemnifications.  (i) Without duplication of the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrower shall, and does hereby, indemnify each Recipient, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 3.01) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  The Borrower shall, and does hereby indemnify the Administrative Agent, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, for any amount which a Lender or an L/C Issuer for any reason fails to pay indefeasibly to the Administrative Agent as required pursuant to Section 3.01(c)(ii) below.  Upon making such payment to the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall be subrogated to the rights of the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3.01(c)(ii) below against the applicable Defaulting Lender or L/C Issuer (other than the right of set off pursuant to the last sentence of Section 3.01(c)(ii)).

 

(ii)           Each Lender and each L/C Issuer shall, and does hereby, severally indemnify, and shall make payment in respect thereof within 10 days after demand therefor, (x) the Administrative Agent against any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender or such L/C Issuer (but only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so), (y) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as applicable, against any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 10.06(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, as applicable, against any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority.  A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  Each Lender and each L/C Issuer hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this clause (ii).

 

(d)           Evidence of Payments.  Upon request by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, after any payment of Taxes by the Borrower or by the Administrative Agent to a Governmental Authority as provided in this Section 3.01, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Borrower, as the case may be, the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of any return required by Laws to report such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be.

 

(e)           Status of Lenders; Tax Documentation.

 

(i)           Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding.  In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

 

  

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

 

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

 

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

 

(I)           executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN;

 

(II)           executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI;

 

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

 

(IV)           executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY, accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN, a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-2 or Exhibit J-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Foreign Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Foreign Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Foreign Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

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

 

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

 

(iii)           Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 3.01 expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(f)           Treatment of Certain Refunds.  Unless required by applicable Laws, at no time shall the Administrative Agent have any obligation to file for or otherwise pursue on behalf of a Lender or an L/C Issuer, or have any obligation to pay to any Lender or any L/C Issuer, any refund of Taxes withheld or deducted from funds paid for the account of such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be.  If any Recipient determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses and net of any loss or gain realized in the conversion of such funds from or to another currency (including Taxes) incurred by such Recipient, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Recipient, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Recipient in the event the Recipient is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection, in no event will the applicable Recipient be required to pay any amount to the Borrower pursuant to this subsection the payment of which would place the Recipient in a less favorable net after-Tax position than such Recipient would have been in if the indemnification payments or additional amounts giving rise to such refund had never been paid.  This subsection shall not be construed to require any Recipient to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

 

(g)           Survival.  Each party’s obligations under this Section 3.01 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender or an L/C Issuer, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all other Obligations.

 

3.02           Illegality.  If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Loans whose interest is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate (whether denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency), or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars or any Alternative Currency in the applicable interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, (i) any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurocurrency Rate Loans in the affected currency or currencies or, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in Dollars, to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist.  Upon receipt of such notice, (x) the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable and such Loans are denominated in Dollars, convert all such Eurocurrency Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of such Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by the Administrative Agent without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans and (y) if such notice asserts the illegality of such Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, the Administrative Agent shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to such Lender without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component thereof until the Administrative Agent is advised in writing by such Lender that it is no longer illegal  for such Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate.  Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

 

3.03           Inability to Determine Rates.  If the Required Revolving Lenders (in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility) or the Required Term Loan Lenders (in the case of the Term Loan Facility) determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) deposits (whether denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency) are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank eurodollar market for such currency for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan (whether denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency) or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender.  Thereafter, (x) the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans in the affected currency or currencies shall be suspended, and (y) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Revolving Lenders (in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility) or the Required Term Loan Lenders (in the case of the Term Loan Facility)) revokes such notice.  Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in the affected currency or currencies under the appropriate Facility or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans under the appropriate Facility in the amount specified therein.

 

 

  

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3.04           Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans.

 

(a)           Increased Costs Generally.  If any Change in Law occurring after the date that such Lender or L/C Issuer first became a Lender or L/C Issuer, as applicable, shall:

 

(i)           impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except (A) any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e) and (B) the requirements of the Bank of England and the Financial Services Authority or the European Central Bank reflected in the Mandatory Cost, other than as set forth below) or any L/C Issuer;

 

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

 

(iii)           result in the failure of the Mandatory Cost, as calculated hereunder, to represent the cost to any Lender of complying with the requirements of the Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority or the European Central Bank in relation to its making, funding or maintaining Eurocurrency Rate Loans; or

 

(iv)           impose on any Lender or any L/C Issuer or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan the interest on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or such L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or such L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b)           Capital Requirements.  If any Lender or any L/C Issuer determines that any Change in Law occurring after the date that such Lender or L/C Issuer first became a Lender or L/C Issuer, as applicable, affecting such Lender or such L/C Issuer or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swing Line Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by such L/C Issuer, to a level below that which such Lender or such L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the L/C Issuer’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such L/C Issuer or such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)           Certificates for Reimbursement.  A certificate of a Lender or an L/C Issuer setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or such L/C Issuer or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower shall include a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating such amount or amounts and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d)           Delay in Requests.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any L/C Issuer to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or such L/C Issuer pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six months prior to the date that such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such L/C Issuer’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

(e)           Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans. The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, (i) as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurocurrency Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), and (ii) as long as such Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided that the Borrower shall have received at least ten days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such additional interest from such Lender, together with a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed to such Lender under this Section 3.04(e).  If a Lender fails to give notice ten days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable ten days from receipt of such notice.

 

(f)           For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 (i) shall not entitle any Recipient to compensation in respect of any Connection Income Taxes or Taxes described in clauses (b) through (f) of the definition of “Excluded Taxes”, (ii) shall not apply to (A) Indemnified Taxes imposed on payments by or on account of any obligations of the Borrower or under any Loan Document, (B) Other Taxes, or (C) any Excluded Taxes imposed with respect to payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document, it being understood that such Indemnified Taxes Other Taxes and Excluded Taxes shall be governed exclusively by Section 3.01 and (iii) shall not relieve any Lender or L/C Issuer of any obligation pursuant to Section 3.01(e) nor entitle any Lender or L/C Issuer to any duplication of any right pursuant to, or payment made pursuant to, Section 3.01.

 

3.05           Compensation for Losses.  Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), which demand shall include a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating amounts owed to such Lender pursuant to this Section 3.05, from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense actually incurred, without duplication of any amounts to which a Lender is otherwise entitled pursuant to the other provisions of this Article III, by it as a result of:

 

(a)           any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

 

(b)           any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower;

 

(c)           any failure by the Borrower to make payment of any Loan or drawing under any Letter of Credit (or interest due thereon) denominated in an Alternative Currency on its scheduled due date or any payment thereof in a different currency; or

 

(d)           any assignment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13;

 

including any foreign exchange losses and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained or from the performance of any foreign exchange contract (but excluding any loss of anticipated profits).  The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

 

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurocurrency Rate Loan made by it at the Eurocurrency Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the offshore interbank market for such currency for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurocurrency Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

 

 

  

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3.06           Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

 

(a)           Designation of a Different Lending Office.  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or requires the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender, any L/C Issuer, or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender or any L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender or such L/C Issuer shall, as applicable, use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender or such L/C Issuer, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender or any L/C Issuer in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)           Replacement of Lenders.  If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or has invoked the provisions of Section 3.02, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.

 

3.07           Survival.  All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments, repayment of all other Obligations hereunder, and resignation of the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE IV.                                CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

4.01           Conditions to Effectiveness.  This Agreement shall become effective on the date that each of the following conditions have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 10.01):

 

(a)           The Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

 

(i)           executed counterparts of each of this Agreement, the Guaranty, the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the IP Security Agreement, and each other Collateral Document, sufficient in number for distribution to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Borrower;

 

(ii)           a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;

 

(iii)           such customary certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party;

 

(iv)           such customary documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and that the Borrower and each Guarantor is validly existing and in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization;

 

(v)           favorable opinions of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, as New York counsel to the Loan Parties, Prickett, Jones & Elliott, P.A., as Delaware counsel to the Loan Parties and H. Carol Bernstein, General Counsel to the Borrower, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender;

 

(vi)           a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party either (A) attaching copies of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect, or (B) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required;

 

(vii)           a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying (A) that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied, and (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since September 30, 2011 that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(viii)           evidence that the Existing Credit Agreement has been or concurrently with the Closing Date is being terminated;

 

(ix)           searches of ownership of intellectual property in the appropriate governmental offices and such patent/trademark/copyright filings as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in order to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in intellectual property that constitutes Collateral;

 

(x)           completed UCC financing statements for each appropriate jurisdiction as is necessary, in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable discretion, to perfect the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral;

 

(xi)           stock or membership certificates, if any, evidencing the Equity Interests pledged pursuant to the Collateral Documents and undated stock or transfer powers duly executed in blank; in each case to the extent such Equity Interests are certificated;

 

(xii)           to the extent required to be delivered pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Documents, all instruments, documents and chattel paper in the possession of any of the Loan Parties, together with note powers, allonges or assignments as may be necessary or appropriate to perfect the Administrative Agent’s and the Secured Parties’ security interest in the Collateral;

 

(xiii)           executed counterparts of the Post-Closing Agreement;

 

(xiv)           subject to the Post-Closing Agreement, copies of insurance declaration pages, certificates and endorsements of insurance evidencing liability and property insurance meeting the requirements set forth herein or in the Collateral Documents;

 

(xv)           a solvency certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as to the Solvency of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date; and

 

(xvi)           such other customary instruments, certificates or documents as the Administrative Agent the Required Lenders reasonably may request to the extent such requests are provided in writing at least five Business Days in advance of the Closing Date.

 

(b)           Any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid.

 

(c)           Unless waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have paid, to the extent required herein, all reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced at least two Business Days prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the Closing Date.

 

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

 

 

  

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4.02           Conditions to all Credit Extensions.  The obligation of each Lender and each L/C Issuer to honor the initial Request for Credit Extension and each other Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)           Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article V or any other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent that such representation and warranty is qualified by reference to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case it shall be true and correct in all respects) on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (except to the extent that such representation and warranty is qualified by reference to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case it shall be true and correct in all respects) as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to subsections (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01.

 

(b)           No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

 

(c)           The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the relevant L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

 

(d)           In the case of a Credit Extension to be denominated in an Alternative Currency, there shall not have occurred any change in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls which in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, the Required Revolving Lenders (in the case of any Loans to be denominated in an Alternative Currency) or the applicable L/C Issuer (in the case of any Letter of Credit to be denominated in an Alternative Currency) would make it impracticable for such Credit Extension to be denominated in the relevant Alternative Currency.

 

(e)           In the case of a Term Loan Borrowing, all fees required to be paid (if any) pursuant to Section 2.09(b) shall have been paid or shall be paid substantially simultaneously with such Term Loan Borrowing or with the proceeds thereof.

 

Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

 

ARTICLE V.                                REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:

 

5.01           Existence, Qualification and Power.  Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.02           Authorization; No Contravention.  The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is party, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien (other than Liens created under the Loan Documents) under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law, except, in each case referred to in clauses (b) and (c), to the extent that such conflict, breach, contravention, creation, payment or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.03           Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.  No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) the grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents, (c) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Collateral Documents (including the first priority nature thereof, subject to Permitted Liens) or (d) the exercise by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of its rights under the Loan Documents or the remedies in respect of the Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents, in each case other than (i) those that have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to the Administrative Agent for filing and/or recordation, as of the Closing Date and (iii) those the failure of which to obtain or make could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.04           Binding Effect.  This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto.  This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

5.05           Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

 

(a)           The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.

 

(b)           The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries dated December 31, 2011, and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

(c)           Since September 30, 2011, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.06           Litigation.  Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.06, there are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, in each case, in writing, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that, either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.07           No Default.  Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is in default under or with respect to any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

5.08           Ownership of Property; Liens.  Each of the Borrower and each Subsidiary has good and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  The property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

 

5.09           Environmental Compliance.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, except the non-compliance thereof that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

  

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5.10           Insurance.  The properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary operates.

 

5.11           Taxes.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all Federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP, except, in each case, where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect.  There is no proposed tax assessment against the Borrower or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.12           ERISA Compliance.

 

(a)           Except as could not, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Plan and Foreign Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Laws.  Each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the IRS to be exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS.  To the best knowledge of the Borrower, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status, except as could not reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Borrower.

 

(b)           There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened claims, actions or  lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that  could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c)           (i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (ii) the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) as of the most recent actuarial report for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is 60% or higher and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below 60% as of the most recent valuation date; (iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (v) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction with respect to a Pension Plan that could reasonably be expected to be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vi) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or, to the knowledge of the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates, exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.

 

(d)           With respect to each scheme or arrangement mandated by a government other than the United States (a “Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement”) and with respect to each employee benefit plan maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any Subsidiary that is not subject to United States Law (a “Foreign Plan”):

 

(i)           any employer and employee contributions required by Law or by the terms of any Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement or any Foreign Plan have been made, or, if applicable, accrued, in accordance with applicable generally accepted accounting practices in the relevant jurisdiction;

 

(ii)           the fair market value of the assets of each Foreign Plan required to be funded by applicable Law, the liability of each insurer for any Foreign Plan required to be funded through insurance or the book reserve established for any Foreign Plan to the extent required by generally accepted accounting practices in the relevant jurisdiction, together with any accrued contributions, is sufficient to procure or provide for the accrued benefit obligations, as of the date hereof, with respect to all current and former participants in such Foreign Plan according to the actuarial assumptions and valuations most recently used to account for such obligations in accordance with applicable generally accepted accounting principles in the relevant jurisdiction; and

 

(iii)           each Foreign Plan required to be registered under applicable Law has been registered and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.

 

5.13           Subsidiaries.  As of the Closing Date, the Borrower has no Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed on Schedule 5.13.

 

5.14           Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.

 

(a)           The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.

 

(b)           None of the Borrower, any Person Controlling the Borrower, or any Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

5.15           Disclosure.  The Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.  No report, financial statement, certificate or other written information furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case, as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished, and when taken together with any disclosures made by the Borrower in any publicly available filings with the SEC) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, taken as a whole, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to financial estimates, projected or forecasted financial information and other forward-looking information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time made, it being understood that (a) such estimates, projections, forecasts and other forward-looking information, as to future events, are not to be viewed as facts and that the actual results may differ significantly from the projected or forecasted information or results and that such differences may be material and that such estimates, projections, forecasts and forward-looking information are not a guarantee of financial performance and (b) no representation or warranty is made with respect to information of a general economic or general industry nature.

 

5.16           Compliance with Laws.  Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.17           Taxpayer Identification Number.  The Borrower’s true and correct U.S. taxpayer identification number as of the Closing Date is set forth on Schedule 10.02.

 

5.18           Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.  The Borrower and its Subsidiaries own, or possess the right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights (collectively, “IP Rights”) that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict with the rights of any other Person, except where the failure to own or possess the right to use such IP Rights or such conflicts could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  To the knowledge of the Borrower, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by the Borrower or any Subsidiary infringes upon any rights held by any other Person except where such infringements, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.19           OFAC. No Loan Party, nor (to the knowledge of any Loan Party) any Affiliate of the Borrower: (a) is a Sanctioned Person, (b) has any of its assets in Sanctioned Entities, or (c) derives any of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Entities, in each case, that would constitute a violation of applicable Laws. The proceeds of any Credit Extension will not be used and have not been used to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity, in each case, that would constitute a violation of applicable Laws.

 

5.20           Solvency.  The Borrower is, individually, and together with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, Solvent.

 

5.21           Collateral Documents.  The provisions of the Collateral Documents are effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties in the Collateral described therein.  Upon the filing of appropriate Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in the appropriate governmental offices, the Liens created by the Collateral Documents will be perfected Liens, to the extent the filing of such financing statements are effective to perfect such Liens.

 

 

  

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ARTICLE VI.                                AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

 

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder (other than (i) obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements or Secured Hedge Agreements not yet due and payable and (ii) contingent indemnification obligations), shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit that has not been Cash Collateralized shall remain outstanding, the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03 and 6.11) cause each Subsidiary to:

 

6.01           Financial Statements.  Deliver to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly furnish such information to each Lender):

 

(a)           as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit;

 

(b)           as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012), a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, the related consolidated statements of income for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, and the related consolidated statement of cash flows for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, in each case setting forth in comparative form, as applicable, the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes; and

 

(c)           as soon as practical and in any event within 45 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012), a consolidated operating budget (including revenues and expenses) and consolidated financial projections for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a quarterly basis for such upcoming fiscal year (including the fiscal year in which the Maturity Date occurs), prepared by management of the Borrower.

 

As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(d), the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under subsection (a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in subsections (a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.

 

6.02           Certificates; Other Information.  Deliver to the Administrative Agent (which will promptly furnish such information to each Lender):

 

(a)           concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a), a certificate of its independent certified public accountants certifying such financial statements and stating that in making the examination necessary therefor no knowledge was obtained of any Default under the financial covenants set forth herein or, if any such Default shall exist, stating the nature and status of such event (which certificate may be limited to the extent required by applicable accounting rules, policies or guidelines);

 

(b)           concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b) (commencing with the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2012), (i) a duly completed Compliance Certificate and (ii) if applicable, a duly completed certificate as set forth in the last paragraph of the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA”, in each case signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower (which delivery may, unless the Administrative Agent, or a Lender requests executed originals, be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes);

 

(c)           promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of the Borrower by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them;

 

(d)           promptly after the same are publicly available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the Borrower, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Borrower may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;

 

(e)           promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation (or possible investigation or other inquiry that the Borrower believes is reasonably likely to lead to an investigation) by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, to the extent permitted by Law; and

 

(f)           promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(d) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are delivered to the Administrative Agent for posting on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents pursuant to clause (i) above and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.  The Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery of or to maintain paper copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request by a Lender for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers may, but shall not be obligated to, make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on Debt Domain, IntraLinks, Syndtrak or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities.  The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information;” and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.”  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no obligation to mark any Borrower Materials “PUBLIC.”

 

6.03           Notices.  Promptly after a Responsible Officer of the Borrower obtains knowledge thereof, notify the Administrative Agent (which  will promptly thereafter furnish to the Lenders):

 

(a)           of the occurrence of any Default;

 

(b)           of the occurrence of any event or matter (including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws) that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c)           of the occurrence of any ERISA Event that could reasonably be expected to result in material liability to the Borrower; and

 

(d)           of the occurrence of any Disposition of property or assets for which the Borrower is required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(i).

 

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 (other than Section 6.03(d)) shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.  Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.

 

 

  

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6.04           Payment of Obligations.  Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its obligations and liabilities, including (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property; and (c) all Indebtedness, as and when due and payable, but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness, in each case, except the extent that the failure to pay and discharge such obligations, assessments, charges, levies, claims, Indebtedness and liabilities could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.05           Preservation of Existence, Etc.  (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing (or equivalent status, if any) under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05 and except, in the case of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, except to the extent the non-preservation of such registered patent, trademarks, trade name or service mark could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.06           Maintenance of Properties.  (a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; and (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.07           Maintenance of Insurance.  Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons.

 

6.08           Compliance with Laws.  Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.09           Books and Records.  (a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; and (b) maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

 

6.10           Inspection Rights.  Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its officers, and independent public accountants, all at such reasonable times during normal business hours, with reasonable frequency and upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided, however, that, excluding any such visits and inspections during the continuation of an Event of Default, (x) only the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders may exercise rights under this Section 6.10, (y) the first such inspection in each calendar year shall be conducted at the sole expense (which expenses shall be documented, reasonable and customary) of the Borrower without charge to the Administrative Agent and (z) any additional such inspections in a calendar year after the first such inspection in such calendar year shall be conducted at the sole expense of the Administrative Agent without charge to the Borrower; provided further however, that when an Event of Default exists, the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and upon at least one day’s advance notice to the Borrower (provided that such advance notice shall not be required to the extent that the giving of such notice would be prohibited by Law or would, in the good faith judgment of the Administrative Agent, be likely to have an adverse effect on the interests of the Lenders).  The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall give the Borrower the opportunity to participate in any discussions with the Borrower’s accountants.

 

6.11           Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions for general corporate purposes not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document including, but not limited to, (a) acquisitions, distributions and dividends (including the payment of the Special Dividend) which are not prohibited hereunder, and (b) the refinancing of certain Indebtedness of the Borrower, including Indebtedness outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement.

 

6.12           Additional Subsidiaries.  As soon as practicable (but in any event within thirty (30) days or, in any such case, such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its reasonable discretion) after the acquisition, creation or designation of any Domestic Subsidiary (or the date a Subsidiary otherwise qualifies as a Domestic Subsidiary), cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent each of the following:

 

(a)           a Guaranty Joinder Agreement duly executed by such Domestic Subsidiary;

 

(b)           a Security Joinder Agreement duly executed by such Subsidiary (with all schedules thereto appropriately completed) and, if such Person owns material intellectual property and the Administrative Agent so requests, an IP Security Joinder Agreement (with all schedules thereto appropriately completed), together with such Uniform Commercial Code financing statements on Form UCC-1 or otherwise duly executed, if applicable, by such Subsidiary as “Debtor” and naming the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as “Secured Party,” in form, substance and number sufficient in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to be filed in all Uniform Commercial Code filing offices in all jurisdictions in which filing is necessary or advisable to perfect in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties the Lien on Collateral conferred under such Collateral Document to the extent such Lien may be perfected by Uniform Commercial Code filing, and if such Subsidiary owns any Domestic Subsidiary or Direct Foreign Subsidiary, a Pledge Joinder Agreement (with all schedules thereto appropriately completed) duly executed by such Subsidiary;

 

(c)           a Pledge Joinder Agreement (or an amendment to a Pledge Joinder Agreement or a Pledge Agreement Supplement, as applicable) by the direct owner of the Equity Interests in such Subsidiary, which Pledge Joinder Agreement (or amendment or supplement) effects the pledge of the Equity Interests in such Subsidiary pursuant to the Pledge Agreement, together with such Uniform Commercial Code financing statements on Form UCC-1 or otherwise duly executed by such pledgor as “Debtor” and naming the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as “Secured Party,” in form, substance and number sufficient in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to be filed in all Uniform Commercial Code filing offices in all jurisdictions in which filing is necessary or advisable to perfect in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties the Lien on such Equity Interests;

 

(d)           if requested by the Administrative Agent, an opinion of counsel to the Subsidiary dated as of the date of delivery of the Guaranty Joinder Agreement and other Loan Documents provided for in this Section 6.12 and addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, including opinions, assumptions and qualifications similar to those contained in the opinions of counsel delivered pursuant to Section 4.01(a);

 

(e)           the documents described in Sections 4.01(a)(iii), (iv), (vi), (xi) and (xii) with respect to such Subsidiary; and

 

(f)           evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that all taxes, filing fees, recording fees related to the perfection of the Liens securing the Secured Obligations have been paid and all reasonable costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection therewith have been paid.

 

6.13           Further Assurances.  Promptly upon request by the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may reasonably require from time to time in order to (i) carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents, (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject any Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ properties, assets, rights or interests to the Liens now or hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Collateral Documents, (iii) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Collateral Documents and any of the Liens intended to be created thereunder and (iv) assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm more effectively unto the Secured Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document or under any other instrument executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is or is to be a party, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to do so.

 

6.14           Compliance with Contracts.  Comply in all respects with each term, condition and provision of all of its Contractual Obligations, except where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may contest any such Contractual Obligation in good faith through applicable proceedings so long as adequate reserves are maintained in accordance with GAAP.

 

 

  

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ARTICLE VII.                                NEGATIVE COVENANTS

 

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation (other than (i) obligations under Secured Cash Management Agreements or Secured Hedge Agreements not yet due and payable and (ii) contingent indemnification obligations) hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit that has not been Cash Collateralized shall remain outstanding, the Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

 

7.01           Liens.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than the following:

 

(a)           Liens pursuant to any Loan Document (including Liens on Cash Collateral and Liens granted in favor of an L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(a)(iii)(E));

 

(b)           Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that, with respect to the Liens listed on Schedule 7.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof, (i) the property covered thereby is not changed (other than (I) after-acquired property that is affixed or incorporated into the property covered by such Lien and (II) proceeds and products thereof), (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased except as contemplated by Section 7.03(b), (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed, and (iv) any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 7.03(b) or such obligations do not constitute Indebtedness;

 

(c)           Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

 

(d)           carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;

 

(e)           pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

 

(f)           deposits or other security to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations (including obligations under Environmental Laws), surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

(g)           easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, do not secure monetary obligations that are material in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;

 

(h)           Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h);

 

(i)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(e); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness (and any accessions, additions, replacements or improvements thereon or proceeds thereof) and (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of acquisition;

 

(j)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(f);

 

(k)           other Liens in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000;

 

(l)           Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(g);

 

(m)           Liens on any assets of any Person at the time such assets are acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary or such Person becomes a Subsidiary (in a transaction otherwise permitted hereunder) or is merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower or a Subsidiary and, in each case, not created in contemplation of or in connection with such event; provided that (i) no such Lien shall extend to or cover any other property or assets of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary (including such Person), as the case may be, and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations that it secures on the date of such Acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary (or is so merged, amalgamated or consolidated) and any refinancing or replacement thereof;

 

(n)           any interest of title of a lessor or licensor, and leases or licenses granted by the Borrower or any Subsidiaries to others, in each case in the ordinary course of business and not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business;

 

(o)           Liens of sellers of goods to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries arising under Article 2 of the UCC or similar provisions of applicable Law in the ordinary course of business, covering only the goods sold and securing only the unpaid purchase price for such goods and related expenses;

 

(p)           Liens arising pursuant to Law in favor of a Governmental Authority in connection with the importation of goods in the ordinary course of business;

 

(q)           Liens arising as a matter of law or created in the ordinary course of business in the nature of (i) normal and customary rights of setoff and banker’s liens upon deposits of cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions and (ii) Liens securing reasonable and customary fees for services in favor of banks, securities intermediaries or other depository institutions; and

 

(r)           Liens attaching to earnest money deposits (or equivalent deposits otherwise named) made in connection with proposed acquisitions permitted under this Agreement.

 

 

  

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7.02           Investments.  Make any Investments, except:

 

(a)           Investments held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of cash and Cash Equivalents;

 

(b)           Loans and advances to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower and Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding or as otherwise required by operation of law or a legally binding commitment relating to insurance or indemnity obligations;

 

(c)           Investments of (i) the Borrower in any Guarantor that is a Subsidiary, (ii) any Guarantor in the Borrower or another Guarantor that is a Subsidiary, (iii) any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in the Borrower, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, and (iv) the Borrower or any Guarantor in any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, in each instance, in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice;

 

(d)           (i) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;

 

(e)           Guarantees permitted by Section 7.03;

 

(f)           Investments in the form of Acquisitions; provided that, immediately before and immediately after giving effect to any such Acquisition, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (including without limitation any Event of Default arising from any failure to comply with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11) and (ii) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be at least 0.25 to 1.00 less than the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio in effect on the date of such Acquisition, in each case such calculation to be determined pursuant to Section 1.03(c) and on the basis of the financial information most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) as though such Acquisition had been consummated as of the first day of the four consecutive fiscal-quarter period covered thereby;

 

(g)           Investments in respect of any Internal Restructuring;

 

(h)           Investments as a result of any transaction permitted under Section 7.04 or 7.05;

 

(i)           Investments existing on, or pursuant to legally binding written commitments in existence on, the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.02 and, in each case, any extensions, modifications, refinancings or renewals thereof so long as the amount of any Investment made pursuant to this clause (i) is not increased at any time above the amount of such Investment existing or committed, as applicable, on the date hereof;

 

(j)           Investments of a Person (i) existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or consolidates or merges with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or (ii) that are acquired as part of an Acquisition, in each case, so long as such Investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or of such consolidation or merger or other Acquisition;

 

(k)           Investments resulting from any pledge permitted under Section 7.01;

 

(l)           deposits, prepayments, advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business;

 

(m)           Investments in respect of Swap Contracts permitted by Section 7.03(d);

 

(n)           Investments consisting of the redemption, purchase, repurchase or retirement of Equity Interests permitted under Section 7.06; and

 

(o)           other Investments not exceeding (i) $5,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year of the Borrower and (ii) $15,000,000 in the aggregate over the term of this Agreement.

 

7.03           Indebtedness.  Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

 

(a)           Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;

 

(b)           Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.03 and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (i) the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder and (ii) the terms relating to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness, and of any agreement entered into and of any instrument issued in connection therewith, are no less favorable in any material respect to the Loan Parties or the Lenders than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate;

 

(c)           (i) Guarantees of any Loan Party in respect of Indebtedness of any other Loan Party otherwise permitted hereunder, (ii) Guarantees of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in respect of Indebtedness of the Borrower, any Guarantor or any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor and (iii) Guarantees of the Borrower or any Guarantor in respect of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(d)           obligations (contingent or otherwise) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, property or business held or conducted or reasonably anticipated to be held or conducted by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market view;” and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;

 

(e)           Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Leases, Synthetic Lease Obligations and purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(i); provided that immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (including without limitation any Event of Default arising from any failure to comply with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11), such calculation to be determined pursuant to Section 1.03(c) and on the basis of the financial information most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) as though such Indebtedness had been incurred as of the first day of the four consecutive fiscal-quarter period covered thereby; provided, further, that the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness shall not exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(f)           Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(g)           Indebtedness of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor; provided that (i) such Indebtedness shall not be Guaranteed by the Borrower or any Guarantor (except to the extent otherwise permitted under this Section 7.03) and (ii) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (including without limitation any Event of Default arising from any failure to comply with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11), such calculation to be determined pursuant to Section 1.03(c) and on the basis of the financial information most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) as though such Indebtedness had been incurred as of the first day of the four consecutive fiscal-quarter period covered thereby;

 

(h)           unsecured Indebtedness of any Person that becomes, and continues as, a Subsidiary after the date hereof and unsecured Indebtedness in respect of assets acquired pursuant to an Acquisition and existing at the time of such Acquisition; provided that (i) no such Indebtedness is created in contemplation of such Acquisition, (ii) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (including without limitation any Event of Default arising from any failure to comply with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11), such calculation to be determined pursuant to Section 1.03(c) and on the basis of the financial information most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b), (iii) such Indebtedness has a stated maturity date that is at least three months after the Maturity Date and (iv) such Indebtedness either (A) contains terms and covenants that are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the terms and covenants set forth in this Agreement or (B) to the extent that the terms and covenants in respect of such Indebtedness are more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the terms and covenants set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be amended (which amendment shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.01, require the consent of only the Administrative Agent) prior to, or simultaneously with, the issuance of any such Indebtedness so that the terms and covenants in this Agreement shall be no less restrictive; provided, however, that, if all other conditions set forth in this clause (h) have otherwise been satisfied, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be permitted to incur Indebtedness with a maturity date that is not at least three months after the Maturity Date in an aggregate amount of $10,000,000 at any time outstanding;

 

(i)           unsecured Indebtedness not otherwise permitted hereunder; provided that (i) immediately before and immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (including without limitation any Event of Default arising from any failure to comply with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11) such calculation to be determined pursuant to Section 1.03(c) and on the basis of the financial information most recently delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b), (ii) such Indebtedness has a stated maturity date that is at least three months after the Maturity Date and (iii) such Indebtedness either (A) contains terms and covenants that are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the terms and covenants set forth in this Agreement or (B) to the extent that the terms and covenants in respect of such Indebtedness are more restrictive, taken as a whole, than the terms and covenants set forth in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be amended (which amendment shall, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 10.01, require the consent of only the Administrative Agent) prior to, or simultaneously with, the issuance of any such Indebtedness so that the terms and covenants in this Agreement shall be no less restrictive; and

 

 

  

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(j)           any other Indebtedness incurred as a result of a transaction permitted under Article VII (including Indebtedness owed by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary or any Indebtedness owed by the Borrower to any Subsidiary that is permitted as an Investment pursuant to Section 7.02, Indebtedness incurred in connection with an Investment or Disposition permitted hereunder constituting indemnification obligations or obligations in respect of purchase price or similar adjustments, and Indebtedness representing the deferred obligation to purchase common stock or common stock options permitted under Section 7.06).

 

7.04           Fundamental Changes.  Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that:

 

(a)           any Subsidiary may merge with (i) the Borrower, provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries, provided that when any Guarantor is merging with another Subsidiary, the continuing or surviving Person shall be a Guarantor;

 

(b)           any Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution, winding up or otherwise) to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a Guarantor, then the transferee must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor;

 

(c)           (i) any Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate with any other Person, and (ii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it; provided that in the case of any such merger to which (x) the Borrower is a party, the surviving Person shall be the Borrower, and (y) any Guarantor is a party, the surviving Person shall be a Guarantor;

 

(d)           the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make (i) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.05, (ii) Investments made in accordance with Section 7.02, and (iii) Restricted Payments made in accordance with Section 7.06; and

 

(e)           the Borrower or any Subsidiary may engage in any such transaction in connection with or in order to effect the Internal Restructuring.

 

7.05           Dispositions.  Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:

 

(a)           Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property, in the ordinary course of business, or of property no longer used or useful in the business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, in each case whether now owned or hereafter acquired;

 

(b)           (i) Dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business and (ii) Dispositions of cash and Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c)           Dispositions of equipment or real property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

 

(d)           Dispositions of property by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Borrower or to any other Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property is the Borrower or a Guarantor, the transferee thereof must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor or such transfer must otherwise be permitted as an Investment pursuant to Section 7.02;

 

(e)           Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04 (other than clause (d)(i) thereof), the making of any Investments permitted by Section 7.02, the creation, incurrence or assumption of any Lien permitted under Section 7.01 and the making of any Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.06;

 

(f)           (i) Dispositions of inventory, the lease or subleasing of interests in real property, the surrender or waiver of contractual rights or the settlement and the release or surrender of contract or tort, in each case, in the ordinary course of business and (ii) the licensing, whether exclusive or non-exclusive, of intellectual property to the extent such licensing does not materially interfere with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

 

(g)           Dispositions by any Loan Party not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.05; provided that the aggregate book value of all property Disposed of in reliance on this clause (g) in any fiscal year shall not exceed $15,000,000 during such year; and

 

(h)           Dispositions by any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor not otherwise permitted under this Section 7.05; provided that the aggregate book value of all property Disposed of in reliance on this clause (h) in any fiscal year shall not exceed $15,000,000 during such year;

 

(i)           Dispositions of property to the extent that such property constitutes an Investment permitted by Section 7.02;

 

(j)           Dispositions of auction rate securities;

 

provided, however, that any Disposition pursuant to this Section 7.05(a), (b), (c), (d) (but solely with respect to Dispositions by Loan Parties to non-Guarantor Subsidiaries), and (f) through (j) shall be for fair market value;

 

(k)           Dispositions in connection with or in order to effect the Internal Restructuring; and

 

(l)           the sale or discount or factoring, in each case without recourse and in the ordinary course of business, of overdue accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business.

 

 

  

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7.06           Restricted Payments.  Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:

 

(a)           so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (both immediately before and immediately after the making of such Restricted Payment, including without limitation, any Event of Default arising from any failure to comply with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11):

 

(i)           the Borrower and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common Equity Interests of such Person;

 

(ii)           the Borrower and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Equity Interests issued by it with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock or other common Equity Interests;

 

(iii)           the Borrower or any Subsidiary may distribute rights pursuant to a stockholder rights plan or redeem such rights in accordance with the terms of such plan;

 

(iv)           the Borrower and each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to shareholders of any Person (other than an Affiliate of the Borrower) acquired by merger pursuant to an acquisition permitted under this Agreement;

 

(v)           the Borrower may pay any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Agreement (including the other provisions of this Section 7.06); and

 

(vi)           the Borrower may make cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchange for Equity Interests in the Borrower or arising out of stock dividends, splits, combinations or business combinations;

 

(b)           the Borrower may repurchase Equity Interests issued by it that have been withheld in respect of taxes payable upon the vesting of equity awards to pursuant to the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ equity incentive plans or program;

 

(c)           the Borrower may pay the Special Dividend;

 

(d)           the Borrower may make Restricted Payments, pursuant to and in accordance with equity compensation plans or programs and other benefit and compensation plans, programs or agreements for directors, officers, employees or advisors of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

 

(e)           each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to (i) the Borrower, (ii) the Guarantors, (iii) any other Subsidiary and (iv) so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (both immediately before and immediately after the making of such Restricted Payment, including without limitation, any Event of Default arising from any failure to comply with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11), any other Person that owns an Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made;

 

(f)           the Borrower may declare or pay cash dividends to its stockholders;

 

(g)           the Borrower may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for cash Equity Interests issued by it; and

 

(h)           the Borrower may repurchase Equity Interests upon the exercise of stock options if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options.

 

7.07           Change in Nature of Business.  Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business substantially related, reasonably complementary or incidental thereto.

 

7.08           Transactions with Affiliates.  Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than (a) on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Borrower or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, (b) any transactions between or among the Borrower and any Subsidiary or between and among any Subsidiaries to the extent not otherwise prohibited hereunder, (c) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.06 and Investments permitted by Section 7.02 and (d) (i) customary fees to, and indemnifications of, directors of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and (ii) employment and severance arrangements for and compensation, bonuses, stock option and stock ownership plans and indemnification arrangements and benefit plans (and the making of payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant thereto or the funding thereof) for officers, directors and employees of the Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and approved by the Board of Directors of the respective Loan Party.

 

7.09           Burdensome Agreements.  Enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that (a) limits the ability (i) of any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any Guarantor or to otherwise transfer property to the Borrower or any Guarantor, (ii) of any Subsidiary to Guarantee the Indebtedness of the Borrower or (iii) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person, or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure an obligation of such Person if a Lien is granted to secure another obligation of such Person; provided, however, that this Section 7.09 shall not prohibit:

 

(A)           a negative pledge contained in either (x) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary in existence on the date that such Subsidiary became a Subsidiary so long as such Indebtedness was not entered into solely in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary or (y) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.09, in each case so long as such provision does not impair or conflict with any Collateral Document or with Section 6.12 hereof;

 

(B)           such provisions as may be contained in any refinancing or replacing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03; provided that the terms of such provisions shall be no less favorable in any material respect to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as were contained in the Indebtedness being refinanced or replaced;

 

(C)           provisions contained in the terms of any agreement governing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03 and provisions contained in the terms of any agreement governing Liens permitted under Section 7.01 that impose restrictions on the property subject to such Liens;

 

(D)           agreements restricting assignments, subletting or other transfers contained in leases, licenses, joint venture agreements and similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business, in each case relating solely to the assets subject to such lease or license or assets relating solely to such joint venture agreement;

 

(E)           provisions contained in sales agreements, purchase agreements, acquisition agreements (including by way of merger, acquisition or consolidation) entered into by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of a transaction permitted hereunder and solely to the extent in effect pending the closing of such transaction;

 

(F)           customary provisions restricting assignment or transfer of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

(G)           any such limitations or requirements that are binding on a Person at the time such Person first became a Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as all such limitations and requirements were not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary of the Borrower, together with any replacement agreement thereof so long as the terms thereof are not materially less favorable to such Subsidiary.

 

7.10           Use of Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.

 

 

  

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7.11           Financial Covenants.

 

(a)           Consolidated Leverage Ratio.  Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower ending on the last day of each fiscal quarter during the periods set forth below to be greater than the ratio set forth below opposite such period:

 

	
Four Fiscal Quarters Ending

	
Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio

	
June 30, 2012 through June 30, 2013

	
3.00 to 1.00

	
September 30, 2013 through June 30, 2014

	
2.75 to 1.00

	
September 30, 2014 and thereafter

	
2.50 to 1.00

 

(b)           Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  Permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2012), to be less than 1.25 to 1.00.

 

7.12           Amendments to Organization Documents.  With respect to the Borrower and each Guarantor, amend, modify or change its Organization Documents in any material respect if such amendment, modification or change would have a Material Adverse Effect on the interests of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, taken as a whole.

 

ARTICLE VIII.                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

8.01           Events of Default.  Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

 

(a)           Non-Payment.  The Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, and in the currency required hereunder, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or (ii) within three days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

 

(b)           Specific Covenants.  The Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.05(a) (solely with respect to a Loan Party), 6.10, or 6.12 or Article VII of the Credit Agreement, or any term, covenant or agreement contained in the Post-Closing Agreement; or

 

(c)           Other Defaults.  Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days following the earlier of (i) notice thereof to the Borrower from the Administrative Agent or any Lender and (ii) the date on which a Responsible Officer knew or reasonably should have known; provided that, if the default is curable and such Loan Party is making diligent efforts to cure such default, in each case as determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, such Loan Party shall have an additional 60 days after said 30 days to cure the default; or

 

(d)           Representations and Warranties.  Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party in Article V, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made (except to the extent such representation or warranty is qualified by reference to materiality or Material Adverse Effect, in which case it shall be true and correct in all respects); or

 

(e)           Cross-Acceleration.  (i) Any Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) in excess of $10,000,000, shall become due (A) before the stated maturity by acceleration of the maturity thereof by reason of breach or default or (B) by its terms and shall not be paid, or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as defined in such Swap Contract) under such Swap Contract as to which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is an Affected Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than $10,000,000; or

 

(f)           Insolvency Proceedings, Etc.  Any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

 

(g)           Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment.  (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 30 days after its issue or levy; or

 

(h)           Judgments.  There is entered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments or orders) exceeding $10,000,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage) and (i) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (ii) there is a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

 

(i)           ERISA.  (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of $10,000,000; or

 

(j)           Invalidity of Loan Documents; Collateral Documents.  Any (i) provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document or (ii) Collateral Document shall for any reason (other than pursuant to the terms thereof) cease to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on the Collateral purported to be covered thereby; or

 

(k)           Change of Control.  There occurs any Change of Control.

 

 

  

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8.02           Remedies Upon Event of Default.  If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

 

(a)           declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of each L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

 

(b)           declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;

 

(c)           require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto); and

 

(d)           exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers under the Loan Documents;

 

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of each L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

8.03           Application of Funds.  After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Sections 2.15 and 2.16, be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

 

First, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

Second, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the L/C Issuers and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

Third, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuers in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, L/C Borrowings and Secured Obligations then owing under Secured Hedge Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements, ratably among the Lenders, the L/C Issuers, the Hedge Banks and the Cash Management Banks in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them;

 

Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer, to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized by the Borrower pursuant to Sections 2.03 and 2.15; and

 

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.

 

Subject to Sections 2.03(c) and 2.15, amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fifth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur.  If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Secured Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements shall be excluded from the application described above if the Administrative Agent has not received written notice thereof, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.  Each Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank not a party to this Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of Article IX for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

 

ARTICLE IX.                                ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

9.01           Appointment and Authority.  (A)                                                                Each of the Lenders and each of the L/C Issuers hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  Except as expressly provided in Section 9.06 or 9.10, the provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions (other than the rights of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as set forth in Section 9.06 and the provisions of Section 9.10).  It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable Law.  Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

 

(b)           The Administrative Agent shall also act as the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Hedge Bank and a potential Cash Management Bank) and each of the L/C Issuers hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and such L/C Issuer for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Loan Parties to secure any of the Secured Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto.  In this connection, the Administrative Agent, as “collateral agent” and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 9.05 for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Collateral Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent), shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article IX and Article X (including Section 10.04(c), as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the “collateral agent” under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.

 

9.02           Rights as a Lender.  The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity.  Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

 

  

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9.03           Exculpatory Provisions.  The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)           shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

(b)           shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and

 

(c)           shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment.  The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given in writing to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or an L/C Issuer.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

 

9.04           Reliance by Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person.  The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon.  In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or such L/C Issuer unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or such L/C Issuer prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit.  The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

9.05           Delegation of Duties.  The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties.  The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

 

9.06           Resignation of Administrative Agent.

 

(a)           The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Borrower.  Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States, and in each case such successor shall require the consent of the Borrower at all times other than during the existence of an Event of Default under Section 8.01(f) (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).  If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) on behalf of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above.  Whether or not a successor has been appointed (and whether or not the Borrower has consented to any such successor as provided for herein), such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

(b)           If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

 

(c)           With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the L/C Issuers under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (2) except for any indemnity payments or other amounts then owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and each L/C Issuer directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or removed) Administrative Agent (other than as provided in Section 3.01(g) and other than any rights to indemnity payments or other amounts owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent as of the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date, as applicable), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section).  The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.  After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

(d)           Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as an L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender.  If Bank of America resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as an L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c).  If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c). Upon the appointment by the Borrower of a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder (which successor shall in all cases be a Lender other than a Defaulting Lender), (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as applicable, (b) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America  with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

 

  

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9.07           Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.  Each Lender and each L/C Issuer acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender and each L/C Issuer also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

 

9.08           No Other Duties, Etc.  Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Joint Lead Arrangers, Joint Book Managers, Syndication Agent or Documentation Agent listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an L/C Issuer hereunder.

 

9.09           Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim; Credit Bidding. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a)           to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Secured Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the L/C Issuers and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.03(h) and (i), 2.09 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

(b)           to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same in accordance with this Agreement;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and each L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or any L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Secured Obligations or the rights of any Lender or any L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or any L/C Issuer in any such proceeding.

 

The Loan Parties and the Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, based upon the instruction of the Lenders, to (a) credit bid and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar Laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, or (b) credit bid and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral at any other sale or foreclosure conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with applicable Law.  In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Secured Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Secured Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims being estimated for such purpose if the fixing or liquidation thereof would not unduly delay the ability of the Administrative Agent to credit bid and purchase at such sale or other disposition of the Collateral and, if such claims cannot be estimated without unduly delaying the ability of the Administrative Agent to credit bid, then such claims shall be disregarded, not credit bid, and not entitled to any interest in the asset or assets purchased by means of such credit bid) and the Secured Parties whose Secured Obligations are credit bid shall be entitled to receive interests (ratably based upon the proportion of their Secured Obligations credit bid in relation to the aggregate amount of Secured Obligations so credit bid) in the asset or assets so purchased (or in the Equity Interests of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are used to consummate such purchase).  Except as provided above and otherwise expressly provided for herein or in the other Collateral Documents, the Administrative Agent will not execute and deliver a release of any Lien on any Collateral.  Upon request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower at any time, the Secured Parties will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release any such Liens on particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 9.09.

 

9.10           Collateral and Guaranty Matters.  Each of the Lenders (including in its capacities as a potential Cash Management Bank and a potential Hedge Bank) and each of the L/C Issuers irrevocably direct the Administrative Agent:

 

(a)           to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon the Facility Termination Date, (ii) that is sold or otherwise disposed of or to be sold or otherwise disposed of as part of or in connection with any sale or other disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders in accordance with Section 10.01;

 

(b)           to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 7.01(i); and

 

(c)           to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents.

 

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10.  In each case as specified in this Section 9.10, the Administrative Agent will (and each of the Secured Parties irrevocably authorizes and directs the Administrative Agent to), at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents or to subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10.

 

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon, or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

 

9.11           Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.  Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, no Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank that obtains the benefit of the provisions of Section 8.03, the Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or any Collateral Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) (or to notice of or to consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or of the Guaranty or any Collateral Document) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements except to the extent expressly provided herein and unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Secured Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.  The Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements in the case of a Facility Termination Date.

 

 

  

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ARTICLE X.                                MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.01           Amendments, Etc.  Except as otherwise set forth herein, no amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

 

(a)           waive any condition set forth in Section 4.01(a) without the written consent of each Lender, except as otherwise provided therein;

 

(b)           extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender, except for an increase to the Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments as provided in Section 2.14;

 

(c)           postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

 

(d)           reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby and entitled to such amount; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest or Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;

 

(e)           change (i) Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender or (ii) the order of application of any reduction in the Commitments or any prepayment of Loans among the Facilities from the application thereof set forth in the applicable provisions of Section 2.05(b) or 2.06, respectively, in any manner that materially and adversely affects the Lenders under a Facility without the written consent of the Required Facility Lenders under such Facility;

 

(f)           amend Section 1.06 or the definition of “Alternative Currency” without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(g)           change any provision of this Section 10.01 or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(h)           release all or substantially all of the Collateral in any transaction or series of related transactions, without the written consent of each Lender;

 

(i)           release all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty without the written consent of each Lender, except to the extent the release of any Subsidiary from the Guaranty is permitted pursuant to Section 9.10 (in which case such release shall be made automatically);

 

(j)           impose any greater restriction on the ability of any Lender under a Facility to assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the written consent of the Required Facility Lenders under such Facility; or

 

(k)           amend Section 9.09 without the written consent of each Lender;

 

and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuers in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of any L/C Issuer under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (iv) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender or all Lenders or each affected Lender under a Facility may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender or all Lenders or each affected Lender under a Facility that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender disproportionately adversely relative to other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.  Further, notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any Loan Document may be waived, amended, supplemented or modified pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (without the consent of any Lender) to correct an immaterial defect or error or to grant a new Lien for the benefit of the Secured Parties or extend an existing Lien over additional property.

 

Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be amended with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (i) to add one or more additional revolving credit or term loan facilities to this Agreement, and to permit the extensions of credit and all related obligations and liabilities arising in connection therewith from time to time outstanding to share ratably (or on a basis subordinated to the existing facilities hereunder) in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the obligations and liabilities from time to time outstanding in respect of the existing facilities hereunder, and (ii) in connection with the foregoing, to permit, as deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Required Lenders, the Lenders providing such additional credit facilities to participate in any required vote or action required to be approved by the Required Lenders or by any other number, percentage or class of Lenders hereunder.

 

10.02           Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.

 

(a)           Notices Generally.  Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone, all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile or electronically as described in subsection (b) as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

 

(i)           if to the Borrower or any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and

 

(ii)           if to any other Lender, to the address, facsimile number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire (including, as appropriate, notices delivered solely to the Person designated by a Lender on its Administrative Questionnaire then in effect for the delivery of notices that may contain material non-public information relating to the Borrower).

 

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient).  Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

 

(b)           Electronic Communications.  Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers hereunder shall be permitted to be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or any L/C Issuer pursuant to Article II if such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication.  The Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, each L/C Issuer and the Borrower agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to electronics mail or procedures approved by it and specified to each other.

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.

 

 

  

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(c)           The Platform.  THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.”  THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS.  NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM.  In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s, any Loan Party’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet.

 

(d)           Change of Address, Etc.  Each of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.  Each other Lender may change its address, facsimile or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender.  In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, facsimile number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.  Furthermore, each Public Lender agrees to cause at least one individual at or on behalf of such Public Lender to at all times have selected the “Private Side Information” or similar designation on the content declaration screen of the Platform in order to enable such Public Lender or its delegate, in accordance with such Public Lender’s compliance procedures and applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws, to make reference to Borrower Materials that are not made available through the “Public Side Information” portion of the Platform and that may contain material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities laws.

 

(e)           Reliance by Administrative Agent, L/C Issuers and Lenders. The Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic or electronic Loan Notices, Letter of Credit Applications and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each L/C Issuer, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower.  All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

10.03           No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement.  No failure by any Lender, any L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.  The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Loan Parties or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Secured Parties; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) any L/C Issuers or the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to any Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders. Each Secured Party, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and of the Guarantees of the Obligations provided under the Loan Documents, to have agreed to the foregoing provisions.

 

10.04           Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

(a)           Costs and Expenses.  The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of McGuireWoods LLP and any other counsel retained with the Borrower’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed)), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any L/C Issuer in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer (including the fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel for the Administrative Agent, and all Lenders and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction (and shall not include, for the avoidance of doubt, the allocated cost of internal counsel) and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interests where the Lender affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict, such Lender’s own counsel after receipt of the Borrower’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

 

(b)           Indemnification by the Borrower.  The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and each L/C Issuer, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of any one counsel for any Indemnitee and, if necessary, one local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction, in each case for all Indemnitees (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest where any Indemnitee affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter, after receipt of the Borrower’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel for such affected Indemnitee)), incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Borrower or any other Loan Party) other than such Indemnitee and its Related Parties arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01), (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by an L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee (or that of any of its respective Subsidiaries or any of their respective officers, directors, employees or members), (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for a material breach of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, or (z) result from claims of any Indemnitee solely against one or more other Indemnitees (and not by one or more Indemnitees against the Administrative Agent or any Arranger in such capacity) that have not resulted from the action, inaction, participation or contribution of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any of their respective Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors or other representatives.  Without limiting the provisions of Section 3.01(c), this Section 10.04(b) shall not apply with respect to Taxes other than any Taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-Tax claim.

 

(c)           Reimbursement by Lenders.  To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), any L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the applicable L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s pro rata share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought based on each Lender’s share of the Total Credit Exposure at such time) of such unpaid amount (including any such unpaid amount in respect of a claim asserted by such Lender), such payment to be made severally among them based on such Lenders’ Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought), provided, further that, the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), any L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender in connection with such capacity.  The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.12(d).

 

 

  

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(d)           Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Person party hereto shall assert, and each such Person hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other such Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee or against the Borrower or any of its Related Parties or any of their respective equity holders or creditors, as applicable, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.  No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

(e)           Payments.  All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor.

 

(f)           Survival.  The agreements in this Section and the indemnity provisions of Section 10.02(e) shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

 

10.05           Payments Set Aside.  To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent, such L/C Issuer or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender and each L/C Issuer severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, in the applicable currency of such recovery or payment.  The obligations of the Lenders and the L/C Issuers under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

 

10.06           Successors and Assigns.

 

(a)           Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void).  Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b)           Assignments by Lenders.  Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b), participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to it); provided that (in each case with respect to any Facility) any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

 

(i)           Minimum Amounts.

 

(A)           in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment under any Facility and/or the Loans at the time owing to it (in each case with respect to any Facility) or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section in the aggregate or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

 

(B)           in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000, in the case of any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, or $5,000.000, in the case of any assignment in respect of the Term Loan Facility, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

(ii)           Proportionate Amounts.  Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not (A) apply to the Swing Line Lender’s rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line Loans or (B) prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate Facilities (and any separate revolving credit or term loan facilities provided pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 10.01) on a non-pro rata basis;

 

(iii)           Required Consents.  No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

 

(A)           the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) Business Days after having received notice thereof;

 

(B)           the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of (i) any unfunded Term Loan Commitment or any Revolving Credit Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Commitment in respect of the applicable Facility, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender or (ii) any Term Loan to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and

 

(C)           the consent of each L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

(iv)           Assignment and Assumption.  The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount of $3,500; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment.  The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

 

(v)           No Assignment to Certain Persons.  No such assignment shall be made (A) to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, (B) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) to a natural Person.

 

(vi)           Certain Additional Payments.  In connection with any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder, no such assignment shall be effective unless and until, in addition to the other conditions thereto set forth herein, the parties to the assignment shall make such additional payments to the Administrative Agent in an aggregate amount sufficient, upon distribution thereof as appropriate (which may be outright payment, purchases by the assignee of participations or subparticipations, or other compensating actions, including funding, with the consent of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, the applicable pro rata share of Loans previously requested but not funded by the Defaulting Lender, to each of which the applicable assignee and assignor hereby irrevocably consent), to (x) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent, any L/C Issuer, the Swing Line Lender or any Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon) and (y) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans in accordance with its Applicable Percentage.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any assignment of rights and obligations of any Defaulting Lender hereunder shall become effective under applicable Law without compliance with the provisions of this paragraph, then the assignee of such interest shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender for all purposes of this Agreement until such compliance occurs.

 

 

  

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(vii)           No Assignment Resulting in Additional Indemnified Taxes.  No such assignment shall be made to any Person that, through its Lending Offices, is not capable of lending the applicable Alternative Currencies to the Borrower without the imposition of any additional Indemnified Taxes.

 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05, and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.  Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender.  Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

 

(c)           Register.  The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts (and stated interest) of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”).  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary.  In addition, the Administrative Agent shall maintain on the Register information regarding the designation, and revocation of the designation, of any Lender as a Defaulting Lender.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

 

(d)           Participations.  Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, a Defaulting Lender or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender’s participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 10.04(c) without regard to the existence of any participation.

 

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any  provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant.  The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 3.01(e) shall be delivered to the Lender who sells the participation) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Sections 3.06 and 10.13 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.01 or 3.04, with respect to any participation, than the Lender from whom it acquired the applicable participation would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation.  Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrower's request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 3.06 with respect to any Participant.  To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender.  Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant's interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations.  The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

(e)           Certain Pledges.  Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(f)           Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender after Assignment.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time Bank of America assigns all of its Revolving Credit Commitment and Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank of America may, (i) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as an L/C Issuer and/or (ii) upon 30 days’ notice to the Borrower, resign as Swing Line Lender.  In the event of any such resignation as an L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the resignation of Bank of America as an L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be.  If Bank of America resigns as an L/C Issuer, it shall retain all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of an L/C Issuer hereunder with respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its resignation as an L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto (including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)).  If Bank of America resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(c).  Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line Lender, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, and (b) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to Bank of America to effectively assume the obligations of Bank of America with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

10.07           Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.  Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its, and its Affiliates’, partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential and that the Administrative Agent, the Lender or the L/C Issuer disclosing such Information to such Affiliate or its or its Affiliates’ partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives shall remain responsible for compliance by such Affiliate or its or such Affiliate’s partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives with the confidentiality obligations described in this Section 10.07), (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; provided that the Person that discloses any Information pursuant to this clause (c) shall notify the Borrower in advance of such disclosure (if permitted by applicable Law) or shall provide the Borrower with prompt written notice of such disclosure, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or any Eligible Assignee invited to be a Lender pursuant to Section 2.14(c) or Section 10.01 or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers or other market identifiers with respect to the credit facilities provided hereunder, (h) with the written consent of the Borrower or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any L/C Issuer or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower not known by such source to be in breach of any duty of confidentiality with respect to such Information.  For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any L/C Issuer on a nonconfidential basis (and not as a result of a breach of a duty of confidentiality owed by such Person to the Borrower with respect to such Information) prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.  Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the L/C Issuers acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including United States Federal and state securities Laws.

 

 

  

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10.08           Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each L/C Issuer and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, such L/C Issuer or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or such L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, L/C Issuer or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of such Lender or such L/C Issuer different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided, that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.16 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff.  The rights of each Lender, each L/C Issuer and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such L/C Issuer or their respective Affiliates may have.  Each Lender and each L/C Issuer agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

10.09           Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”).  If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower.  In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

10.10           Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent or any L/C Issuer, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof.  Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

10.11           Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof.  Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.

 

10.12           Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.12, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provisions in this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, an L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, as applicable, then such provisions shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

 

10.13           Replacement of Lenders.  If the Borrower is entitled to replace a Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.06, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender (if permitted by applicable Law) and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06; provided, that the consent of the assigned Lender shall not be required in connection with any such assignment and delegation), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Sections 3.01 and 3.04) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

 

(a)           the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 10.06(b);

 

(b)           such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

 

(c)           in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim under Section 3.02, the applicable assignee shall not, at the time of such assignment, be subject to Section 3.02;

 

(d)           in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

 

(e)           such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws; and

 

(f)           in the case of an assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Consenting Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

 

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

 

  

49

  

 

 

10.14           Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

 

(A)           GOVERNING LAW.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(B)           SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.  THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, ANY L/C ISSUER, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS  AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY L/C ISSUER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(c)           WAIVER OF VENUE.  THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d)           SERVICE OF PROCESS.  EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

10.15           Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

10.16           No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.  In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (i) (A) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders, on the other hand, (B) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (C) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (ii) (A) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and each Lender is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person and (B) neither the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers nor any Lender has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent, nor any Arranger, nor any Lender has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower and its Affiliates.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

10.17           Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents. The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption or in any amendment or other modification hereof (including waivers and consents) shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Administrative Agent, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

10.18           USA PATRIOT Act.  Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.  The Borrower shall, promptly following a request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information that the Administrative Agent or such Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.

 

10.19           Judgment Currency.  If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent would purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given.  The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency.  If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, the Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, against such loss.  If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in such currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to the Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature pages follow.]

 

 

  

50

  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION, as Borrower

 

By:  /s/ William S. Johnson                                                                

Name:  William S. Johnson                                                                

Title:            Vice President,                                           

 

 Chief Financial Officer

 

 

  

51

  

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as

 

Administrative Agent

 

By:    /s/ Denise Jones                                                                

Name:  Denise Jones

Title:    Assistant Vice President

 

 

  

52

  

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender, an L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender

 

By:  /s/ Patrick R. Keller                                                      

 

Name:    Patrick R. Keller                                                      

 

Title:      Senior Vice President                                                      

 

 

  

53

  

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender

 

By:  /s/ Tamara Roehm                                                      

 

Name:  Tamara Roehm                                                      

 

Title:            Senior Banker                                                      

 

 

  

54

  

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender

 

By:  /s/ Lora Powers                                                                

 

Name:  Lora Powers                                                                

 

Title:            Vice President                                           

 

 

  

55

  

 

BMO HARRIS FINANCING, INC., as a Lender

 

By:  /s/ Isabella Battista                                                      

 

Name:  Isabella Battista                                                      

 

Title:            Vice President                                           

 

 

  

56

  

 

US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender

 

By:  /s/ Mark A. LoSchiavo                                                                

 

Name:  Mark A. LoSchiavo

 

Title:            Vice President

 

 

  

57

  

SCHEDULE 1.01

 

MANDATORY COST FORMULAE

 

	
1.

	
The Mandatory Cost (to the extent applicable) is an addition to the interest rate to compensate Lenders for the cost of compliance with:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
the requirements of the Bank of England and/or the Financial Services Authority (or, in either case, any other authority which replaces all or any of its functions); or

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
the requirements of the European Central Bank.

 

	
2.

	
On the first day of each Interest Period (or as soon as possible thereafter) the Administrative Agent shall calculate, as a percentage rate, a rate (the “Additional Cost Rate”) for each Lender, in accordance with the paragraphs set out below.  The Mandatory Cost will be calculated by the Administrative Agent as a weighted average of the Lenders’ Additional Cost Rates (weighted in proportion to the percentage participation of each Lender in the relevant Loan) and will be expressed as a percentage rate per annum.  The Administrative Agent will, at the request of the Borrower or any Lender, deliver to the Borrower or such Lender as the case may be, a statement setting forth the calculation of any Mandatory Cost.

 

	
3.

	
The Additional Cost Rate for any Lender lending from a Lending Office in a Participating Member State will be the percentage notified by that Lender to the Administrative Agent.  This percentage will be certified by such Lender in its notice to the Administrative Agent to be its reasonable determination of the cost (expressed as a percentage of such Lender’s participation in all Loans made from such Lending Office) of complying with the minimum reserve requirements of the European Central Bank in respect of Loans made from that Lending Office.

 

	
4.

	
The Additional Cost Rate for any Lender lending from a Lending Office in the United Kingdom will be calculated by the Administrative Agent as follows:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
in relation to any Loan in Sterling:

 

	
AB+C(B-D)+E x 0.01

	
per cent per annum

	
100 - (A+C)

	
  

	
(b)

	
in relation to any Loan in any currency other than Sterling:

 

	
E x 0.01

	
per cent per annum

	
300

Where:

 

	
  

	
“A”

	
is the percentage of Eligible Liabilities (assuming these to be in excess of any stated minimum) which that Lender is from time to time required to maintain as an interest free cash ratio deposit with the Bank of England to comply with cash ratio requirements.

 

	
  

	
“B”

	
is the percentage rate of interest (excluding the Applicable Rate, the Mandatory Cost and any interest charged on overdue amounts pursuant to Section 2.08(b) and, in the case of interest (other than on overdue amounts) charged at the Default Rate, without counting any increase in interest rate effected by the charging of the Default Rate) payable for the relevant Interest Period of such Loan.

 

	
  

	
“C”

	
is the percentage (if any) of Eligible Liabilities which that Lender is required from time to time to maintain as interest bearing Special Deposits with the Bank of England.

 

	
  

	
“D”

	
is the percentage rate per annum payable by the Bank of England to the Administrative Agent on interest bearing Special Deposits.

 

	
  

	
“E”

	
is designed to compensate Lenders for amounts payable under the Fees Rules and is calculated by the Administrative Agent as being the average of the most recent rates of charge supplied by the Lenders to the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph 7 below and expressed in pounds per £1,000,000.

 

	
5.

	
For the purposes of this Schedule:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
“Eligible Liabilities” and “Special Deposits” have the meanings given to them from time to time under or pursuant to the Bank of England Act 1998 or (as may be appropriate) by the Bank of England;

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
“Fees Rules” means the rules on periodic fees contained in the FSA Supervision Manual or such other law or regulation as may be in force from time to time in respect of the payment of fees for the acceptance of deposits;

 

	
  

	
(c)

	
“Fee Tariffs” means the fee tariffs specified in the Fees Rules under the activity group A.1 Deposit acceptors (ignoring any minimum fee or zero rated fee required pursuant to the Fees Rules but taking into account any applicable discount rate); and

 

	
  

	
(d)

	
“Tariff Base” has the meaning given to it in, and will be calculated in accordance with, the Fees Rules.

 

	
6.

	
In application of the above formulae, A, B, C and D will be included in the formulae as percentages (i.e. 5% will be included in the formula as 5 and not as 0.05).  A negative result obtained by subtracting D from B shall be taken as zero.  The resulting figures shall be rounded to four decimal places.

 

	
7.

	
If requested by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, each Lender with a Lending Office in the United Kingdom or a Participating Member State shall, as soon as practicable after publication by the Financial Services Authority, supply to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, the rate of charge payable by such Lender to the Financial Services Authority pursuant to the Fees Rules in respect of the relevant financial year of the Financial Services Authority (calculated for this purpose by such Lender as being the average of the Fee Tariffs applicable to such Lender for that financial year) and expressed in pounds per £1,000,000 of the Tariff Base of such Lender.

 

	
8.

	
Each Lender shall supply any information required by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of calculating its Additional Cost Rate.  In particular, but without limitation, each Lender shall supply the following information in writing on or prior to the date on which it becomes a Lender:

 

	
  

	
(a)

	
the jurisdiction of the Lending Office out of which it is making available its participation in the relevant Loan; and

 

	
  

	
(b)

	
any other information that the Administrative Agent may reasonably require for such purpose.

 

Each Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent in writing of any change to the information provided by it pursuant to this paragraph.

 

	
9.

	
The percentages of each Lender for the purpose of A and C above and the rates of charge of each Lender for the purpose of E above shall be determined by the Administrative Agent based upon the information supplied to it pursuant to paragraphs 7 and 8 above and on the assumption that, unless a Lender notifies the Administrative Agent to the contrary, each Lender’s obligations in relation to cash ratio deposits and Special Deposits are the same as those of a typical bank from its jurisdiction of incorporation with a lending office in the same jurisdiction as its Lender’s Lending Office.

 

	
10.

	
The Administrative Agent shall have no liability to any Person if such determination results in an Additional Cost Rate which over- or under-compensates any Lender and shall be entitled to assume that the information provided by any Lender pursuant to paragraphs 3, 7 and 8 above is true and correct in all respects.

 

	
11.

	
The Administrative Agent shall distribute the additional amounts received as a result of the Mandatory Cost to the Lenders on the basis of the Additional Cost Rate for each Lender based on the information provided by each Lender pursuant to paragraphs 3, 7 and 8 above.

 

	
12.

	
Any determination by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Schedule in relation to a formula, the Mandatory Cost, an Additional Cost Rate or any amount payable to a Lender shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

 

	
13.

	
The Administrative Agent may from time to time, after consultation with the Borrower and the Lenders, determine and notify to all parties any amendments which are required to be made to this Schedule in order to comply with any change in law, regulation or any requirements from time to time imposed by the Bank of England, the Financial Services Authority or the European Central Bank (or, in any case, any other authority which replaces all or any of its functions) and any such determination shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

 

 

  

  

  

 

SCHEDULE 2.01

 

COMMITMENTS

AND APPLICABLE PERCENTAGES

 

	
Lender

	
Revolving Credit Commitment

	
Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage

	
Bank of America, N.A.

	
$32,727,272.73

	
32.727272730%

	
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

	
$27,272,727.27

	
27.272727270%

	
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

	
$20,000,000.00

	
20.000000000%

	
BMO Harris Financing, Inc.

	
$12,727,272.73

	
12.727272730%

	
U.S. Bank National Association

	
$7,272,727.27

	
7.272727270%

	
Total

	
$100,000,000.00

	
100.000000000%

 

	
Lender

	
Term Loan

Commitment

	
Applicable Percentage of Term Loan Facility

	
Bank of America, N.A.

	
$57,272,727.27

	
32.727272726%

	
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

	
$47,727,272.73

	
27.272727274%

	
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

	
$35,000,000.00

	
20.000000000%

	
BMO Harris Financing, Inc.

	
$22,272,727.27

	
12.727272726%

	
U.S. Bank National Association

	
$12,727,272.73

	
7.272727274%

	
Total

	
$175,000,000.00

	
100.000000000%

 

 

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 2.03

 

EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT

 

 

	
Applicant Name

	
Letter of Credit Number

	
Issuance Date

	
Expiration Date

	
Beneficiary Name

	
Currency

	
Amount

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
00000003112841

	
6/9/2010

	
4/30/2013

Expiry – open ended.

Note: Automatically extended without amendment for additional one year periods

	
Bank of America U.K. (1)

	
GBP

	
60,000.00

	
QED Technologies International, Inc.

	
00000003118637

	
12/13/2011

	
11/30/2012

	
Bank of America Taiwan (2)

	
USD

	
515,869.00

 

(1) Beneficiary of bank guarantee from Bank of America U.K. is HM Customs and Excise

 

(2) Beneficiary of bank guarantee from Bank of America Taiwan is National Applied Research Laboratories

 

 

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 2.07(a)

 

TERM LOAN REPAYMENT

 

 

	
Date of Amortization Payment

	
Amount of Amortization Payment

	
June 30, 2012

	
$2,187,500.00

	
September 30, 2012

	
$2,187,500.00

	
December 31, 2012

	
$2,187,500.00

	
March 31, 2013

	
$2,187,500.00

	
June 30, 2013

	
$2,187,500.00

	
September 30, 2013

	
$2,187,500.00

	
December 31, 2013

	
$2,187,500.00

	
March 31, 2014

	
$2,187,500.00

	
June 30, 2014

	
$3,281,250.00

	
September 30, 2014

	
$3,281,250.00

	
December 31, 2014

	
$3,281,250.00

	
March 31, 2015

	
$3,281,250.00

	
June 30, 2015

	
$4,375,000.00

	
September 30, 2015

	
$4,375,000.00

	
December 31, 2015

	
$4,375,000.00

	
March 31, 2016

	
$4,375,000.00

	
June 30, 2016

	
$6,562,500.00

	
September 30, 2016

	
$6,562,500.00

	
December 31, 2016

	
$6,562,500.00

	
Term Loan Maturity Date

	
$107,187,500.00

 

 

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 5.06

 

LITIGATION

 

 

None.

 

 

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 5.13

 

SUBSIDIARIES

 

	
1.

	
Cabot Microelectronics Global Corporation

 

	
2.

	
Cabot Microelectronics Polishing Corporation

 

	
3.

	
QED Technologies International, Inc.

 

	
4.

	
Cabot Microelectronics Japan KK

 

	
5.

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

 

	
6.

	
Hanguk Cabot Microelectronics LLC

 

	
7.

	
Cabot Microelectronics Singapore Pte Ltd.

 

	
8.

	
Epoch Material Co., Ltd.

 

 

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 7.01

 

EXISTING LIENS

 

 

Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

 

Jurisdiction -  Delaware Secretary of State

 

File #20074799986

 

File Date:  12/19/2007

 

Secured Party:  Toyota Motor Credit Corporation

 

Collateral:  Two (2) New Toyota's Model 8FGCU25 S/N 16529, 16531

 

 

QED Technologies International, Inc.

 

Jurisdiction - Delaware Secretary of State

 

File #20112028069

 

File Date:  05/27/2011

 

Secured Party:  United Rentals (North America), Inc.

 

Collateral:  Customer #1122726, Equipment #: 752168, Qty: 1, Invoice/Seq# 93622470-001, Make SKYJACK, Model SJIII3219, Description: SCISSOR 19FT ELEC MINI * and the proceeds of the Equipment

 

 

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 7.02

 

EXISTING INVESTMENTS1

 

	
Short Term Investments

	
CUSIP

	
Institution

	
 

	
Balance as of 1/31/12 (1)

	
Fidelity Institutional Money Market Tax-Exempt Portfolio Class I FTCXX

	
316176106

	
Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

	 	
$  116,133

	
Fidelity Institutional Money Market Prime Money Market Portfolio Institutional Class FIPXX

	
31607A208

	
Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

	 	
$  37,926,058

	
BofA Municipal Reserves

	
097100424

	
Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

	 	
$  33,024,000`

	
JPMorgan Tax Free Money Market Fund

	
4812A2744

	
J.P.Morgan Asset Management

J.P.Morgan Funds

	 	
$  29,173,257

	
BlackRock Liquidity Muni Fund Instl Shares

	
09248U817

	
J.P.Morgan Securities

J.P.Morgan Securities LLC

	 	
$  38,264,039

	
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Tax-Free Money Market Fund

	
38141W182

	
US Bank

	 	
$  37,866,400

	
Federated Tax-Free Obligations Fund Institutional Shares

	
60934N401

	
Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer & Co. Inc.

	 	
$  37,278,459

 

	
Long Term Investments

	
CUSIP

	
Institution

	 	
Balance as of 1/31/12 (1)

	
Houston Texas Airport System Revenue Bonds

	
442348L55

	
J.P.Morgan Securities

J.P.Morgan Securities LLC

	 	
$  4,950,000

	
Jefferson County Alabama Sewer Revenue Warrants

	
472682NK5

	
J.P.Morgan Securities

J.P.Morgan Securities LLC

	 	
$  3,325,000

 

	
Foreign Exchange Forward Contract (as of January 31, 2012):

	
Party

	
Institution

	 	
Value Date

	
Amount

	
Foreign Exchange Forward Contract

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.

	 	
2/15/2012

	
JPY 755,000,000

Note: This forward contract will terminate on 2/15/12.  CMC will enter into a new forward contract on 2/13/12 for value date mid-March which will likely reflect a different Yen amount.

 

	
Intercompany Loans

	
Lender

	
Borrower

	
Loan Agreement Date

	
Promissory Note Date

	
Promissory Note Principal Amount

	
Principal Outstanding as of  January 31, 2012 (1)

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
12/6/2005

	
12/6/2005

	
JPY 500,000,000

	
JPY 171,623,603

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
3/6/2006

	
3/6/2006

	
JPY 383,000,000

	
JPY 133,281,639

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
9/20/2006

	
9/20/2006

	
JPY 2,170,000,000

	
JPY 794,904,814

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
12/13/2007

	
12/18/2007

	
JPY 630,000,000

	
JPY 269,665,465

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
12/13/2007

	
1/28/2008

	
JPY 220,000,000

	
JPY 94,168,895

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
5/17/2011

	
5/25/2011

	
JPY 225,500,000

	
JPY 205,621,781

	
Epoch Material Co., Ltd.

	
Hanguk Cabot Microelectronics, LLC

	
12/28/2010

	
8/11/2011

	
USD 3,000,000

	
USD 3,000,000

	
Cabot Microelectronics Singapore Pte Ltd.

	
Hanguk Cabot Microelectronics, LLC

	
12/28/2010

	
5/23/2011

	
USD 6,000,000

	
USD 6,000,000

	
Cabot Microelectronics Singapore Pte Ltd.

	
Hanguk Cabot Microelectronics, LLC

	
9/15/2011

	
10/26/2011

	
USD 4,000,000

	
USD 4,000,000

 

1 Balances may vary over time as investments amount change, including between January 31, 2012 and the Closing Date.

  

1 Balances may vary over time as investments amount change, including between January 31, 2012 and the Closing Date.

 

 

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 7.03

 

EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS2

 

Lease of two forklift trucks between Cabot Microelectronics Corporation and Toyota Financial Services, dated as of February 6, 2007

 

 

	
Foreign Exchange Forward Contract

	
Party

	
Institution

	
 

	
Value Date

	
Amount

	
Foreign Exchange Forward Contract

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.

	
 

	
2/15/2012

	
JPY 755,000,000

Note: This forward contract will terminate on 2/15/12.  CMC will enter into a new forward contract on 2/13/12 for value date mid-March which will likely reflect a different Yen amount.

 

	
Intercompany Loans

	
Lender

	
Borrower

	
Loan Agreement Date

	
Promissory Note Date

	
Promissory Note Principal Amount

	
Principal Outstanding as of  January 31, 2012 (2)

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
12/6/2005

	
12/6/2005

	
JPY 500,000,000

	
JPY 171,623,603

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
3/6/2006

	
3/6/2006

	
JPY 383,000,000

	
JPY 133,281,639

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
9/20/2006

	
9/20/2006

	
JPY 2,170,000,000

	
JPY 794,904,814

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
12/13/2007

	
12/18/2007

	
JPY 630,000,000

	
JPY 269,665,465

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
12/13/2007

	
1/28/2008

	
JPY 220,000,000

	
JPY 94,168,895

	
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

	
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK

	
5/17/2011

	
5/25/2011

	
JPY 225,500,000

	
JPY 205,621,781

	
Epoch Material Co., Ltd.

	
Hanguk Cabot Microelectronics, LLC

	
12/28/2010

	
8/11/2011

	
USD 3,000,000

	
USD 3,000,000

	
Cabot Microelectronics Singapore Pte Ltd.

	
Hanguk Cabot Microelectronics, LLC

	
12/28/2010

	
5/23/2011

	
USD 6,000,000

	
USD 6,000,000

	
Cabot Microelectronics Singapore Pte Ltd.

	
Hanguk Cabot Microelectronics, LLC

	
9/15/2011

	
10/26/2011

	
USD 4,000,000

	
USD 4,000,000

 

2 Balances may vary over time as investments amount change, including between January 31, 2012 and the Closing Date.

 

  

2 Balances may vary over time as investments amount change, including between January 31, 2012 and the Closing Date.

 

 

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 7.09

 

EXISTING BURDENSOME AGREEMENTS

 

Schedule 7.03 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

 

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 10.02

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S OFFICE;

 

CERTAIN ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

 

BORROWER:

 

Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

870 North Commons Drive

Aurora, Illinois 60504

	
Attention:

	
H. Carol Bernstein, General Counsel

	
Telephone:

	
(630) 375-5461

Facsimile:                      (630) 499-2644

Electronic Mail: Carol_Bernstein@cabotcmp.com

	
Website Address:

	
www.cabotcmp.com

	
  

	
Taxpayer Identification Number:  36-4324765

 

	
  

	
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

 

Administrative Agent’s Office

 

(for payments and Requests for Credit Extensions):

 

Bank of America, N.A.

2001 Clayton Road

Mail Code:  CA4-702-02-25

Concord, California 94520

Attention:                      Kristine L. Kelleher

Telephone:                      925.675.8373

Telecopier:                      888.969.2414

Electronic Mail:  kristine.l.kelleher@baml.com

 

Bank of America, N.A.

Account No. (for Dollars):  3750836479

Ref:  Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

Attn: Credit Services

ABA# 026009593

 

Bank of America, London

Account No. (for Euro):  65280019

Ref:  Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

Attn: Credit Services

Swift Address: BOFAGB22

 

Bank of America, London

Account No. (for Sterling):  65280027

Ref:  Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

Attn: Credit Services

London Sort Code: 16-50-50

Swift Address: BOFAGB22

 

Bank of America, Tokyo

Account No. (for Yen):  606490661046

Ref:  Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

Attn:  Credit Services

Swift Address:  BOFAJPJX

 

Bank of America Singapore

Account No. (for Singapore Dollar):  621290661054

Ref:  Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

Attn: Credit Services

Swift Address: BOFASG2X

 

Other Notices as Administrative Agent:

Bank of America, N.A.

Agency Management

135 S. LaSalle Street

Mail Code:  IL4-135-05-41

Chicago, Illinois 60603

	
Attention:

	
Denise Jones

	
Telephone:

	
312.828.1846

	
Facsimile:

	
877.206.8413

	
  

	
Electronic Mail:  denise.j.jones@baml.com

 

L/C ISSUERS:

 

Bank of America, N.A.

	
  

	
Trade Operations

1000 W. Temple Street

Mail Code:  CA9-705-07-05

Los Angeles, California 90012

	
Attention:

	
Stella Rosales

	
Telephone:

	
213.417.9484

	
Facsimile:

	
213.457.8841

	
  

	
Electronic Mail:  stella.rosales@baml.com

 

	
  

	
SWING LINE LENDER:

 

Bank of America, N.A.

2001 Clayton Road

Mail Code:  CA4-702-02-25

Concord, California 94520

Attention:                      Kristine L. Kelleher

Telephone:                      925.675.8373

Telecopier:                      888.969.2414

Electronic Mail:  kristine.l.kelleher@baml.com

 

Bank of America, N.A.

Account No. (for Dollars):  3750836479

Ref:  Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

Attn: Credit Services

ABA# 026009593

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF LOAN NOTICE

 

Date:  ___________, _____

 

	
To:

	
Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

	
  

	
Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.

 

The undersigned hereby requests (select one):

 

	
A Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans

	
A conversion or continuation of

	
  

	
Revolving Credit Loans

 

	
  

	
A Borrowing of Term Loans

	
A conversion or continuation of

	
  

	
Term Loans

 

1.           On                                                                (a Business Day).

 

2.           In the amount of $                                                               .

 

3.           Comprised of                                                               .

 

[Type of Loan requested]

 

4.           In the following currency: ________________________.

 

5.           For Eurocurrency Rate Loans:  with an Interest Period of ___ months.

 

A-

Form of Loan Notice

 

 

  

  

  

The Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans, if any, requested herein complies with the provisos to the first sentence of Section 2.01(b) of the Agreement, as applicable.

 

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:                                                                           

 

Title:                                                                           

A-2

Form of Loan Notice

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT B

 

FORM OF SWING LINE LOAN NOTICE

 

Date:  ___________, _____

 

	
To:

	
Bank of America, N.A., as Swing Line Lender

 

	
  

	
Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

	
  

	
Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.

 

The undersigned hereby requests a Swing Line Loan:

 

1.           On                                                                (a Business Day).

 

2.           In the amount of $                                                               .

 

The Swing Line Borrowing requested herein complies with the requirements of the provisos to the first sentence of Section 2.04(a) of the Agreement.

 

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:                                                                           

 

Title:                                                                           

B-

Form of Swing Line Loan Notice

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT C-1

 

FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

 

 

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to _____________________ or registered assigns (the “Lender”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Revolving Credit Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Revolving Credit Loan from the date of such Revolving Credit Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.04(f) of the Agreement with respect to Swing Line Loans, all payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in the currency in which such Revolving Credit Loan was denominated and in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office for such currency.  If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

 

This Revolving Credit Note is one of the Revolving Credit Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein.  This Revolving Credit Note is also entitled to the benefits of the Guaranty and is secured by the Collateral.  Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Revolving Credit Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement.  Revolving Credit Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business.  The Lender may also attach schedules to this Revolving Credit Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Revolving Credit Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Revolving Credit Note.

 

C-1-

Form of Revolving Credit Note

 

  

  

  

THIS REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:                                                                           

 

Title:                                                                           

C-1-

Form of Revolving Credit Note

 

  

  

  

LOANS AND PAYMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO

 

	
Date

	
Type of Loan Made

	
Currency and Amount of Loan Made

	
End of Interest Period

	
Amount of Principal or Interest Paid This Date

	
Outstanding Principal Balance This Date

	
Notation Made By

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

C-1-

Form of Revolving Credit Note

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT C-2

 

FORM OF TERM LOAN NOTE

 

 

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to _____________________ or registered assigns (the “Lender”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Term Loan from time to time made by the Lender to the Borrower under that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.

 

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Term Loan from the date of such Term Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement.  All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars and in Same Day Funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office for Dollar-denominated payments.  If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

 

This Term Loan Note is one of the Term Loan Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein.  This Term Loan Note is also entitled to the benefits of the Guaranty and is secured by the Collateral.  Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Term Loan Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement.  Term Loans made by the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Term Loan Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Term Loans and payments with respect thereto.

 

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Term Loan Note.

 

C-2-

Form of Term Loan Note

 

  

  

  

THIS TERM LOAN NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:                                                                           

 

Title:                                                                           

C-2-

Form of Term Loan Note

 

  

  

  

LOANS AND PAYMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO

 

	
Date

	
Type of Loan Made

	
Currency and Amount of Loan Made

	
End of Interest Period

	
Amount of Principal or Interest Paid This Date

	
Outstanding Principal Balance This Date

	
Notation Made By

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

C-2-

Form of Term Loan Note

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT D

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

Financial Statement Date:   , 20__

 

	
To:

	
Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

	
  

	
Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.

 

The undersigned Responsible Officer hereby certifies as of the date hereof that he/she is theof the Borrower, and that, as such, he/she is authorized to execute and deliver this Compliance Certificate to the Administrative Agent on the behalf of the Borrower, and that:

 

[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal year-end financial statements]

 

1.           The Borrower has delivered the year-end audited financial statements required by Section 6.01(a) of the Agreement for the fiscal year of the Borrower ended as of the above date, together with the report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant required by such Section.

 

[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal quarter-end financial statements]

 

1.           The Borrower has delivered the unaudited financial statements required by Section 6.01(b) of the Agreement for the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended as of the above date.  Such financial statements fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

2.           The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Agreement and has made, or has caused to be made under his/her supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower during the accounting period covered by such financial statements.

 

3.           A review of the activities of the Borrower during such fiscal period has been made under the supervision of the undersigned with a view to determining whether during such fiscal period, a Default has occurred and is continuing, and

 

[select one:]

 

[to the best knowledge of the undersigned, during such fiscal period the Borrower, no Default has occurred and is continuing.]

 

--or--

[to the best knowledge of the undersigned, during such fiscal period the following is a list of each such Default and its nature and status:]

 

4.           The financial covenant analyses and information set forth on Schedule 1 attached hereto are true and accurate on and as of the date of this Compliance Certificate.

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Compliance Certificate as of

 

 

,                  .

 

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:                                                                           

 

Title:                                                                           

D-

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

  

  

  

For the Quarter/Year ended ___________________ (“Statement Date”)

 

SCHEDULE 1

 

to the Compliance Certificate

 

($ in 000’s)

 

	
I.

	
Section 7.11(a) – Consolidated Leverage Ratio.

 

	
  

	
A.

	
Consolidated Funded Indebtedness at Statement Date:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
B.

	
Consolidated EBITDA for four consecutive fiscal quarters ending on above date (“Subject Period”):

 

	
  

	
1.

	
Consolidated Net Income for Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
2.

	
Consolidated Interest Charges for Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
3.

	
Provision for Federal, state, local and foreign taxes for Subject

 

	
Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
4.

	
Depreciation expenses for Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
5.

	
Amortization expenses for Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
6.

	
Non-cash charges, losses and expenses for Subject Period: 

	
$___________

 

	
  

	
7.

	
Extraordinary, unusual, or non-recurring cash losses, expenses or charges (i) attributable to advisory, accounting, legal and other out-of-pocket fees related to any offering of Equity Interests, any Investment, any Acquisition or incurrence of Indebtedness, any global tax planning initiative, any litigation, or any other unusual, extraordinary or nonrecurring event or (ii) not of the type described in clause (i) for Subject Period (which, collectively, do not exceed an aggregate of $1,000,000 during the Subject Period):$___________

 

	
  

	
8.

	
Fees, charges and expenses incurred in connection with the Special Dividend and the Agreement for Subject Period: 

	
$___________

 

	
  

	
9.

	
Federal, state, local and foreign income, profits, revenue, business

 

	
  

	
activities, capital or similar tax credits of the Borrower and its

 

	
Subsidiaries for Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
10.

	
Non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for

 

	
Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
11.

	
Extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring cash gains for Subject Period (not to exceed $1,000,000 during the Subject Period): 

	
$___________

 

	
  

	
12.

	
Cash payments made with respect to non-cash charges set forth in Line I.B.6 above for Subject Period: 

	
$___________

 

	
  

	
13.

	
Consolidated EBITDA (Lines I.B.1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 – 9 – 10 – 11 – 12): 

	
$___________

 

	
  

	
C.

	
Consolidated Leverage Ratio (Line I.A ÷ Line I.B.13):

	
 

	
to 1

 

	
  

	
Maximum permitted:

 

	
Four Fiscal Quarters Ending

	
Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio

	
June 30, 2012 through June 30, 2013

	
3.00 to 1.00

	
September 30, 2013 through June 30, 2014

	
2.75 to 1.00

	
September 30, 2014 and thereafter

	
2.50 to 1.00

 

	
II.

	
Section 7.11(b) – Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

 

	
  

	
A.

	
Consolidated EBITDA for Subject Period (Line I.B.13 above):$

	 	 

 

	
  

	
B.

	
Cash Capital Expenditures for Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
C.

	
Federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash for

 

	
Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
D.

	
Consolidated Interest Charges for Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
E.

	
Regularly scheduled principal payments or redemptions or similar acquisitions for value of outstanding Indebtedness for borrowed money (but excluding such payments to the extent refinanced through the incurrence of additional Indebtedness otherwise expressly permitted under the terms of the Agreement) for Subject Period:$

	 

 

	
  

	
F.

	
Restricted Payments made in cash (but excluding Restricted Payments made under Sections 7.06(c), (e)(i), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) and (g)) for Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
G.

	
To the extent the proceeds thereof are not used to fund Capital Expenditures or operating losses, Investments made in cash under Section 7.02(c)(iv) for Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
H.

	
All cash payments under Capitalized Leases for Subject Period:

	
$

	 

 

	
  

	
I.

	
Consolidated Fixed Charge Ratio ((Line II.A - B - C)  ̧ (Line II.D + E + F + G + H)):

	
 

	
to 1

 

Minimum required (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2012): 1.25 to 1

 

D-

Form of Compliance Certificate

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT E

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

This Assignment and Assumption (this “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each]1 Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the][each, an] “Assignor”) and [the][each]2 Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each, an] “Assignee”).  [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees]3 hereunder are several and not joint.]4  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee.  The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

 

For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignor’s][the respective Assignors’] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto in the amount and equal to the percentage interest identified below of all the outstanding rights and obligations under the respective facilities identified below (including, without limitation, the Letters of Credit and the Swing Line Loans included in such facilities5) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] “Assigned Interest”).  Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.

 

1.           Assignor[s]:                      ______________________________

 

______________________________

[Assignor [is] [is not] a Defaulting Lender]

 

	
2.

	
Assignee[s]:

	
______________________________

 

______________________________

[for each Assignee, indicate [Affiliate][Approved Fund] of [identify Lender]]

 

3.           Borrower:                      Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation

 

	
4.

	
Administrative Agent: Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement

 

	
5.

	
Credit Agreement:

	
Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012, among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time

 

6.           Assigned Interest[s]:

 

	
Assignor[s]

	
Assignee[s]

	
Facility

Assigned

	
Aggregate

Amount of

Commitment/Loans

for all Lenders

	
Amount of

Commitment/Loans

Assigned

	
Percentage

Assigned of

Commitment/

Loans6

	
CUSIP

Number

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	
____________

	
$________________

	
$_________

	
____________%

	  
	  	  	
____________

	
$________________

	
$_________

	
____________%

	  
	  	  	
____________

	
$________________

	
$_________

	
____________%

	  

 

7.           Trade Date:                      __________________7

 

Effective Date: __________________, 20__ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

 

The Assignee (if it is not a Lender) agrees to deliver to the Administrative Agent a completed Administrative Questionnaire in accordance with Section 10.06(b)(iv) of the Credit Agreement.

 

  

1 For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is from a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language.  If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language.

 

  

2 For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignee(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignee, choose the first bracketed language.  If the assignment is to multiple Assignees, choose the second bracketed language.

 

  

3 Select as appropriate.

 

  

4 Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees.

 

  

5 Include all applicable subfacilities.

 

  

6 Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

  

7 To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

 

E-

Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

 

  

  

  

 

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR[S]8

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

By: _____________________________

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

 

By: _____________________________

 

Title:

 

ASSIGNEE[S]9

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

 

By: _____________________________

Title:

 

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

 

By: _____________________________

Title:

  

8 Add additional signature blocks as needed.

 

  

9 Add additional signature blocks as needed.

 

E-

Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

 

  

  

  

[Consented to and]10 Accepted:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as

Administrative Agent

 

By: _________________________________

Title:

 

[Consented to:]11

 

By: _________________________________

Title:

  

10 To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

  

11 To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g. Swing Line Lender, L/C Issuers) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 

E-

Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

 

  

  

  

ANNEX 1 TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

 

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

 

1.         Representations and Warranties.

 

1.1.         Assignor.  [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][[the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is [not] a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

 

1.2.         Assignee.  [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii), (v) and (vii) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by [the][such] Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the][such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) or (b), as applicable, thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee (including pursuant to Section 3.01(e)(ii)(A) with respect to any Lender that is a U.S. Person and Section 3.01(e)(ii)(B) and (C) with respect to any Foreign Lender); and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, [the][any] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

 

2.         Payments.  From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the][the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments of interest, fees or other amounts paid or payable in kind from and after the Effective Date to [the][the relevant] Assignee.

 

3.         General Provisions.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.  This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by any electronic means that reproduces an image of the actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption.  This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

 

E-

Form of Assignment and Assumption

 

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT F

 

FORM OF GUARANTY

 

GUARANTY AGREEMENT

 

THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT dated as of February 13, 2012 (this “Guaranty Agreement”), is being entered into among EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED AND EACH OTHER PERSON WHO SHALL BECOME A PARTY HERETO BY EXECUTION OF A GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT (each a “Guarantor” and collectively the “Guarantors”) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for each of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referenced below).  All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

 

RECITALS:

 

A.           Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Administrative Agent and the lenders now or hereafter party thereto (the “Lenders”), the Lenders have agreed to provide to the Borrower a term loan facility and a revolving credit facility with letter of credit, swing line and multicurrency sublimits.

 

B.           Certain additional extensions of credit may be made from time to time for the benefit of the Guarantors pursuant to certain Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements (each as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

C.           It is a condition precedent to the Secured Parties’ obligations to make and maintain such extensions of credit that the Guarantors shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty Agreement to the Administrative Agent.

 

D.           Each Guarantor is, directly or indirectly, a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower, engaged in interrelated business with the Borrower and will materially benefit from such extensions of credit.  The credit extended under the Credit Agreement will enhance the overall financial strength and stability of the Borrower’s consolidated group of companies, including the Guarantors.

 

In order to induce the Secured Parties to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement and under the Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.           Guaranty.  Each Guarantor hereby jointly and severally, unconditionally, absolutely, continually and irrevocably guarantees to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties the payment and performance in full of the Guaranteed Liabilities (as defined below).  For all purposes of this Guaranty Agreement, “Guaranteed Liabilities” means each Loan Party’s prompt payment in full, when due or declared due and at all such times, of all Secured Obligations and all other amounts pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Notes, and all other Loan Documents heretofore, now or at any time or times hereafter owing, arising, due or payable from such Loan Party to any one or more of the Secured Parties, including principal, interest, premiums and fees (including all reasonable fees and expenses of counsel (collectively, “Attorneys’ Costs”)).  The Guarantors’ obligations to the Secured Parties under this Guaranty Agreement are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Guarantors’ Obligations” and, with respect to each Guarantor individually, the “Guarantor’s Obligations”.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the liability of each Guarantor individually with respect to its Guarantor’s Obligations shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.

 

Each Guarantor agrees that it is jointly and severally, directly and primarily liable (subject to the limitation in the immediately preceding sentence) for the Guaranteed Liabilities.

 

The Guarantors’ Obligations are secured by collateral pursuant to various Collateral Documents referred to in the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the IP Security Agreement, any other security agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.12 of the Credit Agreement and any supplements or joinders thereto.

 

2.           Payment.                      If the Borrower shall default in payment or performance of any of its Guaranteed Liabilities, whether principal, interest, premium, fees (including, but not limited to, Attorneys’ Costs), or otherwise, when and as the same shall become due, and after expiration of any applicable grace period, whether according to the terms of the Credit Agreement, by acceleration, or otherwise, or upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default under the Credit Agreement, then any or all of the Guarantors will, upon demand thereof by the Administrative Agent, fully pay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, subject to any restriction on each Guarantor’s Obligations set forth in Section 1 hereof, an amount equal to all the Guaranteed Liabilities then due and owing or declared or deemed to be due and owing, including for this purpose, in the event of any Event of Default under Section 8.01(f) of the Credit Agreement (and irrespective of the applicability of any restriction on acceleration or other action as against any other Loan Party under any Debtor Relief Laws), the entire outstanding or accrued amount of all Secured Obligations. For purposes of this Section 2, the Guarantors acknowledge and agree that “Guaranteed Liabilities” shall be deemed to include any amount (whether principal, interest, premium, fees) which would have been accelerated in accordance with Section 8.02 of the Credit Agreement but for the fact that such acceleration could be unenforceable or not allowable under any Debtor Relief Law.

 

3.           Absolute Rights and Obligations.  This is a guaranty of payment and not of collection.  The Guarantors’ Obligations under this Guaranty Agreement shall be joint and several, absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and each Guarantor hereby expressly waives, to the extent permitted by law, any defense to its obligations under this Guaranty Agreement and all Collateral Documents to which it is a party by reason of:

 

(a)           any lack of legality, validity or enforceability of the Credit Agreement, of any of the Notes, of any other Loan Document, or of any other agreement or instrument creating, providing security for, or otherwise relating to any of the Guarantors’ Obligations, any of the Guaranteed Liabilities, or any other guaranty of any of the Guaranteed Liabilities (the Loan Documents and all such other agreements and instruments being collectively referred to as the “Related Agreements”);

 

(b)           any action taken under any of the Related Agreements, any exercise of any right or power therein conferred, any failure or omission to enforce any right conferred thereby, or any waiver of any covenant or condition therein provided;

 

(c)           any acceleration of the maturity of any of the Guaranteed Liabilities, of the Guarantor’s Obligations with respect to obligations of any other Guarantor, or of any other obligations or liabilities of any Person under any of the Related Agreements;

 

(d)           any release, exchange, non-perfection, lapse in perfection, disposal, deterioration in value, or impairment of any security for any of the Guaranteed Liabilities, for any of the Guarantor’s Obligations with respect to obligations of any Guarantor, or for any other obligations or liabilities of any Person under any of the Related Agreements;

 

(e)           any dissolution of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other party to a Related Agreement, or the combination or consolidation of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other party to a Related Agreement into or with another entity or any transfer or disposition of any assets of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other party to a Related Agreement;

 

(f)           any extension (including without limitation extensions of time for payment), renewal, amendment, restructuring or restatement of, any acceptance of late or partial payments under, or any change in the amount of any borrowings or any credit facilities available under, the Credit Agreement, any of the Notes or any other Loan Document or any other Related Agreement, in whole or in part;

 

(g)           the existence, addition, modification, termination, reduction or impairment of value, or release of any other guaranty (or security therefor) of the Guaranteed Liabilities (including without limitation the Guarantor’s Obligations of any other Guarantor and obligations arising under any other Guaranty or any other Loan Document now or hereafter in effect);

 

(h)           any waiver of, forbearance or indulgence under, or other consent to any change in or departure from any term or provision contained in the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other Related Agreement, including without limitation any term pertaining to the payment or performance of any of the Guaranteed Liabilities, any of the Guarantor’s Obligations with respect to obligations of any other Guarantor, or any of the obligations or liabilities of any party to any other Related Agreement;

 

(i)           any other circumstance whatsoever (with or without notice to or knowledge of any Loan Party) which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Loan Party, or might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable defense available to, or discharge of, a surety or a guarantor, including without limitation any right to require or claim that resort be had to the Borrower or any other Loan Party or to any collateral in respect of the Guaranteed Liabilities or Guarantors’ Obligations.

 

It is the express purpose and intent of the parties hereto that this Guaranty Agreement and the Guarantors’ Obligations hereunder and under each Guaranty Joinder Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and shall not be discharged except by payment and performance as herein provided.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

4.           Currency and Funds of Payment. All Guarantors’ Obligations for payment will be paid in Dollars and in immediately available funds, regardless of any law, regulation or decree now or hereafter in effect that might in any manner affect the Guaranteed Liabilities, or the rights of any Secured Party with respect thereto as against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or cause or permit to be invoked any alteration in the time, amount or manner of payment by the Borrower or any other Loan Party of any or all of the Guaranteed Liabilities.  If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Administrative Agent could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given.  The obligation of each Guarantor in respect of any such sum due from it to the Administrative Agent or any Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency.  If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender from any Guarantor in the Agreement Currency, such Guarantor agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, against such loss.  If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in such currency, the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to such Guarantor (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

 

5.           Events of Default.  Without limiting the provisions of Section 2 hereof, in the event that there shall occur and be continuing an Event of Default, then notwithstanding any collateral or other security or credit support for the Guaranteed Liabilities, at the Administrative Agent’s election (at the request of or with the consent of the Required Lenders) and without notice thereof or demand therefor, each of the Guaranteed Liabilities and the Guarantors’ Obligations shall immediately be and become due and payable, in each case as and to the extent, and upon the terms, provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

6.           Subordination.  Until this Guaranty Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section 22 hereof, each Guarantor hereby unconditionally subordinates all present and future debts, liabilities or obligations now or hereafter owing to such Guarantor (a) of the Borrower, to the payment in full of the Guaranteed Liabilities, (b) of every other Guarantor (an “obligated guarantor”), to the payment in full of the Guarantors’ Obligations of such obligated guarantor, and (c) of each Loan Party, to the payment in full of the obligations of such Loan Party owing to any Secured Party and arising under the Loan Documents or any Secured Cash Management Agreement or Secured Hedge Agreement.  All amounts due under such subordinated debts, liabilities, or obligations shall, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, be collected and, upon request by the Administrative Agent, paid over forthwith to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties on account of the Guaranteed Liabilities, the Guarantors’ Obligations, or such other obligations, as applicable, and, after such request and pending such payment, shall be held by such Guarantor as agent and bailee of the Secured Parties separate and apart from all other funds, property and accounts of such Guarantor.

 

7.           Suits.  Each Guarantor from time to time shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, on demand, at the Administrative Agent’s Office or such other address as the Administrative Agent shall give notice of to such Guarantor, the Guarantors’ Obligations as they become or are declared due, and in the event such payment is not made forthwith, the Administrative Agent may proceed to suit against any one or more or all of the Guarantors.  At the Administrative Agent’s election, one or more and successive or concurrent suits may be brought hereon by the Administrative Agent against any one or more or all of the Guarantors, whether or not suit has been commenced against the Borrower, any other Guarantor, or any other Person and whether or not the Secured Parties have taken or failed to take any other action to collect all or any portion of the Guaranteed Liabilities or have taken or failed to take any actions against any collateral securing payment or performance of all or any portion of the Guaranteed Liabilities, and irrespective of any event, occurrence, or condition described in Section 3 hereof.

 

8.           Set-Off and Waiver.  To the fullest extent permitted by law, each Guarantor waives any right to assert against any Secured Party as a defense, counterclaim, set-off, recoupment or cross claim in respect of its Guarantor’s Obligations, any defense (legal or equitable) or other claim which such Guarantor may now or at any time hereafter have against the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any or all of the Secured Parties without waiving any additional defenses, set-offs, counterclaims or other claims otherwise available to such Guarantor.

 

9.           Waiver of Notice; Subrogation.

 

(a)           Each Guarantor hereby waives to the extent permitted by law notice of the following events or occurrences:  (i) acceptance of this Guaranty Agreement; (ii) the Lenders’ or L/C Issuers’, as applicable, heretofore, now or from time to time hereafter making Loans and other Credit Extensions and otherwise loaning monies or giving or extending credit to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, or otherwise entering into arrangements with any Loan Party giving rise to Guaranteed Liabilities, whether pursuant to the Credit Agreement or the Notes or any other Loan Document or Related Agreement or any amendments, modifications, or supplements thereto, or replacements or extensions thereof; (iii) presentment, demand, default, non-payment, partial payment and protest; and (iv) any other event, condition, or occurrence described in Section 3 hereof.  Each Guarantor agrees that each Secured Party may heretofore, now or at any time hereafter do any or all of the foregoing in such manner, upon such terms and at such times as each Secured Party, in its sole and absolute discretion, deems advisable, without in any way or respect impairing, affecting, reducing or releasing such Guarantor from its Guarantor’s Obligations, and each Guarantor hereby consents to each and all of the foregoing events or occurrences.

 

(b)           Each Guarantor hereby agrees that payment or performance by such Guarantor of its Guarantor’s Obligations under this Guaranty Agreement may be enforced by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties upon demand by the Administrative Agent to such Guarantor without the Administrative Agent being required, such Guarantor expressly waiving to the extent permitted by law any right it may have to require the Administrative Agent, to (i) prosecute collection or seek to enforce or resort to any remedies against the Borrower or any other Guarantor or any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Liabilities, or (ii) seek to enforce or resort to any remedies with respect to any security interests, Liens or encumbrances granted to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or other party to a Related Agreement by the Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person on account of the Guaranteed Liabilities or any guaranty thereof, IT BEING EXPRESSLY UNDERSTOOD, ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED TO BY SUCH GUARANTOR THAT DEMAND UNDER THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT MAY BE MADE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, AND THE PROVISIONS HEREOF ENFORCED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, EFFECTIVE AS OF THE FIRST DATE ANY EVENT OF DEFAULT OCCURS AND IS CONTINUING UNDER THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.

 

(c)           Each Guarantor further agrees that with respect to this Guaranty Agreement, such Guarantor shall not exercise any of its rights of subrogation, reimbursement, contribution, indemnity or recourse to security for the Guaranteed Liabilities until 91 days immediately following the Facility Termination Date shall have elapsed without the filing or commencement, by or against any Loan Party, of any state or federal action, suit, petition or proceeding seeking any reorganization, liquidation or other relief or arrangement in respect of creditors of, or the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, trustee or conservator in respect to, such Loan Party or its assets.  If an amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such rights at any time prior to termination of this Guaranty Agreement in accordance with the provisions of Section 22 hereof, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to be credited and applied upon the Guarantors’ Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement or otherwise as the Secured Parties may elect.  The agreements in this subsection shall survive repayment of all of the Guarantors’ Obligations, the termination or expiration of this Guaranty Agreement in any manner, including but not limited to termination in accordance with Section 22 hereof, and occurrence of the Facility Termination Date.

 

10.           Effectiveness; Enforceability.  This Guaranty Agreement shall be effective as of the date first above written and shall continue in full force and effect until termination in accordance with Section 22 hereof.  Any claim or claims that the Secured Parties may at any time hereafter have against a Guarantor under this Guaranty Agreement may be asserted by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties by written notice directed to such Guarantor in accordance with Section 24 hereof.

 

11.           Representations and Warranties.  Each Guarantor warrants and represents to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that (a) it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Guaranty Agreement (or the Guaranty Joinder Agreement to which it is a party, as applicable), and to perform its obligations under this Guaranty Agreement; (b) this Guaranty Agreement (or the Guaranty Joinder Agreement to which it is a party, as applicable) has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of such Guarantor by its duly authorized representatives; (c) this Guaranty Agreement (and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement to which such Guarantor is a party) is legal, valid, binding and enforceable against such Guarantor in accordance with its terms except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles; and (d) such Guarantor’s execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty Agreement (and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement to which such Guarantor is a party) do not violate or constitute a breach of (i) any of its Organization Documents, (ii) any Contractual Obligation to which such Guarantor is a party, or (iii) any Law to which it or its properties or operations is subject, except, in each case referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii) where such breach or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

12.           Expenses and Indemnity.  Each Guarantor agrees to be jointly and severally liable for all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses, including reasonable Attorneys’ Costs, incurred by any Secured Party in connection with the enforcement of this Guaranty Agreement, whether or not suit is brought (including the fees, charges and disbursements of one counsel for the Administrative Agent, and all Secured Parties and, if necessary, one firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction (and shall not include, for the avoidance of doubt, the allocated cost of internal counsel) and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interests where the Secured Party affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict, such Secured Party’s own counsel after receipt of the Borrower’s consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

13.           Reinstatement.  Each Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, at any time payment received by any Secured Party in respect of any Guaranteed Liabilities is rescinded or must be restored for any reason, or is repaid by any Secured Party in whole or in part in good faith settlement of any pending or threatened avoidance claim.

 

14.           Attorney-in-Fact.  To the extent permitted by law, each Guarantor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as such Guarantor’s attorney-in-fact for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Guaranty Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument which the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise rights under this power of attorney only upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.

 

15.           Reliance.  Each Guarantor represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that:  (a) such Guarantor has adequate means to obtain on a continuing basis (i) from the Borrower, information concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Parties’ financial condition and affairs and (ii) from other reliable sources, such other information as it deems material in deciding to provide this Guaranty Agreement and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement (“Other Information”), and has adequate access to the Loan Parties’ books and records and to such Other Information; (b) such Guarantor is not relying on any Secured Party or its or their employees, directors, agents or other representatives or Affiliates, to provide any such information, now or in the future; (c) such Guarantor has been furnished with and reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and such other Loan Documents and Related Agreements as it has requested, is executing this Guaranty Agreement (or the Guaranty Joinder Agreement to which it is a party, as applicable) freely and deliberately, and understands the obligations and financial risk undertaken by providing this Guaranty Agreement (and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement); (d) such Guarantor has relied solely on the Guarantor’s own independent investigation, appraisal and analysis of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties, such Persons’ financial condition and affairs, the Other Information, and such other matters as it deems material in deciding to provide this Guaranty Agreement (and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement) and is fully aware of the same; and (e) such Guarantor has not depended or relied on any Secured Party or its or their employees, directors, agents or other representatives or Affiliates, for any information whatsoever concerning the Borrower or the Borrower’s financial condition and affairs or any other matters material to such Guarantor’s decision to provide this Guaranty Agreement (and any Guaranty Joinder Agreement), or for any counseling, guidance, or special consideration or any promise therefor with respect to such decision.  Each Guarantor agrees that no Secured Party has any duty or responsibility whatsoever, now or in the future, to provide to such Guarantor any information concerning the Borrower or any other Loan Party or such Persons’ financial condition and affairs, or any Other Information, other than as expressly provided herein, and that, if such Guarantor receives any such information from any Secured Party or its or their employees, directors, agents or other representatives or Affiliates, such Guarantor will independently verify the information and will not rely on any Secured Party or its or their employees, directors, agents or other representatives or Affiliates, with respect to such information.

 

16.           Rules of Interpretation.  The rules of interpretation contained in Article I of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Guaranty Agreement and each Guaranty Joinder Agreement and are hereby incorporated by reference.  All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the delivery of documents and any extension of credit referred to herein or guaranteed hereby.

 

17.           Entire Agreement.  This Guaranty Agreement and each Guaranty Joinder Agreement, together with the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents, constitute and express the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements, understandings, inducements, commitments or conditions, express or implied, oral or written, except as herein contained.  The express terms hereof control and supersede any course of performance or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof.  Except as provided in Section 22, neither this Guaranty Agreement nor any Guaranty Joinder Agreement nor any portion or provision hereof or thereof may be changed, altered, modified, supplemented, discharged, canceled, terminated, or amended orally or in any manner other than as provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

18.           Binding Agreement; Assignment.  This Guaranty Agreement, each Guaranty Joinder Agreement and the terms, covenants and conditions hereof and thereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto, and to their respective heirs, legal representatives, successors and assigns; provided, however, that no Guarantor shall be permitted to assign any of its rights, powers, duties or obligations under this Guaranty Agreement, any Guaranty Joinder Agreement or any other interest herein or therein except as expressly permitted herein or in the Credit Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence of this Section 18, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons, or grant to one or more Persons participations in or to, all or any part of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement); and to the extent of any such assignment or participation such other Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise, subject however, to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, including Article IX thereof (concerning the Administrative Agent) and Section 10.06 thereof concerning assignments and participations.  All references herein to the Administrative Agent shall include any successor thereof.

 

19.           Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedging Agreements.  No Secured Party (other than the Administrative Agent) that obtains the benefit of this Guaranty Agreement shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder (including the release, impairment or modification of any Guarantors’ Obligations or security therefor) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Guaranty Agreement to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall only be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, the Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements to the extent the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as it may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.  Each Secured Party not a party to the Credit Agreement that obtains the benefit of this Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, and that with respect to the actions and omissions of the Administrative Agent hereunder or otherwise relating hereto that do or may affect such Secured Party, the Administrative Agent and each of its Related Parties shall be entitled to all the rights, benefits and immunities conferred under Article IX of the Credit Agreement.

 

20.           Severability.  If any provision of this Guaranty Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Guaranty Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

21.           Counterparts.  This Guaranty Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Guaranty Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by any Guarantor against whom enforcement is sought.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 21, the provisions of Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Guaranty Agreement.

 

22.           Termination.  Subject to reinstatement pursuant to Section 13 hereof, this Guaranty Agreement and each Guaranty Joinder Agreement, and all of the Guarantors’ Obligations hereunder (excluding those Guarantors’ Obligations relating to Guaranteed Liabilities that expressly survive such termination) shall terminate on the Facility Termination Date; provided, however, that any Guarantor shall be automatically released from its Guarantor’s Obligations and this Guaranty Agreement if such Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary after the date hereof in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.  At the request of any Guarantor or the Borrower following any such termination or release, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to such Guarantor or the Borrower such documents as such Guarantor or such Borrower shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release.

 

23.           Remedies Cumulative; Late Payments.  All remedies hereunder are cumulative and are not exclusive of any other rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party provided by law or under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or other applicable agreements or instruments.  The making of the Loans and other Credit Extensions pursuant to the Credit Agreement and other Related Agreements shall be conclusively presumed to have been made or extended, respectively, in reliance upon each Guarantor’s guaranty of the Guaranteed Liabilities pursuant to the terms hereof.  Upon the request of the Required Lenders, any amounts not paid when due under this Guaranty Agreement shall bear interest at the Default Rate.

 

24.           Notices.  Any notice required or permitted hereunder or under any Guaranty Joinder Agreement shall be given, (a) with respect to each Guarantor, at the address of the Borrower indicated in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement and (b) with respect to the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party, at the Administrative Agent’s address indicated in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement.  All such addresses may be modified, and all such notices shall be given and shall be effective, as provided in Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement for the giving and effectiveness of notices and modifications of addresses thereunder.

 

25.           Joinder. Each Person that shall at any time execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Guaranty Joinder Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto shall thereupon irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally become a party hereto and obligated hereunder as a Guarantor, and all references herein and in the other Loan Documents to the Guarantors or to the parties to this Guaranty Agreement shall be deemed to include such Person as a Guarantor hereunder.

 

26.           Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

 

(a)           THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT AND EACH GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)           EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR ANY GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR ANY GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY SECURED PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR ANY GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT AGAINST ANY GUARANTOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(c)           EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR ANY GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d)           EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 24.  NOTHING IN THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

27.           Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR ANY GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT OR ANY GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

[Signature pages follow.]

 

F-

Form of Guaranty

 

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Guaranty Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

GUARANTORS:

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS GLOBAL CORPORATION,

as a Guarantor

 

By:_______________________________________

Name:           ____________________________________

Title:           ____________________________________

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS POLISHING CORPORATION,

as a Guarantor

 

By:_______________________________________

Name:           ____________________________________

Title:           ____________________________________

 

QED TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.,

as a Guarantor

 

By:_______________________________________

Name:           ____________________________________

Title:           ____________________________________

F-

Form of Guaranty

  

  

  

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative

Agent

 

By:_______________________________________

Name:           Denise J. Jones

Title:           Assistant Vice President

F-

Form of Guaranty

  

  

  

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF]

 

GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

THIS GUARANTY JOINDER AGREEMENT dated as of _____________, 20__ (this “Guaranty Joinder Agreement”), is made by _______________________________, a ________________ (the “Joining Guarantor”), in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Guaranty Agreement referenced below; all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings provided therefor in such Guaranty Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement referenced below).

 

RECITALS:

 

A.           Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent are party to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).

 

B.           Certain Subsidiaries of the Borrower are party to that certain Guaranty Agreement dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Guaranty Agreement”).

 

C.           The Joining Guarantor is a Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower and is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement to be joined as a party to the Guaranty Agreement as a “Guarantor” thereunder.

 

D.           The Joining Guarantor will materially benefit directly and indirectly from the making and maintenance of the extensions of credit made from time to time under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.

 

In order to induce the Secured Parties to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, the Joining Guarantor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Joinder. The Joining Guarantor hereby irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally becomes a party to the Guaranty Agreement as a Guarantor and agrees to be bound by all the terms, conditions, obligations, liabilities and undertakings of each Guarantor or to which each Guarantor is subject thereunder, including without limitation the joint and several, unconditional, absolute, continuing and irrevocable guarantee to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties of the payment and performance in full of the Guaranteed Liabilities whether now existing or hereafter arising, all with the same force and effect as if the Joining Guarantor were a signatory to the Guaranty Agreement.

 

2.           Affirmations.  The Joining Guarantor hereby acknowledges and reaffirms as of the date hereof with respect to itself, its properties and its affairs each of the waivers, representations, warranties, acknowledgements and certifications applicable to any Guarantor contained in the Guaranty Agreement.

 

3.           Severability.  If any provision of this Guaranty Joinder Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Guaranty Joinder Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

4.           Counterparts.  This Guaranty Joinder Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Guaranty Joinder Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by the Joining Guarantor.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 4, the provisions of Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Guaranty Joinder Agreement.

 

5.           Delivery.  The Joining Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives notice of acceptance of this Guaranty Joinder Agreement and acknowledges that the Guaranteed Liabilities are and shall be deemed to be incurred, and credit extensions under the Loan Documents, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements made and maintained, in reliance on this Guaranty Joinder Agreement and the Joining Guarantor’s joinder as a party to the Guaranty Agreement as herein provided.

 

6.           Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial; Etc. The provisions of Sections 26 and 27 of the Guaranty Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

 

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

F-

Form of Guaranty

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Joining Guarantor has duly executed and delivered this Guaranty Joinder Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

 

JOINING GUARANTOR:

 

__________________________________________

 

By:_______________________________________

Name:           ____________________________________

Title:           ____________________________________

 

.

 

F-

Form of Guaranty

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT G

 

FORM OF PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

PLEDGE AGREEMENT

 

THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT dated as of February 13, 2012 (this “Pledge Agreement”), is being entered into among CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER PERSON THAT SHALL BECOME A PARTY HERETO BY EXECUTION OF A PLEDGE JOINDER AGREEMENT (each a “Pledgor” and, together with the Borrower, collectively, the “Pledgors”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for each of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referenced below).

 

RECITALS:

 

A.           Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as  L/C Issuer, and the lenders now or hereafter party thereto (the “Lenders”),  the Lenders have agreed to provide to the Borrower a term loan facility and a revolving credit facility with letter of credit, swing line and multicurrency sublimits.

 

B.           Certain additional extensions of credit may be made from time to time for the benefit of the Pledgors pursuant to certain Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreement (each as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

C.           It is a condition precedent to the Secured Parties’ obligations to make and maintain such extensions of credit that the Pledgors shall have executed and delivered this Pledge Agreement to the Administrative Agent.

 

In order to induce the Secured Parties to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement and such Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.           Certain Definitions.  All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.  Terms used in this Pledge Agreement that are not otherwise expressly defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, and for which meanings are provided in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York (the “UCC”), shall have such meanings unless the context requires otherwise.  In addition, for purposes of this Pledge Agreement, the following terms have the following definitions:

 

“Direct Foreign Subsidiary” means any Foreign Subsidiary if Equity Interests representing more than 50% of either the aggregate ordinary voting power or the aggregate equity value represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of such Person are owned by the Borrower, a Domestic Subsidiary or any combination thereof.

 

“Voting Equity Interest” means, with respect to any Person, the Equity Interests entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such Person.

 

2.           Pledge of Pledged Interests; Other Collateral.

 

(a)           Each Pledgor hereby grants as collateral security for the payment, performance and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in all of the following items of property in which such Pledgor now has or may at any time hereafter acquire an interest or the power to transfer rights therein, and wheresoever located:

 

(i)           all Equity Interests in all of its Subsidiaries (limited, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, to Equity Interests that, when taken with all other Equity Interests pledged hereunder, constitute no more than (A) 65% of the Voting Equity Interests of each Direct Foreign Subsidiary and (B) 100% of the other Equity Interests of such Pledgor in each Direct Foreign Subsidiary), in each case, whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired (collectively, the “Pledged Interests”), including without limitation the Pledged Interests more particularly described on Schedule I hereto (as such schedule may be amended, supplemented or otherwise updated from time to time) (such Subsidiaries, together with all other Subsidiaries whose Equity Interests may be required to be subject to this Pledge Agreement from time to time, are referred to collectively as the “Pledged Subsidiaries”);

 

(ii)           all money, securities, security entitlements and other investment property, dividends, rights, general intangibles and other property at any time and from time to time (A) declared or distributed in respect of or in exchange for or on conversion of any Pledged Interest, or (B) by its or their terms exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into any Pledged Interest;

 

 

(iii)           subject to clause (i) of this Section 2(a), all other property of whatever character or description, including money, securities, security entitlements and other investment property, and general intangibles hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent in substitution for or as an addition to any of the foregoing;

 

(iv)           all securities accounts to which may at any time be credited any or all of the foregoing or any proceeds thereof and all certificates and instruments representing or evidencing any of the foregoing or any proceeds thereof; and

 

(v)           all proceeds of any of the foregoing.

 

All such Pledged Interests, certificates, instruments, cash, securities, interests, dividends, rights and other property referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of this Section 2 are herein collectively referred to as the “Collateral.”  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no pledge or security interest is created hereby in, and the Collateral shall not include, (i) any property (including capital stock) that would be excluded pursuant to the definition of Excluded Assets (as defined in the Security Agreement), (ii) any property excluded from the definition of Pledged Interests, (iii) any assets (including capital stock) to the extent that such grant of a security interest is prohibited by any applicable law, treaty, rule or regulation, or (iv) any interest in a joint venture or non-wholly owned Subsidiary to the extent and for so long as the attachment of the security interest created hereby therein would violate any joint venture agreement, organization document, shareholders agreement or equivalent agreement relating to such joint venture or non-wholly owned Subsidiary.

 

(b)           Subject to any other provision of this Pledge Agreement, each Pledgor agrees to deliver all certificates, instruments or other documents representing any Collateral to the Administrative Agent at such location as the Administrative Agent shall from time to time designate by written notice pursuant to Section 23 for its custody at all times until termination of this Pledge Agreement, together with such instruments of assignment and transfer as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

(c)           Each Pledgor agrees to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered by other Persons, at such Pledgor’s expense, all share certificates, documents, instruments, agreements, financing statements (and amendments thereto and continuations thereof), assignments, control agreements, or other writings as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request from time to time to carry out the terms of this Pledge Agreement or to protect or enforce the Lien and security interest in the Collateral hereunder granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and further agrees to do and cause to be done upon the Administrative Agent’s reasonable request, at such Pledgor’s expense, all things reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent to be reasonably necessary or advisable to perfect and keep in full force and effect the Lien in the Collateral hereunder granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, including the prompt payment of all out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred in connection with any filings made to perfect or continue the Lien and security interest in the Collateral hereunder granted in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

(d)           All filing fees, advances, charges, costs and expenses, including all reasonable and documented fees and expenses of one firm of counsel (collectively, “Attorneys’ Costs”) (and, in the case of an actual conflict of interest where any of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as applicable, affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter, after receipt of the Borrower’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel for such affected Administrative Agent or Lender as applicable)), incurred or paid by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy conferred by this Pledge Agreement, or in the enforcement thereof, shall become a part of the Secured Obligations secured hereunder and shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties by the Pledgor in respect of which the same was incurred not later than ten (10) Business Days following demand therefor, and any amounts not so paid on demand (in addition to other rights and remedies resulting from such nonpayment) shall bear interest from the eleventh day after the date of demand until paid in full at the Default Rate.

 

(e)           Each Pledgor agrees to maintain on its own books and records, the interest of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Collateral.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

3.           Status of Pledged Interests. Each Pledgor hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, with respect to itself and the Collateral as to which it has or acquires any interest, that:

 

(a)           All of the Pledged Interests are, as of the date of execution of this Pledge Agreement or Pledge Joinder Agreement by each Pledgor pledging such Pledged Interests (such date as applicable with respect to each Pledgor, its “Applicable Date”), and shall at all times thereafter be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable and constitute (i) 65% of the issued and outstanding Voting Equity Interests (or if any Pledgor shall own less than 65% of such Voting Equity Interests, then 100% of the Voting Equity Interests owned by such Pledgor) and 100% of the other issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Direct Foreign Subsidiary constituting a Pledged Subsidiary and (ii) all of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of all other Domestic Subsidiaries constituting Pledged Subsidiaries, and are, as of the date hereof, accurately described on Schedule I.

 

(b)           Each Pledgor is at its Applicable Date and shall at all times thereafter (subject to Dispositions permitted under the Credit Agreement) be the sole registered and record and beneficial owner of the Pledged Interests, free and clear of all Liens, charges, equities, options, hypothecations, encumbrances and restrictions on pledge or transfer, including transfer of voting rights (other than the pledge hereunder, any Permitted Liens and applicable restrictions pursuant to federal, state and applicable foreign securities laws).

 

(c)           At no time shall any Pledged Interests (i) be held or maintained in the form of a security entitlement or credited to any securities account and (ii) which constitute a “security” (or as to which the related Pledged Subsidiary has elected to have treated as a “security”) under Article 8 of the UCC (including, for the purposes of this Section, the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction) be maintained in the form of uncertificated securities.  With respect to Pledged Interests that are “securities” under the UCC, or as to which the issuer has elected at any time to have such interests treated as “securities” under the UCC, such Pledged Interests are, and shall at all times be, represented by the share or membership certificates, if any, listed on Schedule I hereto, which share or membership certificates, with stock or membership powers, if any, duly executed in blank by the Pledgor, have been delivered to the Administrative Agent or are being delivered to the Administrative Agent simultaneously herewith or, in the case of Additional Interests as defined in Section 22, shall be delivered pursuant to Section 22. In addition, with respect to all Pledged Interests, including Pledged Interests that are not “securities” under the UCC and as to which the applicable Pledged Subsidiary has not elected to have such interests treated as “securities” under the UCC, each Pledgor has at its Applicable Date authorized the Administrative Agent (or has previously authorized the Administrative Agent or, in the case of Additional Interests, shall authorize pursuant to Section 22) to file Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (or appropriate amendments thereto) duly authorized naming such Pledgor as “debtor” and naming the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as “secured party,” in form, substance and number sufficient in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to be filed in all UCC filing offices and in all jurisdictions in which filing is necessary or advisable to perfect in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties the Lien on such Pledged Interests, together with all required filing fees.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(c), with respect to any Pledged Interests issued by any Direct Foreign Subsidiary, each Pledgor shall, upon the reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, deliver or cause to be delivered, (i) in addition to or in substitution for all or any of the foregoing items, as the Administrative Agent may elect, such other instruments, certificates, agreements, notices, filings, and other documents, and take or cause to be taken such other action, as the Administrative Agent may reasonably determine to be necessary or advisable under the laws of the jurisdiction of formation of such Direct Foreign Subsidiary, to grant, perfect and protect as a first priority lien in such Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and (ii) an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Administrative Agent issued by a law firm licensed to practice law in such foreign jurisdiction, addressing with respect to such Pledged Interests the opinions, assumptions and qualifications similar to those contained in the opinions of counsel delivered pursuant to the Post-Closing Agreement or as otherwise customary in the applicable jurisdiction.

 

(d)           It has full corporate, limited liability company or partnership (as applicable) power, legal right and lawful authority to execute this Pledge Agreement (and any Pledge Joinder Agreement applicable to it) and to pledge, assign and transfer its Pledged Interests in the manner and form hereof.

 

(e)           The pledge, assignment and delivery of its Pledged Interests (along with undated stock or membership powers executed in blank (in the case of Pledged Interests that are certificated, if any), financing statements and other agreements referred to in Section 3(c) hereof) to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to this Pledge Agreement (or any Pledge Joinder Agreement) creates or continues, as applicable, a valid and perfected first priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in such Pledged Interests in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations, assuming, (i) in the case of the Pledged Interests which constitute certificated “securities” under the UCC (including, for the  purposes of this Section, the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction), the Administrative Agent has taken delivery of the certificates representing such Pledged Interests in registered form, indorsed in blank by an effective indorsement or accompanied by undated stock or membership powers executed in blank and has maintained continuous and uninterrupted possession thereof and (ii) in the case of all other Pledged Interests, the proper filing of financing statements.  Each Pledgor will at its own cost and expense defend the Secured Parties’ right, title and security interest in and to the Collateral against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.  Each Pledgor will at its own cost and expense defend the Secured Parties’ right, title and security interest in and to the Collateral against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.

 

(f)           Except as permitted under the Credit Agreement, none of the Pledged Interests (nor any right, title or interest therein or thereto) shall be sold, transferred or assigned without the Administrative Agent’s prior written consent, which may be withheld for any reason.

 

(g)           It shall at all times cause the Pledged Interests of such Pledgor that constitute “securities” (or as to which the issuer elects to have treated as “securities”) under the UCC to be represented by the certificates now and hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent in accordance with Sections 2, 3 and 22 hereof and that, except to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement, it shall cause each of the Pledged Subsidiaries as to which it is the Pledgor not to issue any Equity Interests, or securities convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Equity Interests, at any time during the term of this Pledge Agreement unless the Pledged Interests of such Pledged Subsidiary are issued solely to either (i) such Pledgor who shall promptly comply with Sections 3 and 22 hereof with respect to such property or (ii) the Borrower or another Loan Party (which such Loan Party shall, if applicable and as soon as practicable, but in any event within thirty (30) days or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion, become a party hereto in accordance with Section 24) who shall pledge such additional Equity Interests to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to Section 22 or Section 24 hereof, as applicable, on substantially identical terms as are contained herein and deliver or cause to be delivered the appropriate documents described in Section 3(c) hereof to the Administrative Agent and take such further actions as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary in order to perfect a first priority security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in such Equity Interests.

 

(h)           As of its Applicable Date, the exact legal name and address, type of Person, jurisdiction of formation, jurisdiction of formation identification number (if any), and location of the chief executive office of such Pledgor are as specified on Schedule II (as such schedule may be amended, supplemented or otherwise updated from time to time) attached hereto.  No Pledgor shall change its name, jurisdiction of formation (whether by reincorporation, merger or otherwise), or the location of its chief executive office, except upon giving not less than ten days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and taking or causing to be taken all such action at such Pledgor’s expense as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to perfect or maintain the perfection of the Lien of the Administrative Agent in Collateral.

 

4.           Preservation and Protection of Collateral.

 

(a)           The Administrative Agent shall be under no duty or liability with respect to the collection, protection or preservation of the Collateral, or otherwise, beyond the use of reasonable care in the custody and preservation thereof while in its possession.

 

(b)           Each Pledgor agrees to pay when due all obligations to the extent required by the Credit Agreement.  Upon the failure of any Pledgor to so pay or contest such taxes, charges, Liens or assessments, or upon the failure of any Pledgor to pay any amount due pursuant to Section 2(c), the Administrative Agent at its option may pay or contest any of them (the Administrative Agent having the right in it reasonable discretion to determine the legality or validity and the amount necessary to discharge such taxes, charges, Liens or assessments) but shall not have any obligation to make any such payment or contest.  All sums so disbursed by the Administrative Agent, including Attorneys’ Costs, court costs, expenses and other charges related thereto, shall be payable on demand by the applicable Pledgor to the Administrative Agent and shall be additional Secured Obligations secured by the Collateral, and any amounts not so paid on demand (in addition to other rights and remedies resulting from such nonpayment) shall bear interest from the date of demand until paid in full at the Default Rate.

 

(c)           Each Pledgor hereby (i) irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to file (with, or to the extent permitted by applicable law, without the signature of such Pledgor appearing thereon) financing statements (including amendments thereto and continuations and copies thereof) showing such Pledgor as “debtor” at such time or times and in all filing offices as the Administrative Agent may from time to time determine to be necessary or advisable to perfect or protect the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder, or otherwise to give effect to the transactions herein contemplated, and (ii) irrevocably ratifies and acknowledges all such actions taken by or on behalf of the Administrative Agent prior to the Applicable Date.

 

5.           Default.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Administrative Agent is given full power and authority, upon giving the applicable Pledgors seven Business Days’ written notice, to sell, assign, deliver or collect the whole or any part of the Collateral, or any substitute therefor or any addition thereto, in one or more sales, with or without any previous demands or demand of performance or, to the extent permitted by law, notice or advertisement, in such order as the Administrative Agent may elect; and any such sale may be made either at public or private sale at the Administrative Agent’s place of business or elsewhere, either for cash or upon credit or for future delivery, at such price or prices as the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem fair; and the Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party may be the purchaser of any or all Collateral so sold and hold the same thereafter in its own right free from any claim of any Pledgor or right of redemption.  Demands of performance, advertisements and presence of property and sale and notice of sale are hereby waived to the extent permissible by law.  Any sale hereunder may be conducted by an auctioneer or any officer or agent of the Administrative Agent.  Each Pledgor recognizes that the Administrative Agent may be unable to effect a public sale of the Collateral by reason of certain prohibitions contained in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and applicable state law, and may be otherwise delayed or adversely affected in effecting any sale by reason of present or future restrictions thereon imposed by governmental authorities, and that as a consequence of such prohibitions and restrictions the Administrative Agent may be compelled (i) to resort to one or more private sales to a restricted group of purchasers who will be obliged to agree, among other things, to acquire the Collateral for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof, or (ii) to seek regulatory approval of any proposed sale or sales, or (iii) to limit the amount of Collateral sold to any Person or group.  Each Pledgor agrees and acknowledges that private sales so made may be at prices and upon terms less favorable to such Pledgor than if such Collateral was sold either at public sales or at private sales not subject to other regulatory restrictions, and that the Administrative Agent has no obligation to delay the sale of any of the Collateral for the period of time necessary to permit the Pledged Subsidiary to register or otherwise qualify the Collateral, even if such Pledged Subsidiary would agree to register or otherwise qualify such Collateral for public sale under the Securities Act or applicable state law.  Each Pledgor further agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that the use of private sales made under the foregoing circumstances to dispose of the Collateral shall be deemed to be dispositions in a commercially reasonable manner.  Each Pledgor hereby acknowledges that a ready market may not exist for the Pledged Interests if they are not traded on a national securities exchange or quoted on an automated quotation system and agrees and acknowledges that in such event the Pledged Interests may be sold for an amount less than a pro rata share of the fair market value of the Pledged Subsidiary’s assets minus its liabilities.  In addition to the foregoing, the Secured Parties may exercise such other rights and remedies as may be available under the Loan Documents, at law (including without limitation the UCC) or in equity.

 

6.           Proceeds of Sale.  The net cash proceeds resulting from the collection, liquidation, sale, or other disposition of the Collateral shall be applied first to the expenses (including all Attorneys’ Costs) of retaking, holding, storing, processing and preparing for sale, selling, collecting, liquidating and the like, and then to the satisfaction of all Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement.  Each Pledgor shall be liable to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, on demand any deficiency which may remain after such sale, disposition, collection or liquidation of the Collateral.

 

7.           Presentments, Demands and Notices.  The Administrative Agent shall not be under any duty or obligation whatsoever to make or give any presentments, demands for performances, notices of nonperformance, protests, notice of protest or notice of dishonor in connection with any obligations or evidences of indebtedness held thereby as collateral, or in connection with any obligations or evidences of indebtedness which constitute in whole or in part the Secured Obligations secured hereunder.

 

8.           Attorney-in-Fact.  Each Pledgor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent as such Pledgor’s attorney-in-fact for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Pledge Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument which the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest; provided that the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise rights under this power of attorney only upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall have the right and power to receive, endorse and collect all checks and other orders for the payment of money made payable to any Pledgor representing any dividend, interest payment, principal payment or other distribution payable or distributable in respect to the Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the same.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

9.           Reinstatement.  The granting of a security interest in the Collateral and the other provisions hereof shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Secured Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any Secured Party or is repaid by any Secured Party in whole or in part in good faith settlement of a pending or threatened avoidance claim, whether upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Pledgor or any other Loan Party or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made. The provisions of this Section 9 shall survive repayment of all of the Secured Obligations and the termination or expiration of this Pledge Agreement in any manner, including but not limited to termination upon occurrence of the Facility Termination Date.

 

10.           Waiver by the Pledgors.  Until such time as this Pledge Agreement shall terminate in accordance with Section 21 hereof, each Pledgor waives to the extent permitted by applicable law (a) any right to require any Secured Party or any other obligee of the Secured Obligations to (i) proceed against any Person or entity, including without limitation any Loan Party, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any Collateral or other collateral for the Secured Obligations, or (iii) pursue any other remedy in its power, (b) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of any other Person, or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of any other Person or entity, (c) any right of subrogation, and (d) any right to enforce any remedy which any Secured Party or any other obligee of the Secured Obligations now has or may hereafter have against any other Person and any benefit of and any right to participate in any collateral or security whatsoever now or hereafter held by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.  Each Pledgor authorizes each Secured Party and each other obligee of the Secured Obligations without notice (except notice required by applicable law) or demand and without affecting its liability hereunder or under the Loan Documents from time to time to take and hold security, other than the Collateral herein described, for the payment of such Secured Obligations or any part thereof, and exchange, enforce, waive and release the Collateral herein described or any part thereof or any such other security.

 

The Administrative Agent may at any time deliver (without representation, recourse or warranty) a Pledgor’s Collateral or any part thereof to such Pledgor, and the receipt thereof by such Pledgor shall be a complete and full acquittance for the Collateral so delivered, and the Administrative Agent shall thereafter be discharged from any liability or responsibility therefor.

 

11.           Dividends and Voting Rights.

 

(a)           All dividends and other distributions with respect to any of the Pledged Interests shall be subject to the pledge hereunder; provided, however, that cash dividends and other distributions paid to a Pledgor as record owner of any Pledged Interests, to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement to be declared and paid, may be retained by such Pledgor so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, in each case free and clear from any Liens hereunder.

 

(b)           So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the registration of the Collateral in the name of a Pledgor as record and beneficial owner shall not be changed and such Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise all voting, consent, approval and other rights and powers pertaining to the Collateral for all purposes not inconsistent with the terms of the Loan Documents.

 

(c)           Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, after the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Pledgors, all rights of the Pledgors to receive and retain cash dividends and other distributions upon the Collateral pursuant to subsection (a) above shall cease and shall thereupon be vested in the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and each Pledgor shall promptly deliver, or shall cause to be promptly delivered, all such cash dividends and other distributions with respect to the Pledged Interests to the Administrative Agent (together, if the Administrative Agent shall request, with the documents described in Sections 2(c) and 3(c) hereof or other negotiable documents or instruments so distributed) to be held by it hereunder or, at the option of the Administrative Agent, to be applied to the Secured Obligations.  Pending delivery to the Administrative Agent of such property, each Pledgor shall keep such property segregated from its other property and shall be deemed to hold the same in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

(d)           Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, at the option of the Administrative Agent, after the Administrative Agent shall have notified the Pledgors, all rights of each of the Pledgors to exercise the voting, approval or consensual rights and powers which it is authorized to exercise pursuant to subsection (b) above shall cease and the Administrative Agent may thereupon (but shall not be obligated to) cause such Collateral to be registered in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee or agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and/or exercise such voting, approval or consensual rights and powers as appertain to ownership of such Collateral, and to that end each Pledgor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent as its proxy, with full power of substitution, to vote and exercise all other rights as a shareholder with respect to such Pledged Interests hereunder upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, which proxy is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable until the Facility Termination Date, and each Pledgor hereby agrees to provide such further proxies as the Administrative Agent may request; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent in its discretion may from time to time refrain from exercising, and shall not be obligated to exercise, any such voting or consensual rights or such proxy.

 

12.           Continued Powers.  Until the Facility Termination Date shall have occurred, the power of sale and other rights, powers and remedies granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder shall continue to exist and may be exercised by the Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time, subject to the terms herein, irrespective of the fact that any of the Secured Obligations or any part thereof may have become barred by any statute of limitations or that any part of the liability of any Pledgor may have ceased.

 

13.           Other Rights.  The rights, powers and remedies given to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties by this Pledge Agreement shall be in addition to all rights, powers and remedies given to the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party under any Loan Document or by virtue of any statute or rule of law.  Any forbearance or failure or delay by the Administrative Agent in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such right, power or remedy, and any single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not preclude the further exercise thereof; and every right, power and remedy of the Secured Parties shall continue in full force and effect until such right, power or remedy is specifically waived in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement or this Pledge Agreement, as applicable.

 

14.           Anti-Marshaling Provisions.  The right is hereby given by each Pledgor to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to make releases (whether in whole or in part) of all or any part of the Collateral agreeable to the Administrative Agent without notice to, or the consent, approval or agreement of other parties and interests, including junior lienors, which releases shall not impair in any manner the validity of or priority of the Liens and security interests in the remaining Collateral conferred hereunder, nor release any Pledgor from personal liability for the Secured Obligations.  Notwithstanding the existence of any other security interest in the Collateral held by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to determine the order in which any or all of the Collateral shall be subjected to the remedies provided in this Pledge Agreement.  Each Pledgor hereby waives any and all right to require the marshaling of assets in connection with the exercise of any of the remedies permitted by applicable law or provided herein or in any Loan Document.

 

15.           Entire Agreement.  This Pledge Agreement and each Pledge Joinder Agreement, together with the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents, constitute and express the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior negotiations, agreements and understandings, inducements, commitments or conditions, express or implied, oral or written, except as herein contained.  The express terms hereof and of the Pledge Joinder Agreements control and supersede any course of performance or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof and thereof.  Neither this Pledge Agreement nor any Pledge Joinder Agreement nor any portion or provision hereof or thereof may be changed, altered, modified, supplemented, discharged, canceled, terminated, or amended orally or in any manner other than as provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

16.           Further Assurances.  Each Pledgor agrees at its own expense to do such further acts and things, and to execute and deliver, and cause to be executed and delivered as may be necessary or advisable to give effect thereto, such additional conveyances, assignments, financing statements, control agreements, documents, certificates, stock powers, agreements and instruments, as the Administrative Agent may at any time reasonably request in connection with the administration or enforcement of this Pledge Agreement or any Pledge Joinder Agreement or related to the Collateral or any part thereof or in order better to assure and confirm unto the Administrative Agent its rights, powers and remedies for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder or thereunder.  Each Pledgor hereby consents and agrees that the Pledged Subsidiaries and all other Persons shall be entitled to accept the provisions hereof and of the Pledge Joinder Agreements as conclusive evidence of the right of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, to exercise its rights, privileges, and remedies hereunder and thereunder with respect to the Collateral, notwithstanding any other notice or direction to the contrary heretofore or hereafter given by any Pledgor or any other Person to any of such Pledged Subsidiaries or other Persons.

 

17.           Binding Agreement; Assignment.  This Pledge Agreement and each Pledge Joinder Agreement, and the terms, covenants and conditions hereof and thereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and thereto, and to their respective successors and assigns, except that no Pledgor shall be permitted to assign this Pledge Agreement, any Pledge Joinder Agreement or any interest herein or therein or, except as expressly permitted herein or in the Credit Agreement, in the Collateral, or any part thereof or interest therein, or otherwise pledge, encumber or grant any option with respect to the Collateral, or any part thereof, or any cash or property held by the Administrative Agent as Collateral under this Pledge Agreement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence of this Section 17, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons, or grant to one or more Persons participations in or to, all or any part of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement); and to the extent of any such assignment or participation such other Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise, subject however, to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, including Article IX thereof (concerning the Administrative Agent) and Section 10.06 thereof (concerning assignments and participations).  All references herein to the Administrative Agent and to the Secured Parties shall include any successor thereof or permitted assignee, and any other obligees from time to time of the Secured Obligations.

 

18.           Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedging Agreements.  No Secured Party (other than the Administrative Agent) that obtains the benefit of this Pledge Agreement shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as Secured Party and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Pledge Agreement to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall only be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangement have been made with respect to, the Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements to the extent the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as it may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.  Each Secured Party not a party to the Credit Agreement that obtains the benefit of this Pledge Agreement shall be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, and that with respect to the actions and omissions of the Administrative Agent hereunder or otherwise relating hereto that do or may affect such Secured Party, the Administrative Agent and each of its Related Parties shall be entitled to all the rights, benefits and immunities conferred under Article IX of the Credit Agreement.

 

19.           Severability.  If any provision of this Pledge Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Pledge Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

20.           Counterparts.  This Pledge Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Pledge Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by the Pledgor against whom enforcement is sought.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 20, the provisions of Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Pledge Agreement.

 

21.           Termination.  (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 9, this Pledge Agreement and each Pledge Joinder Agreement, and all obligations of the Pledgors hereunder (excluding those obligations and liabilities that expressly survive such termination) shall terminate without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party on the Facility Termination Date; and (b) upon any sale or other transfer by any Pledgor of any Collateral that is permitted under the Credit Agreement to any Person that is not a Pledgor, or, upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement, the security interest in the Collateral shall be automatically released.  Upon such termination or release pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall, at the sole expense of the Pledgors, promptly deliver to the Pledgors the certificates, instruments and other documents evidencing its Pledged Interests (and any other property received as a dividend or distribution or otherwise in respect of such Pledged Interests to the extent then held by the Administrative Agent as additional Collateral hereunder), together with any cash then constituting the Collateral not then sold or otherwise disposed of in accordance with the provisions hereof, and take such further actions at the request of the Pledgors as may be necessary to effect or evidence the same (including authorizing the Pledgors to file appropriate financing statement terminations at that time).

 

22.           Additional Interests.  If any Pledgor shall at any time acquire or hold any additional Pledged Interests, including any Pledged Interests issued by any Subsidiary not listed on Schedule I hereto which are required to be subject to a Lien pursuant to this Pledge Agreement by the terms hereof or of any provision of the Credit Agreement, subject to the limitations set forth in clause (i) of Section 2(a) hereof (any such Pledged Interests being referred to herein as the “Additional Interests”), such Pledgor shall deliver to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties (a) a Pledge Agreement Supplement in the form of Exhibit A hereto with respect to such Additional Interests duly completed and executed by such Pledgor and (b) any other document required in connection with such Additional Interests as described in Section 3(c).  Each Pledgor shall comply with the requirements of this Section 22 as soon as practicable following the acquisition of any such Additional Interests or, in the case of Additional Interests to which Section 6.12 of the Credit Agreement applies, within the time period specified in such Section or elsewhere in the Credit Agreement with respect to such Additional Interests; provided, however, that the failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 22 shall not impair the Lien on Additional Interests conferred hereunder.

 

23.           Notices.  Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given (a) with respect to the Borrower and each other Pledgor, at the address of the Borrower indicated in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement and (b) with respect to the Administrative Agent or a Lender, at the Administrative Agent’s address indicated in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement.  All such addresses may be modified, and all such notices shall be given and shall be effective, as provided in Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement for the giving and effectiveness of notices and modifications of addresses thereunder.

 

24.           Joinder.  Each Person who shall at any time execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Pledge Joinder Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto shall thereupon irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally become a party hereto and obligated hereunder as a Pledgor and shall have thereupon pursuant to Section 2 hereof granted a security interest in and collaterally assigned and pledged to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties all Pledged Interests which it has at its Applicable Date or thereafter acquires any interest or the power to transfer, and all references herein and in the other Loan Documents to the Pledgors or to the parties to this Pledge Agreement shall be deemed to include such Person as a Pledgor hereunder.  Each Pledge Joinder Agreement shall be accompanied by the Supplemental Schedules (as defined in each such Pledge Joinder Agreement), appropriately completed with information relating to the Pledgor executing such Pledge Joinder Agreement and its property. Each of the applicable Schedules attached hereto shall be deemed amended and supplemented without further action by such information reflected on the Supplemental Schedules.

 

25.           Rules of Interpretation.  The rules of interpretation contained in Article I of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Pledge Agreement and each Pledge Joinder Agreement and are hereby incorporated by reference.  All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the delivery of documents and any Credit Extensions referred to herein or secured hereby.

 

26.           Governing Law; Waivers.

 

(a)           THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT AND EACH PLEDGE JOINDER AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)           EACH PLEDGOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR ANY PLEDGE JOINDER AGREEMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH PLEDGOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH PLEDGOR AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW.  NOTHING IN THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR ANY PLEDGE JOINDER AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY SECURED PARTY MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR ANY PLEDGE JOINDER AGREEMENT AGAINST ANY PLEDGOR OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

(c)           EACH PLEDGOR IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR ANY PLEDGE JOINDER AGREEMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (b) OF THIS SECTION.  EACH PLEDGOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d)           EACH PLEDGOR IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 23.  NOTHING IN THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

(e)           EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR ANY PLEDGE JOINDER AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT OR ANY PLEDGE JOINDER AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

[Signature pages follow.]

 

G-

Form of Pledge Agreement

 

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Pledge Agreement on the day and year first written above.

 

PLEDGORS:

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION, as a Pledgor

 

By:______________________________________

 

Name:____________________________________

 

Title:_____________________________________

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS GLOBAL CORPORATION, as a Pledgor

 

By:______________________________________

 

Name:____________________________________

 

Title:_____________________________________

 

G-

Form of Pledge Agreement

 

  

  

  

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

By:______________________________________

 

Name:           Denise J. Jones

 

Title:           Assistant Vice President

 

G-

 

Form of Pledge Agreement

  

  

  

SCHEDULE I

 

 

	
Name of Pledgor

	
Name, Jurisdiction of Formation and Type of Entity of Pledged Subsidiary

	
Class or Type of Pledged Interest

	
Total Amount of Class or Type of Pledged Interests Authorized

	
Total Amount of Class or Type Outstanding

	
Total Amount Pledged

	
Certificate Number(s) of Pledged Shares (if applicable)

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

G-

 

Form of Pledge Agreement

  

  

  

SCHEDULE II

 

 

	
Name and Address of Pledgor

	
Type of Person

	
Jurisdiction of Formation

of Pledgor

	
Jurisdiction of Formation

Identification Number

	
Address of Chief

Executive Office

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  

 

G-

 

Form of Pledge Agreement

  

  

  

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF]

 

PLEDGE AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT

 

THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT, dated as of _____________, 20__ (this “Pledge Agreement Supplement”), is made by _______________________________, a ________________ (the “Pledgor”), in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Pledge Agreement referenced below; capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in such Pledge Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement referenced below).

 

RECITALS:

 

A.           In connection with that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,  the “Credit Agreement”), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Administrative Agent and the lenders now or hereafter party thereto, the Pledgor is party to that certain Pledge Agreement dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Pledge Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Pledgor, certain other Subsidiaries of the Borrower from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

 

B.           The Pledgor has acquired rights in the Pledged Interests listed on Annex A to this Supplement (the “Additional Interests”) and desires to pledge, and evidence its prior pledge, to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties all of the Additional Interests in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Pledge Agreement.

 

In order to induce the Secured Parties to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, the Pledgor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Affirmations.  The Pledgor hereby reaffirms and acknowledges the pledge and collateral assignment to, and the grant of security interest in, the Collateral contained in the Pledge Agreement and pledges and collaterally assigns to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and grants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a first priority lien and security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) in, the Additional Interests and all of the following:

 

(a)           all money, securities, security entitlements and other investment property, dividends, rights, general intangibles and other property at any time and from time to time (i) declared or distributed in respect of or in exchange for or on conversion of any or all of the Additional Interests or (ii) by its or their terms exchangeable or exercisable for or convertible into any Additional Interest or other Pledged Interest;

 

(b)           subject to clause (i) of Section 2(a) of the Pledge Agreement, all other property of whatever character or description, including money, securities, security entitlements and other investment property, and general intangibles hereafter delivered to the Administrative Agent in substitution for or as an addition to any of the foregoing;

 

(c)           all securities accounts to which may at any time be credited any or all of the foregoing or any proceeds thereof and all certificates and instruments representing or evidencing any of the foregoing or any proceeds thereof; and

 

(d)           all proceeds of any of the foregoing.

 

The Pledgor hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms by its execution of this Pledge Agreement Supplement that the Additional Interests constitute “Pledged Interests” under and are subject to the Pledge Agreement, and all such Pledged Interests, certificates, instruments, cash, securities, interests, dividends, rights and other property referred to in clauses (a) through (d) above (the “Additional Collateral”) shall collectively constitute “Collateral” under and are subject to the Pledge Agreement.  Each of the representations and warranties with respect to Pledged Interests and Collateral contained in the Pledge Agreement is hereby made by the Pledgor with respect to the Additional Interests and the Additional Collateral, respectively.  The Pledgor further represents and warrants that Annex A attached to this Pledge Agreement Supplement contains a true, correct and complete description of the Additional Interests, and that all other documents required to be furnished to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 3(c) of the Pledge Agreement in connection with the Additional Collateral have been delivered or are being delivered simultaneously herewith to the Administrative Agent.  The Pledgor further acknowledges that Schedule I to the Pledge Agreement shall be deemed, as to it, to be supplemented as of the date hereof to include the Additional Interests as described on Annex A to this Pledge Agreement Supplement.

 

2.           Governing Law; Waivers. The provisions of Section 26 of the Pledge Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.  The Pledgor irrevocably waives notice of acceptance of this Pledge Agreement Supplement and acknowledges that the Secured Obligations are and shall be deemed to be incurred, and Credit Extensions under the Loan Documents, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements made and maintained, in reliance on this Pledge Agreement Supplement.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Pledgor has caused this Pledge Agreement Supplement to be duly executed by it’s authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

 

PLEDGOR:

 

________________________________________

 

By:_____________________________________

 

Name:___________________________________

 

Title:____________________________________

 

G-

 

Form of Pledge Agreement

  

  

  

 

ANNEX A

 

(to Pledge Agreement Supplement of __________ dated __________)

 

Additional Interests

 

 

	
Name of Pledgor

	
Name, Jurisdiction of Formation and Type of Entity of Pledged Subsidiary

	
Class or Type of Additional Interest

	
Total Amount of Class or Type of Additional Interests Authorized

	
Total Amount of Class or Type Outstanding

	
Total Amount  Pledged

	
Certificate Number (if applicable)

	
Par Value (if applicable)

	
Name of Transfer Agent (if any)

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

 

G-

 

Form of Pledge Agreement

  

  

  

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF]

 

PLEDGE JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

THIS PLEDGE JOINDER AGREEMENT, dated as of _____________, 20__ (this “Pledge Joinder Agreement”), is made by _______________________________, a ________________ (the “Joining Pledgor”), in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Pledge Agreement referenced below; all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in such Pledge Agreement or, if not defined therein, in the Credit Agreement referenced below).

 

RECITALS:

 

A.           In connection with that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,  the “Credit Agreement”), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Administrative Agent and the lenders now or hereafter party thereto, the Borrower is party to that certain Pledge Agreement dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time,  the “Pledge Agreement”), among the Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries from time to time party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

 

B.           The Joining Pledgor is a Subsidiary of the Borrower and is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement to become a Guarantor and be joined as a party to the Pledge Agreement as a Pledgor.

 

C.           The Joining Pledgor will materially benefit directly and indirectly from the making and maintenance of the extensions of credit made from time to time under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.

 

In order to induce the Secured Parties to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, the Joining Pledgor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Joinder. The Joining Pledgor hereby irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally becomes a party to the Pledge Agreement as a Pledgor and agrees to be bound by all the terms, conditions, obligations, liabilities and undertakings of each Pledgor or to which each Pledgor is subject thereunder, including without limitation the grant pursuant to Section 2 of the Pledge Agreement of a security interest to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in, and collateral assignment and pledge to the Administrative Agent of, the Pledged Interests and other property constituting Collateral of such Joining Pledgor or in which such Joining Pledgor has or may have or acquire an interest or the power to transfer rights therein, whether now owned or existing or hereafter created, acquired or arising and wheresoever located, as security for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, all with the same force and effect as if the Joining Pledgor were a signatory to the Pledge Agreement.

 

2.           Affirmations.  The Joining Pledgor hereby acknowledges and affirms as of the date hereof with respect to itself, its properties and its affairs each of the waivers, representations, warranties, acknowledgements and certifications applicable to any Pledgor contained in the Pledge Agreement.

 

3.           Supplemental Schedules. Attached to this Pledge Joinder Agreement are duly completed schedules (the “Supplemental Schedules”) supplementing as thereon indicated the respective Schedules to the Pledge Agreement.  The Joining Pledgor represents and warrants that the information contained on each of the Supplemental Schedules with respect to such Joining Pledgor and its properties and affairs is true, complete and accurate as of its Applicable Date.

 

4.           Severability.  If any provision of this Pledge Joinder Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Pledge Joinder Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

5.           Delivery.  The Joining Pledgor hereby irrevocably waives notice of acceptance of this Pledge Joinder Agreement and acknowledges that the Secured Obligations are and shall be deemed to be incurred, and Credit Extensions under the Loan Documents, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements made and maintained, in reliance on this Pledge Joinder Agreement and the Joining Pledgor’s joinder as a party to the Pledge Agreement as herein provided.

 

6.           Counterparts.  This Pledge Joinder Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Pledge Joinder Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by the Joining Pledgor.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Pledge Joinder Agreement by facsimile or electronic transmission (including .pdf file) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

7.           Governing Law; Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial. The provisions of Section 26 of the Pledge Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

G-

 

Form of Pledge Agreement

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Joining Pledgor has duly executed and delivered this Pledge Joinder Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

 

JOINING PLEDGOR:

 

__________________________________________

 

By:_______________________________________

 

Name:           ____________________________________

 

Title:           ____________________________________

 

G-

 

Form of Pledge Agreement

  

  

  

SUPPLEMENTAL

 

SCHEDULE I

 

 

	
Name of Pledgor

	
Name, Jurisdiction of Formation and Type of Entity of Pledged Subsidiary

	
Class or Type of Pledged Interest

	
Total Amount of Class or Type of Pledged Interests Authorized

	
Total Amount of Class or Type Outstanding

	
Total Amount Pledged

	
Certificate Number (if applicable)

	
Par Value  (if applicable)

	
Name of Transfer Agent (if any)

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

 

Delivered Pursuant to Pledge Joinder Agreement of: __________________________________

 

Applicable Date:  __________, 20__

 

G-

Form of Pledge Agreement

 

  

  

  

SUPPLEMENTAL

 

SCHEDULE II

 

	
Name and Address of Pledgor

	
Type of Person

	
Jurisdiction of Formation

of Pledgor

	
Jurisdiction of Formation

Identification Number

	
Address of Chief

Executive Office

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  

 

Delivered Pursuant to Pledge Joinder Agreement of: __________________________________

 

Applicable Date:  __________, 20__

 

G-

Form of Pledge Agreement

 

  

  

  

 

 

EXHIBIT H

 

FORM OF SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of February 13, 2012 (this “Security Agreement”) is being entered into among CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER PERSON WHO SHALL BECOME A PARTY HERETO BY EXECUTION OF A SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT (each a “Guarantor” and, together with the Borrower, collectively, the “Grantors”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”) for each of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referenced) below.

 

RECITALS:

 

A.           Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as an L/C Issuer, and the lenders now or hereafter party thereto (the “Lenders”), the Lenders have agreed to provide to the Borrower a term loan facility and a revolving credit facility with letter of credit, swing line and multicurrency sublimits.

 

B.           Certain additional extensions of credit may be made from time to time for the benefit of the Grantors pursuant to certain Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements (each as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

C.           It is a condition precedent to the Secured Parties’ obligations to make and maintain such extensions of credit that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered this Security Agreement to the Administrative Agent.

 

In order to induce the Secured Parties to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement and such Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.           Certain Definitions.  All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.  Terms used in this Security Agreement that are not otherwise expressly defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, and for which meanings are provided in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York (the “UCC”), shall have such meanings unless the context requires otherwise.

 

2.           Grant of Security Interest.  Each Grantor grants as collateral security for the payment, performance and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations, to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a continuing security interest in and to, and collaterally assigns to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, all of the following assets (other than the Excluded Assets (as defined below)) of such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or may have or acquire an interest or the power to transfer rights therein, whether now owned or existing or hereafter created, acquired or arising and wheresoever located:

 

(a)           All accounts, and including accounts receivable, contracts, bills, acceptances, choses in action, and other forms of monetary obligations at any time owing to such Grantor arising out of property sold, leased, licensed, assigned or otherwise disposed of or for services rendered or to be rendered by such Grantor, and all of such Grantor’s rights with respect to any property represented thereby, whether or not delivered, property returned by customers and all rights as an unpaid vendor or lienor, including rights of stoppage in transit and of recovering possession by proceedings including replevin and reclamation (collectively referred to hereinafter as “Accounts”);

 

(b)           All inventory, including all goods manufactured or acquired for sale or lease, and any piece goods, raw materials, work in process and finished merchandise, component materials, and all supplies, goods, incidentals, office supplies, packaging materials and any and all items used or consumed in the operation of the business of such Grantor or which may contribute to the finished product or to the sale, promotion and shipment thereof, in which such Grantor now or at any time hereafter may have an interest, whether or not the same is in transit or in the constructive, actual or exclusive occupancy or possession of such Grantor or is held by such Grantor or by others for such Grantor’s account (collectively referred to hereinafter as “Inventory”);

 

(c)           All goods, including all machinery, equipment, motor vehicles, parts, supplies, apparatus, appliances, tools, patterns, molds, dies, blueprints, fittings, furniture, furnishings, fixtures and articles of tangible personal property of every description, and all computer programs embedded in any of the foregoing and all supporting information relating to such computer programs (collectively referred to hereinafter as “Equipment”);

 

(d)           All general intangibles, including all rights now or hereafter accruing to such Grantor under contracts, leases, agreements or other instruments, including all contracts or contract rights to perform or receive services, to purchase or sell goods, or to hold or use land or facilities, and to enforce all rights thereunder, all causes of action, corporate or business records, inventions, patents and patent rights, rights in mask works, designs, trade names and trademarks and all goodwill associated therewith, trade secrets, trade processes, copyrights, licenses, permits, franchises, customer lists, computer programs and software, all internet domain names and registration rights thereto, all internet websites and the content thereof, all payment intangibles, all rights to receive cash and cash investments (including, without limitation, intercompany debt), all claims under guaranties, tax refund claims, all rights and claims against carriers and shippers, leases, all claims under insurance policies, all interests in general and limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and other Persons not constituting Investment Property (as defined below), all rights to indemnification and all other intangible personal property and intellectual property of every kind and nature, and excluding Collateral (as defined therein) subject to the IP Security Agreement (collectively referred to hereinafter as “General Intangibles”);

 

(e)           All deposit accounts, including demand, time, savings, passbook, or other similar accounts maintained with any bank by or for the benefit of such Grantor, but excluding Excluded Deposit Accounts (as defined below) (collectively referred to hereinafter as “Deposit Accounts”);

 

(f)           All chattel paper, including tangible chattel paper, electronic chattel paper, or any hybrid thereof (collectively referred to hereinafter as “Chattel Paper”);

 

(g)           All investment property, including all securities, security entitlements, securities accounts, commodity contracts and commodity accounts of or maintained for the benefit of such Grantor and excluding Pledged Interests subject to the Pledge Agreement, but excluding Excluded Securities Accounts (as defined below) (collectively referred to hereinafter as “Investment Property”);

 

(h)           All instruments, including all promissory notes (collectively referred to hereinafter as “Instruments”);

 

(i)           All documents, including warehouse receipts, bills of lading and other documents of title (collectively referred to hereinafter as “Documents”);

 

(j)           All books and records relating to any of the forgoing (including customer data, credit files, ledgers, computer programs, printouts, and other computer materials and records (and all media on which such data, files, programs, materials and records are or may be stored)); and

 

(k)           All proceeds, products and replacements of, accessions to, and substitutions for, any of the foregoing, including without limitation proceeds of insurance policies insuring any of the foregoing.

 

All of the property and interests in property described in subsections (a) through (k) are herein collectively referred to as the “Collateral.”

 

As used herein, “Excluded Assets” means the collective references to the following (it being agreed that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or otherwise, (i) any asset or property that is an “Excluded Asset” under any of clauses (a) through (i) below shall not cease to be an “Excluded Asset” pursuant to or as a result of any other clause specified below in this definition, and (ii) each such clause shall be of independent application):

 

(a)           any lease, license, contract, property right or agreement to which any Grantor is a party or any of such Grantor’s rights or interests thereunder if and only for so long as the grant of a security interest therein under any Loan Document shall constitute or result in a breach, termination or default or invalidity under such lease, license, contract, property right or agreement (other than to the extent that any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC of any relevant jurisdiction or any other applicable law); provided that such lease, license, contract, property right or agreement shall be excluded hereunder only to the extent and for so long as the consequences specified above shall exist and shall cease to be excluded hereunder and shall become subject to the security interest granted hereunder at such time as such consequences shall no longer exist;

 

(b)           any motor vehicles and any other assets subject to a certificate of title (other than proceeds thereof), to the extent a security interest in such motor vehicles or other assets can not be perfected solely by filing a UCC financing statement;

 

(c)           any rights to payment or performance under letters of credit (other than rights to proceeds of letters of credit), and all guaranties, endorsements, Liens, other Guarantee obligations or supporting obligations of any Person securing or supporting the payment, performance, value or liquidation of any of the foregoing;

 

(d)           any commercial tort claim;

 

(e)           any (i) Deposit Account or securities account in which Investment Property is credited or maintained (a “Securities Account”), in each case established solely for the purpose of funding payroll, payroll taxes and other compensation and benefits to employees or other employee wage and benefit accounts (and the funds therein) and (ii) any Deposit Account and Securities Account located in any jurisdiction other than the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (collectively, as the context may require, “Excluded Deposit Accounts” and “Excluded Securities Accounts”);

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

(f)           assets or property in circumstances where the Administrative Agent and the Borrower mutually agree that the cost or burden of obtaining or perfecting a security interest under this Security Agreement in such assets is excessive in relation to the practical benefit to the Secured Parties afforded thereby;

 

(g)           any interest in real property;

 

(h)           any asset if and for so long as the granting of security interests in such assets would be prohibited by applicable laws or regulations (in each case, after giving effect to the applicable anti-assignment provisions of the UCC, other than proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC notwithstanding such provisions); and

 

(i)           any assets excluded from the Collateral (as defined in the Pledge Agreement) pursuant to the terms of the Pledge Agreement.

 

3.           Perfection.  As of the date of execution of this Security Agreement or Security Joinder Agreement by each Grantor, as applicable (with respect to each Grantor, its “Applicable Date”), such Grantor shall have:

 

(a)           furnished the Administrative Agent with information required by Article 9 of the UCC or the analogous legislation of each applicable jurisdiction for the filing of any financing statement or amendment in order that upon the filing of such statement or such amendment, as applicable, the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall have a duly perfected security interest in all Collateral in which a security interest can be perfected by the filing of financing statements;

 

(b)           to the extent expressly required by the terms hereof or of the Credit Agreement, or otherwise upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default as the Administrative Agent may request in writing, furnished the Administrative Agent with properly executed Qualifying Control Agreements and evidence of the placement of a restrictive legend on tangible chattel paper (and the tangible components of electronic Chattel Paper), and taken appropriate action acceptable to the Administrative Agent sufficient to establish the Administrative Agent’s control of electronic Chattel Paper (and the electronic components of hybrid Chattel Paper), as appropriate, with respect to Collateral in which either (i) a security interest can be perfected only by control or such restrictive legending, or (ii) a security interest perfected by control or accompanied by such restrictive legending shall have priority as against a lien creditor, a purchaser of such Collateral from the applicable Grantor, or a security interest perfected by Persons not having control or not accompanied by such restrictive legending, in each case in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and sufficient under applicable law so that the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall have a security interest in all such Collateral perfected by control; and

 

(c)           to the extent expressly required by the terms hereof or of the Credit Agreement, or otherwise upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default as the Administrative Agent may request in writing, delivered to the Administrative Agent possession of all Collateral with respect to which either a security interest can be perfected only by possession or a security interest perfected by possession shall have priority as against Persons not having possession, and including in the case of Instruments, Documents, and Investment Property in the form of certificated securities, duly executed endorsements or stock powers in blank, as the case may be, affixed thereto in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and sufficient under applicable law so that the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, shall have a security interest in all such Collateral perfected by possession;

 

with the effect that the Liens conferred in favor of the Administrative Agent shall be and remain duly perfected and of first priority subject only, to the extent applicable, to Permitted Liens.  All financing statements (including all amendments thereto and continuations thereof), control agreements, certificates, acknowledgments, stock powers and other documents, electronic identification, restrictive legends, and instruments furnished in connection with the creation, enforcement, protection, perfection or priority of the Administrative Agent’s security interest in Collateral, including such items as are described above in this Section 3, are sometimes referred to herein as “Perfection Documents”.  The delivery of possession of items of or evidencing Collateral, causing other Persons to execute and deliver Perfection Documents as appropriate, the filing or recordation of Perfection Documents, the establishment of control over items of Collateral, and the taking of such other actions as may be necessary or advisable in the determination of the Administrative Agent to create, enforce, protect, perfect, or establish or maintain the priority of, the security interest of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral is sometimes referred to herein as “Perfection Action”.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Perfection Action will be required with respect to any Collateral for which the cost of perfecting the security interest in such Collateral exceeds the practical benefit to the Secured Parties as reasonably determined in good faith by the Secured Parties.

 

4.           Maintenance of Security Interest; Further Assurances.

 

(a)           Each Grantor will from time to time at its own expense, deliver specific assignments of Collateral or such other Perfection Documents, and take such other or additional Perfection Action, as may be required by the terms of the Loan Documents or as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the administration or enforcement of this Security Agreement or related to the Collateral or any part thereof in order to carry out the terms of this Security Agreement, to perfect, protect, maintain the priority of or enforce the Administrative Agent’s security interest in the Collateral, subject only to Permitted Liens, or otherwise to better assure and confirm unto the Administrative Agent its rights, powers and remedies for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, each Grantor hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to file (with, or to the extent permitted by applicable law, without the signature of the Grantor appearing thereon) financing statements (including amendments thereto and initial financing statements in lieu of continuation statements) or other Perfection Documents (including copies thereof) showing such Grantor as “debtor” at such time or times and in all filing offices as the Administrative Agent may from time to time determine to be necessary or advisable to perfect or protect the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties hereunder, or otherwise to give effect to the transactions herein contemplated, any of which Perfection Documents, at the Administrative Agent’s election, may describe the Collateral as or including all assets of the Grantor.  Each Grantor hereby irrevocably ratifies and acknowledges the Administrative Agent’s authority to have effected filings of Perfection Documents made by the Administrative Agent prior to its Applicable Date.

 

(b)           With respect to any and all Collateral, each Grantor agrees to do and cause to be done all things necessary to perfect, maintain the priority of and keep in full force the security interest granted in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, including, but not limited to, the prompt payment upon demand therefor by the Administrative Agent of all reasonable and documented fees and expenses (including documentary stamp, excise or intangibles taxes), but limited, in the case of attorneys’ fees to the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of one primary counsel to the Administrative Agent and one local counsel and applicable regulatory counsel in each jurisdiction incurred in connection with the preparation, delivery, or filing of any Perfection Document or the taking of any Perfection Action to perfect, protect or enforce a security interest in Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, subject only to Permitted Liens; provided, however, that no Grantor shall be required to take any Perfection Action with respect to Collateral for which perfection is not governed by the UCC.  All amounts not so paid when due shall constitute additional Secured Obligations and (in addition to other rights and remedies resulting from such nonpayment) shall bear interest from the date of demand until paid in full at the Default Rate.

 

(c)           Each Grantor agrees to maintain among its books and records notations or evidence of, and to make or cause to be made disclosure upon its financial statements of, the security interest granted hereunder to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

5.           Receipt of Payment.  In the event an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and a Grantor (or any of its Affiliates, subsidiaries, stockholders, directors, officers, employees or agents) shall receive any proceeds of Collateral, including without limitation monies, checks, notes, drafts or any other items of payment, at the direction of the Administrative Agent, each Grantor shall hold all such items of payment in trust for the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and as the property of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, separate from the funds and other property of such Grantor, and no later than the first Business Day following the receipt thereof, at the election of the Administrative Agent, such Grantor shall cause such Collateral to be forwarded to the Administrative Agent for its custody, possession and disposition on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and of the other Loan Documents.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

6.           Preservation and Protection of Collateral.

 

(a)           The Administrative Agent shall be under no duty or liability with respect to the collection, protection or preservation of the Collateral, or otherwise, beyond the use of reasonable care in the custody and preservation thereof while in its possession.  Each Grantor shall be responsible for the safekeeping of its Collateral, and in no event shall the Administrative Agent have any responsibility for (i) any loss or damage thereto or destruction thereof occurring or arising in any manner or fashion from any cause, (ii) any diminution in the value thereof, or (iii) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee or forwarding agency thereof or other agent or bailee selected by the Administrative Agent in good faith.

 

(b)           Each Grantor shall keep and maintain its tangible personal property Collateral to the extent required by the Credit Agreement.

 

(c)           Each Grantor agrees (i) to pay when due all obligations to the extent required by the Credit Agreement, and (ii) to cause to be terminated and released all Liens (other than Permitted Liens) on the Collateral.  Upon the failure of any Grantor to so pay or contest such taxes, charges, or assessments, or cause such Liens to be terminated, the Administrative Agent at its option may pay or contest any of them or amounts relating thereto (the Administrative Agent having the right in its reasonable discretion to determine the legality or validity and the amount necessary to discharge such taxes, charges, Liens or assessments) but shall not have any obligation to make any such payment or contest.  All sums so disbursed by the Administrative Agent, including all fees and expenses of one firm of counsel (collectively, “Attorneys’ Costs”) (and, in the case of an actual conflict of interest where any of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, as applicable, affected by such conflict informs the Borrower of such conflict and thereafter, after receipt of the Borrower’s consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), retains its own counsel, of another firm of counsel for such affected Administrative Agent or Lender as applicable)), court costs, expenses and other charges related thereto, shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days following demand therefor by the applicable Grantor to the Administrative Agent and shall be additional Secured Obligations secured by the Collateral, and any amounts not so paid on demand (in addition to other rights and remedies resulting from such nonpayment), upon the request of the Required Lenders, shall bear interest from the eleventh day after the date of demand until paid in full at the Default Rate.

 

7.           Status of Grantors and Collateral Generally.  Each Grantor represents and warrants to, and covenants with, the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, with respect to itself and the Collateral as to which it has or acquires any interest, that:

 

(a)           It is at its Applicable Date (or as to Collateral acquired after its Applicable Date will be upon the acquisition of the same) and, except as permitted by the Credit Agreement and subsection (b) of this Section 7, will continue to be, the owner of the Collateral, free and clear of all Liens, other than the security interest hereunder in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and Permitted Liens, and that it will at its own cost and expense defend such Collateral and any products and proceeds thereof against all claims and demands of all Persons (other than holders of Permitted Liens) to the extent of their claims permitted under the Credit Agreement at any time claiming the same or any interest therein adverse to the Secured Parties. Upon the failure of any Grantor to so defend, the Administrative Agent may do so at its option but shall not have any obligation to do so.  All sums so disbursed by the Administrative Agent, including reasonable Attorneys’ Costs, court costs, expenses and other charges related thereto, shall be payable on demand by the applicable Grantor to the Administrative Agent and shall be additional Secured Obligations secured by the Collateral, and any amounts not so paid on demand (in addition to other rights and remedies resulting from such nonpayment), upon the request of the Required Lenders, shall bear interest from the date of demand until paid in full at the Default Rate.

 

(b)           It shall not (i) sell, assign, transfer, lease, license or otherwise dispose of any of, or grant any option with respect to, the Collateral, except for Dispositions permitted under Section 7.05 of the Credit Agreement, or (ii) create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral except for the security interests created by this Security Agreement and Permitted Liens.

 

(c)           It has full power, legal right and lawful authority to enter into this Security Agreement (and any Security Joinder Agreement applicable to it) and to perform its terms, including the grant of the security interests in the Collateral herein provided for.

 

(d)           No authorization, consent, approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person which has not been given or obtained, as the case may be, is required either (i) for the grant by such Grantor of the security interests granted hereby or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Security Agreement (or any Security Joinder Agreement) by such Grantor, or (ii) for the perfection of or the exercise by the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, of its rights and remedies hereunder, except for action required by the UCC to perfect and exercise remedies with respect to the security interest conferred hereunder.

 

(e)           No effective financing statement or other Perfection Document similar in effect, nor any other Perfection Action, covering all or any part of the Collateral purported to be granted or taken by or on behalf of such Grantor (or by or on behalf of any other Person and which remains effective as against all or any part of the Collateral) has been filed in any recording office, delivered to another Person for filing (whether upon the occurrence of a contingency or otherwise), or otherwise taken, as the case may be, except such as pertain to Permitted Liens and such as may have been filed for the benefit of, delivered to, or taken in favor of, the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in connection with the security interests conferred hereunder.

 

(f)           Schedule 7(f) attached hereto contains as of the Closing Date and as supplemented by any Security Joinder Agreement on any Applicable Date for a Joining Grantor the following: (i) the exact legal name of each Grantor as it appears in its Organization Documents as of its Applicable Date and at any time during the five (5) year period ending as of its Applicable Date (the “Covered Period”), (ii) the jurisdiction of formation and form of organization of each Grantor, and the identification number of such Grantor in its jurisdiction of formation (if any) as of its Applicable Date and at any time during the Covered Period, and (iii) each address of the chief executive office of each Grantor as of its Applicable Date and at any time during the Covered Period.  No Grantor shall change its name, change its jurisdiction of formation (whether by reincorporation, merger or otherwise) or change the location of its chief executive office, except in each case upon giving not less than ten days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and taking or causing to be taken at such Grantor’s expense all such Perfection Action, including the delivery of such Perfection Documents, as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to perfect or protect, or maintain the perfection and priority of, the Lien of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in Collateral contemplated hereunder.

 

8.           Inspection.  In accordance with the Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent (by any of its officers, independent contractors, employees and agents), on behalf of the Secured Parties, shall have the right upon prior notice (where necessary) to an executive officer of any Grantor, and at any reasonable times during such Grantor’s usual business hours, to inspect the Collateral, all records related thereto (and to make extracts or copies from such records), and the premises upon which any of the Collateral is located.

 

9.           Specific Collateral.

 

(a)           Accounts.  With respect to its Accounts constituting Collateral whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired and wheresoever located, each Grantor represents, warrants and covenants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties that all records of material Accounts and material documents relating to the material Accounts of each Grantor are and shall at all times be located only at such Grantor’s current chief executive office as set forth on Schedule 7(f) attached hereto.

 

(b)           Inventory.  With respect to its Inventory whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired and wheresoever located, each Grantor represents, warrants and covenants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties that each Grantor shall keep accurate and complete records of Inventory in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice.

 

(c)           Equipment.                      With respect to its Equipment whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired and wheresoever located, each Grantor represents, warrants and covenants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties that the Grantors shall maintain accurate records of Equipment in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice.

 

(d)           Instruments.  With respect to its Instruments whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired and wheresoever located, each Grantor represents, warrants and covenants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties that each Grantor shall, upon the request of the Administrative Agent from time to time following the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, deliver to the Administrative Agent the originals of all such Instruments of which such Grantor is the payee or holder and having a face amount payable in excess of $500,000, together with duly executed undated endorsements in blank affixed thereto and such other documentation and information as may be necessary to enable the Administrative Agent to realize upon the Instruments in accordance with their respective terms or transfer the Instruments as may be permitted under the Loan Documents or by applicable law.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

(e)           Investment Property.  With respect to its Investment Property having a fair market value in excess of $500,000 whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired and wheresoever located, each Grantor represents, warrants and covenants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties that:

 

(i)           Schedule 9(e) attached hereto contains as of the Closing Date and as supplemented by any Security Joinder Agreement, as of any Applicable Date for a Joining Grantor (x) the name and address of each securities intermediary with which such Grantor maintains a securities account in which Investment Property is or may at any time be credited or maintained (other than Excluded Securities Accounts), and (y) a description of all other Investment Property of such Grantor other than interests in Subsidiaries in which such Grantor has granted a Lien to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.

 

(ii)           Except with the express prior written consent of the Administrative Agent in each instance and except with respect to Investment Property held or located outside of the United States, all Investment Property (other than (x) interests in Subsidiaries in which such Grantor has granted a Lien to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and (y) Investment Property having a book value of not greater than $500,000) shall be maintained at all times in the form of (a) certificated securities, which certificates shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent together with duly executed undated stock powers endorsed in blank pertaining thereto, or (b) security entitlements credited to one or more securities accounts as to each of which the Administrative Agent has received (1) copies of the account agreement between the applicable securities intermediary and the Grantor and the most recent statement of account pertaining to such securities account (each certified to be true and correct by an officer of the Grantor) and (2) a Qualifying Control Agreement from the applicable securities intermediary which remains in full force and effect and as to which the Administrative Agent has not received any notice of termination.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, no Grantor shall cause, suffer or permit any Investment Property to be credited to or maintained in any securities account not listed on Schedule 9(e) attached hereto except in each case upon giving not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the Administrative Agent and taking or causing to be taken at such Grantor’s expense all such Perfection Action, including the delivery of such Perfection Documents, as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to perfect or protect, or maintain the perfection and priority of, the Lien of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in Collateral contemplated hereunder.  To the extent any Investment Property constituting Collateral hereunder is a certificated security, physical possession of which is required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, any requirement herein to deliver physical possession of such certificated securities to the Administrative Agent shall be deemed satisfied if the Grantors deliver each such certificate, together with stock powers endorsed in blank with respect thereto, no later than the later to occur of (x) the Closing Date and (y) fifteen (15) days after the date that such Investment Property becomes a certificated security.

 

(iii)           All dividends and other distributions with respect to any of the Investment Property constituting Collateral shall be subject to the security interest conferred hereunder; provided, however, that cash dividends and distributions paid to a Grantor as record owner of any Investment Property to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement to be declared and paid may be disbursed to and retained by such Grantor, and distributed or otherwise disbursed by such Grantor, in each case free and clear of any Lien under any Loan Document.

 

(iv)           So long as Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the registration of Investment Property in the name of a Grantor as record and beneficial owner shall not be changed and such Grantor shall be entitled to exercise all voting and other rights and powers pertaining to Investment Property for all purposes not inconsistent with the terms hereof or of any Qualifying Control Agreement relating thereto.

 

(v)           Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default and at the option of the Administrative Agent following written notice thereof to the Grantors suspending such rights (the “Trigger Date”), all rights of the Grantors to exercise the voting or consensual rights and powers which it is authorized to exercise pursuant to clause (iv) immediately above shall cease and the Administrative Agent may thereupon (but shall not be obligated to), at its request, cause such Collateral to be registered in the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee or agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and/or exercise such voting or consensual rights and powers as appertain to ownership of such Collateral, and to that end each Grantor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent as its proxy, with full power of substitution, to vote and exercise all other rights as a shareholder with respect to such Investment Property upon the occurrence of a Trigger Date, and until the circumstances giving rise thereto have been cured and waived, which proxy is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable until the Facility Termination Date, and each Grantor hereby agrees to provide such further proxies as the Administrative Agent may request; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent in its discretion may from time to time refrain from exercising, and shall not be obligated to exercise, any such voting or consensual rights or such proxy.

 

(vi)           Upon the occurrence of a Trigger Date, and until the circumstances giving rise thereto have been cured and waived, all rights of the Grantors to receive and retain cash dividends and other distributions upon or in respect to Investment Property pursuant to clause (iii) above shall cease and shall thereupon be vested in the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and each Grantor shall, or shall cause, all such cash dividends and other distributions with respect to the Investment Property to be promptly delivered to the Administrative Agent (together, if the Administrative Agent shall request, with any documents related thereto) to be held, released or disposed of by it hereunder or, at the option of the Administrative Agent, to be applied to the Secured Obligations.

 

(f)           Deposit Accounts.  With respect to its Deposit Accounts whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired and wheresoever located, each Grantor represents, warrants and covenants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties that:

 

(i)           Schedule 9(f) attached hereto contains as of the Closing Date and as supplemented by any Security Joinder Agreement on the Applicable Date for a Joining Grantor the name and address of each depositary institution with which such Grantor maintains a Deposit Account in which collected balances or deposits in excess of $500,000 are or may at any time be credited or maintained.

 

(ii)           Except with the express prior written consent of the Administrative Agent in each instance, all Deposit Accounts in which collected balances or deposits in excess of $500,000 are or may at any time be credited or maintained shall be maintained at all times with depositary institutions as to which the Administrative Agent shall have received a Qualifying Control Agreement, which Qualifying Control Agreement shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent within 30 days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion may determine).

 

(g)           Chattel Paper.  With respect to its Chattel Paper whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired and wheresoever located, each Grantor represents, warrants and covenants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties that:

 

(i)           Each Grantor shall at all times retain sole physical possession of the originals of all Chattel Paper evidencing an amount exceeding $500,000 (other than electronic Chattel Paper and the electronic components of hybrid Chattel Paper); provided, however, that upon the request of the Administrative Agent upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, such Grantor shall promptly deliver physical possession of such Chattel Paper to the Administrative Agent or its designee.

 

(ii)           All counterparts of all tangible Chattel Paper (and the tangible components of hybrid Chattel Paper) shall immediately upon the creation or acquisition thereof by any Grantor be conspicuously legended as follows: “A FIRST PRIORITY SECURITY INTEREST IN THIS CHATTEL PAPER HAS BEEN GRANTED TO BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., FOR ITSELF AND AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FOR CERTAIN SECURED PARTIES PURSUANT TO A SECURITY AGREEMENT DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 13, 2012, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.  NO SECURITY INTEREST OR OTHER INTEREST IN FAVOR OF ANY OTHER PERSON MAY BE CREATED BY THE TRANSFER OF PHYSICAL POSSESSION OF THIS CHATTEL PAPER OR OF ANY COUNTERPART HEREOF EXCEPT BY OR WITH THE CONSENT OF THE AFORESAID ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AS PROVIDED IN SUCH SECURITY AGREEMENT.”  In the case of electronic Chattel Paper (including the electronic components of hybrid Chattel Paper), no Grantor shall create or acquire any such Chattel Paper unless, prior to such acquisition or creation, it shall have taken such Perfection Action as the Administrative Agent may require to perfect by control the security interest of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in such Collateral.

 

10.           Casualty and Liability Insurance Required.

 

(a)           Each Grantor will keep the Collateral insured to the extent required by Section 6.07 of the Credit Agreement.

 

(b)           To the extent required under the Credit Agreement, each insurance policy obtained in satisfaction of the requirements of Section 10(a) shall (i) with respect to applicable property insurance policies, name the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as lenders loss payee and (ii) with respect to applicable liability insurance policies, name the Administrative Agent and Lenders as parties insured thereunder in respect of any claim for payment, as applicable.

 

(c)           Within 30 days after the expiration of any such policy, such Grantor shall furnish the Administrative Agent with evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the policy or certificate has been renewed or replaced or is no longer required by this Security Agreement.

 

(d)           Each Grantor hereby makes, constitutes and appoints the Administrative Agent (and all officers, employees or agents designated by the Administrative Agent in good faith), for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as such Grantor’s true and lawful attorney (and agent-in-fact) for the purpose of making, settling and adjusting claims under such policies of insurance, endorsing the name of such Grantor on any check, draft, instrument or other item or payment for the proceeds of such policies of insurance and for making all determinations and decisions with respect to such policies of insurance, which appointment is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable prior to the Facility Termination Date (whereupon it shall automatically terminate without any action by any Person); provided, however, that the powers pursuant to such appointment shall be exercisable only upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default.

 

(e)           In the event such Grantor shall fail to maintain, or fail to cause to be maintained, the full insurance coverage required by Section 6.07 of the Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent may (but shall be under no obligation to), without waiving or releasing any Secured Obligation or Default or Event of Default by such Grantor hereunder, contract for the required policies of insurance and pay the premiums on the same or make any required repairs, renewals and replacements; and all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket sums so disbursed by the Administrative Agent, including Attorneys’ Costs, court costs, expenses and other charges related thereto, shall be payable by such Grantor to the Administrative Agent within ten (10) days following written demand therefore, shall be additional Secured Obligations secured by the Collateral, and (in addition to other rights and remedies resulting from such nonpayment) shall bear interest from the date of demand until paid in full at the Default Rate.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

11.           Rights and Remedies Upon Event of Default.  Upon and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall have the following rights and remedies on behalf of the Secured Parties in addition to any rights and remedies set forth elsewhere in this Security Agreement or the other Loan Documents, all of which may be exercised with or, if allowed by law, without notice to a Grantor:

 

(a)           All of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC or under other applicable law, all of which rights and remedies shall be cumulative, and none of which shall be exclusive, to the extent permitted by law, in addition to any other rights and remedies contained in this Security Agreement or any other Loan Document;

 

(b)           The right to foreclose the Liens and security interests created under this Security Agreement by any available judicial procedure or without judicial process;

 

(c)           The right to (i) enter upon the premises of a Grantor through self-help and without judicial process, without first obtaining a final judgment or giving such Grantor notice or opportunity for a hearing on the validity of the Administrative Agent’s claim and without any obligation to pay rent to such Grantor, or any other place or places where any Collateral is located and kept, and remove the Collateral therefrom to the premises of the Administrative Agent or any agent of the Administrative Agent, for such time as the Administrative Agent may desire, in order effectively to collect or liquidate the Collateral, (ii) require such Grantor or any bailee or other agent of such Grantor to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Administrative Agent at a place to be designated by the Administrative Agent that is reasonably convenient to both parties, and (iii) notify any or all Persons party to a Qualifying Control Agreement or who otherwise have possession of or control over any Collateral of the occurrence of an Event of Default and other appropriate circumstances, and exercise control over and take possession or custody of any or all Collateral in the possession, custody or control of such other Persons;

 

(d)           The right to (i) exercise all of a Grantor’s rights and remedies with respect to the collection of Accounts, Chattel Paper, Instruments and General Intangibles (collectively, “Payment Collateral”), including the right to demand payment thereof and enforce payment, by legal proceedings or otherwise; (ii) settle, adjust, compromise, extend or renew all or any Payment Collateral or any legal proceedings pertaining thereto; (iii) discharge and release all or any Payment Collateral; (iv) take control, in any manner, of any item of payment or proceeds referred to in Section 5 above; (v) prepare, file and sign a Grantor’s name on any Proof of Claim in bankruptcy, notice of Lien, assignment or satisfaction of Lien or similar document in any action or proceeding adverse to any obligor under any Payment Collateral or otherwise in connection with any Payment Collateral; (vi) endorse the name of a Grantor upon any chattel paper, document, instrument, invoice, freight bill, bill of lading or similar document or agreement relating to any Collateral; (vii) use the information recorded on or contained on a Grantor’s internet website or otherwise in any data processing equipment and computer hardware and software relating to any Collateral to which a Grantor has access; (viii) open such Grantor’s mail and collect any and all amounts due to such Grantor from any Account Debtors or other obligor in respect of Payment Collateral; (ix) take over such Grantor’s post office boxes or make other arrangements as the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, deems necessary to receive such Grantor’s mail, including notifying the post office authorities to change the address for delivery of such Grantor’s mail to such address as the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may designate; (x) notify any or all Account Debtors or other obligor on any Payment Collateral that such Payment Collateral has been assigned to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and that Administrative Agent has a security interest therein for the benefit of the Secured Parties (provided that the Administrative Agent may at any time give such notice to an Account Debtor that is a department, agency or authority of the United States government); each Grantor hereby agrees that any such notice, in the Administrative Agent’s sole discretion, may (but need not) be sent on such Grantor’s stationery, in which event such Grantor shall co-sign such notice with the Administrative Agent if requested to do so by the Administrative Agent; and (xi) do all acts and things and execute all documents necessary, in Administrative Agent’s reasonable discretion, to collect the Payment Collateral; and

 

(e)           The right to sell all or any Collateral in its then existing condition, or after any further manufacturing or processing thereof, at such time or times, at public or private sale or sales, with such notice as may be required by law, in lots or in bulk, for cash or on credit, with or without representations and warranties, all as the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, may deem advisable.  The Administrative Agent shall have the right to conduct such sales on a Grantor’s premises or elsewhere and shall have the right to use a Grantor’s premises without charge for such sales for such time or times as the Administrative Agent may see fit.  The Administrative Agent may, if it deems it reasonable, postpone or adjourn any sale of the Collateral from time to time by an announcement at the time and place of such postponed or adjourned sale, and such sale may, without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.  Each Grantor agrees that the Administrative Agent has no obligation to preserve rights to the Collateral against prior parties or to marshal any Collateral for the benefit of any Person.  The Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties is hereby granted an irrevocable fully paid license or other right (including each Grantor’s rights under any license or any franchise agreement), each of which shall remain in full force and effect until the Facility Termination Date, to use, without charge, each of the labels, patents, copyrights, names, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks and advertising matter, or any property of a similar nature owned or licensed by any Grantor, as it pertains to the Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale and selling any Collateral.  If any of the Collateral shall require repairs, maintenance, preparation or the like, or is in process or other unfinished state, the Administrative Agent shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to perform such repairs, maintenance, preparation, processing or completion of manufacturing for the purpose of putting the same in such saleable form as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate, but the Administrative Agent shall have the right to sell or dispose of the Collateral without such processing and no Grantor shall have any claim against the Administrative Agent for the value that may have been added to such Collateral with such processing.  In addition, each Grantor agrees that in the event notice is necessary under applicable law, written notice mailed to such Grantor in the manner specified herein ten (10) days prior to the date of public sale of any of the Collateral or prior to the date after which any private sale or other disposition of the Collateral will be made shall constitute commercially reasonable notice to such Grantor.  All notice is hereby waived with respect to any of the Collateral which threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market.  The Administrative Agent may purchase all or any part of the Collateral at public or, if permitted by law, private sale, free from any right of redemption which is hereby expressly waived by such Grantor and, in lieu of actual payment of such purchase price, may set off the amount of such price against the Secured Obligations.

 

The net cash proceeds resulting from the collection, liquidation, sale, or other disposition of the Collateral shall be applied first to the expenses (including all Attorneys’ Costs) of retaking, holding, storing, processing and preparing for sale, selling, collecting, liquidating and the like, and then to the satisfaction of all Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement.  Each Grantor shall be liable to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, on demand any deficiency which may remain after such sale, disposition, collection or liquidation of the Collateral.

 

12.           Attorney-in-Fact.  Each Grantor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent as the Grantor’s attorney-in-fact for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of this Security Agreement and taking any action and executing any instrument which the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes hereof, which appointment is irrevocable and coupled with an interest; provided, that the Administrative Agent shall have and may exercise rights under this power of attorney only upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall have the right and power

 

(a)           to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under or in respect of any of the Collateral;

 

(b)           to receive, endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents and chattel paper in connection with clause (a) above;

 

(c)           to endorse such Grantor’s name on any checks, notes, drafts or any other payment relating to or constituting proceeds of the Collateral which comes into the Administrative Agent’s possession or the Administrative Agent’s control, and deposit the same to the account of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, on account and for payment of the Secured Obligations;

 

(d)           to file any claims or take any action or institute any proceedings that the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, with respect to any of the Collateral; and

 

(e)           to execute, in connection with any sale or other disposition of Collateral provided for herein, any endorsement, assignments, or other instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect thereto.

 

13.           Reinstatement.  The granting of a security interest in the Collateral and the other provisions hereof shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment of any of the Secured Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by any Secured Party or is repaid by any Secured Party in whole or in part in good faith settlement of a pending or threatened avoidance claim, whether upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Grantor or any other Loan Party or otherwise, all as though such payment  had not been made. The provisions of this Section 13 shall survive repayment of all of the Secured Obligations and the termination or expiration of this Security Agreement in any manner, including but not limited to termination upon occurrence of the Facility Termination Date.

 

14.           Certain Waivers by the Grantors.  Each Grantor waives to the extent permitted by applicable law (a) any right to require any Secured Party or any other obligee of the Secured Obligations to (i) proceed against any Person or entity, including without limitation any Loan Party, (ii) proceed against or exhaust any Collateral or other collateral for the Secured Obligations, or (iii) pursue any other remedy in its power; (b) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of any other Person, or by reason of the cessation from any cause whatsoever of the liability of any other Person or entity, (c) any right of subrogation, and (d) any right to enforce any remedy which any Secured Party or any other obligee of the Secured Obligations now has or may hereafter have against any other Person and any benefit of and any right to participate in any collateral or security whatsoever now or hereafter held by the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties.  Each Grantor authorizes each Secured Party and each other obligee of the Secured Obligations without notice (except notice required by applicable law) or demand and without affecting its liability hereunder or under the Loan Documents from time to time to: (x) take and hold security, other than the Collateral herein described, for the payment of such Secured Obligations or any part thereof, and exchange, enforce, waive and release the Collateral herein described or any part thereof or any such other security; and (y) apply such Collateral or other security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as such Secured Party or obligee in its discretion may determine.

 

The Administrative Agent may at any time deliver (without representation, recourse or warranty) the Collateral or any part thereof to a Grantor and the receipt thereof by such Grantor shall be a complete and full acquittance for the Collateral so delivered, and the Administrative Agent shall thereafter be discharged from any liability or responsibility therefor.

 

15.           Continued Powers.  Until the Facility Termination Date shall have occurred, the power of sale and other rights, powers and remedies granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder shall continue to exist and may be exercised by the Administrative Agent at any time and from time to time irrespective of the fact that any of the Secured Obligations or any part thereof may have become barred by any statute of limitations or that any part of the liability of any Grantor may have ceased.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

16.           Other Rights.  The rights, powers and remedies given to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties by this Security Agreement shall be in addition to all rights, powers and remedies given to the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party under any other Loan Document or by virtue of any statute or rule of law.  Any forbearance or failure or delay by the Administrative Agent in exercising any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such right, power or remedy, and any single or partial exercise of any right, power or remedy hereunder shall not preclude the further exercise thereof; and every right, power and remedy of the Secured Parties shall continue in full force and effect until such right, power or remedy is specifically waived in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement or this Security Agreement, as applicable.

 

17.           Anti-Marshaling Provisions.  The right is hereby given by each Grantor to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to make releases (whether in whole or in part) of all or any part of the Collateral agreeable to the Administrative Agent without notice to, or the consent, approval or agreement of other parties and interests, including junior lienors, which releases shall not impair in any manner the validity of or priority of the Liens and security interests in the remaining Collateral conferred hereunder, nor release any Grantor from personal liability for the Secured Obligations.  Notwithstanding the existence of any other security interest in the Collateral held by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent shall have the right to determine the order in which any or all of the Collateral shall be subjected to the remedies provided in this Security Agreement.  Each Grantor hereby waives any and all right to require the marshaling of assets in connection with the exercise of any of the remedies permitted by applicable law or provided herein or in any other Loan Document.

 

18.           Entire Agreement.  This Security Agreement and each Security Joinder Agreement, together with the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents, constitutes and expresses the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior negotiations, agreements and understandings, inducements, commitments or conditions, express or implied, oral or written, except as contained in the Loan Documents.  The express terms hereof and of the Security Joinder Agreements control and supersede any course of performance or usage of the trade inconsistent with any of the terms hereof or thereof.  Neither this Security Agreement nor any Security Joinder Agreement nor any portion or provision hereof or thereof may be changed, altered, modified, supplemented, discharged, canceled, terminated, or amended orally or in any manner other than as provided in the Credit Agreement.

 

19.           Third Party Reliance.  Each Grantor hereby consents and agrees that all issuers of or obligors in respect of any Collateral, and all securities intermediaries, warehousemen, bailees, public officials and other Persons having any interest in, possession of, control over or right, privilege, duty or discretion in respect of, any Collateral shall be entitled to accept the provisions hereof and of the Security Joinder Agreements as conclusive evidence of the right of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, to exercise its rights hereunder or thereunder with respect to the Collateral, notwithstanding any other notice or direction to the contrary heretofore or hereafter given by any Grantor or any other Person to any of such Persons.

 

20.           Binding Agreement; Assignment.  This Security Agreement and each Security Joinder Agreement, and the terms, covenants and conditions hereof and thereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, and to their respective successors and assigns, except that no Grantor shall be permitted to assign this Security Agreement, any Security Joinder Agreement or any interest herein or therein or, except as expressly permitted herein or in the Credit Agreement, in the Collateral or any part thereof or interest therein.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence of this Section 20, any Lender may assign to one or more Persons, or grant to one or more Persons participations in or to, all or any part of its rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement (to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement); and to the extent of any such assignment or participation such other Person shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, thereupon become vested with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender herein or otherwise, subject however, to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, including Article IX thereof (concerning the Administrative Agent) and Section 10.06 thereof (concerning assignments and participations).  All references herein to the Administrative Agent and to the Secured Parties shall include any successor thereof or permitted assignee, and any other obligees from time to time of the Secured Obligations.

 

21.           Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedging Agreements. No Secured Party (other than the Administrative Agent) that obtains the benefit of this Security Agreement shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Security Agreement to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall only be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangement have been made with respect to, the Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements to the extent the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as it may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank or Hedge Bank, as the case may be.  Each Secured Party not a party to the Credit Agreement that obtains the benefit of this Security Agreement shall be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, and that with respect to the actions and omissions of the Administrative Agent hereunder or otherwise relating hereto that do or may affect such Secured Party, the Administrative Agent and each of its Related Parties shall be entitled to all the rights, benefits and immunities conferred under Article IX of the Credit Agreement.

 

22.           Severability.  If any provision hereof shall for any reason be held invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Pledge Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

23.           Counterparts.  This Security Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Security Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by the Grantor against whom enforcement is sought.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 23, the provisions of Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Security Agreement.

 

24.           Termination.  (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 13, this Security Agreement and each Security Joinder Agreement, and all obligations of the Grantors hereunder (excluding those obligations and liabilities that expressly survive such termination) shall terminate without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any party on the Facility Termination Date; and (b) upon any sale or other transfer by any Grantor of any Collateral that is permitted under the Credit Agreement to any Person that is not a Grantor, or, upon the effectiveness of any written consent to the release of the security interest granted hereby in any Collateral pursuant to Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement, the security interest in the Collateral shall be automatically released.  Upon such termination or release pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of this Section, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request and sole expense of the Grantors, promptly deliver to the Grantors such termination statements and take such further actions as the Grantors may reasonably request to terminate of record, or otherwise to give appropriate notice of the termination of, any Lien conferred hereunder.

 

25.           Notices.  Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given (a) with respect to the Borrower, at the address for the giving of notice then in effect under the Credit Agreement, (b) with respect to any Grantor, at the address then in effect for the giving of notices to such Grantor under the Guaranty to which it is a party, and (c) with respect to the Administrative Agent or a Lender, at the Administrative Agent’s address indicated in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement.  All such addresses may be modified, and all such notices shall be given and shall be effective, as provided in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement for the giving and effectiveness of notices and modifications of addresses thereunder.

 

26.           Joinder. Each Person that shall at any time execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Security Joinder Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto shall thereupon irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally become a party hereto and obligated hereunder as a Grantor and shall have thereupon pursuant to Section 2 hereof granted a security interest in and collaterally assigned to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties all Collateral in which it has at its Applicable Date or thereafter acquires any interest or the power to transfer, and all references herein and in the other Loan Documents to the Grantors or to the parties to this Security Agreement shall be deemed to include such Person as a Grantor hereunder.  Each Security Joinder Agreement shall be accompanied by the Supplemental Schedules referred to therein, appropriately completed with information relating to the Grantor executing such Security Joinder Agreement and its property. Each of the applicable Schedules attached hereto shall be deemed amended and supplemented without further action by such information reflected on the Supplemental Schedules.

 

27.           Rules of Interpretation.  The rules of interpretation contained in Article I of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Security Agreement and each Security Joinder Agreement and are hereby incorporated by reference.  All representations and warranties contained herein shall survive the delivery of documents and any Credit Extensions referred to herein or secured hereby.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

28.           Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waivers, Etc.

 

(a)           THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT AND EACH SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS EXECUTED, AND TO BE FULLY PERFORMED, IN SUCH STATE; PROVIDED THAT (i) WITH RESPECT TO THOSE INSTANCES IN WHICH THE APPLICABLE CHOICE OF LAWS RULES OF SUCH STATE, INCLUDING SECTION 9-301 OF THE UCC, REQUIRE THAT THE MANNER OF CREATION OF A SECURITY INTEREST IN SPECIFIC COLLATERAL OR THE MANNER OR EFFECT OF PERFECTION OR NONPERFECTION OR THE RULES GOVERNING PRIORITY OF SECURITY INTERESTS ARE TO BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION, THEN THE LAWS OF SUCH OTHER JURISDICTION SHALL GOVERN SUCH MATTERS, (ii) EACH CONTROL AGREEMENT (INCLUDING EACH QUALIFYING CONTROL AGREEMENT) APPLICABLE TO ANY SECURITIES ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT ACCOUNT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE JURISDICTION SPECIFIED IN SUCH CONTROL AGREEMENT, OR OTHERWISE BY THE LAWS OF THE JURISDICTION THAT GOVERN THE SECURITIES ACCOUNT OR DEPOSIT ACCOUNT TO WHICH SUCH CONTROL AGREEMENT RELATES, AND (iii) IN THOSE INSTANCES IN WHICH THE LAWS OF THE JURISDICTION IN WHICH COLLATERAL IS LOCATED GOVERN MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE METHODS AND EFFECT OF REALIZING ON COLLATERAL, SUCH LAWS SHALL BE GIVEN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO SUCH MATTERS.

 

(b)           EACH GRANTOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN MAY BE INSTITUTED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND, BY THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR A SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT, EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY HAVE NOW OR HEREAFTER TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE OR TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

 

(c)           EACH GRANTOR AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY PERSONAL SERVICE OF A COPY OF THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, OR BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL (POSTAGE PREPAID) TO THE ADDRESS OF SUCH PARTY PROVIDED IN SECTION 25 OR BY ANY OTHER METHOD OF SERVICE PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE APPLICABLE LAWS IN EFFECT IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(d)           NOTHING CONTAINED IN SUBSECTIONS (b) OR (c) HEREOF SHALL PRECLUDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FROM BRINGING ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS IN THE COURTS OF ANY PLACE WHERE ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY OF SUCH PARTY’S PROPERTY OR ASSETS MAY BE FOUND OR LOCATED.  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE APPLICABLE LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION, EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES, IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, THE JURISDICTION OF ANY OTHER COURT OR COURTS WHICH NOW OR HEREAFTER, BY REASON OF ITS PRESENT OR FUTURE DOMICILE, OR OTHERWISE, MAY BE AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

 

(e)           IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR ANY SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT OR ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR THAT MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING, EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PERSON MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING.

 

(f)           EACH GRANTOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY HAVE THAT ANY COURT TO WHOSE JURISDICTION IT HAS SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

[Signature pages follow.]

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Security Agreement on the day and year first written above.

 

GRANTOR:

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION, as a Grantor

 

By:                                                                      

Name:                                                                      

Title:                                                                      

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS GLOBAL CORPORATION, as a Grantor

 

By:                                                                      

Name:                                                                      

Title:                                                                      

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS POLISHING CORPORATION, as a Grantor

 

By:                                                                      

Name:                                                                      

Title:                                                                      

 

QED TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC., as a Grantor

 

By:                                                                      

Name:                                                                      

Title:                                                                      

 

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:           Denise J. Jones

 

Title:           Assistant Vice President

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 7(f)

 

Grantor Information

 

 

	
I.

	
II.

	
III.

	
Name

	
Jurisdiction of

Formation/

Form of Equity/I.D. Number

	
Address of Chief

Executive Office

	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 9(e)

 

Investment Property

 

Grantor: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

 

	
Accounts

	
Name and Address of

Securities Intermediary

	
Account

Number

	
Investment Fund or Property (as of 1/31/12)

	
Certificate Number/CUSIP

	
Balance (as of 1/31/12)

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

 

	
Intercompany Loans

	
Lender

	
Borrower

	
Loan Agreement Date

	
Promissory Note Date

	
Promissory Note Principal Amount

	
Principal Outstanding as of  January 31, 2012

	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE 9(f)

 

Deposit Accounts

 

	
Grantor

	
Name and Address of

Depository Institution

	
Account No.

	
Certificate of Deposit No.

(if applicable)

	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT A

 

[FORM OF]

 

SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

THIS SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT dated as of _____________, 20__ (this “Security Joinder Agreement”), is made by _______________________________, a ________________ (the “Joining Grantor”), in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as Administrative Agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Security Agreement referenced below; all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in such Security Agreement).

 

RECITALS:

 

A.           Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), certain of its Subsidiaries and the Administrative Agent, are party to a Security Agreement dated as of February 13, 2012 (as in effect on the date hereof, the “Security Agreement”).

 

B.           The Joining Grantor is a Subsidiary of the Borrower and is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement to become a Guarantor and be joined as a party to the Security Agreement as a Grantor.

 

C.           The Joining Grantor will materially benefit directly and indirectly from the making and maintenance of the extensions of credit made from time to time under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.

 

In order to induce the Secured Parties to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, the Joining Grantor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Joinder. The Joining Grantor hereby irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally becomes a party to the Security Agreement as a Grantor and bound by all the terms, conditions, obligations, liabilities and undertakings of each Grantor or to which each Grantor is subject thereunder, including without limitation the grant pursuant to Section 2 of the Security Agreement of a security interest to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the property and property rights constituting Collateral (as defined in Section 2 of the Security Agreement) of such Joining Grantor or in which such Joining Grantor has or may have or acquire an interest or the power to transfer rights therein, whether now owned or existing or hereafter created, acquired or arising and wheresoever located, as security for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Security Agreement), all with the same force and effect as if the Joining Grantor were a signatory to the Security Agreement.

 

2.           Affirmations.  The Joining Grantor hereby acknowledges and reaffirms as of the date hereof with respect to itself, its properties and its affairs each of the waivers, representations, warranties, acknowledgements and certifications applicable to any Grantor contained in the Security Agreement.

 

3.           Supplemental Schedules. Attached to this Security Joinder Agreement are duly completed schedules (the “Supplemental Schedules”) supplementing as thereon indicated the respective Schedules to the Security Agreement.  The Joining Grantor represents and warrants that the information contained on each of the Supplemental Schedules with respect to such Joining Grantor and its properties and affairs is true, complete and accurate as of the date hereof.

 

4.           Severability.  The provisions of this Security Joinder Agreement are independent of and separable from each other.  If any provision hereof shall for any reason be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof, but this Security Joinder Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

5.           Counterparts.  This Security Joinder Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Security Joinder Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by the Joining Grantor.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, the provisions of Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Security Joinder Agreement.

 

6.           Delivery.  The Joining Grantor hereby irrevocably waives notice of acceptance of this Security Joinder Agreement and acknowledges that the Secured Obligations are and shall be deemed to be incurred, and credit extensions under the Loan Documents, Secured Cash Management Agreement and Secured Hedge Agreements made and maintained, in reliance on this Security Joinder Agreement and the Grantor’s joinder as a party to the Security Agreement as herein provided.

 

7.           Governing Law; Venue; Waiver of Jury Trial. The provisions of Section 28 of the Security Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Joining Grantor has duly executed and delivered this Security Joinder Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

 

JOINING GRANTOR:

 

__________________________________________

 

By:_______________________________________

 

Name:           ____________________________________

 

Title:           ____________________________________

 

 

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SUPPLEMENTAL

 

SCHEDULE 7(f)

 

Grantor Information

 

 

	
I.

	
II.

	
III.

	
Name

	
Jurisdiction of

Formation/

Form of Equity/I.D. Number

	
Address of Chief

Executive Office

	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  
	  	  	  

 

Delivered pursuant to Security Joinder Agreement of _______________________________.

 

Applicable Date:  __________, 20__

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

 

SUPPLEMENTAL

 

SCHEDULE 9(e)

 

Investment Property

 

Grantor: [__________]

 

	
Securities Accounts

	  	
Other Investment Property

	
Name and Address of

Securities Intermediary

	
Account

Number

	
Name and Type

of Issuer

	
Quantity of Shares

or Other Interest

	
Certificate

Number(s)

	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  

 

Delivered pursuant to Security Joinder Agreement of _______________________________.

 

Applicable Date:  __________, 20__

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SUPPLEMENTAL

 

SCHEDULE 9(f)

 

Deposit Accounts

 

	
Grantor

	
Name and Address of

Depository Institution

	
Account No.

	
Certificate of Deposit No.

(if applicable)

	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  

 

Delivered pursuant to Security Joinder Agreement of _______________________________.

 

Applicable Date:  __________, 20__

 

H-

Form of Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT I

 

FORM OF IP SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) dated as of February 13, 2012 is made by CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower” and a “Grantor”), EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER PERSON WHO SHALL BECOME A PARTY HERETO BY EXECUTION OF AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT (each a “Guarantor” and, together with the Borrower, collectively, the “Grantors” and each a “Grantor”) in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for each of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referenced below).  All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

 

RECITALS:

 

A.           Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as an L/C Issuer, and the lenders now or hereafter party thereto (the “Lenders”), the Lenders have agreed to provide to the Borrower a term loan facility and a revolving credit facility with letter of credit, swing line and multicurrency sublimits.

 

B.           Certain additional extensions of credit may be made from time to time for the benefit of the Grantors pursuant to certain Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements (each as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

C.           It is a condition precedent to the Secured Parties’ obligations to make and maintain such extensions of credit that the Grantors shall have executed and delivered this Agreement to the Administrative Agent.

 

In order to induce the Secured Parties to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement and such Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

1.           Definitions.  All terms used herein unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement shall be defined in accordance with the appropriate definitions appearing in the UCC, and such definitions are hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

 

2.           Incorporation of the Security Agreement.  The Security Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Grantors and the Administrative Agent and the terms of Sections 12 (except that with respect to the power of attorney with respect to matters set forth in the second paragraph of Section 3 hereof, Section 3 hereof shall control), 13, 14, 20, 22, 24 and 27 thereof are hereby incorporated hereby in their entirety by this reference, mutatis mutandis.

 

3.           Grant of Security. Each Grantor grants as collateral security for the payment, performance and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations, to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, all of the following (collectively, the “Collateral”):

 

(a)           all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in and to all United States and foreign patents and patent applications (including without limitation the patents and patent applications identified on Schedule I attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference) and including the right to recover for all past, present and future infringements thereof and all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, substitutes, renewals, and extensions thereof, all improvements thereon, and all other rights of any kind whatsoever of such Grantor accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto (collectively, the “Patents”);

 

(b)           all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in and to all United States and foreign trademarks, trade names, trade dress, service marks, trademark and service mark registrations, and applications for trademark or service mark registration and any renewals thereof (including without limitation each trademark, trade name, trade dress, registration and application identified in Schedule II attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference) and including all income, royalties, damages and payments now and hereafter due and/or payable with respect thereto (including without limitation damages for past or future infringements thereof), the right to sue or otherwise recover for all past, present and future infringements thereof, all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world (but only such rights as now exist or may come to exist under applicable local law) and all other rights of any kind whatsoever of each Grantor accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto, together in each case with the goodwill of the business connected with the use of, and symbolized by, each such trademark and service mark (collectively, the “Trademarks”);

 

(c)           all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in and to all United States and foreign copyrights and copyright applications (including without limitation the copyrights and copyright applications identified on Schedule III attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference) and including the right to recover for all past, present and future infringements thereof and all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, substitutes, renewals, and extensions thereof, all improvements thereon, and all other rights of any kind whatsoever of such Grantor accruing thereunder or pertaining thereto (collectively, the “Copyrights”);

 

(d)           all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in and to all license agreements other than those entered into by such Grantor pursuant to sales, purchase, development or settlement agreements in the ordinary course of business regarding Patents, Trademarks or Copyrights with any other party, whether such Grantor is a licensor or licensee under any such license agreement (including without limitation the licenses listed on Schedule IV attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, which shall include material licenses other than those entered into by such Grantor pursuant to sales, purchase, development or settlement agreements in the ordinary course of business), and the right to prepare for sale, sell and advertise for sale, all Inventory (as defined in the Security Agreement) now or hereafter owned by such Grantor and now or hereafter covered by such licenses (collectively, the “Licenses”)); and

 

(e)           all of such Grantor’s right, title and interest, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in and to all proceeds of any of the foregoing.

 

In addition, at the direction of the Administrative Agent following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, each Grantor shall execute in blank and deliver to the Administrative Agent an assignment of licenses and federally registered patents, trademarks and copyrights (the “IP Assignment”) owned by it in the form of Exhibit A hereto.  Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to complete as Assignee and record with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “Patent and Trademark Office”) and the United States Copyright Office (the “Copyright Office”) each IP Assignment upon the occurrence of an Event of Default that is continuing at the time of filing. In addition, each Grantor hereby appoints the Administrative Agent and McGuireWoods LLP, as counsel to the Administrative Agent, jointly, (such appointment being coupled with an interest) as such Grantor’s attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor and in the name of such Grantor, at any time at the direction of the Administrative Agent following the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default pursuant to the Credit Agreement, to execute the IP Assignment (it being understood that the execution of the IP Assignment pursuant to the power of attorney granted pursuant to this sentence shall only be effective if both the Administrative Agent and McGuireWoods LLP execute the IP Assignment and shall not be effective if only one of them executes such document).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral shall not include (and no representation, warranty or covenant contained herein shall apply to) any Excluded Assets (as defined in the Security Agreement) or any general intangible which by its terms or under applicable law, and in any event after giving effect to Section 9-408 of the UCC or a comparable provision of other applicable laws, the assignment of which by the applicable Grantor would give rise to an enforceable right in any counterparty to such document, instrument or agreement to effectively exercise rights to terminate or obtain remedies for breach or default.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

4.           Security for Secured Obligations.  The security interests granted under this Agreement (the “Security Interests”) by each Grantor secure the payment of all Secured Obligations.

 

The Security Interests granted by this Agreement are granted in conjunction with the security interests granted to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in other assets of each Grantor pursuant to the other Loan Documents.

 

5.           Collateral Assignment.  In addition to, and not in limitation of, the grant of the Security Interests in the Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses in Section 3 above, each Grantor hereby grants, assigns, transfers, conveys and sets over to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the Grantor’s entire right, title and interest in and to the Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses; provided, that such grant, assignment, transfer and conveyance shall become effective only at the election of the Administrative Agent after the occurrence of an Event of Default that is continuing at the time of such election. Each Grantor hereby agrees that upon such election each grant, assignment, transfer and conveyance may be recorded by the Administrative Agent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “Patent and Trademark Office”) and the United States Copyright Office (the “Copyright Office”) and with other applicable state and federal agencies and authorities.  Each Grantor hereby agrees that after the effectiveness of such grant, assignment, transfer and conveyance of any of the Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and License, the use by the Administrative Agent of any of such Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses shall be without any liability for royalties or other related charges from the Administrative Agent to any Grantor.

 

6.           Further Assurances.

 

(a)           Each Grantor agrees that from time to time, at the expense of such Grantor, such Grantor will promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents and take all further action that may be reasonably necessary or desirable in the Administrative Agent’s determination, or that the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in order to (i) continue, perfect and protect any Security Interest granted or purported to be granted hereby, (ii) perfect the Administrative Agent’s (for the benefit of the Secured Parties) Security Interest in and assign to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as security for the repayment and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations, all Collateral located in any foreign jurisdiction, and (iii) enable the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any part of the Collateral.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Grantor will execute and file (with the appropriate governmental offices, authorities, agencies and regulatory bodies in the United States and any applicable foreign jurisdiction) such supplements to this Agreement and such Uniform Commercial Code financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices (other than executed IP Assignments, which are addressed in Section 3 hereof) as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, may reasonably request, in order to perfect and preserve the Security Interests granted hereby.

 

(b)           Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, to file, where permitted by law, one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Collateral without the signature of such Grantor.  A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or any financing statement covering the Collateral or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

 

(c)           Each Grantor agrees that, should it have or obtain an ownership interest in any United States or foreign patent or patent application that is not now identified on Schedule I, any trademark or trademark application that is not now identified on Schedule II or any copyright or copyright application that is not now identified on Schedule III or any material license agreement in respect of any patent, trademark or copyright that is not now identified on Schedule IV (other than those that have been entered into pursuant to sales, purchase, development or settlement agreements entered into by such Grantor in the ordinary course of business):  (i) the provisions of this Agreement shall automatically apply to such item, and such item shall automatically become part of the Collateral; (ii) such Grantor shall, no later than concurrently with its next delivery, pursuant to Section 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement, of its annual financial statements relating to the fiscal year in which such assets were acquired, (A) with respect to Trademarks and Patents, cause such Trademarks and Patents to be properly registered with the Patent and Trademark Office, (B) with respect to Copyrights, cause such Copyrights to be registered with the Copyright Office and (C) with respect to Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses, prepare, execute and file in the Patent and Trademark Office and Copyright Office all documents and instruments, including without limitation Uniform Commercial Code financing statements (other than executed IP Assignments, which are addressed in Section 3 hereof), that are known by such Grantor to be necessary or that the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, reasonably requests in order to perfect the Security Interest of the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, therein.  Each Grantor authorizes the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, to execute and file such a document (other than executed IP Assignments, which are addressed in Section 3 hereof) in the name of such Grantor if such Grantor fails to do so.

 

7.           Patent Representations and Warranties.  Each Grantor represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a)           It is the sole legal and beneficial owner of the Patents set forth opposite its name on Schedule I hereto, free and clear of any Lien, security interest, option, charge, pledge, assignment (whether conditional or not), or any other encumbrance except for the security interests created or permitted by this Agreement or the Credit Agreement and certain Licenses and registered user agreements described on Schedule IV and immaterial licenses and those which have been entered into pursuant to sales, purchase, development or settlement agreements in the ordinary course of business and no financing statement or other instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of such Collateral is on file in any recording office, except such as may have been filed in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

(b)           Other than such Patents which, whether considered individually or collectively, are not material to the business of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, Schedule I includes a list of substantially all of the filed patent applications and issued patents owned by such Grantor necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, if any, or utilized in such Grantor’s operations or used in the selling or marketing of such Grantor’s products.

 

(c)           Other than such Patents which, whether considered individually or collectively, are not material to the business of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, each issued patent of such Grantor identified on Schedule I hereto is subsisting and has not been adjudged unpatentable, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and to the knowledge of such Grantor is patentable, valid and enforceable, and each of such Patent applications identified on Schedule I has been filed in conformity with applicable rules and procedures of the Patent and Trademark Office and of the equivalent agencies in each applicable foreign jurisdiction and will be diligently prosecuted in conformity therewith so as not to become improperly abandoned.

 

8.           Trademark Representations and Warranties.  Each Grantor represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a)           It is the sole, legal and beneficial owner of the entire right, title and interest in and to the Trademarks purported to be granted by it hereunder, free and clear of any Lien, security interest, option, charge, pledge, registered user agreement, assignment (whether conditional or not), or covenant, or any other encumbrance, except for the Security Interests created or permitted by this Agreement or the Credit Agreement and certain Licenses and registered user agreements described on Schedule IV and immaterial licenses and those which have been entered into pursuant to sales, purchase, development or settlement agreements in the ordinary course of business.  No financing statement or other instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of the Trademarks purported to be granted by such Grantor hereunder is on file in any recording office, including, without limitation, the Patent and Trademark Office and the equivalent offices in any foreign jurisdiction, except such as may have been filed in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

(b)           Other than such Trademarks which, whether considered individually or collectively, are not material to the business of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, Schedule II includes a list of substantially all of the applications for registration of trademarks and registered trademarks owned by such Grantor necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted, if any, or utilized and material in such Grantor’s operations or used in the selling or marketing of such Grantor’s products.

 

(c)           Other than such Trademarks which, whether considered individually or collectively, are not material to the business of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, each registered Trademark of such Grantor identified on Schedule II is validly subsisting and has not been abandoned or adjudged invalid, unregistrable or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and is, to such Grantor’s knowledge, valid, registrable and enforceable.

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

9.           Copyright Representations and Warranties.  Each Grantor represents and warrants as follows:

 

(a)           It is the sole, legal and beneficial owner of the entire right, title and interest in and to the Copyrights purported to be granted by it hereunder, free and clear of any Lien, security interest, option, charge, pledge, registered user agreement, assignment (whether conditional or not), or covenant, or any other encumbrance, except for the Security Interests created or permitted by this Agreement or the Credit Agreement and certain Licenses and registered user agreements described on Schedule IV and immaterial licenses and those which have been entered into pursuant to sales, purchase, development or settlement agreements in the ordinary course of business.  No effective financing statement or other instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of the Copyrights purported to be granted by such Grantor hereunder is on file in any recording office, including, without limitation, the Copyright Office and the equivalent offices in any foreign jurisdiction, except such as may have been filed in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

(b)           Other than such Copyrights which, whether considered individually or collectively, are not material to the business of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, Schedule III includes, among other things, a list of all of the Copyrights owned by such Grantor necessary for the conduct of its business as currently conducted or utilized and material in such Grantor’s operations or materially used in the selling or marketing of such Grantor’s products.

 

(c)           Other than such Copyrights which, whether considered individually or collectively, are not material to the business of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, each Copyright of such Grantor identified on Schedule III is validly subsisting and has not been abandoned or adjudged invalid, unregistrable or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and is, to such Grantor’s knowledge, valid, registrable and enforceable.

 

10.           Transfers and Other Liens.  No Grantor shall:

 

(a)           sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of any of, or grant any option with respect to, the Collateral, other than as permitted by the Credit Agreement, except that any Grantor may license the Collateral (i) in the ordinary course of such Grantor’s business, provided that such license is necessary or desirable in the conduct of such Grantor’s business, or (ii) in connection with a sale of assets in compliance with the Credit Agreement, provided that such license shall be on terms reasonably expected to maximize the gain to such Grantor resulting from the granting of such license; or

 

(b)           create or suffer to exist any Lien, security interest or other charge or encumbrance upon or with respect to any of the Collateral except for the Security Interests created by this Agreement or Permitted Liens.

 

11.           Additional Collateral.  If any Grantor shall acquire or hold any additional Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights or material Licenses (other than Licenses which have been entered into pursuant to sales, purchase, development or settlement agreements in the ordinary course of business) not listed on Schedules I, II, III or IV hereto (any such Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights or Licenses being referred to herein as the “Additional Collateral”), such Grantor shall concurrently with its next delivery pursuant to Section 6.01(a) of the Credit Agreement, of its annual financial statements relating to the fiscal year in which such assets were acquired, deliver to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties (i) a revised Schedule I, II, III or IV hereto, as applicable, reflecting the ownership and pledge of such Additional Collateral and (ii) an Intellectual Property Security Agreement Supplement in the form of Exhibit B hereto with respect to such Additional Collateral duly completed and signed by such Grantor.

 

12.           Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.  No Secured Party that obtains the benefit of this Agreement shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuer or a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall only be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangement have been made with respect to, the Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements to the extent the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Secured Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as it may request, from the applicable Secured Cash Management Bank or Secured Hedge Bank, as the case may be.  Each Secured Party not a party to the Credit Agreement that obtains the benefit of this Agreement shall be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, and that with respect to the actions and omissions of the Administrative Agent hereunder or otherwise relating hereto that do or may affect such Secured Party, the Administrative Agent and each of its Related Parties shall be entitled to all the rights, benefits and immunities conferred under Article IX of the Credit Agreement.

 

13.           Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by the Grantor against whom enforcement is sought.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 13, the provisions of Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Agreement.

 

14.           Notices.  Any notice required or permitted hereunder shall be given (a) with respect to any Grantor, at the Borrower’s address indicated in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement and (b) with respect to the Administrative Agent or a Lender, at the Administrative Agent’s address indicated in Schedule 10.02 of the Credit Agreement.  All such addresses may be modified, and all such notices shall be given and shall be effective, as provided in Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement for the giving and effectiveness of notices and modifications of addresses thereunder.

 

15.           Joinder. Each Person who shall at any time execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto shall thereupon irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally become a party hereto and obligated hereunder as a Grantor and shall have thereupon pursuant to Section 3 hereof granted a security interest in and collaterally assigned to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties all Collateral in which it has at its Applicable Date or thereafter acquires any interest or the power to transfer, and all references herein and in the other Loan Documents to the Grantors or to the parties to this Agreement shall be deemed to include such Person as a Grantor hereunder.  Each Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement shall be accompanied by the Supplemental Schedules referred to therein, appropriately completed with information relating to the Grantor executing such Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement and its property. Each of the applicable Schedules attached hereto shall be deemed amended and supplemented without further action by such information reflected on the Supplemental Schedules.

 

16.           Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waivers, Etc.

 

(a)           THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS EXECUTED, AND TO BE FULLY PERFORMED, IN SUCH STATE.

 

(b)           EACH GRANTOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THEREIN MAY BE INSTITUTED IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND, BY THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR AN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT, EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY HAVE NOW OR HEREAFTER TO THE LAYING OF THE VENUE OR TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

 

(c)           EACH GRANTOR AGREES THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY BE MADE BY PERSONAL SERVICE OF A COPY OF THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, OR BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL (POSTAGE PREPAID) TO THE ADDRESS OF SUCH PARTY PROVIDED IN SECTION 14 OR BY ANY OTHER METHOD OF SERVICE PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE APPLICABLE LAWS IN EFFECT IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(d)           NOTHING CONTAINED IN SUBSECTIONS (b) OR (c) HEREOF SHALL PRECLUDE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FROM BRINGING ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS IN THE COURTS OF ANY PLACE WHERE ANY OTHER PARTY OR ANY OF SUCH PARTY’S PROPERTY OR ASSETS MAY BE FOUND OR LOCATED.  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE APPLICABLE LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION, EACH GRANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY SUCH COURT AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES, IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING, THE JURISDICTION OF ANY OTHER COURT OR COURTS WHICH NOW OR HEREAFTER, BY REASON OF ITS PRESENT OR FUTURE DOMICILE, OR OTHERWISE, MAY BE AVAILABLE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

 

(e)           IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHTS OR REMEDIES UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY JOINDER AGREEMENT OR ANY AMENDMENT, INSTRUMENT, DOCUMENT OR AGREEMENT DELIVERED OR THAT MAY IN THE FUTURE BE DELIVERED IN CONNECTION WITH THE FOREGOING, EACH PARTY HEREBY AGREES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE TRIED BEFORE A COURT AND NOT BEFORE A JURY AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PERSON MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING.

 

(f)           EACH GRANTOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION IT MAY HAVE THAT ANY COURT TO WHOSE JURISDICTION IT HAS SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO THE TERMS HEREOF IS AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

 

[Signature pages follow.]

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Intellectual Property Security Agreement on the day and year first written above.

 

GRANTOR:

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION, as a Grantor

 

By:                                                                      

 

Name:                                                                      

 

Title:                                                                      

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS GLOBAL CORPORATION, as a Grantor

 

 

By:                                                                      

 

Name:                                                                      

 

Title:                                                                      

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS POLISHING CORPORATION, as a Grantor

 

 

By:                                                                      

 

Name:                                                                      

 

Title:                                                                      

 

QED TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, INC., as a Grantor

 

 

By:                                                                      

 

Name:                                                                      

 

Title:                                                                      

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:           Denise Jones

 

Title:           Assistant Vice President

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE I

 

Patents and Patent Applications

 

 

	
TITLE

REFERENCE #

	
FILED

	
SERIAL#

	
ISSUED

	
PATENT#

	
STATUS

	
COUNTRY

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE II

 

Trademarks and Trademark Applications

 

 

	
United States Trademarks

Grantor: ____________

	
Trademark Name

	
Class

	
Serial No.

	
Reg No.

	
Filing Date

	
Pending Status

	
Reg Date

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

 

 

	
Foreign Trademarks

Grantor: ____________________

	
Trademark Name

	
Country

	
Reg No.

	
Reg Date

	  	  	  	  

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE III

 

Copyrights

 

 

	
US Copyright Registrations

Grantor: _________________

	
Title

	
Registration No.

	
Date

	  	  	  

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE IV

 

License Agreements

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT A

 

ASSIGNMENT OF PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND LICENSES

 

THIS ASSIGNMENT OF PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, COPYRIGHTS AND LICENSES (this “Agreement”) is made as of ____________, 20__ by EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED (each a “Grantor” and collectively the “Grantors”) in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States, as Agent (as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for each of the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referenced below).  All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings assigned thereto in the Credit Agreement.

 

RECITALS:

 

A.           Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”) and the Administrative Agent, are party to a Credit Agreement dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A., as an L/C Issuer, and the lenders now or hereafter party thereto (the “Lenders”).

 

B.           Each Grantor is the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower and will materially benefit directly and indirectly from the making and maintenance of the extensions of credit made from time to time under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.

 

C.           Each Grantor has entered into that certain Intellectual Property Security Agreement (the “Intellectual Property Security Agreement”) dated as of February 13, 2012 pursuant to which each Grantor has granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in the Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses and Patents defined below in order to secure the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

D.           Each Grantor (a) has adopted and used and is using the trademarks and service marks (the “Trademarks”) identified on Annex I hereto, and is the owner of the registrations of and pending registration applications for such Trademarks in the United States Patent and Trademark Office identified on Annex I hereto, (b) is the owner of and uses the copyrights, copyright registrations and pending registration applications set forth on Annex II hereto (the “Copyrights”), (c) is a party to and has rights under the licenses and license agreements listed on Annex III hereto (the “Licenses”) and (d) is the owner of and uses the patents, patent registrations and pending registration applications set forth on Annex IV hereto (the “Patents” and together with the Trademarks, the Copyrights and the Licenses, the “Collateral”).

 

E.           The Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties desires to acquire the Trademarks, the Copyrights, the Licenses and the Patents and the registrations thereof and registration applications therefor, as applicable, in connection with the exercise of its remedies after the occurrence of an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement.

 

 

Each Grantor hereby agrees as follows with the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties:

 

1.           Assignment. Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default pursuant to the Credit Agreement, each Grantor does hereby assign, sell and transfer unto the Administrative Agent all right, title and interest in and to the Trademarks, Copyrights, Licenses and Patents, together with (a) the registrations of and registration applications therefor, as applicable, (b) the goodwill of the business symbolized by and associated with the Trademarks and the registrations thereof, (c) the right to sue and recover for, and the right to profits or damages due or accrued arising out of or in connection with, any and all past, present or future infringements or dilution of or damage or injury to the Trademarks, Copyrights, Patents or the registrations thereof or such associated goodwill, and (d) all rights of each Grantor to enforce all Licenses.

 

2.           Grant.  Each Grantor hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and notice is hereby given that each Grantor has granted to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties and the Administrative Agent, a security interest in the Collateral to secure the payment and performance in full by the Borrower of all Secured Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

3.           Effectiveness. This Assignment is intended to and shall take effect as a sealed instrument at such time as the Administrative Agent shall complete this instrument by signing its acceptance of this Assignment below.  Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to record with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office this Agreement only upon the occurrence of an Event of Default that is continuing at the time of filing.

 

[Signature page follows]

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Assignment of Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses on the day and year first written above.

 

GRANTORS:

 

 

[Name of Grantor]

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:                                                                           

 

Title:                                                                           

 

 

[Name of Grantor]

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:                                                                           

 

Title:                                                                           

 

 

[Name of Grantor]

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:                                                                           

 

Title:                                                                           

 

 

[Name of Grantor]

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:                                                                           

 

Title:                                                                           

 

The foregoing assignment of the Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses and the registrations thereof and registration applications therefor by the Grantors is hereby accepted as of the ___ day of ____________, 20__.

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

 

as Administrative Agent for the Secured Parties

 

By:                                                      

 

Name:                                                      

 

Title:                                                      

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

STATE OF _________________                                                                           )

 

) ss.

 

COUNTY OF _______________                                                                           )

 

Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the county aforesaid, on this __ day of _________, _____, personally appeared ______________________________________ to me known personally, and who, being by me duly sworn, deposes and says that he is the _______________________________ of ________________________, and that the foregoing instrument was signed and sealed on behalf of said corporation by authority of its Board of Directors, and said _______________________________ acknowledged said instrument to be the free act and deed of said corporation.

 

 

Notary Public

 

My commission expires:

 

STATE OF ___________________                                                                                     )

 

) ss.

 

COUNTY OF _________________                                                                                     )

 

Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the county aforesaid, on this __ day of _______, ____, personally appeared __________________________________________ to me known personally, and who, being by me duly sworn, deposes and says that s/he is the __________________________________ of Bank of America, N.A., a national banking association, and that foregoing instrument was signed and sealed on behalf of said national banking association by authority of its Board of Directors, and said _______________________________ acknowledged said instrument to be the free act and deed of said national banking association.

 

 

Notary Public

 

My commission expires:

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

ANNEX I

 

Registrations

 

United States Patent and Trademark Office

 

Trademark

 

or

 

Service Mark                                                      Registration No.                                                      Registration Date

 

[List chronologically in ascending numerical order]

 

Pending Applications

 

United States Patent and Trademark Office

 

Trademark

 

or

 

Service Mark                                                      Serial No.                                                      Filing Date

 

[List chronologically in ascending numerical order]

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

ANNEX II

 

Part I

 

Copyrights Registered with U.S. Copyright Office

 

Copyright

Registration

 

Title           [Author(s)]                                Number                                Date

 

 

 

Part II

 

COPYRIGHTS NOT REGISTERED

 

Title                                           [Author(s)]

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

ANNEX III

 

Licenses

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

ANNEX IV

 

Registrations

 

United States Patent and Trademark Office

 

Patent                      Registration No.                                           Registration Date

 

[List chronologically in ascending numerical order]

 

Pending Applications

 

United States Patent and Trademark Office

 

Patent                                Serial No.                                Filing Date

 

[List chronologically in ascending numerical order]

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT B

 

[FORM OF]

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT

 

THIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT  dated as of ______________ ___, 20__ (this “Intellectual Property Security Agreement Supplement”), is made by ____________, a __________ (the “Grantor”) in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referenced below; all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in such Credit Agreement).

 

RECITALS:

 

A.           Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), certain of its Subsidiaries and the Administrative Agent, are party to an Intellectual Property Security Agreement dated as of February 13, 2012 (as in effect on the date hereof, the “Intellectual Property Security Agreement”).

 

B.           The Grantor is required under the terms of the Credit Agreement and the Intellectual Property Security Agreement to cause certain intellectual property owned by it and listed on Schedules I, II, III and IV to this Intellectual Property Security Agreement Supplement (the “Additional Collateral”) to become subject to the Intellectual Property Security Agreement.

 

C.           The Grantor will materially benefit directly and indirectly from the making and maintenance of the extensions of credit made from time to time under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.

 

In order to induce the Secured Parties to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, the Grantor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Grant of Security.  The Grantor hereby affirms and acknowledges the grant of security interest in the Additional Collateral contained in the Intellectual Property Security Agreement and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a first priority lien and security interest in the Additional Collateral listed on Schedules I, II, III and IV and all proceeds thereof.

 

2.           Acknowledgment.  The Grantor hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Intellectual Property Security Agreement Supplement, the Additional Collateral constitute “Collateral” under and is subject to the Intellectual Property Security Agreement.  Each of the representations and warranties with respect to Collateral contained in the Intellectual Property Security Agreement is hereby made by the Grantor with respect to the Additional Collateral.  Revised Schedules I, II, III and IV to the Intellectual Property Security Agreement reflecting the Additional Collateral are being delivered herewith to the Administrative Agent.

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor has caused this Intellectual Property Security Agreement Supplement to be duly executed by its authorized officer as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

By:                                                                           

 

Name:                                                                           

 

Title:                                                                           

 

Acknowledged and accepted:

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

 

as Agent for the Secured Parties

 

By:                                                      

 

Name:                                                      

 

Title:                                                      

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE I

 

Patents and Patent Applications

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE II

 

Trademarks and Trademark Applications

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE III

 

Copyrights

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SCHEDULE IV

 

License Agreements

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT C

 

[FORM OF]

 

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

THIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY JOINDER AGREEMENT dated as of _____________, 20__ (this “Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement”), is made by _______________________________, a ________________ (the “Joining Grantor”), in favor of BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”) for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Credit Agreement referenced below unless otherwise indicated; all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in such Credit Agreement).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

A.           Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), certain of its Subsidiaries and the Administrative Agent, are party to an Intellectual Property Security Agreement dated as of February 13, 2012 (as in effect on the date hereof, the “Intellectual Property Security Agreement”).

 

B.           The Joining Grantor is a Subsidiary of the Borrower and is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement to become a Guarantor and be joined as a party to the Intellectual Property Security Agreement as a Grantor (as defined in the Intellectual Property Security Agreement).

 

C.           The Joining Grantor will materially benefit directly and indirectly from the making and maintenance of the extensions of credit made from time to time under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements.

 

In order to induce the Secured Parties to from time to time make and maintain extensions of credit under the Credit Agreement, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, the Joining Grantor hereby agrees as follows:

 

1.           Joinder.  The Joining Grantor hereby irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally becomes a party to the Intellectual Property Security Agreement as a Grantor and bound by all the terms, conditions, obligations, liabilities and undertakings of each Grantor or to which each Grantor is subject thereunder, including without limitation the grant pursuant to Section 3 of the Intellectual Property Security Agreement of a security interest to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in, and collateral assignment to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties of, the Collateral (as defined in the Intellectual Property Security Agreement) of such Grantor or in which such Grantor has or may have or acquire an interest or the power to transfer rights therein, whether now owned or existing or hereafter created, acquired or arising and wheresoever located, as security for the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Intellectual Property Security Agreement), all with the same force and effect as if the Joining Grantor were a signatory to the Intellectual Property Security Agreement.

 

2.           Affirmations.  The Joining Grantor hereby acknowledges and affirms as of the date hereof with respect to itself, its properties and its affairs each of the waivers, representations, warranties, acknowledgements and certifications applicable to any Grantor contained in the Intellectual Property Security Agreement.

 

3.           Supplemental Schedules.  Attached to this Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement are duly completed schedules (the “Supplemental Schedules”) supplementing as thereon indicated the respective Schedules to the Intellectual Property Security Agreement.  The Joining Grantor represents and warrants that the information contained on each of the Supplemental Schedules with respect to such Joining Grantor and its properties and affairs is true, complete and accurate as of the date hereof.

 

4.           Severability.  If any provision of this Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.  The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

5.           Counterparts.  This Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, and it shall not be necessary in making proof of this Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart executed by the Joining Grantor.  Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, the provisions of Section 10.10 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to this Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement.

 

6.           Delivery.  The Joining Grantor hereby irrevocably waives notice of acceptance of this Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement and acknowledges that the Secured Obligations are and shall be deemed to be incurred, and credit extensions under the Loan Documents, Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements made and maintained, in reliance on this Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement and the Grantor’s joinder as a party to the Intellectual Property Security Agreement as herein provided.

 

7.           Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial; Etc. The provisions of Section 16 of the Intellectual Property Security Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Joining Grantor has duly executed and delivered this Intellectual Property Security Joinder Agreement as of the day and year first written above.

 

JOINING GRANTOR:

 

__________________________________________

 

By:_______________________________________

 

Name:           ____________________________________

 

Title:           ____________________________________

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE I

 

Patents and Patent Applications

 

 

	
TITLE

REFERENCE #

	
FILED

	
SERIAL#

	
ISSUED

	
PATENT#

	
STATUS

	
COUNTRY

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE II

 

Trademarks and Trademark Applications

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE III

 

Copyrights

 

(

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

US Copyright Registrations

 

I-

Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE IV

 

License Agreements

 

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Form of IP Security Agreement

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT J-1

 

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

·           Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.

 

·           Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

·           The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

·           Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

	
· [NAME OF LENDER]

 

	
· By:  _______________________

 

	
· 

 

	
· Name:  ________________________

 

	
· 

 

	
· Title:  ________________________

 

·           Date: ________ __, 20[  ]

 

J-1-

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT J-2

 

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

·           Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.

 

·           Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record and beneficial owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iii) it is not a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code, and (iv) it is not a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

·           The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with a certificate of its non-U.S. Person status on IRS Form W-8BEN.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender in writing, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

·           Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

	
· [NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

	
· By:  _______________________

 

	
· 

 

	
· Name:  ________________________

 

	
· 

 

	
· Title:  ________________________

 

·           Date: ________ __, 20[  ]

 

J-2-

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT J-3

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Participants That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

·           Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.

 

·           Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the participation in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such participation, (iii) with respect such participation, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

·           The undersigned has furnished its participating Lender with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform such Lender and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished such Lender with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

·           Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

	
· [NAME OF PARTICIPANT]

 

	
· By:  _______________________

 

	
· 

 

	
· Name:  ________________________

 

	
· 

 

	
· Title:  ________________________

 

·           Date: ________ __, 20[  ]

 

J-3-

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT J-4

 

FORM OF

U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

(For Foreign Lenders That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)

 

·           Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.

 

·           Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.01(e) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that (i) it is the sole record owner of the Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)) in respect of which it is providing this certificate, (ii) its direct or indirect partners/members are the sole beneficial owners of such Loan(s) (as well as any Note(s) evidencing such Loan(s)), (iii) with respect to the extension of credit pursuant to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, neither the undersigned nor any of its direct or indirect partners/members is a bank extending credit pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in the ordinary course of its trade or business within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (iv) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a ten percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3)(B) of the Code and (v) none of its direct or indirect partners/members is a controlled foreign corporation related to the Borrower as described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code.

 

·           The undersigned has furnished the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by one of the following forms from each of its partners/members that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption: (i) an IRS Form W-8BEN or (ii) an IRS Form W-8IMY accompanied by an IRS Form W-8BEN from each of such partner’s/member’s beneficial owners that is claiming the portfolio interest exemption.  By executing this certificate, the undersigned agrees that (1) if the information provided on this certificate changes, the undersigned shall promptly so inform the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, and (2) the undersigned shall have at all times furnished the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with a properly completed and currently effective certificate in either the calendar year in which each payment is to be made to the undersigned, or in either of the two calendar years preceding such payments.

 

·           Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

J-4-

 

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

 

  

  

  

·

 

	
· [NAME OF LENDER]

 

	
· By:  _______________________

 

	
· 

 

	
· Name:  ________________________

 

	
· 

 

	
· Title:  ________________________

 

·           Date: ________ __, 20[  ]

 

J-4-2

U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate

 

  

  

  

EXHIBIT K

 

FORM OF LETTERS OF CREDIT REPORT

 

	
To:

	
Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

 

	
  

	
Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 2012 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer.  All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.

 

This report is being delivered pursuant to Section 2.03(k) of the Agreement.  Set forth in the table below is a description of each Letter of Credit issued by the undersigned and outstanding on the date hereof.

 

 

	
L/C No.

	
Maximum Face Amount

	
Current Face Amount

	
Beneficiary Name

	
Issuance Date

	
Expiry Date

	
Auto Renewal

	
Date of Amendment

	
Amount of Amendment

	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  
	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  	  

 

 

[APPLICABLE L/C ISSUER]

 

By:                                                                           

Name:                                                                           

Title:exhibit10_61.htm

EXHIBIT 10.61

 

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION

2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.           PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to advance the interests of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the "Company") and its stockholders by enhancing the Company's ability to (a) attract and retain employees, directors, consultants and advisors who are in a position to make significant contributions to the success of the Company and its subsidiaries; (b) reward these individuals for these contributions; (c) encourage these individuals to take into account the short-term and long-term interests of the Company and its stockholders; and (d) reward individuals who have contributed, or are expected to contribute, to the Company's success, by providing them equity and cash incentives ("Awards").

 

2.           ADMINISTRATION

 

(a)           The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company (the "Committee").  The Committee shall hold meetings at such times as the Committee shall deem necessary for the proper administration of the Plan.  The Committee shall consist of at least two directors of the Company, each of whom shall be a "Non-Employee Director" as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) promulgated under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and (ii) to the extent necessary for any Award intended to qualify as "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), to so qualify, each member of the Committee shall be an "outside director" (as defined in Section 162(m) and the regulations promulgated thereunder).  Subject to applicable law, the Committee may delegate its authority under the Plan to any other person or persons other than with respect to grants to individuals subject to  Section 16 of the 1934 Act.

 

(b)           No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action, failure to act, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any transaction hereunder.  The Company hereby agrees to indemnify each member of the Committee for all costs and expenses and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any liability incurred in connection with defending against, responding to, negotiating for the settlement of or otherwise dealing with any claim, cause of action or dispute of any kind arising in connection with any actions in administering this Plan or in authorizing or denying authorization to any transaction hereunder.

 

(c)           Subject to the express terms and conditions set forth herein, the Committee shall have the power from time to time:

 

(i)           to determine the employees of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Employees"), non-employee members of the board of directors of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates ("Directors"), and consultants and advisors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries ("Advisors"), to whom Awards shall be granted under the Plan (any such individual, a "Participant") and the number of shares of Stock subject to share-based Awards; to prescribe the terms and conditions (which need not be identical) of each such Award, including with respect to determining exercise prices, vesting conditions, restrictions on transfer, and, to the extent consistent with the terms of the Plan, whether to waive or modify such conditions (including to accelerate or waive vesting conditions); and to make any amendment or modification to any Award Agreement (as defined herein) consistent with the terms of the Plan;

 

(ii)           to construe and interpret the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder; to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, including, but not limited to, correcting any defect or supplying any omission, or reconciling any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or advisable; and otherwise to give full effect to the Plan;

 

(iii)           to exercise its discretion with respect to the powers and rights granted to it as set forth in the Plan;

 

(iv)           to establish any "blackout" period that the Committee in its sole discretion deems necessary or advisable; and

 

(v)           generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as are deemed by it necessary or advisable to promote the best interests of the Company with respect to the Plan.

 

All decisions and determinations of the Committee in the exercise of the foregoing powers shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, all Participants, and all other persons claiming any interest herein.

 

3.           EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN

 

The Plan is effective as of January 16, 2012, the date of its adoption by the Board (the "Effective Date"), subject to approval  by the Company's stockholders.  No Award may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.

 

 

  

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4.           SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

 

(a)           Awards under the Plan shall consist of Restricted Stock, RSUs, Options, SARs, Performance Shares, Performance Units, and Cash Incentive Awards (each as defined and described in Section 6 below).

 

(b)           Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.6: (i) the maximum number of shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share ("Stock"), subject to Awards that may be delivered under the Plan is 2,000,000, plus any shares of Stock that are or become available under the Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, As Amended and Restated September 23, 2008 (the "Prior Plan") on or after the date the Plan is approved by the Company's stockholders; (ii) the maximum number of shares of Stock and share equivalent units that may be granted during any calendar year to any one Participant under Awards other than Options, SARs, or Cash Incentive Awards, in the aggregate, is 300,000, which limit shall apply regardless of whether the Award(s) are paid in Stock or cash; (iii) the maximum number of shares of Stock and share equivalent units that may be granted during any calendar year to any one Participant under Options and SARs, in the aggregate, is 300,000; and (iv) in no event shall the Company issue more than 1,400,000 shares of Stock in the aggregate under Awards other than Options, SARs, and Cash Incentive Awards under the Plan.  No awards shall be granted under the Prior Plan following the date the Plan is approved by the Company's stockholders.

 

(c)           Any Stock covered by an Award which is forfeited, canceled or expires in whole or in part shall be deemed not to be delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Stock available for grants under the Plan.  For purposes of determining the number of shares of Stock available for grant under the Plan, (i) if the exercise price of an Option or Stock-settled SAR (including any Option or Stock-settled SAR granted under the Prior Plan) is satisfied by delivering shares of Stock to the Company (by either actual delivery or by attestation), the total number of shares subject to such Option or Stock-settled SAR shall be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for delivery pursuant to Awards under the Plan; (ii) shares subject to an Award of Options or Stock-settled SARs (including any Option or Stock-settled SAR granted under the Prior Plan) that are not delivered to a Participant because such shares are used to satisfy an applicable tax withholding or exercise price obligation shall be deemed delivered hereunder and shall not again be available for delivery in connection with Awards; and (iii) shares subject to an Award other than an Option or Stock-settled SAR (including an Award granted under the Prior Plan) that are not delivered to a Participant because such shares are used to satisfy an applicable tax withholding obligation shall not be deemed delivered hereunder and shall again be available for delivery in connection with Awards. Shares purchased on the open market using the cash proceeds from the exercise of an Option (including any Option granted under the Prior Plan) shall not be added to the shares of Stock available for delivery hereunder in determining the maximum number of shares of Stock available for delivery pursuant to Awards under the Plan.

 

(d)           In no event shall the Company issue ISOs (as defined herein) under the Plan covering more than 1,750,000 shares of Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.6 to the extent that such adjustment would not affect the qualification of such Awards as ISOs.

 

(e)           Awards granted through the assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, similar awards in connection with the acquisition of another corporation or business entity shall not be counted for purposes of applying the limitations of this Section on numbers of shares of Stock available for Awards generally or any particular kind of Award under the Plan.

 

(f)           Stock delivered under the Plan may be either from authorized but unissued Stock, from treasury shares or from shares of Stock purchased in open-market transactions and private sales.

 

5.           ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

 

Employees, Directors, and Advisors, who in the opinion of the Committee are in a position to make a significant contribution to the success of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan.  For purposes of the Plan, "Service" means the provision of services to the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates in the capacity of (a) an Employee, (b) a Director, or (c) an Advisor.  An "affiliate" for purposes of the Plan is an entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company.  A "subsidiary" for purposes of the Plan is an entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, equity interests possessing a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of equity.  The Committee will from time to time select the Employees, Directors and/or Advisors who are to be granted Awards.

 

6.           TYPES OF AWARDS

 

6.1.           RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.

 

(a)           Nature of Restricted Stock Awards.  An Award of restricted stock entitles the recipient to acquire, at such time or times as the Committee may determine, shares of Stock subject to the restrictions described in paragraph (e) below ("Restricted Stock").

 

(b)           Nature of Restricted Stock Unit Awards.  An Award of restricted stock units entitles the recipient to acquire, at such time or times as the Committee may determine, shares of Stock subject to the restrictions described in paragraph (e) below ("RSUs").  An RSU represents a contingent right to receive a Share or an amount equivalent in value to a Share.

 

(c)           Payment for Restricted Stock Awards.  The Committee may require, as a condition to an Award of Restricted Stock or RSUs, that a Participant deliver to the Company a purchase price in any amount set by the Committee for such Restricted Stock or RSUs.  In the discretion of the Committee, an Award Agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock or RSUs may permit the Participant to pay some or all of the purchase price thereof, or to meet any Withholding Requirements (as defined herein) to be met by the Participant in connection therewith, in the form of a note from the Participant on such terms as the Committee shall determine and to the extent permitted by law.  Such terms may include forgiveness of all or a portion of any such note upon such conditions as the Committee may specify.

 

(d)           Rights as a Stockholder.  A Participant who receives an Award of Restricted Stock will have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to the Stock, including voting and dividend rights, subject to the restrictions described in paragraph (f) below and any other conditions imposed by the Committee in the Award Agreement at the time of grant.  The Award Agreement evidencing an Award of RSUs shall specify whether the Participant is entitled to any voting rights or to receive any dividends on the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs.  Subject to Section 8.2, an Award of Restricted Stock or RSUs may provide for the right to receive Dividend Equivalents (as defined herein).

 

(e)           Restrictions.  The restrictions on each grant of Restricted Stock or RSUs will lapse at such time or times, and on such terms and conditions (including upon meeting pre-established performance goals), as the Committee may specify.  Except as otherwise specifically provided by the Plan or by the Committee in any particular case, until these restrictions lapse, neither Restricted Stock nor RSUs may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of.  If the Participant's Service terminates before such restrictions have lapsed, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Restricted Stock for the amount of any consideration (excluding services) it received for the Restricted Stock plus, if the Committee shall so determine, an amount equal to the Withholding Requirements met by the Participant in connection with the sale of the Stock, or for such other consideration as the Committee shall determine, including for no consideration if no consideration other than services was paid for such Restricted Stock.

 

(f)           Deferral.  If a Participant so elects in accordance with such procedures as the Committee may specify from time to time, in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the interpretive guidance thereunder ("Section 409A"), the delivery of Restricted Stock and, if the deferral election so specifies, of the Dividend Equivalents with respect thereto, shall be deferred until the date or dates specified in such election.

 

(g)           Section 83(b) Election.  If a Participant, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Stock under the Plan or otherwise, makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service or other governmental authority, in addition to any filing and notification required pursuant to regulations issued under Section 83(b) of the Code or any other applicable provision.

 

 

  

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6.2.           OPTIONS.

 

(a)           Nature of Options.  An option is an Award entitling the recipient on exercise thereof to purchase shares of Stock at a specified exercise price (an "Option").  Both incentive stock options (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) ("ISOs") and Options that are not ISOs may be granted under the Plan; provided that the Committee may award ISOs only to Employees.

 

(b)           Exercise Price.  The exercise price of an Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in an applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that the exercise price of an Option shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of the Stock on the date the Option is granted (110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant in the case of an ISO granted to an Employee who owns (within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, or of a parent or a subsidiary (such person, a "Ten Percent Stockholder")).  For purposes of this Plan, "Fair Market Value" on any date means the closing sales price of the Stock on such date on the principal national securities exchange on which the Stock is listed or admitted to trading, or, if the Stock is not so listed or admitted to trading, the average of the per share closing bid price and per share closing asked price on such date as quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("Nasdaq") or such other market in which such prices are regularly quoted, or, if there have been no published bid or asked quotations with respect to shares on such date, the Fair Market Value shall be the value established by the Board in good faith and in accordance with Section 409A and, in the case of an ISO, Section 422 of the Code.  Except for adjustment as provided in Section 8.6, any outstanding Option (i) shall not be repriced; (ii) shall not be canceled for the purpose of reissuing the Option to the Participant at a lower exercise price; and (iii) in the case of an Option that, at the time of cancellation, has an exercise price that exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying share of Stock, shall not be canceled for the purpose of exchanging the Option for any other Award and/or cash payment.

 

(c)           Duration of Options.  The latest date on which an Option may be exercised will be the tenth anniversary of the date the Option was granted (five years in the case of an ISO granted to a Ten Percent Stockholder), or such earlier date as may have been specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement at the time the Option was granted.

 

(d)           Exercise of Options.  An Option will become exercisable at such time or times, and on such terms and conditions (including upon meeting pre-established performance goals), as the Committee may specify in the Award Agreement for such Option.  The Committee may at any time accelerate the time at which all or any part of the Option may be exercised.  Subject to the next following sentence, any exercise of an Option must be in writing, signed by the proper person and delivered or mailed to the Company, accompanied by (i) any documents required by the Committee and (ii) payment in full for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised.  The exercise price for any Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may, if permitted under the Award Agreement applicable to the Option, be paid in the following forms: (1) cash; (2) the transfer, either actually or by attestation, to the Company of shares of Stock that have been held by the Participant for at least six months (or such lesser period as may be permitted by the Committee) prior to the exercise of the Option, such transfer to be upon such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee; (3) such other methods as the Committee makes available to Participants from time to time; or (4) a combination thereof.  In addition, Options may be exercised through a registered broker-dealer pursuant to such cashless exercise procedures which are, from time to time, deemed acceptable by the Committee.  Any shares of Stock transferred to the Company as payment of the exercise price under an Option shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the day of exercise of such Option.  If requested by the Committee, the Participant shall deliver the Award Agreement to the Secretary of the Company who shall endorse thereon a notation of such exercise and return such Award Agreement to the Participant. No fractional shares of Stock (or cash in lieu thereof) shall be issued upon exercise of an Option, and the number of shares of Stock that may be purchased upon exercise shall be rounded to the nearest number of whole shares.

 

(e)           Exercise Limit.  To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of the grant) of shares of Stock with respect to which ISOs granted under the Plan and "incentive stock options" (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) granted under all other plans of the Company or its subsidiaries (in either case determined without regard to this Section 6.2(e)) are exercisable by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such ISOs shall be treated as Options that are not ISOs.  In applying the limitation in the preceding sentence in the case of multiple Options, Options that are intended to be ISOs shall be treated as Options which are not ISOs according to the order in which they were granted, such that the most recently granted Options are first treated as Options that are not ISOs.

 

(f)           ISO Exercise. An ISO must be exercised, if at all, within three months after the Participant's termination of Service for a reason other than death or Disability and within twelve months after the Participant's termination of Service for death or Disability.  For purposes of this Plan, "Disability" is defined as permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

6.3.           STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

 

(a)           Nature of Stock Appreciation Rights.  A stock appreciation right is an Award entitling the recipient to receive upon exercise thereof payment of an amount determined by multiplying the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of exercise over the exercise price of the SAR, by the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the SAR is exercised (a "SAR").  The payment upon exercise of a SAR may be made in Stock, cash, or a combination of Stock and cash, as specified in the applicable Award Agreement.

 

(b)           Exercise Price.  The exercise price of a SAR shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in an applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that the exercise price of a SAR shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of the Stock on the date the SAR is granted.   Except for adjustment as provided in Section 8.6, any outstanding SAR (i) shall not be repriced; (ii) shall not be canceled for the purpose of reissuing the SAR to the Participant at a lower exercise price; and (iii) in the case of a SAR that, at the time of cancellation, has an exercise price that exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying share of Stock, shall not be canceled for the purpose of exchanging the SAR for any other Award and/or cash payment.

 

(c)           Duration of SARs.  The latest date on which a SAR may be exercised will be the tenth anniversary of the date the SAR was granted, or such earlier date as may have been specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement at the time the SAR was granted.

 

(d)           Exercise of SARs.  A SAR will become exercisable at such time or times, and on such terms and conditions (including upon meeting pre-established performance goals), as the Committee may specify in the Award Agreement for such SAR.  The Committee may at any time accelerate the time at which all or any part of the SAR may be exercised.  Any exercise of a SAR must be in writing, signed by the proper person and delivered or mailed to the Company, accompanied by any documents required by the Committee.  If requested by the Committee, the Participant shall deliver the Award Agreement to the Secretary of the Company who shall endorse thereon a notation of such exercise and return such Award Agreement to the Participant. No fractional shares of Stock (or cash in lieu thereof) shall be issued upon exercise of a SAR, and the number of shares of Stock that may be acquired upon exercise shall be rounded to the nearest number of whole shares.

 

6.4.           PERFORMANCE SHARES AND PERFORMANCE UNITS.

 

(a)           Nature of Performance Shares and Performance Units.  A performance share is an Award with an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant (a "Performance Share"), and a performance unit is an Award with an initial value determined by the Committee on the date of grant (a "Performance Unit"), in each case, that entitles the recipient to receive payment upon the attainment of performance goals and other terms and conditions determined by the Committee.  Payment of Performance Shares or Performance Units may be made in Stock, cash, or a combination of Stock and cash, as specified in the applicable Award Agreement.  In no event shall the amount of a Performance Unit payable to any Participant that is not denominated in shares of Stock and that is designed to qualify for the performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code exceed $5,000,000 for any calendar year.

 

(b)           Performance Goals.  The Committee shall determine the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units, the length of the performance period, and the other terms and conditions of each Award.

 

 

  

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6.5.           CASH INCENTIVE AWARDS.

 

(a)           Nature of Cash Incentive Awards.  A cash incentive award is an Award denominated in cash that entitles the recipient to an amount (payable in cash or a share-based Award as described below) upon the attainment of performance goals and other terms and conditions determined by the Committee, which may include annual performance goals and periods (“Cash Incentive Award”); provided, however, that in no event shall the amount of a Cash Incentive Award payable to any Participant that is designed to qualify for the performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code in accordance with Section 9 exceed $5,000,000 for any calendar year (whether payable in cash or in the form of a share-based Award).  A Cash Incentive Award may be satisfied in cash or, if the Committee so determines, by a grant of share-based Awards under the Plan with such terms and conditions as the Committee determines, or a combination of cash or share-based Awards.  

 

(b)           Performance Goals.  The Committee shall determine the amount of the Cash Incentive Award, the length of the performance period, and the terms and conditions of each Cash Incentive Award, including the form of payment.

 

6.6           SUBSTITUTE AWARDS.

 

(a)           In connection with any acquisition by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, the Committee may grant Awards to persons who became Employees, Directors or Advisors in connection with such acquisition in substitution for equity incentives held by them in the seller or acquired entity.  In such case the Committee may set the prices and other terms of the substitute Awards at such amounts and in such manner as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate to preserve for the Participants the economic values of the equity incentives for which such Awards are substitutes (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) or otherwise to provide such incentives as the Committee may determine are appropriate.

 

(b)           Unless required by applicable law, any substitute Awards granted pursuant to Section 6.6 shall not count toward the share limitations set forth in Section 4.

 

7.           EVENTS AFFECTING OUTSTANDING AWARDS

 

7.1.           TERMINATION OF SERVICE.

 

Unless otherwise set forth in an Award Agreement, an Award shall immediately terminate on the date a Participant's Service terminates, and (a) any Options or SARs held by a Participant shall not be exercisable and all rights of the Participant with respect thereto shall immediately terminate, (b) any shares of Restricted Stock or RSUs with respect to which the restrictions have not lapsed shall be immediately forfeited and must be transferred to the Company in accordance with Section 6.1, and (c) any Performance Shares, Performance Units or Cash Incentive Awards shall be immediately forfeited.

 

7.2           TERMINATION OF AWARD.

 

The Company may terminate, cancel, rescind, recover, or revoke an Award immediately under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to a Participant's:

 

(a)           actions constituting "Cause", which shall have the meaning provided under an employment, consulting or other agreement between a Participant and the Company, or if there is no such meaning provided under such agreement or no such agreement, shall include, but not be limited to, the: (i) conviction of or entering a plea of guilty or nolo contendere with respect to a crime, whether or not connected with the Company; (ii) commission of any act of fraud with respect to the Company; (iii) theft, embezzlement or misappropriation of any property of the Company; (iv) excessive absenteeism (other than as resulting from Disability); (v) failure to observe or comply with any Company work rules, policies, procedures, guidelines or standards of conduct which the Company has adopted for the regulation of the general conduct of its employees, as generally known to the employees of the Company or evidenced by the terms of any employee handbook, written memorandums or written policy statements; (vi) continued willful refusal to carry out and perform the material duties and responsibilities of a Participant's position, excluding nonperformance resulting from Disability; or (vii) any other conduct or act determined to be injurious, detrimental or prejudicial to any interest of the Company (in each case as determined in good faith by the Company);

 

(b)           rendering of services for a competitor prior to, or within six (6) months after, the exercise of any Option or SAR or the termination of Participant's Service with the Company;

 

(c)           unauthorized disclosure of any confidential/proprietary information of the Company to any third party;

 

(d)           failure to comply with the Company's policies regarding the identification, disclosure and protection of intellectual property;

 

(e)           violation of the Proprietary Rights Agreement/Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Employee Confidentiality, Intellectual Property and Non-Competition Agreement for Employees signed by the Participant; or

 

(f)           violation of the Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Code of Business Conduct, including those provisions related to financial reporting.

 

The existence of any such circumstances shall be determined in good faith by the Company.

 

In the event of any termination, cancellation, rescission, recovery, or revocation, the Participant shall return to the Company any Stock received pursuant to an Award, or pay to the Company the amount of any gain realized on the sale of any such Stock, in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be required, and the Company shall be entitled to set off against the amount of any such gain any amount owed to the Participant by the Company.  To the extent applicable, the Company will refund to the Participant any amount paid for such Stock, including Withholding Requirements.

 

 

  

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7.3           CHANGE IN CONTROL.

 

The Committee shall have the discretion to provide in applicable Award Agreements that, in the event of a "Change in Control" (as defined in Appendix A) of the Company, the following provisions will apply:

 

(a)           Each outstanding Option or SAR (or such lesser portion of each Option or SAR as is set forth in an applicable Award Agreement) will immediately become exercisable in full.

 

(b)           Each outstanding share of Restricted Stock or RSU (or such lesser number of shares as is set forth in an applicable Award Agreement) will immediately become free of the restrictions.

 

(c)           The vesting of each Performance Share, Performance Unit, or Cash Incentive Award will immediately be accelerated, and the Participant will be paid in cash, Stock, or other property, as determined by the Committee, within thirty (30) days after the effective date of the Change in Control, a pro rata amount based on assumed achievement of all relevant performance measures at target levels, and upon the length of time within the applicable performance period that elapsed prior the effective date of the Change in Control; provided, however, that if the Committee determines that actual performance to the effective date of the Change in Control exceeds target levels, the prorated payouts will be made at levels commensurate with the actual performance (determined by extrapolating the actual performance to the end of the applicable performance period).

 

(d)           In the event of a Change in Control that is a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or that results in the acquisition of substantially all the Company's outstanding Stock by a single person or entity or by a group of persons or entities acting in concert, or in the event of a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company's assets (a "Covered Transaction"), the Committee shall have the discretion to provide for the termination of all outstanding Options or SARs as of the effective date of the Covered Transaction; provided, that, if the Covered Transaction follows a Change in Control or would give rise to a Change in Control, no Option or SAR will be so terminated (without the consent of the Participant) prior to the expiration of twenty (20) days following the later of (i) the date on which the Option or SAR became fully exercisable and (ii) the date on which the Participant received written notice of the Covered Transaction.

 

8.           GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

8.1.           DOCUMENTATION OF AWARDS.

 

Awards may be evidenced by written instruments prescribed by the Committee from time to time (each such instrument, an "Award Agreement").  Award Agreements may be in the form of agreements, to be executed by both the Participant and the Company, or certificates, letters or similar instruments, acceptance of which will evidence agreement to the terms thereof and hereof.

 

8.2.           RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER; DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS.

 

Except as specifically provided by the Plan, the receipt of an Award will not give a Participant rights as a stockholder, and the Participant will obtain such rights, subject to any limitations imposed by the Plan or the Award Agreement, only upon actual receipt of Stock.  However, the Committee may, on such conditions as it deems appropriate, provide in an Award Agreement that a Participant will receive a benefit in lieu of cash dividends that would have been payable on any or all Stock subject to the Participant's Award had such Stock been outstanding.  Without limitation, the Committee may provide for payment to the Participant of amounts representing dividends on such Award (other than Options and SARS) (such amounts, "Dividend Equivalents"), either currently or in the future, or for the investment of such amounts on behalf of the Participant; provided that the Committee shall design such payment to be exempt from or, in the alternative, comply with Section 409A; provided, further, that with respect to performance-based Awards, Dividend Equivalents shall not be paid until vesting (if any) of such Awards.

 

8.3           CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK.

 

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Stock, whether by electronic book entry or in certificate form, pursuant to the Plan or to remove any restriction from shares of Stock previously delivered under the Plan (a) until all conditions of the Award have been satisfied or removed, (b) until, in the opinion of the Company's counsel, all applicable federal and state laws and regulations have been complied with, (c) if the outstanding Stock is at the time listed on any stock exchange, until the shares to be delivered have been listed or authorized to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of notice of issuance and (d) until all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been approved by the Company's counsel.  If the sale of Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Company may require, as a condition to exercise of the Award, such representations or agreements as counsel for the Company may consider appropriate to avoid violation of such Act and may require that the certificates evidencing such Stock bear an appropriate legend restricting transfer.

 

8.4.           TAX WITHHOLDING.

 

(a)           The Company may withhold from any payment made pursuant to an Award an amount as may be necessary and sufficient to satisfy all minimum federal, state, local, and other applicable tax withholding requirements (the "Withholding Requirements").

 

(b)           The Committee will have the right to require that the Participant or other appropriate person remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy the Withholding Requirements, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Committee with regard to such requirements, prior to the delivery of any Stock.  If and to the extent that any such withholding is required, the Committee may permit the Participant or such other person to elect at such time and in such manner as the Committee provides to have the Company hold back from the shares to be delivered, or to deliver to the Company, Stock having a value calculated to satisfy the Withholding Requirements.

 

(c)           With respect to the exercise of ISOs, the Committee may require as a condition of exercise that the person exercising the ISO agree (i) to inform the Company promptly of any disposition of Stock received upon exercise of the ISO, and (ii) if the Company determines that it could be liable for Withholding Requirements with respect to a disposition of the Stock received upon exercise, to give such security as the Committee deems adequate to meet the potential liability of the Company for the Withholding Requirements and to augment such security from time to time in any amount reasonably deemed necessary by the Committee to preserve the adequacy of such security.

 

 

  

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8.5.           NONTRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS.

 

No Award shall be transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or, except in the case of an ISO, pursuant to a domestic relations order (within the meaning of Rule 16a-12 promulgated under the Exchange Act), and an Option or SAR shall be exercisable during the lifetime of such Participant only by such Participant or such Participant's executor or administrator or by the person or persons to whom the Option or SAR is transferred by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution (such person, the Participant's "Legal Representative").  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Committee may in a manner consistent with applicable law set forth in an Award Agreement evidencing an Award (other than an ISO) that the Award may be transferred to members of the Participant's immediate family, to trusts solely for the benefit of such immediate family members and to partnerships in which such family members and/or trusts are the only partners, and for purposes of this Plan, such a transferee of an Award shall be deemed to be the Participant.  For this purpose, "immediate family" shall refer only to the Participant's spouse, parents, children, stepchildren and grandchildren and the spouses of such parents, children, stepchildren and grandchildren.  The terms of an Award shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the beneficiaries, executors, administrators, heirs and successors of the Participant.

 

8.6.           ADJUSTMENTS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.

 

In the event of a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or shares, stock rights offering, liquidation, disaffiliation of a subsidiary or affiliate, or similar event affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Corporate Transaction”), the Committee or the Board may in its discretion make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable to (i) the aggregate number and kind of shares of Stock or other securities reserved for issuance and delivery under the Plan, (ii) the various maximum limitations set forth in Section 4 upon certain types of Awards and upon the grants to individuals of certain types of Awards, (iii) the number and kind of shares of Stock or other securities subject to outstanding Awards; and (iv) the exercise price of outstanding Options and SARs.  In the event of a stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, separation, spinoff, reorganization, extra-ordinary dividend of cash or other property, share combination, or recapitalization or similar event affecting the capital structure of the Company (each, a “Share Change”), the Committee or the Board shall make such substitutions or adjustments as it deems appropriate and equitable to (A) the aggregate number and kind of shares of Stock or other securities reserved for issuance and delivery under the Plan, (B) the various maximum limitations set forth in Section 4 upon certain types of Awards and upon the grants to individuals of certain types of Awards, (C) the number and kind of shares of Stock or other securities subject to outstanding Awards; and (D) the exercise price of outstanding Options and SARs.  In the case of Corporate Transactions, such adjustments may include, without limitation, (1) the cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for payments of cash, property or a combination thereof having an aggregate value equal to the value of such Awards, as determined by the Committee or the Board in its sole discretion (it being understood that in the case of a Corporate Transaction with respect to which stockholders of Stock receive consideration other than publicly traded equity securities of the ultimate surviving entity, any such determination by the Committee that the value of an Option or SAR shall for this purpose be deemed to equal the excess, if any, of the value of the consideration being paid for each share of Stock pursuant to such Corporate Transaction over the exercise price of such Option or SAR shall conclusively be deemed valid), provided, that in the event of the cancellation of such Awards pursuant to this clause (1), the Awards shall vest in full immediately prior to the consummation of such Corporate Transaction; (2) the substitution of other property (including, without limitation, cash or other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company) for the shares of Stock subject to outstanding Awards; and (3) in connection with any disaffiliation of a subsidiary or affiliate, arranging for the assumption of Awards, or replacement of Awards with new awards based on other property or other securities (including, without limitation, other securities of the Company and securities of entities other than the Company), by the affected subsidiary, affiliate, or division or by the entity that controls such subsidiary, affiliate, or division following such disaffiliation of a subsidiary or affiliate (as well as any corresponding adjustments to Awards that remain based upon Company securities).

 

8.7.           PARTICIPANT'S RIGHTS.

 

Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the grant of Awards will confer upon any person any right to continued employment or Service with the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate or affect in any way the right of the Company any subsidiary or affiliate to terminate an employment or Service relationship at any time.

 

8.8.           PAYMENT FOR STOCK; LOANS.

 

Stock awarded under this Plan as Restricted Stock or received upon exercise of an Option or SAR may be paid for with such legal consideration as the Committee may determine.  If and to the extent authorized by the Committee and permitted by applicable law, the Company may permit Participants to pay for Stock with promissory notes, and may make loans to Participants of all or a portion of any Withholding Requirements to be met in connection with the grant, exercise or vesting of any Award. Any such extensions of credit may be secured by Stock or other collateral, or may be made on an unsecured basis, as the Committee may determine.

 

8.9.           SUCCESSORS.

 

All obligations of the Company under the Plan or any Award Agreement will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of the successor results from a direct or indirect purchase of all or substantially all of the Company's shares, or a merger, consolidation, or otherwise.

 

8.10.           SEVERABILITY.

 

If any provision of the Plan is held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity will not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.

 

8.11.           REQUIREMENTS OF LAW.

 

The granting of Awards and the issuance of Share and/or cash payouts under the Plan will be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to any approvals by governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

 

8.12.           SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE.

 

As to any individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer, director or ten percent beneficial owner of any class of the Company's equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, all as defined under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule.  To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Board fails to so comply, it will be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Board.

 

8.13.           AWARDS TO FOREIGN NATIONALS AND EMPLOYEES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.

 

To the extent the Board deems it necessary, appropriate or desirable to comply with foreign law or practice and to further the purposes of this Plan, the Board may, without amending the Plan, (i) establish rules applicable to Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals, are employed or providing Service outside the United States, or both, including rules that differ from those set forth in this Plan, and (ii) grant Awards to such Participants in accordance with those rules that would require the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.

 

 

  

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8.14.           GOVERNING LAW.

 

To the extent not preempted by federal law, the Plan and all agreements hereunder will be construed and enforced in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its conflicts of laws principles that would require the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.  All references to statutory provisions and related regulatory provisions used herein shall include any similar or successor provisions.  The jurisdiction and venue for any disputes arising under, or any action brought to enforce (or otherwise relating to), this Plan shall be exclusively in the courts in the State of Illinois, County of Cook, including the Federal Courts located therein (should Federal jurisdiction exist).

 

8.15           SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE.

 

(a)           Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, all Awards made under this Plan are intended to be exempt from or, in the alternative, comply with Section 409A and the interpretive guidance thereunder, including the exceptions for stock rights and short-term deferrals.  The Plan shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.  Each payment under an Award shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A.  With respect to a Cash Incentive Award, the cash portion will be paid, and the grant of any portion payable as a share-based Award will be awarded, not later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the applicable performance period ended.

 

(b)           If a Participant is a "specified employee" (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A) at the time of his or her termination of Service, no amount that is nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A and that becomes payable by reason of such termination of Service shall be paid to the Participant (or in the event of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s representative or estate) before the earlier of (i) the first business day after the date that is six months following the date of the Participant's termination of Service, and (ii) within 30 days following the date of the Participant's death.  For purposes of Section 409A, a termination of Service shall be deemed to occur only if it is a "separation from service" within the meaning of Section 409A, and references in the Plan and any Award Agreement to "termination of Service" or similar terms shall mean a "separation from service." If any Award is or becomes subject to Section 409A, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, such Award shall be payable upon the Participant’s "separation from service" within the meaning of Section 409A. If any Award is or becomes subject to Section 409A and if payment of such Award would be accelerated or otherwise triggered under a Change in Control, then the definition of Change in Control shall be deemed modified, only to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of an excise tax under Section 409A, to mean a "change in control event" as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A.

 

(c)           Any adjustments made pursuant to Section 8.6 to Awards that are subject to Section 409A shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, and any adjustments made pursuant to Section 8.6 to Awards that are not subject to Section 409A shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment, the Awards either (i) continue not to be subject to Section 409A or (ii) comply with the requirements of Section 409A.

 

8.16           ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION.

 

All Awards shall be subject to any incentive compensation recoupment policy established from time to time by the Company, including any such policy established to comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

8.17           UNFUNDED PLAN.

It is presently intended that the Plan shall be unfunded.  Except for reserving a sufficient number of authorized shares of Stock, to the extent required by law to meet the requirements of the Plan, the Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of assets to assure the delivery of shares of Stock relating to Awards granted pursuant to the Plan.

9.           QUALIFIED PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS.

 

9.1           GRANT OF QUALIFIED PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS.

 

If the Committee makes Awards (other than Options or SARs) that are designed to qualify for the performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code and any regulations promulgated thereunder (a "Qualified Performance-Based Award"), such Awards shall be subject to the attainment of performance goals related to one or more of the following performance measures and business metrics: earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock price, revenue, net revenue, gross margin, net income, operating earnings or income, revenue backlog, economic value added, customer satisfaction, cost control or expense reduction, attainment of identified business opportunities, earnings per share, return on operating assets or capital, return on net assets, economic profit, appreciation in fair market value, volume/production, employee retention, cash flow (e.g., operating cash flow, free cash flow, discounted cash flow return on investment), market share, return to stockholders, cost management, business growth through market and technology extension, safety, improvement in technology and quality leadership, business processes, and organizational effectiveness and operational excellence, in each case, absolute or relative to a peer group or index.

 

9.2           PERFORMANCE GOALS

 

(a)           The performance goals established for the performance period established by the Committee shall be objective (as that term is described in regulations under Section 162(m) of the Code), and will be established in writing by the Committee not later than ninety (90) days after the beginning of the applicable performance period (but in no event after twenty-five percent (25%) of the performance period has elapsed), and while the outcome as to the performance goals is substantially uncertain. The performance goals established by the Committee will be based on one or more of the performance measures and business metrics set forth in Section 9.1 and any of such performance measures and business metrics may be used to measure the performance of the Company as a whole or of any business unit, division, acquired business, minority investment, partnerships or joint venture of the Company.  The Committee may specify any reasonable definition of the performance measures and business metrics it uses.  A Participant otherwise entitled to receive a Qualified Performance-Based Award for any performance period will not receive a settlement or payment of such Award until the Committee has determined that the applicable performance goals have been attained. The Committee may adjust in its sole discretion the performance goals applicable to any Awards to reflect any unusual or non-recurring events, including, but not limited to, exogenous events, financing activities, acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations (including stock splits and dividends), impact of charges for restructurings, discontinued operations, the cumulative effects of accounting or tax changes, and other extraordinary items, each as defined by generally accepted accounting principles or as identified in the Company’s financial statements, notes to the financial statements, management’s discussion and analysis or other the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, provided that in the case of performance goals applicable to any Qualified Performance-Based Awards, such adjustment does not violate Section 162(m) of the Code. However, the Committee may not in any event increase the amount of compensation payable to a covered employee (within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code) upon attainment of a performance goal above the maximum amount approved by the Committee.

(b)           In the event that the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant Awards that may not qualify as Performance-Based Awards, the Committee may grant such Awards without satisfying the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code, to the extent consistent with its other compensation objectives.

 

 

  

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10.           DISCONTINUANCE, CANCELLATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

(a)           The Committee may at any time discontinue granting Awards under the Plan.  The Board or the Committee may at any time or times amend the Plan or any outstanding Award, provided that no such amendment (other than an amendment made to comply with applicable law, including without limitation Section 409A, stock exchange listing standards or accounting rules) would materially impair the rights of a Participant with respect to a previously granted Award without such Participant’s consent.  The Committee may at any time terminate the Plan as to any further grants of Awards.  Except to the extent expressly required or permitted by the Plan, no amendment to the Plan or any outstanding Award will, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (a) increase the maximum number of shares available under the Plan, (b) extend the time within which Awards may be granted, (c) permit the Company to reprice any outstanding Option or SAR, (d) otherwise effect an action that would require stockholder approval under applicable law or the listing standards of Nasdaq or (e) amend the provisions of this Section 10, and no amendment or termination of the Plan may adversely affect the rights of any Participant (without his or her consent) under any Award previously granted.

 

(b)           Subject to the immediately preceding paragraph, the Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, reserves the right, but shall not be required, to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan so that the Award qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that Awards granted under the Plan shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A from applying to Awards granted under the Plan.

 

 

  

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APPENDIX A TO 2012 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

(a)           any "person" as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act (other than (i) the Company, (ii) any subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company, or (iv) any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), together with all Affiliates and Associates (as such terms are used in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the 1934 Act) of such person, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or

(b)           the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other company, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, at least sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) after which no "person" (with the method of determining "beneficial ownership" used in clause (a) of this definition) owns more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation; or

(c)           during any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of the Plan), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has conducted or threatened a proxy contest, or has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this definition) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; or

(d)           the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.

 

 

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