Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.17  
EXECUTION VERSION

AGREEMENT AND WRITTEN CONSENT OF STOCKHOLDERS OF WRH, INC. PURSUANT TO SECTION 228(a) OF THE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (THIS “STOCKHOLDER CONSENT AND AGREEMENT”)
January 6, 2016
WHEREAS, WRH, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”) has entered into the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) on the date of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement by and among Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”), Pretzel Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Merger Sub”) and, solely in its capacity as the Stockholders’ Representative in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, American Capital Equity III, LP, a Delaware limited partnership;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation has unanimously (i) determined that the Merger (as defined below) is advisable and fair to, and in the best interests of, the Corporation and the Stockholders, (ii) approved the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger, and (iii) recommended that the Stockholders adopt and approve the Merger Agreement and approve the transactions contemplated thereby, including the Merger; and
WHEREAS, in order to induce Buyer to enter into the Merger Agreement, each Person that is a party to this Stockholder Consent and Agreement (each, a “Supporting Party”) has agreed to, execute and deliver this Stockholder Consent and Agreement with respect to any and all shares of Company Stock beneficially owned by that Supporting Party.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual agreements and covenants set forth in this Stockholder Consent and Agreement and in the Merger Agreement, and intending to be legally bound hereby, each Supporting Party hereby agrees as follows:
1.Definitions.  Each capitalized term that is used, but not defined, in this Stockholder Consent and Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Merger Agreement.
2.    Written Consent of Each Supporting Stockholder.  a. Each Supporting Party that is a Stockholder (each, a “Supporting Stockholder”), acting by written consent pursuant to Section 228(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) in lieu of a meeting of the members of the Corporation, hereby irrevocably consents in writing to:
(i)    the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement, the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement (collectively, the “Contemplated Transactions”); and
(ii)    the grant of authority to each executive officer of the Corporation, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, to take any and all actions, to execute and deliver any and all documents, agreements and instruments and to take any and all steps deemed by any such officer, on the advice of counsel to the Corporation, to be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purpose and intent of the foregoing resolution, and the ratification and confirmation of all actions heretofore taken by any of them in furtherance thereof in all respects.
(b)    The actions pursuant to this Section 2 of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement shall have the same force and effect as if taken at a meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation, duly called and constituted pursuant to the Corporation’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and the DGCL.
3.    Representations and Warranties of the Supporting Party.  Each Supporting Party, severally, but not jointly, as to such Supporting Party, hereby represents and warrants to Buyer and Merger Sub as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date as follows:

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(a)    Existence and Power.  If such Supporting Party is not a natural person, such Supporting Party is an entity duly organized of the type set forth on its signature page hereto, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept is applicable) under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, which is set forth on its signature page hereto.
(b)    Authority.
(i)    If such Supporting Party is a natural person, (A) such Supporting Party has the legal capacity and has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Stockholder Consent and Agreement and to perform his or her obligations hereunder, (B) this Stockholder Consent and Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Supporting Party, and, assuming the due execution and delivery of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement by the other parties hereto, this Stockholder Consent and Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such Supporting Party, enforceable against such Supporting Party in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally and as limited by the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies or applicable equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity); and (C) if such Supporting Party is married and such Supporting Party’s shares of Company Stock constitute community property under applicable Laws, such Supporting Party’s spouse (the “Spouse”) has the legal capacity and has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Stockholder Consent and Agreement and to perform his or her obligations hereunder, this Stockholder Consent and Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Spouse, and, assuming the due execution and delivery of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement by the other parties hereto, this Stockholder Consent and Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such Spouse, enforceable against such Spouse in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally and as limited by the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies or applicable equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).  If this Stockholder Consent and Agreement is being executed in a representative or fiduciary capacity, the person signing this Stockholder Consent and Agreement has full power and authority to enter into and perform this Stockholder Consent and Agreement on behalf of such Supporting Party or Spouse.
(ii)    If such Supporting Party is not a natural person, (A) such Supporting Party has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Stockholder Consent and Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and the execution, delivery and performance by such Supporting Party of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement and each of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Supporting Party and no other act or proceeding on the part of such Supporting Party, such Supporting Party’s board of directors or other similar governing body or such Supporting Party’s owners is necessary to authorize the execution, delivery or performance by such Supporting Party of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement or the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated hereby; and (B) this Stockholder Consent and Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by such Supporting Party, and, assuming the due execution and delivery of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement by the other parties hereto, this Stockholder Consent and Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such Supporting Party, enforceable against such Supporting Party in accordance with its terms, except as the enforceability hereof or thereof may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally and as limited by the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies or applicable equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).
(c)    Non-Contravention.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.5 to the Merger Agreement, assuming the truth and accuracy of the representations and warranties of Buyer set forth in Section 4.3 of the Merger Agreement, no notices to, filings with, or authorizations, consents or approvals of any Governmental Entity are necessary in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by such Supporting Party of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement or the consummation by such Supporting Party of the transactions contemplated hereby.  Neither the 

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execution, delivery or performance by such Supporting Party of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement nor the consummation by such Supporting Party of the transactions contemplated hereby will (with the lapse of time, the giving of notice or both) (a) conflict with, violate or result in any breach of or default under any provision of such Supporting Party’s Organizational Documents (if applicable), (b) except as set forth on Schedule 3.5 to the Merger Agreement, require any filing with, notice to or the obtaining of any permit, authorization, consent or approval of, any Person, (c) result in a default under, or give rise to any right of termination, cancellation or acceleration under, any of the terms, conditions or provisions of any material Contract to which such Supporting Party is a party, (d) violate in any respect any Law, order, injunction or decree applicable to such Supporting Party or (e) result in the imposition of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) on any asset or property of a Group Company, excluding from the foregoing clauses (b), (c) and (d) such conflicts, violations, filings, notices, approvals, defaults, rights or Liens which would not be reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect such Supporting Party’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Stockholder Consent and Agreement.
(d)    Ownership of Company Stock.  Such Supporting Stockholder is the record and beneficial owner of the number of shares of each class or series of Company Stock that is set forth opposite that Supporting Stockholder’s name on Exhibit A, free and clear of all Liens and free of any other limitation or restriction (including any restriction on the right to vote, sell or otherwise dispose of such shares of Company Stock) except as provided hereunder or under the Stockholders’ Agreement, and such shares of Company Stock are the only shares of Company Stock owned of record or beneficially by such Supporting Stockholder as of the date hereof.  None of such Supporting Stockholder’s shares of Company Stock are subject to any proxy, voting trust or other agreement or arrangement with respect to the voting of such shares of Company Stock, except as provided hereunder or under the Stockholders’ Agreement.
(e)    Informed Consent.  Such Supporting Party has received and reviewed a copy of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement and the Merger Agreement, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Stockholder Consent and Agreement and fully understands and accepts all of the provisions hereof and of the Merger Agreement, including that the consummation of the Merger is subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, and so there can be no assurance that the Merger will be consummated.
(f)    Brokerage.  There are no claims for brokerage commissions, finder’s fees or similar compensation in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Stockholder Consent and Agreement or the Merger Agreement based on any arrangement or agreement made by or, to the knowledge of such Supporting Party, on behalf of such Supporting Party, other than (i) any arrangements entered into directly by the Corporation or another Group Company, or (ii) any arrangements that would not subject any Group Company to any obligations or liability.
4.    Certain Covenants.
(a)    Waiver of Pre-Existing Claims.  Effective as of the Closing, each Supporting Party hereby waives and releases on behalf of itself and each of its controlled Affiliates (other than the Group Companies) any and all other rights and claims (whether absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, known or unknown, determined, determinable or otherwise) that such Person or any such controlled Affiliate may now or hereafter have relating to or arising from facts, occurrences or circumstances existing at or prior to the Closing against the Buyer, any Group Company or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, whether in law or in equity, in contract, in tort or otherwise, in each case, related to or arising out of such Supporting Party’s investment in the Corporation or ownership of the Company Stock or any other equity interest held or claimed to be held by such Supporting Party; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 4(a) shall be deemed a waiver or release of (i) any compensation or benefits in connection with a Supporting Party’s employment by the Group Companies prior to the Closing Date in the ordinary course, (ii) any right to indemnification of any current or former director or officer by any Group Company pursuant to such Group Company’s Organizational Documents or (iii) any rights of such Supporting Party under this Stockholder Consent and Agreement, the Merger Agreement or any other agreement or document contemplated hereby or thereby, or executed or delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.  Each Supporting Party on behalf of itself and its controlled Affiliates agrees not to bring any Action against Buyer or its Affiliates (including any Group Company) asserting any claim waived or released by this Section 4(a).

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(b)    Allocation of Merger Consideration.  Each Supporting Party hereby (i). acknowledges that the Merger Consideration (including any adjustment thereto pursuant to the Merger Agreement) shall be allocated in a manner that is consistent with the terms of the Merger Agreement, and that none of Buyer, Merger Sub, the Corporation, any Group Company or any of their respective Affiliates has any responsibility for such allocation and (ii) irrevocably waives and releases and discharges any and all claims and causes of action (whether at law or in equity) that such Supporting Party may have at any time against Buyer, Merger Sub, the Corporation, any Group Company or any of their respective Affiliates, or any directors, officers, employees, agents, members, managers, agents, representatives, successors and assignees with respect to the allocation of the Merger Consideration as among the Equity Holders (including any adjustment thereto pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement).  This Section 4(b) shall not be construed as a release or waiver of any payment obligation on the part of Buyer, Merger Sub, the Corporation, any Group Company or any of their respective Affiliates arising out of the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby.
(c)    No Revocation.  Each Supporting Stockholder hereby agrees not to revoke or otherwise withdraw its approval and adoption of the actions described in this Stockholder Consent and Agreement.
(d)    Dissenters’ Rights.  Each Supporting Stockholder hereby waives, and agrees not to exercise, any right to dissent or appraisal or any similar provision under applicable Laws (including pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL) in connection with the Contemplated Transactions.
(e)    Transfer Restrictions.  Without the prior written consent of Buyer, each Supporting Stockholder agrees not to take any action to, directly or indirectly, i) offer to sell, sell, assign, transfer (including by operation of law), pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of any of its shares of Company Stock, ii) deposit any of its shares of Company Stock into a voting trust or enter into a voting agreement or arrangement with respect to any shares of Company Stock or grant any proxy or power of attorney with respect thereto or iii) enter into any Contract, option or other arrangement or undertaking with respect to the direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer (including by operation of law) or other disposition of or transfer of any interest in or the voting of any of its shares of Company Stock or any other securities of the Corporation (any transaction of any type described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, a “Transfer”) unless each Person to whom any of the shares of Company Stock are or may be deemed to be Transferred shall have executed a counterpart of, or otherwise be bound by, this Stockholder Consent and Agreement in such form as Buyer may reasonably require.
(f)    Public Announcements.  Unless required by Law, the Supporting Party shall not make or issue any public announcement or press release to the general public with respect to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated there by without the consent of Buyer, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned; provided that no such consent or prior notice shall be required in connection with any public announcement or press release the content of which is consistent with that of any prior or contemporaneous public announcement or press release by any Party to the Merger Agreement in compliance with Section 5.3 of the Merger Agreement.
(g)    Confidentiality.  The Supporting Party agrees to keep the terms of the Merger Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions confidential, except to the extent required by applicable Law or for financial reporting purposes and except that the Supporting Party may disclose such terms to its investors, employees, accountants, advisors and other representatives as necessary in connection with the ordinary conduct of its business (so long as such Persons agree to or are bound by contract to keep the terms of the Contemplated Transactions confidential).  The Supporting Party further agrees to keep, and shall cause its Affiliates and its and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives (collectively, “Representatives”) to keep all confidential information concerning the Corporation and its business confidential, regardless of the form of such information, except to the extent such information (i) is or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure by a Supporting Party or any of its Representatives in violation of this Section 4(g), (ii) becomes available after the Closing to the Supporting Party or its Representatives on a non-confidential basis from a Person who, to the knowledge of the Supporting Party or its Representatives, is not otherwise bound by or subject to a duty of confidentiality to the Corporation, or is not otherwise prohibited from transmitting the information to the Supporting Party, or (iii) which is required to be disclosed by applicable Law. 

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(h)    No-Solicitation of Alternative Transactions.  During the period from the date hereof through the earlier to occur of the Closing Date or the termination of the Merger Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1 thereof, the Supporting Party will not, and, if such Supporting Party is not a natural person, will not permit its controlled Affiliates or any of its or their officers, directors, employees, advisors or representatives to, directly or indirectly, (i) solicit, initiate or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any Person relating to any business combination transaction involving the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, including the sale of any Company Stock or assets or (ii) enter into, maintain or continue any discussions or negotiations regarding, furnish or disclose to any Person any information or otherwise cooperate with, or knowingly assist, participate in or facilitate or encourage any effort by any third party, or enter into any agreement, letter of intent, memorandum of understanding or term sheet (whether or not binding), in connection with any such transaction.
(i)    No-Solicitation of Employees.  During the period from the date hereof through the two-year anniversary of the Closing Date, each of American Capital Equity II, LP, American Capital Equity III, LP and the Management Parties (defined below) (the “Covered Stockholders”) shall not, directly or indirectly, hire, employ or engage, or recruit, solicit or otherwise attempt to hire, employ or engage, any Covered Employee to terminate any employment or consulting relationship he or she may have with Buyer, the Corporation or any of their respective Subsidiaries; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not prohibit any Covered Stockholder from making any general solicitation (including through executive search firms) not targeted at any Covered Employee, (ii) each Covered Stockholder may hire, employ or engage, or recruit, solicit or otherwise attempt to hire, employ or engage, any Covered Employee after at least three months has elapsed since such Covered Employee’s employment or engagement has been terminated by Buyer, the Corporation or their Subsidiaries, and (iii) each Covered Stockholder may hire, employ or engage, or recruit, solicit or otherwise attempt to hire, employ or engage, any Covered Employee after at least three months has elapsed since such Covered Employee has terminated his or her employment or engagement by Buyer, the Corporation or their Subsidiaries and such Covered Employee has not been solicited in violation of this Section 4(i) by the applicable Covered Stockholder.
(j)    Non-Compete.  In connection with their sale of shares Company Stock pursuant to the Merger, each of David Spaight, John Maxwell, Steve Barkyoumb, JP Briffaux, Stephane Bulle, Nutan Gangrade, Alan Findlater, Wilbert Frieling, Howard Moody, Jos Mertens, Andrew Nathanson, George Parker, Don Stump and Andy Vick (the “Management Parties”) hereby agrees that, effective at the Closing, until the expiration of the Restricted Period applicable to such Management Party, such Management Party shall not and shall cause each of his controlled Affiliates not to, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of Buyer, (i) own, operate or otherwise engage in the Business in the Restricted Territory, whether individually or as a director, officer, employee, member, manager, partner, principal, consultant, contractor, agent, representative, equityholder or lender of or to another Person that owns, operates or is otherwise engaged in the Business in the Restricted Territory, or in any other individual, corporate or representative capacity or (ii) render any services or provide any advice to any Person that owns, operates or is otherwise engaged in the Business in the Restricted Territory; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Management Party may own, directly or indirectly, as a passive investor, up to 3% of any class of securities of any Person that owns, operates or is otherwise engaged in the Business, or any private debt or equity investment fund that has or makes an investment in any such Person; and provided, further, that nothing herein shall be deemed to limit, preclude or prevent any Management Party from being employed by or otherwise providing services to any Person engaged in the Business in the Restricted Territory so long as (x) the annual revenues to any such Person from the Business do not exceed 10% of such Person’s total annual revenues, and (y) such Management Party does not provide any services to such Person constituting the Business; and provided, further, that nothing herein shall be deemed to limit, preclude or prevent any Management Party (other than the individual identified on Schedule I hereto) from providing services to any Person that is exclusively a clinical contract research organization (CRO) (i.e., having no pre-clinical business) so long as not more than 20% of such Person’s total annual revenues are derived from bioanalytical services.  For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall affect the obligations of any Management Party under Section 4(g), which obligations are acknowledged to be separate and independent from the obligations of the Management Parties under this Section 4(j). Each Management Party (on his own behalf and on behalf of his Affiliates) acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions contained in this Section 4(j) are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of Buyer and Merger Sub and constitute a material inducement to Buyer and Merger Sub to enter into the Merger Agreement and consummate the transactions contemplated thereby, and it is the intention of the parties that if any of the restrictions or covenants contained in this Section 4(j) is held to cover a geographic area or to be for a length of time that is not permitted by 

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applicable Laws, or in any way construed to be too broad or to any extent invalid, such provision shall (to the maximum extent permitted by applicable Laws) not be construed to be null, void and of no effect, but instead shall be construed and interpreted or reformed to provide for a covenant having the maximum enforceable geographic area, time period and other provisions (not greater than those contained herein) as shall be valid and enforceable under applicable Laws. For purposes hereof:
(i)    “Business” means (A) contract research services in connection with preclinical or nonclinical development activities, and (B) contract development and manufacturing services for organizations engaged in compound formulation for clinical trial or commercial uses. For the avoidance of doubt, bioanalytical services in support of clinical trials or pre-clinical services shall be included in the definition of Business.
(ii)    “Restricted Period” means (A) for each of David Spaight and John Maxwell, the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the third anniversary thereof, and (B) for each of the other Management Parties, the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the first anniversary thereof.
(iii)    “Restricted Territory” means the United States of America, Netherlands, France, the U.K., Japan and any other country in which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries conducts business as of the Closing Date.
(k)    Application to Employment Agreements.  To the extent any Supporting Party is party to an employment agreement with any Group Company entered into prior to the Closing Date that contains provisions similar in nature to those set forth in Sections 4(i) or 4(j), the provisos in Sections 4(i) and 4(j) shall be deemed to apply to such provisions.
5.    Merger Agreement Provisions.
(a)    By virtue of its approval of the Merger, each Stockholder hereby irrevocably and unconditionally designates and appoints American Capital Equity III, LP as the Stockholders’ Representative pursuant to the terms of Section 10.15 of the Merger Agreement, and agrees to abide by and be bound by the terms of such Section, which terms are incorporated herein by this reference, and which permits the Stockholders’ Representative, among other things, (i) negotiate and execute the Escrow Agreement on behalf of each Equity Holder, (ii) act for each Equity Holder with respect to any determination of the amount of, or resolution of disputes with Buyer with respect to the Merger Consideration Adjustment, (iii) give and receive notices and communications to or from Buyer and/or the Escrow Agent relating to this Agreement, the Escrow Agreement or any of the transactions and other matters contemplated hereby or thereby (except to the extent that this Agreement or the Escrow Agreement expressly contemplates that any such notice or communication shall be given or received by such Equity Holders individually), and (iv) take all actions necessary or appropriate in the judgment of the Stockholders’ Representative for the accomplishment of the foregoing.  
(b)    Each Supporting Party hereby acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the provisions with respect to the payment and allocation of the Merger Consideration (including the adjustments thereto), as set forth in Article II of the Merger Agreement, including (i) the provisions regarding the deposit of a portion of the Merger Consideration in the Adjustment Escrow Account and the Indemnity Escrow Account in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement and the Escrow Agreement and (ii) Sections 2.2(d) and 2.8(i) of the Merger Agreement, which are incorporated by reference herein, mutatis mutandis.
6.    Miscellaneous.
(a)    Further Assurances.  Each Supporting Party agrees to execute and deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, all further documents and instruments and to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and to do, or cause to be done, all things necessary under applicable Laws, to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Stockholder Consent and Agreement.

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(b)    Termination.  This Stockholder Consent and Agreement will automatically terminate, without any notice or other action by any Person, if the Merger Agreement is terminated prior to the Closing.  Upon termination of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement, no party shall have any obligations or liabilities hereunder; provided that nothing set forth in this Section 6(b) shall relieve any party from liability for any intentional breach of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement by such party prior to the termination hereof.
(c)    Amendment and Waiver.  This Stockholder Consent and Agreement may not be amended, waived, altered or modified except by a written instrument executed by the applicable Supporting Party(ies) and Buyer.  No course of dealing between or among any Persons having any interest in this Stockholder Consent and Agreement will be deemed effective to modify, amend, waive or discharge any part of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement or any rights or obligations of any Person under or by reason of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement.  No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege, and no waiver of any of the provisions of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute, a waiver of any other provisions, whether or not similar, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.
(d)    Notices.  Each Supporting Party agrees that all notices to the Supporting Parties shall be sent to the Stockholders’ Representative in accordance with Section 10.2 of the Merger Agreement.
(e)    Assignment.  This Stockholder Consent and Agreement and all of the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.  Neither this Stockholder Consent and Agreement nor any rights, benefits or obligations set forth herein may be assigned, delegated or otherwise transferred by any of the parties hereto without the prior written consent of the other parties hereof, except that Buyer or Merger Sub may delegate, transfer or assign its rights and obligations under this Stockholder Consent and Agreement, in whole or from time to time in part, to one or more of its Affiliates at any time and, after the Closing Date, to any Person, it being understood that any such assignment shall not relieve Buyer or Merger Sub (as applicable) of its obligations hereunder.
(f)    Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Law, but if any provision of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement is held to be prohibited by or invalid under applicable Law, such provision will be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement.
(g)    No Strict Construction.  The language used in this Stockholder Consent and Agreement shall be deemed to be the language chosen by the parties hereto to express their mutual intent, and no rule of strict construction will be applied against any Person.  The use of the word “including” in this Stockholder Consent and Agreement or in any of the agreements contemplated hereby shall be by way of example rather than by limitation.  All words used in this Agreement should be construed to be of such gender or number as the circumstances require.  The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and other similar terms refer to this Agreement as a whole and not only to the particular Article, Section or other subdivision in which any such terms may be employed.
(h)    No Third-Party Beneficiaries.  Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended or shall be construed to confer upon or give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns, any rights or remedies under or by reason of this Agreement.
(i)    Complete Agreement.  This Stockholder Consent and Agreement contains the complete agreement between the parties and supersede any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or between the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.
(j)    Counterparts.  This Stockholder Consent and Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, any one of which may be by facsimile, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.  Any such counterpart, to the extent delivered by means of Electronic Delivery shall be treated in all manner 

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and respects as an original executed counterpart and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person.  No party hereto shall raise the use of Electronic Delivery to deliver a signature or the fact that any signature or agreement or instrument was transmitted or communicated through the use of Electronic Delivery as a defense to the formation of a contract, and each such party forever waives any such defense, except to the extent such defense relates to lack of authenticity.
(k)    Governing Law This Stockholder Consent and Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (regardless of the laws that might otherwise govern under applicable principles of conflicts of laws thereof) as to all matters, including matters of validity, construction, effect, performance and remedies.
(l)    Jurisdiction.  Each party hereto hereby irrevocably agrees that any Legal Dispute shall be brought only to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware or the federal courts located in the State of Delaware, and each party hereto hereby consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding that is brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.  During the period that a Legal Dispute that is filed in accordance with this Section 6(l) is pending before a court, all actions, suits or proceedings with respect to such Legal Dispute or any other Legal Dispute, including any counterclaim, cross-claim or interpleader, shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of such court.  Each party hereto hereby waives, and shall not assert as a defense in any Legal Dispute, that (a) such Person is not subject to the personal jurisdiction thereof, (b) such action, suit or proceeding may not be brought or is not maintainable in such court, (c) such action, suit or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (d) the venue of such action, suit or proceeding is improper.  A final judgment in any action, suit or proceeding described in this Section 6(l) following the expiration of any period permitted for appeal and subject to any stay during appeal shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by applicable Laws. 
(m)    Specific Performance, Injunctive Relief.  In addition to and not in derogation of any other remedy available at law (or in equity) for such breach, the parties hereto will be entitled to seek specific performance, injunctive or other equitable relief in order to enforce their rights under or prevent any violations (whether anticipatory, continuing or future) of the terms hereof with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby in the event of breach by any other party.  The foregoing sentence will not be construed as a waiver by any party hereto of any right such Person may now have or hereafter acquire to monetary damages from the other parties.  Each party hereby waives any requirements for the securing or posting of any bond with such equitable remedy and the defense that a remedy at law would be adequate and agree not to raise any objections to the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance to prevent or restrain breaches or threatened breaches of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement on the basis that monetary damages would be sufficient.
(n)    Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY ON ANY CLAIMS OR COUNTERCLAIMS ASSERTED IN ANY LEGAL DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS STOCKHOLDER CONSENT AND AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM RELATING THERETO.  IF THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE IS ONE IN WHICH THE WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL IS PROHIBITED, NO PARTY HERETO SHALL ASSERT IN SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE A COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS STOCKHOLDER CONSENT AND AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, UNLESS FAILURE TO BRING SUCH COUNTERCLAIM WOULD RESULT IN A WAIVER OR ESTOPPEL THEREOF, OR OTHERWISE PREJUDICE SUCH PARTY’S RIGHTS IN ANY RESPECT.  FURTHERMORE, NO PARTY HERETO SHALL SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE WITH A SEPARATE ACTION OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE WAIVED.
(o)    Expenses.  Each of the parties hereto shall be solely responsible for and shall bear all of its own costs and expenses incident to its obligations under and in respect of this Stockholder Consent and Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

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This Stockholder Consent and Agreement shall be inserted by the Secretary of the Corporation in the minute books of the Corporation.
SUPPORTING PARTY:
	
		
	AMERICAN CAPITAL EQUITY II, LP
By: /s/ Jon Isaacson

	 
	 

	 
	Name: Jon Isaacson

	 
	Title:   Senior Vice President and Managing Director

	
		
	AMERICAN CAPITAL EQUITY III, LP
By: /s/ Sean Eagle

	 
	 

	 
	Name: Sean Eagle

	 
	Title: Senior Vice President and Partner

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ Steve Barkyoumb

	 
	Name:   Steve Barkyoumb

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ JP Briffaux  Jan 6, 2016

	 
	Name:   JP Briffaux

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ Stephane Bulle

	 
	Name:  Stephane Bulle

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ Alan Findlater

	 
	Name:   Alan Findlater

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ Wilbert Freiling

	 
	Name:   Wilbert Freiling

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ Nutan Gangrade

	 
	Name:   Nutan Gangrade

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ John Maxwell

	 
	Name:    John Maxwell

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ Jos Mertens

	 
	Name:   Jos Mertens

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ Howard Moody

	 
	Name:   Howard Moody

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ Andrew Nathanson

	 
	Name:   Andrew Nathanson

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ George Parker

	 
	Name:   George Parker

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ David Spaight

	 
	Name:   David Spaight

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ Don Stump

	 
	Name:   Don Stump

[Signature Page to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]
    

	
		
	 

	By:
	/s/ Andy Vick

	 
	Name:   Andy Vick

[Signature Pate to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]    

Accepted and agreed to as of 
the date first written above:

	
		
	WRH, INC.

	By:
	/s/ David Spaight

	 
	Name: David Spaight

	 
	Title: Chairman, CEO and President

	
		
	CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

	By:
	/s/ Joseph LaPlume

	 
	Name: Joseph LaPlume

	 
	Title: Corporate Senior Vice President

	
		
	PRETZEL ACQUISITION CORPORATION

	By:
	/s/ David Johst

	 
	Name: David Johst

	 
	Title: Secretary and Treasurer

EXHIBIT A
OWNERSHIP

[See attached.]

[Signature Pate to Stockholder Consent and Agreement]    

SCHEDULE I

Andy VickExhibit

EXECUTION VERSION

Exhibit 10.18

	
	
	J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
383 Madison Avenue
New York, New York 10179

January 6, 2016
$350,000,000 
Incremental Term Facility 
Commitment Letter
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.251 Ballardvale Street 
Wilmington, Massachusetts 01887
Attention:     David R. Smith    Corporate Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer 
 
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Borrower” or “you”), has advised J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“JPMorgan”) and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan Chase Bank” or the “Lead Bank”, and together with JPMorgan, the “Committing Parties”, “we” or “us”) that it intends to consummate the transactions (collectively, the “Transaction”) described in the introductory paragraph of the Summary of Terms and Conditions attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Term Sheet”).  Capitalized terms used but not defined herein are used with the meanings assigned to them in the Term Sheet.
In connection with the foregoing, you have requested that JPMorgan agree to structure, arrange and syndicate an incremental term loan facility under the Borrower’s Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2015 in an aggregate amount of up to $350,000,000 (the “Incremental Term Facility”).  You have also requested that JPMorgan Chase Bank commit to provide the Incremental Term Facility. 
JPMorgan is pleased to advise you that it is willing to act as a joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner for the Incremental Term Facility.  Furthermore, JPMorgan Chase Bank is pleased to advise you of its commitment to provide 100% of the Incremental Term Facility, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth or referred to in this commitment letter (the “Commitment Letter”) and in the Term Sheet.  This Commitment Letter and the Term Sheet set forth the principal terms and conditions on and subject to which JPMorgan Chase Bank is willing to make available the Incremental Term Facility.
It is agreed that JPMorgan (the “Arranger”) and up to two other financial institutions selected by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to us will act as the joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners with respect to the Incremental Term Facility and that JPMorgan Chase Bank will continue to act as the sole administrative agent under the Existing Credit Agreement (the “Administrative Agent”).  JPMorgan will have “left” placement on and will appear on the top left of any Information Materials (as defined below) and all other offering or marketing materials in respect of the Incremental Term Facility, and JPMorgan will perform the roles and responsibilities conventionally understood to be associated with such “left” placement.  You agree that no other agents, co-agents or arrangers will be appointed, no other titles will be awarded and no compensation (other than that expressly contemplated by the Term Sheet and the Fee Letter referred to below) will be paid in connection with the Incremental Term Facility unless you and we shall so agree and except as provided for in the Term Sheet. 
We may syndicate the Incremental Term Facility to a group of financial institutions which shall include lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement (together with the Lead Bank, the “Lenders”) identified by us in consultation with you.  The Arranger may commence syndication efforts promptly, and you agree actively to 

        

assist the Arranger in completing a syndication satisfactory to it.  Such assistance shall include (a) your using commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that the syndication efforts benefit materially from your existing lending relationships, (b) direct contact between senior management and advisors of the Borrower and the proposed Lenders, (c) assistance in the preparation of a confidential information memorandum (the “Confidential Information Memorandum”) and other marketing materials to be used in connection with the syndication (the “Information Materials”) and (d) the hosting, with the Arranger, of one or more meetings of prospective Lenders.
The Arranger will manage all aspects of the syndication, including decisions as to the selection of institutions to be approached and when they will be approached, when their commitments will be accepted, which institutions will participate, the allocation of the commitments among the Lenders and the amount and distribution of fees among the Lenders, in each case in consultation with you.  To assist the Arranger in its syndication efforts, you agree promptly to prepare and provide to the Committing Parties all information with respect to the Borrower and the Transactions, including all financial information and projections (the “Projections”), as we may reasonably request in connection with the arrangement and syndication of the Incremental Term Facility.  At the request of the Arranger, the Borrower agrees to assist in the preparation of a version of the Information Materials (the “Public-Side Version”) to be used by prospective Lenders’ public-side employees and representatives (“Public-Siders”) who do not wish to receive material non-public information (within the meaning of the United States federal securities laws) with respect to you, your affiliates or any of your or their respective securities (“MNPI”) and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to you, your affiliates or your or their securities or loans.  Before distribution of any Information Materials, you agree to execute and deliver to us (a) a letter in which you authorize distribution of the Information Materials to a prospective Lender’s employees willing to receive MNPI (“Private-Siders”) and (b) a separate letter in which you authorize distribution of the Public-Side Version to Public-Siders and represent that no MNPI is contained therein.  You agree that the following documents may be distributed to both Private-Siders and Public-Siders, unless you advise the Arranger in writing (including by e-mail) within a reasonable time prior to their intended distribution that such materials should only be distributed to Private-Siders:  (w) the Term Sheet, (x) administrative materials prepared by the Arranger for prospective Lenders (such as lender meeting invitations, lender allocations and funding and closing memoranda), (y) notification of changes in the Incremental Term Facility’s terms and (z) other materials intended for prospective Lenders after the initial distribution of the Information Materials.  If you advise us that any of the foregoing should be distributed only to Private-Siders, then Public-Siders will not receive such materials without further discussions with you.  You hereby authorize us to distribute drafts of the Credit Documentation to Private-Siders and Public-Siders.  The parties hereto agree that information and materials may be distributed or sent through electronic means (including IntraLinks, SyndTrak or another electronic workspace) and that the use of such means is expressly authorized hereby.
You hereby represent and covenant that (a) all information other than the Projections (the “Information”) that has been or will be made available to any Committing Party by you or any of your representatives is or will be, when furnished and taken as a whole, complete and correct in all material respects and does not or will not, when furnished and taken as a whole, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained therein not materially misleading in light of the circumstances under which such statements are made and (b) the Projections that have been or will be made available to any Committing Party by you or any of your representatives have been or will be prepared in good faith based upon reasonable assumptions at the time of delivery thereof.  You agree that if, at any time prior to the Closing Date, you become aware that any of the representations contained in the preceding sentence is incorrect, then, subject to the Committing Parties’ continuing undertaking to maintain the confidentiality of such Information and/or Projections as set forth below, you will promptly supplement the Information or the Projections, as applicable, so that such representation would be correct in all material respects as of the date such Information, as supplemented and taken as a whole, was furnished, or such Projections were made available.  You understand that in arranging and syndicating the Incremental Term Facility we may use and rely on the Information and Projections without independent verification thereof.  
As consideration for the commitments and agreements of the Committing Parties hereunder, you have agreed to pay the nonrefundable fees described in the fee letter dated the date hereof and delivered together herewith (the “Fee Letter”).  

2
        

The commitments and agreements of the Committing Parties hereunder are subject to (a) such Committing Party’s satisfaction that prior to and during the syndication of the Incremental Term Facility there shall be no competing offering, placement or arrangement of any debt securities or bank financing by or on behalf of the Borrower or its subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the successful syndication of the Incremental Term Facility (other than the refinancing of the Existing Credit Agreement on terms reasonably acceptable to the Arranger) , (b) the negotiation, execution and delivery on or before the Expiration Date (as defined below) of definitive documentation with respect to the Incremental Term Facility satisfactory to such Committing Party and (c) the other conditions set forth or referred to in the Term Sheet. 
You agree (a) to indemnify and hold harmless each Committing Party, its affiliates and their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors, and agents (each, an “indemnified person”) from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities to which any such indemnified person may become subject arising out of or in connection with this Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet, the syndication contemplated hereby, the Fee Letter, the Incremental Term Facility, the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof, the Transaction or any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, regardless of whether any indemnified person is a party thereto, and to reimburse each indemnified person upon demand for any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending any of the foregoing, provided that the foregoing indemnity will not, as to any indemnified person, apply to losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses to the extent (x) they are found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to arise from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of such indemnified person or (y) they are found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to result from breach by a Committing Party of any of its obligations hereunder, and (b) to reimburse each Committing Party and its affiliates on demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including due diligence expenses, syndication expenses, consultant’s fees and expenses, travel expenses, and reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) incurred in connection with the Incremental Term Facility and any related documentation (including this Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet, the Fee Letter and the definitive financing documentation) or the administration, amendment, modification or waiver thereof.  No indemnified person shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unauthorized persons of Information or other materials sent through electronic, telecommunications or other information transmission systems (including, without limitation, Intralinks and email) that are intercepted by such persons or for any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages in connection with its activities related to this Commitment Letter, the Incremental Term Facility or the other transactions contemplated hereby.
You acknowledge that each Committing Party and its affiliates (the term “Committing Party” as used below in this paragraph being understood to include such affiliates) may be providing debt financing, equity capital or other services (including financial advisory services) to other companies in respect of which you may have conflicting interests regarding the transactions described herein and otherwise.  You acknowledge that the Committing Parties and their respective affiliates may from time to time effect transactions, for their own account or the account of customers, and may hold positions in loans or options on loans of the Borrower and other companies that may be the subject of the transactions described herein.  In addition, the Committing Parties and their respective affiliates are full service securities firms and as such may from time to time effect transactions, for their own account or the account of customers, and may hold positions in securities or options on securities of the Borrower and other companies that may be the subject of the transactions described herein.  No Committing Party will use confidential information obtained from you by virtue of the transactions described herein or its other relationships with you in connection with the performance by such Committing Party of services for other companies, and such Committing Party will not furnish any such information to other companies.  You also acknowledge that a Committing Party has no obligation to use in connection with the transactions described herein, or to furnish to you, confidential information obtained from other companies. You agree that each of the Committing Parties will act under this Commitment Letter as an independent contractor to you with respect to the arrangement of the Incremental Term Facility (including in connection with determining the terms of the Incremental Term Facility) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, you or any other person.  You agree that you will not assert any claim against any Committing Party based on an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by any Committing Party in connection with this Commitment Letter and the transactions contemplated hereby.  Additionally, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that, as Arranger, no Arranger is advising the Borrower as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting, 

3
        

regulatory or any other matters in any jurisdiction.  The Borrower shall consult with its own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Arranger shall have no responsibility or liability to the Borrower with respect thereto.
This Commitment Letter shall not be assignable by you without the prior written consent of each Committing Party (and any purported assignment without such consent shall be null and void), is intended to be solely for the benefit of the parties hereto, is not intended to confer any benefits upon, or create any rights in favor of, any person other than the parties hereto and the indemnified persons and is not intended to create any fiduciary or other implied duties among the parties hereto.  This Commitment Letter may not be amended or waived except by an instrument in writing signed by you and each Committing Party.  This Commitment Letter may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one agreement.  Delivery of an executed signature page of this Commitment Letter by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.  This Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter are the only agreements that have been entered into among us with respect to the Incremental Term Facility and set forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect thereto.  This Commitment Letter shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. 
You and the Committing Parties irrevocably and unconditionally submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet or the Fee Letter or the performance of services hereunder or thereunder.  You irrevocably and unconditionally waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding has been brought in any inconvenient forum.  You agree that a final, non-appealable judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court shall be conclusive and binding upon you and may be enforced in any other courts to whose jurisdiction you are or may be subject, by suit upon judgment.  You and we irrevocably agree to waive trial by jury in any suit, action, proceeding, claim or counterclaim brought by or on behalf of any party related to or arising out of this Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet or the Fee Letter or the performance of services hereunder or thereunder.
This Commitment Letter is delivered to you on the understanding that neither this Commitment Letter, the Term Sheet or the Fee Letter nor any of their terms or substance shall be disclosed, directly or indirectly, to any other person except (a) to the officers, agents and advisors of the Borrower who are directly involved in the consideration of this matter or (b) as may be compelled in a judicial or administrative proceeding or as otherwise required by law (in which case you agree to inform us promptly thereof) including disclosures required by law, provided, that the foregoing restrictions shall cease to apply (except in respect of the Fee Letter and its terms and substance) after the Acquisition Agreement has been fully executed and this Commitment Letter has been accepted by you.
The reimbursement, indemnification, confidentiality, waiver of jury trial, jurisdiction, venue and governing law provisions contained herein and in the Fee Letter, as well as those of the fourth preceding paragraph above, shall remain in full force and effect regardless of whether definitive financing documentation shall be executed and delivered and notwithstanding the termination of this Commitment Letter or any commitment hereunder; provided, that your obligations under this Commitment Letter, other than those arising under the fourth, fifth, sixth and fourteenth paragraphs hereof, shall automatically terminate and be superseded by the provisions of the definitive documentation relating to the Incremental Term Facility upon the initial funding thereunder, and you shall automatically be released from all liability in connection therewith at such time.
The Committing Parties hereby notify you that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act, Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001) (the “PATRIOT Act”), the Arranger and each Lender are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and its affiliates, which information includes the name, address, tax identification number and other information regarding the Borrower and its affiliates that will allow such Arranger or such Lender to identify the Borrower and its affiliates in accordance 

4
        

with the PATRIOT Act.  This notice is given in accordance with the requirements of the PATRIOT Act and is effective as to the Arranger and each Lender. 
If the foregoing correctly sets forth our agreement, please indicate your acceptance of the terms hereof and of the Term Sheet and the Fee Letter by returning to us executed counterparts hereof and of the Fee Letter not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on January 7, 2016.  The commitments and agreements of the Committing Parties hereunder will expire at such time in the event we have not received such executed counterparts in accordance with the preceding sentence.  In the event that the initial borrowing under the Incremental Term Facility does not occur on or before the Expiration Date, then this Commitment Letter and the commitments hereunder shall automatically terminate.  “Expiration Date” means the earliest of (i) September 2, 2016, (ii) the closing of the Acquisition (as defined in the Term Sheet) without the use of the Incremental Term Facility and (iii) the termination prior to closing of the Acquisition of the Acquisition Agreement; provided that to the extent set forth in the second preceding paragraph, the provisions contained herein shall survive any such termination.  In addition, such commitments and agreements shall terminate upon receipt by us of written notice from you that you are electing to terminate such commitments, such termination to be effective as of the date specified in such notice; provided that to the extent set forth in the second preceding paragraph, the provisions contained herein shall survive any such termination.

5
        

We are pleased to have been given the opportunity to assist you in connection with this important financing.
Very truly yours,
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES LLC 
 
By: 
/s/ Cornelius Droogan__        
Name: Cornelius J. Droogan
Title: Managing Director

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. 
 
By: /s/ Robert Arrieta    ______________________    
Name: Robert Arrieta
Title: Managing Director

Incremental Term Facility Commitment Letter
        
        

Accepted and agreed to as of 
the date first written above by:

CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 
 
By: /s/David R. Smith___________________    
Name: David R. Smith
Title: Corporate Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Incremental Term Facility Commitment Letter
        
        

Exhibit A
_______________________________
CHARLES RIVER LABORATORIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. 
$350,000,000  
Incremental Term Facility
Summary of Terms and Conditions
________________________________
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit A shall have the meanings set forth in the Commitment Letter to which this Exhibit A is attached. 
The Borrower intends to acquire (the “Acquisition”) WRH, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Target”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (together with all exhibits, schedules and disclosure letters thereto, the “Acquisition Agreement”) dated as of January 6, 2016 among the Borrower, WRH, Inc., Pretzel Acquisition Corporation and American Capital Equity III, LP.. In connection therewith, the Borrower intends to incur the Incremental Term Facility (as defined below) under the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 22, 2015 among the Borrower, the Subsidiary Borrowers party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent, and the other agents and lenders party thereto, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date, the “Existing Credit Agreement”).  The proceeds of the Incremental Term Facility will be used (i) to pay a portion of the cash consideration for the Acquisition and (ii) to pay the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transaction.  The transactions described above are collectively referred to herein as the “Transaction”. For purposes of this Commitment Letter and the Fee Letter, “Closing Date” shall mean the date of the initial funding of the Incremental Term Facility. 
Set forth below is a statement of the terms and conditions for the Incremental Term Facility: 
	
			
	I.    PARTIES

	 

	Borrower:
	Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (the “Borrower”).

	 

	Guarantors:
	The guarantors under the Existing Credit Agreement (the “Subsidiary Guarantors” and together with the Borrower, the “Loan Parties”).  The obligations of the Loan Parties shall not include any “excluded swap obligations” on terms consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement. 
	 

	Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners:
	JPMorgan (the “Arranger”) and up to two other financial institutions selected by the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to JPMorgan.
	 

	Administrative Agent:
	JPMorgan Chase Bank (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).
	 

	Co-Syndication Agents
	Up to two other financial institutions selected by the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to JPMorgan.
	 

	Lenders:
	A syndicate of banks, financial institutions and other entities, including JPMorgan Chase Bank and the banking affiliates of the other joint lead arrangers, arranged by the Arranger in consultation with the Borrower (collectively, the “Lenders”).
	 

    
        

        

	
			
	II.    TYPES AND AMOUNTS OF CREDIT FACILITIES
	 

	Incremental Term Facility
	 

	Type and Amount:
	An incremental term loan facility in U.S. dollars (the “Incremental Term Facility) in an amount up to $350.0 million (the loans thereunder, the “Incremental Term Loans”). 
	 

	Maturity and Amortization:
	The Incremental Term Loans will mature on April 22, 2020.
The Incremental Term Loans shall be repayable in quarterly installments equal to the amortization percentage applicable to the existing term loans outstanding as of the date hereof under the Existing Credit Agreement (the “Original Term Loans”), commencing on the next amortization date for such Original Term Loans following the Closing Date; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, any outstanding Incremental Term Loans will be repayable in full on April 22, 2020.

	 

	Availability:
	The Incremental Term Loans shall be made in a single drawing on the Closing Date.
	 

	Purpose:
	The proceeds of the Incremental Term Loans shall be used to effect the Transactions.
	 

	III.    CERTAIN PAYMENT PROVISIONS

	Fees and Interest Rates:
	As set forth on Annex I.

	Optional Prepayments and Commitment Reductions:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement with respect to Original Term Loans.

	Mandatory Prepayments:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement with respect to Original Term Loans.

	IV.    COLLATERAL
	

Same as the Existing Credit Agreement. 

	V.    CERTAIN CONDITIONS

	Initial Conditions:
	The availability of the Incremental Term Facility shall be conditioned upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent explicitly set forth in the Commitment Letter and the following conditions precedent (the date upon which all such conditions shall be satisfied, the “Closing Date”):

	 
	•
Each Loan Party shall have executed and delivered satisfactory definitive financing documentation with respect to the Incremental Term Facility (the “Credit Documentation”).

A-2
        

        

	
			
	 
	(b)    Customary closing certificates as to corporate existence and authority.
(c)    The Borrower and its subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis after giving effect to the Transaction, shall be solvent, and the Committing Parties shall have received a certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower, in form reasonably acceptable to the Committing Parties, certifying to the effect thereof. 

	 
	(d)    All governmental and third party approvals necessary in connection with the Transaction and the Incremental Term Facility and the continuing operations of the Borrower and its subsidiaries shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect.
(e)    The Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all reasonable expenses for which invoices have been presented, on or before the Closing Date.

	 
	(f)    All actions required under the Existing Credit Agreement to be taken on the Closing Date shall have been taken to establish that the Administrative Agent will have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to liens permitted under the Existing Credit Agreement) in the Collateral.

	 
	(g)    The Administrative Agent shall have received such legal opinions (including opinions (i) from counsel to the Borrower and its subsidiaries and (ii) from such special and local counsel as may be required by the Administrative Agent), documents and other instruments as are customary for transactions of this type or as it may reasonably request.

	 
	(h)   The Lenders shall have received, at least five business days prior to the Closing Date, satisfactory information required for compliance by Lenders with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering requirements (including information required under the PATRIOT Act).

	 
	(i)  The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate demonstrating compliance with condition (k) below.

	 
	(j)  Delivery of a borrowing notice.

A-3
        

        

	
			
	 
	(k)  The satisfaction of the conditions to the Incremental Term Facility set forth in the Existing Credit Agreement, including Section 2.24 thereof, unless otherwise amended or waived in accordance with the terms thereof.

	 
	(l)  The Existing Credit Agreement has not been amended, consented to or waived in any material respect adverse to the Arranger or Lenders without the prior written consent of JPMorgan.

	VI.    CERTAIN DOCUMENTATION MATTERS

	Representations and Warranties:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Affirmative Covenants:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Financial Covenants:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Negative Covenants:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Events of Default:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Voting:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Assignments and Participations:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Yield Protection:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Defaulting Lenders:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Expenses and Indemnification:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Governing Law and Forum:
	State of New York.

	Counsel to the Administrative Agent and the Arranger:
	Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.

A-4
        

Annex I

INTEREST AND CERTAIN FEES
	
		
	Interest Rate Options:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	 
	 

	 
	“ABR” shall be defined in a manner consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement.

	 
	“ABR Loans” means Loans bearing interest based upon the ABR.

	 
	“Applicable Margin” means a percentage to be determined in accordance with the pricing grid attached hereto as Annex I-A.

	 
	“Eurodollar Loans” means Loans bearing interest based upon the Eurodollar Rate.

	 
	“Eurodollar Rate” shall be defined in a manner consistent with the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Interest Payment Dates:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Default Rate:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

	Rate and Fee Basis:
	Same as the Existing Credit Agreement.

        

PRICING GRID FOR 
AND INCREMENTAL TERM LOANS

	
				
	 
	Leverage Ratio
	Applicable Margin 
Eurodollar Loans
	Applicable Margin 
ABR Loans

	Level I
	≥ 3.00:1.00
	1.50%
	0.50%

	Level II
	≥ 2.50:1.00 but < 3.00:1.00
	1.25%
	0.25%

	Level III
	≥ 2.00:1.00 but < 2.50:1.00
	1.125%
	0.125%

	Level IV
	< 2.00:1.00
	1.00%
	0%

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