0001423221 false 0001423221 2022-07-06 2022-07-06 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

July 6, 2022

(Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

 

QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware		1-33913		26-1561397
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

1800 West Loop South, Suite 1500, Houston, Texas	77027
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 713-961-4600

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

	¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
	¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
	¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
	¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share	NX	New York Stock Exchange

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company ¨

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ¨

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

The information set forth in Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K (this “Current Report”) relating to the entry by Quanex Building Products Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Quanex,” or “the Company”), into a second amended and restated credit agreement is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference.

 

Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

Amendment of Debt Arrangements

 

On July 6, 2022, Quanex entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Quanex; the lenders party thereto (the “Lenders”); and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), as agent (in such capacity, the “Agent”) for the Lenders (the “Credit Agreement”), for the purpose of amending and restating its existing credit facility.

 

The second amended and restated credit facility (the “New Credit Facility”) is secured, in whole or in part, by substantially all of the non-real estate property and assets of Quanex and its domestic subsidiaries and by 65% of the voting equity interests in Quanex’s first tier foreign subsidiaries, and is guaranteed, in whole or in part, by substantially all of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries.

 

All amounts outstanding under the Company’s existing credit facility, totaling $58 million, were converted to SOFR borrowings under the New Credit Facility.

 

Credit Agreement

 

The Credit Agreement evidencing the New Credit Facility is a five-year revolving credit facility of up to an aggregate principal amount of $325 million. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, among other things:

 

(a)

a sublimit up to $20 million for letters of credit is maintained;

 

	(b)	a sublimit up to $15 million for swingline loans is maintained;
	(c)	the interest rate options were modified to be the following three:  (i) a customary base rate, which is subject to an additional margin with a range from 25 bps to 100 bps; (ii) a Secured Overnight Financing (“SOFR”) + Credit Spread Adjustment (“CSA”) rate, which is subject to an additional margin with a range from 135 bps to 210 bps; and (iii) a Sterling Overnight Index Average (“SONIA”) rate, which is subject to an additional margin with a range from 128.26 bps to 203.26 bps; and

(d)

the financial covenants were modified to require Quanex to maintain (a) a consolidated net leverage ratio not exceeding 3.25 to 1.00 (with the maximum ratio amount subject to an optional 0.50x increase for four quarters following the consummation of a permitted acquisition); and (b) a minimum interest coverage ratio of at least 3.00 to 1.00.  Each of the covenants are measured as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.

 

Consistent with the existing credit facility, the New Credit Facility includes customary representations and warranties, affirmative covenants, negative covenants, and provisions governing an event of default (including acceleration of payment in connection with Quanex’s failure to pay all or any portion of any obligations, principal, or any amount payable under a letter of credit) and mandatory prepayment provisions customary for revolving credit facilities, and subject to certain conditions, customary optional prepayment provisions available without premium or penalty. With certain limited exceptions, subsequently acquired or formed direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries will be required to join in the New Credit Facility as guarantors and pledge substantially all of their non-real estate assets to secure all or a specified portion of the New Credit Facility obligations.

 

 

 

 

The representations, warranties, and covenants contained in the Credit Agreement were made only for purposes of the Credit Agreement and as of specific dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Credit Agreement, and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by those contracting parties. The representations and warranties may have been made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Credit Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Investors are not third-party beneficiaries under the Credit Agreement and should not rely on the representations, warranties, and covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of any of the parties to the Credit Agreement or any of their respective stockholders, subsidiaries, or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date the Credit Agreement is entered into, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the public disclosures of Quanex.

 

The foregoing description of the Credit Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On July 6, 2022, Quanex issued a press release announcing its entry into the New Credit Facility (the “Press Release”). The full text of the Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report.

 

The information in the Press Release shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any registration statement or other filing under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) or the Exchange Act, unless Quanex expressly states that such information is to be considered “filed” under the Exchange Act or incorporates such information by specific reference in a Securities Act or Exchange Act filing. The furnishing of the Press Release is not intended to, and does not, constitute a determination or admission by Quanex that any information contained therein is material or complete, or that investors should consider the Press Release before making an investment decision with respect to Quanex’s securities.

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a)

Financial Statements of businesses acquired.

 

Not applicable

 

(b)

Pro forma financial information.

 

Not applicable

 

(c)

Exhibits.

 

10.1  Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of July 6, 2022, by and among Quanex Building Products Corporation, the Lenders party thereto; and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Agent.

 

99.1  Press Release dated July 6, 2022.

 

104  Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

		QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION
		(Registrant)
July 6, 2022		/s/ Scott M. Zuehlke
(Date)		Scott M. Zuehlke Senior Vice President – Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

Execution Version

 

	Published CUSIP Number:	[_________]
	Revolving Credit CUSIP Number:	[_________]

 

 

$325,000,000

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Dated as of July 6, 2022

 

by and among

 

QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION,

as Borrower

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Agent, Swingline Lender and Issuing Lender

 

THE LENDERS THAT ARE PARTIES HERETO,

as the Lenders,

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as Syndication Agent,

 

CITIBANK, N.A.

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Co-Documentation Agents

 

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

and

BOFA SECURITIES, INC.,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

			Page
1.	DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION		1
	1.1	Definitions	1
	1.2	Accounting Terms	47
	1.3	Code	48
	1.4	Construction	48
	1.5	Time References	49
	1.6	Schedules and Exhibits	49
	1.7	Exchange Rates: Currency Equivalents	49
	1.8	Change of Currency	49
	1.9	Rates	50
2.	CREDIT FACILITY AND TERMS OF PAYMENT		50
	2.1	[Reserved]	50
	2.2	[Reserved]	50
	2.3	Repayment of Incremental Term Loans	50
	2.4	Prepayments of Incremental Term Loans	50
	2.5	Revolving Credit Loans	51
	2.6	Swingline Loans	51
	2.7	Procedure for Advances of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans	53
	2.8	Repayment and Prepayment of Revolving Credit and Swingline Loans	54
	2.9	Permanent Reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment	55
	2.10	Termination of Revolving Credit Facility	56
	2.11	Evidence of Debt	56
	2.12	Computation of Interest and Fees	56
	2.13	Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans	57
	2.14	Interest Rates: Rates, Payments, and Calculations	57
	2.15	Letter of Credit Facility	59
	2.16	Fees	63
	2.17	Payments Generally; Agent’s Clawback	64
	2.18	Changed Circumstances	66
	2.19	Increased Costs; Compensation for Losses	69
	2.20	Incremental Increases	71

 

 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

			Page
3.	CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT		74
	3.1	Conditions Precedent to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit	74
	3.2	Conditions to All Extensions of Credit	76
	3.3	Effect of Maturity	76
	3.4	Conditions Subsequent	77
4.	REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES		77
	4.1	Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries	77
	4.2	Due Authorization; No Conflict	78
	4.3	Governmental Consents	78
	4.4	Binding Obligations; Perfected Liens	78
	4.5	Title to Assets; No Encumbrances	79
	4.6	Litigation	79
	4.7	Compliance with Laws	79
	4.8	No Material Adverse Effect	79
	4.9	Solvency; Fraudulent Transfer	79
	4.10	Employee Benefits	79
	4.11	Environmental Condition	80
	4.12	Complete Disclosure	80
	4.13	Patriot Act	81
	4.14	Indebtedness	81
	4.15	Payment of Taxes	81
	4.16	Margin Stock	81
	4.17	Governmental Regulation	81
	4.18	Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Sanctions	81
	4.19	Employee and Labor Matters	82
	4.20	Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.	82
	4.21	Leases	82
	4.22	Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts	82
	4.23	Absence of Defaults	83
	4.24	Senior Indebtedness Status	83
	4.25	Insurance	83
	4.26	Material Contracts	83

 

 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

			Page
5.	AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS		83
	5.1	Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates, Notices	83
	5.2	Accounting Methods and Financial Records	85
	5.3	Existence	85
	5.4	Maintenance of Properties	86
	5.5	Taxes	86
	5.6	Insurance	86
	5.7	Inspection	86
	5.8	Compliance with Laws	86
	5.9	Environmental	87
	5.10	Disclosure Updates	87
	5.11	Formation of Subsidiaries	87
	5.12	Further Assurances	88
	5.13	Compliance with Material Contracts	88
	5.14	Compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws, Beneficial Ownership Regulation, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Sanctions	88
	5.15	Compliance with ERISA and the IRC	89
6.	NEGATIVE COVENANTS		89
	6.1	Indebtedness	89
	6.2	Liens	89
	6.3	Fundamental Changes	89
	6.4	Disposal of Assets	90
	6.5	Nature of Business	90
	6.6	Prepayments and Amendments	90
	6.7	Restricted Payments	91
	6.8	Fiscal Year; Accounting Methods	92
	6.9	Investments	92
	6.10	Transactions with Affiliates	92
	6.11	Use of Proceeds	93
	6.12	No Further Negative Pledges; Restrictive Agreements	93
7.	FINANCIAL COVENANTS		94
	7.1	Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio	94
	7.2	Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio	94

 

 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

			Page
8.	EVENTS OF DEFAULT		95
	8.1	Payments	95
	8.2	Covenants	95
	8.3	Judgments	95
	8.4	Voluntary Bankruptcy, etc.	95
	8.5	Involuntary Bankruptcy, etc.	95
	8.6	Default Under Other Agreements	96
	8.7	Representations, etc.	96
	8.8	Guaranty	96
	8.9	Security Documents	96
	8.10	Loan Documents	96
	8.11	Change of Control	96
	8.12	ERISA	96
	8.13	Interference with Business	97
	8.14	Senior Debt Status	97
9.	RIGHTS AND REMEDIES		97
	9.1	Rights and Remedies	97
	9.2	Application of Funds	97
	9.3	Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; Etc.	98
10.	WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION		99
	10.1	Demand; Protest; etc.	99
	10.2	The Lender Group’s Liability for Collateral	99
	10.3	Indemnification	99
	10.4	Costs and Expenses	100
11.	NOTICES		100
12.	CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER		102
13.	ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS		103
	13.1	Assignments and Participations	103
14.	AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS		106
	14.1	Amendments and Waivers	106
	14.2	Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Certain Lenders	109
	14.3	No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies	109

 

 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

			Page
15.	AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP		110
	15.1	Appointment and Authorization of Agent	110
	15.2	Delegation of Duties	110
	15.3	Liability of Agent	111
	15.4	Reliance by Agent	111
	15.5	Notice of Default or Event of Default	111
	15.6	Credit Decision	111
	15.7	Costs and Expenses; Indemnification	112
	15.8	Agent in Individual Capacity	113
	15.9	Successor Agent	113
	15.10	Lender in Individual Capacity	114
	15.11	Collateral and Guaranty Matters	114
	15.12	Right of Setoff; Sharing of Payments	116
	15.13	Agency for Perfection	116
	15.14	Payments by Agent to the Lenders	117
	15.15	Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan Documents	117
	15.16	Agent May File Proofs of Claim	117
	15.17	Several Obligations; No Liability	117
	15.18	Joint Lead Arrangers, Joint Bookrunners, Syndication Agents and Documentation Agents	118
	15.19	Defaulting Lenders	118
	15.20	Cash Collateral	120
	15.21	Erroneous Payments	121
16.	TAXES		122
	16.1	Defined Terms	123
	16.2	Payments Free of Taxes	123
	16.3	Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties	123
	16.4	Indemnification by the Loan Parties	123
	16.5	Indemnification by the Lenders	123
	16.6	Evidence of Payments	123
	16.7	Status of Lenders	123
	16.8	Treatment of Certain Refunds	125
	16.9	Survival	126

 

 

Table of Contents

(continued)

 

			Page
17.	GENERAL PROVISIONS		126
	17.1	Effectiveness	126
	17.2	Section Headings	126
	17.3	Interpretation	126
	17.4	Severability of Provisions	126
	17.5	Bank Product Providers	126
	17.6	Debtor-Creditor Relationship	127
	17.7	Counterparts; Electronic Execution	127
	17.8	No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility	128
	17.9	Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations; Certain Waivers	128
	17.10	Confidentiality	129
	17.11	Survival	130
	17.12	Patriot Act; Anti-Money Laundering Laws	131
	17.13	Integration	131
	17.14	Independent Effect of Covenants; Inconsistencies	131
	17.15	Judgment Currency	131
	17.16	Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions	132
	17.17	Certain ERISA Matters	132
	17.18	Amendment and Restatement; No Novation	133
	17.19	Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs	134

 

 

EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Exhibit A	Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B	Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit C-1	Form of Revolving Credit Note
Exhibit C-2	Form of Swingline Note
Exhibit C-3	Form of Incremental Term Loan Note
Exhibit D	Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation
Exhibit E	Form of Notice of Prepayment
Exhibit F	Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit G	Form of Perfection Certificate
Exhibit H	Form of Solvency Certificate
Exhibit I-1 through I-4	Form of Tax Compliance Certificates
Schedule 1.1(a)	Permitted Investments
Schedule 1.1(b)	Permitted Liens
Schedule 1.1(c)	Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 1.1(d)	Revolving Credit Commitments and Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages
Schedule 1.1(e)	Specified Foreign and Immaterial Capital Leases
Schedule 3.4	Conditions Subsequent
Schedule 4.1(b)	Capitalization of Borrower
Schedule 4.1(c)	Capitalization of Borrower’s Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.1(d)	Subscriptions, Options, Warrants, Calls
Schedule 4.10	Employee Benefits
Schedule 4.11	Environmental Matters
Schedule 4.14	Permitted Indebtedness
Schedule 4.20	Intellectual Property Claims
Schedule 4.22	Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts
Schedule 4.25	Insurance
Schedule 4.26	Material Contracts

 

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, is entered into as of July 6, 2022, by and among QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Borrower”), the lenders identified on the signature pages hereof (each of such lenders, together with its successors and permitted assigns, is referred to hereinafter as a “Lender”, as that term is hereinafter further defined) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association (“Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers (in such capacity, together with its successors and assigns in such capacity, “Agent”).

 

The parties agree as follows:

 

1.  DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.

 

1.1  Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following definitions:

 

“Account” means an account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

“Accounting Changes” means changes in accounting principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or successor thereto or any agency with similar functions).

 

“Acquisition” means (a) the purchase or other acquisition by a Person or its Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of the assets of (or any division or business line of) any other Person, or (b) the purchase or other acquisition (whether by means of a merger, consolidation, or otherwise) by a Person or its Subsidiaries of a majority of the Equity Interests of any other Person.

 

“Additional Documents” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 5.12.

 

“Adjusted Daily Simple RFR” means, for any day (an “RFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to, for any Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to Sterling, the greater of (i) the sum of (A) SONIA for the day (such day, a “Sterling RFR Determination Day”) that is five (5) RFR Business Days prior to (I) if such RFR Rate Day is an RFR Business Day, such RFR Rate Day or (II) if such RFR Rate Day is not an RFR Business Day, the RFR Business Day immediately preceding such RFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SONIA is published by the SONIA Administrator on the SONIA Administrator’s Website; provided that if by 5:00 p.m. (London time) on the second (2^nd) RFR Business Day immediately following any Sterling RFR Determination Day, SONIA in respect of such Sterling RFR Determination Day has not been published on the SONIA Administrator’s Website and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for Sterling has not occurred, then SONIA for such Sterling RFR Determination Day will be SONIA as published in respect of the first preceding RFR Business Day for which such SONIA was published on the SONIA Administrator’s Website; provided further that SONIA as determined pursuant to this proviso shall be utilized for purposes of calculation of Adjusted Daily Simple RFR for no more than three (3) consecutive RFR Rate Days and (B) the SONIA Adjustment and (ii) the Floor.

 

Any change in Adjusted Daily Simple RFR due to a change in the applicable RFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the RFR without notice to Borrower.

 

 

“Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate” means, as to any Loan denominated in any applicable currency not bearing interest based on an RFR (which, as of the date hereof, each of the currencies identified in clause (a) of the definition of “Alternative Currency”) for any Interest Period, a rate per annum determined by Agent pursuant to the following formula:

 

Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate =		Eurocurrency Rate for such currency for such Interest Period
		1.00-Eurocurrency Reserve Percentage

 

“Adjusted Term SOFR” means, for purposes of any calculation, the rate per annum equal to (a) Term SOFR for such calculation plus (b) the Term SOFR Adjustment; provided that if Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined shall ever be less than the Floor, then Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be the Floor.

 

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

 

“Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

 

“Affiliate” means, as applied to any Person, any other Person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” means the possession, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, of the power to direct the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Equity Interests, by contract, or otherwise; provided, that, for purposes of Section 6.10: (a) any Person which owns directly or indirectly 20% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other members of the governing body of a Person or 20% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such Person) shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person, (b) each director (or comparable manager) of a Person shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of such Person, and (c) each partnership in which a Person is a general partner shall be deemed an Affiliate of such Person; provided further, that Quanex Foundation shall not be deemed to be an Affiliate of any Loan Party or of any Subsidiary of any Loan Party unless, at the time in question, Quanex Foundation owns directly or indirectly 20% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors of Borrower.

 

“Agent” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“Agent-Related Persons” means Agent, together with its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents.

 

“Agent’s Liens” means the Liens granted by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries to Agent under the Loan Documents and securing the Obligations.

 

“Agent’s Office” means Agent’s address set forth in Section 11, or such other address as Agent may from time to time notify Borrower and the Lenders, to which payments due are to be made and at which Loans will be disbursed.

 

“Agreement” means this Credit Agreement.

 

 

 

“Alternative Currency” means each of (a) Euro and (b) Sterling, in each case to the extent such currencies are (i) freely transferable and convertible into Dollars, (ii) dealt with in the London interbank deposit market and (iii) currencies for which no central bank or other governmental authorization in the country of issue of such currency is required to give authorization for the use of such currency by any Lender for making Revolving Credit Loans unless such authorization has been obtained and remains in full force and effect.

 

“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 Agent 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 the lesser of (a) $50,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment.

 

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to Borrower or its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption, including the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010 and the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, each as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

“Anti-Money Laundering Laws” means any and all laws, statutes, regulations or obligatory government orders, decrees, ordinances or rules applicable to Borrower or its Subsidiaries related to terrorism financing or money laundering, including any applicable provision of the Patriot Act and The Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act (also known as the “Bank Secrecy Act,” 31 U.S.C. §§ 5311-5330 and 12U.S.C. §§ 1818(s), 1820(b) and 1951-1959).

 

“Applicable Margin” means the corresponding percentages per annum as set forth below based on the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio:

 

Pricing Level	Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio	Commitment Fee	Eurocurrency Rate Loans and RFR Loans	Base Rate Loans
I	Less than or equal to 1.50 to 1.00	0.150%	1.25%	0.25%
II	Greater than 1.50 to 1.00, but less than or equal to 2.25 to 1.00	0.175%	1.50%	0.50%
III	Greater than 2.25 to 1.00, but less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00	0.200%	1.75%	0.75%
IV	Greater than 3.00 to 1.00	0.250%	2.00%	1.00%

 

The Applicable Margin shall be determined and adjusted quarterly on the date five (5) Business Days after the day on which Borrower provides a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(iv) for the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of Borrower (each such date, a “Calculation Date”); provided that (a) the Applicable Margin shall be based on Pricing Level I until the first Calculation Date occurring after the Closing Date and, thereafter the Pricing Level shall be determined by reference to the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of Borrower preceding the applicable Calculation Date, and (b) if Borrower fails to provide a Compliance Certificate when due as required by Section 5.1(a)(iv) for the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of Borrower preceding the applicable Calculation Date, the Applicable Margin from the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered shall be based on Pricing Level IV until such time as such Compliance Certificate is delivered, at which time the Pricing Level shall be determined by reference to the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of Borrower preceding such Calculation Date. The applicable Pricing Level shall be effective from one Calculation Date until the next Calculation Date. Any adjustment in the Pricing Level shall be applicable to all Extensions of Credit then existing or subsequently made or issued.

 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any financial statement or Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(i), (ii) or (iv) is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether (i) this Agreement is in effect, (ii) any Commitments are in effect, or (iii) any Extension of Credit is outstanding when such inaccuracy is discovered or such financial statement or Compliance Certificate was delivered), and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period (an “Applicable Period”) than the Applicable Margin applied for such Applicable Period, then (A) Borrower shall immediately deliver to Agent a corrected Compliance Certificate for such Applicable Period, (B) the Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period shall be determined as if the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio in the corrected Compliance Certificate were applicable for such Applicable Period, and (C) Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to Agent the accrued additional interest and fees owing as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period, which payment shall be promptly applied by Agent in accordance with Section 2.17(a). Nothing in this paragraph shall limit the rights of Agent and Lenders with respect to Section 2.14(b) and Section 9 nor any of their other rights under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder. The Applicable Margin with respect to any Incremental Term Loan shall be set forth in the applicable Incremental Amendment.

 

“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 Agent to be necessary for timely settlement on the relevant date in accordance with normal banking procedures in the place of payment.

 

“Approved Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, 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 and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

“Assignment and Assumption” means an Assignment and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

 

“Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to any then-current Benchmark for any currency, as applicable, (a) if such Benchmark is a term rate, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period pursuant to this Agreement or (b) otherwise, any payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof) that is or may be used for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark, in each case, as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 2.18(c)(iv).

 

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

 

 

“Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation, rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

 

“Bank Product” means any one or more of the following financial products or accommodations extended to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by a Bank Product Provider: (a) credit cards (including commercial cards (including so-called “purchase cards”, “procurement cards” or “p-cards”)), (b) credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) stored value cards, (e) Cash Management Services, or (f) transactions under Hedge Agreements.

 

“Bank Product Agreements” means those agreements entered into from time to time by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with a Bank Product Provider in connection with the obtaining of any of the Bank Products.

 

“Bank Product Obligations” means (a) all obligations, liabilities, reimbursement obligations, fees, or expenses owing by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to any Bank Product Provider pursuant to or evidenced by a Bank Product Agreement and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, (b) all Hedge Obligations, and (c) all amounts that Agent or any Lender is obligated to pay to a Bank Product Provider as a result of Agent or such Lender purchasing participations from, or executing guarantees or indemnities or reimbursement obligations to, a Bank Product Provider with respect to the Bank Products provided by such Bank Product Provider to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

“Bank Product Provider” means any Person that, (a) at the time it enters into a Bank Product Agreement with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, Agent or an Affiliate of Agent, or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes a Lender (including on the Closing Date), is a party to a Bank Product Agreement with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Bank Product Agreement, including each of the foregoing in its capacity, if applicable, as a Hedge Provider.

 

“Bankruptcy Code” means title 11 of the United States Code, as in effect from time to time, or any similar domestic or foreign federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

 

“Base Rate” means, at any time, the greatest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) Adjusted Term SOFR for a one-month tenor in effect on such day plus 1% (provided that this clause (b) shall not be applicable during any period in which Adjusted Term SOFR is unavailable or unascertainable), and (c) the rate of interest publicly announced, from time to time, by Wells Fargo as its “prime rate”, with the understanding that (i) the “prime rate” is one of Wells Fargo’s index or base rates (not necessarily the lowest or best of such rates charged to its customers or other banks) and (ii) each change in the prime rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day such change in such prime rate occurs; each change in the Base Rate shall take effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the prime rate referenced in clause (c) above, the Federal Funds Rate or Adjusted Term SOFR, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if the Base Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

 

“Base Rate Loan” means each portion of the Loans that bears interest at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate. All Base Rate Loans shall be denominated in Dollars.

 

“Benchmark” means, initially, with respect to any (a) Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, Dollars, the Term SOFR Reference Rate; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate or then-current Benchmark for Dollars, then “Benchmark” means, with respect to such Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts, the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.18(c)(i), (b) Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, Sterling, the Adjusted Daily Simple RFR applicable for such currency; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to such Adjusted Daily Simple RFR or the then-current Benchmark for such currency, then “Benchmark” means, with respect to such Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts, the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.18(c)(i) and (c) Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, Euros, EURIBOR; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event has occurred with respect to EURIBOR or the then-current Benchmark for such currency, then “Benchmark” means, with respect to such Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts, the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.18(c)(i).

 

“Benchmark Replacement” means, with respect to any Benchmark Transition Event for any then-current Benchmark, the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by Agent and Borrower as the replacement for such Benchmark giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for such Benchmark for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable currency at such time and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; provided that, if such Benchmark Replacement as so determined would be less than the Floor, such Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of any then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Available Tenor, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by Agent and Borrower giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable currency.

 

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark for any currency:

 

(a)            in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

 

 

(b)            in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be non-representative; provided that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

 

“Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to the then-current Benchmark for any currency, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such Benchmark:

 

(a)            a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

 

(b)            a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Board of Governors, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the central bank for the currency applicable to such Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

 

(c)            a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are not, or as of a specified future date will not be, representative.

 

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

 

“Benchmark Transition Start Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark for any currency, in the case of a Benchmark Transition Event, the earlier of (a) the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and (b) if such Benchmark Transition Event is a public statement or publication of information of a prospective event, the 90^th day prior to the expected date of such event as of such public statement or publication of information (or if the expected date of such prospective event is fewer than 90 days after such statement or publication, the date of such statement or publication).

 

 

“Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any then-current Benchmark for any currency, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to such Benchmark pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.18(c)(i) and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.18(c)(i).

 

“Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

 

“Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 CFR § 1010.230.

 

“Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

 

“Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors (or comparable managers) of such Person, or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors (or comparable managers).

 

“Board of Governors” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States (or any successor).

 

“Borrower” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

“Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.10(c).

 

“Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the same Type, in the same currency and, in the case of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, as applicable, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.2.

 

“Business Day” means any day that (a) is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed and (b) is not a day on which commercial banks in Charlotte, North Carolina are closed.

 

“Capital Lease” means a lease that is classified as a “finance lease” under the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) lease accounting standard (ASC 842). Notwithstanding the foregoing and for sake of clarity, the leases set forth on Schedule 1.1(e) (as such Schedule may be amended from time to time with the consent of Agent) shall not be treated as Capital Leases for purposes of this Agreement.

 

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means that portion of the obligations under a Capital Lease that is required to be capitalized in accordance with GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing and for sake of clarity, the obligations under the leases set forth on Schedule 1.1(e) (as such Schedule may be amended from time to time with the consent of Agent) shall not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness for purposes of this Agreement.

 

 

“Cash Collateralize” means, to deposit in a deposit account subject to a Control Agreement or to pledge and deposit with, or deliver to Agent, or directly to the Issuing Lender (with notice thereof to Agent), for the benefit of the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of the Lenders to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations or Swingline Loans, cash or deposit account balances or, if Agent and the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender shall agree, in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender, as applicable. “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 (a) marketable direct obligations issued by, or unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States or issued by any agency thereof and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, in each case maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof, (b) marketable direct obligations issued or fully guaranteed by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s, (c) commercial paper maturing no more than 270 days from the date of creation thereof and, at the time of acquisition, having a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s, (d) certificates of deposit, time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers’ acceptances maturing within 1 year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by any bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or any United States branch of a foreign bank having at the date of acquisition thereof combined capital and surplus of not less than $1,000,000,000, (e) Deposit Accounts maintained with (i) any bank that satisfies the criteria described in clause (d) above, or (ii) any other bank organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof so long as the full amount maintained with any such other bank is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, (f) repurchase obligations of any commercial bank satisfying the requirements of clause (d) of this definition or of any recognized securities dealer having combined capital and surplus of not less than $1,000,000,000, having a term of not more than seven days, with respect to securities satisfying the criteria in clauses (a) or (d) above, (g) debt securities with maturities of 6 months or less from the date of acquisition backed by standby letters of credit issued by any commercial bank satisfying the criteria described in clause (d) above, (h) Investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets are invested in the types of assets described in clauses (a) through (g) above, (i) investments substantially similar to those described above which are denominated in Euros, GBP or Canadian Dollars (including similarly capitalized foreign banks organized under the laws of Germany, the United Kingdom or Canada), and (j) deposits by a Foreign Subsidiary with a foreign bank organized under the laws of Germany, the United Kingdom or Canada so long as such deposits could not reasonably be maintained with an institution satisfying the criteria set forth above and so long as the amount maintained with such foreign bank does not exceed the amount reasonably necessary or foreseeable to manage the local operations of such Foreign Subsidiary in such country.

 

“Cash Management Services” means any cash management or related services including treasury, depository, return items, overdraft, controlled disbursement, merchant store value cards, e-payables services, electronic funds transfer, interstate depository network, automatic clearing house transfer (including the Automated Clearing House processing of electronic funds transfers through the direct Federal Reserve Fedline system) and other customary cash management arrangements.

 

“Change in Law” means the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of: (a) the adoption or effectiveness of any law, rule, regulation, judicial ruling, judgment or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation, judicial ruling, judgment or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application by any Governmental Authority of any law, rule, regulation, guideline or treaty, or (c) the making or issuance by any Governmental Authority of any request, rule, guideline or directive, whether or not having the force of law; provided that notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives concerning capital adequacy 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 shall, in each case, be deemed to be a “Change in Law,” regardless of the date enacted, implemented, adopted or issued.

 

 

“Change of Control” means that:

 

(a)            any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, 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 Exchange Act, except that a “person” or “group” shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all Equity Interests that such “person” or “group” has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the Equity Interests of the Borrower entitled to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors of Borrower;

 

(b)            during any period of 24 consecutive months commencing on or after the Closing Date, the occurrence of a change in the composition of the Board of Directors of Borrower such that a majority of the members of such Board of Directors are not Continuing Directors; or

 

(c)             Borrower fails to own and control, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interests of each other Loan Party.

 

“Class” means, when used in reference to any Loan, whether such Loan is a Revolving Credit Loan, Swingline Loan or Incremental Term Loan and, when used in reference to any Commitment, whether such Commitment is a Revolving Credit Commitment or an Incremental Term Loan Commitment.

 

“Closing Date” means July 6, 2022.

 

“Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to time.

 

“Collateral” means all assets and interests in assets and proceeds thereof now owned or hereafter acquired by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries in or upon which a Lien is granted by such Person in favor of Agent or the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents.

 

“Commitment Fee” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.16(a).

 

“Commitment Percentage” means, as to any Lender, such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage or Incremental Term Loan Percentage, as applicable.

 

“Commitments” means, collectively, as to all Lenders, the Revolving Credit Commitments and the Incremental Term Loan Commitments of such Lenders.

 

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

 

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit B delivered by the chief financial officer of Borrower to Agent.

 

“Confidential Information” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.10(a).

 

 

“Conforming Changes” means, with respect to the use or administration of an initial Benchmark or the use, administration, adoption or implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate”, the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “Eurocurrency Banking Day,” the definition of “RFR Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period” or any similar or analogous definition (or the addition of a concept of “interest period”), timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, the applicability and length of lookback periods, the applicability of Section 2.18 and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of any such rate or to permit the use and administration thereof by Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of any such rate exists, in such other manner of administration as Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

 

“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” means, when used to modify a financial term, test, statement, or report of a Person, the application or preparation of such term, test, statement or report (as applicable) based upon the consolidation, in accordance with GAAP, of the financial condition or operating results of such Person and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the sum of the following determined on a Consolidated basis, without duplication, for Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP:

 

(a)  Consolidated Net Income, plus

 

(b)  the sum of the following amounts of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

(i)            any extraordinary, unusual, or non-recurring non-cash losses,

 

(ii)            Consolidated Interest Expense,

 

(iii)            tax expense based on income, profits or capital, including federal, foreign, state, franchise and similar taxes (and for the avoidance of doubt, specifically excluding any sales taxes or any other taxes held in trust for a Governmental Authority),

 

(iv)            depreciation and amortization,

 

(v)            with respect to any Permitted Acquisition after the Closing Date, costs, fees, charges, or expenses consisting of out-of-pocket expenses owed by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person for services performed by such Person in connection with such Permitted Acquisition incurred within 90 days of the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition,

 

(vi)            non-cash compensation expense (including deferred non-cash compensation expense), or other non-cash expenses or charges, arising from the sale or issuance of Equity Interests, the granting of stock options, and the granting of stock appreciation rights and similar arrangements (including any repricing, amendment, modification, substitution, or change of any such Equity Interests, stock option, stock appreciation rights, or similar arrangements) minus the amount of any such expenses or charges when paid in cash to the extent not deducted in the computation of net earnings (or loss),

 

 

(vii)            one-time non-cash restructuring charges,

 

(viii)            non-cash exchange, translation, or performance losses relating to any hedging transactions or foreign currency fluctuations, and

 

(ix)            non-cash losses on sales of fixed assets or write-downs of fixed or intangible assets, minus

 

(c)  the sum of the following amounts of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income for such period:

 

(i)            any extraordinary, unusual, or non-recurring gains,

 

(ii)            interest income,

 

(iii)            exchange, translation or performance gains relating to any hedging transactions or foreign currency fluctuations,

 

(iv)            income arising by reason of the application of FAS 141R, and

 

(v)            any cash expenses or payments made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period which represent the reversal of non-cash charges added back in a prior period under clause (b)(i), (b)(vi) or (b)(vii).

 

For the purposes of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any Reference Period, if at any time during such Reference Period (and after the Closing Date), Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall have consummated (a) a Permitted Acquisition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which are directly attributable to such Permitted Acquisition, are reasonably identifiable, factually supportable, are expected to have a continuing impact and are certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower as having been determined in good faith to be reasonably anticipated to be realizable within 12 months following such Permitted Acquisition, in each case; provided that the aggregate amount of all such pro forma adjustments shall not exceed 15% of pro forma Consolidated EBITDA (determined prior to any adjustments pursuant to this paragraph) for any Reference Period) or in such other manner acceptable to Agent as if any such Permitted Acquisition or adjustment occurred on the first day of such Reference Period and (b) any Material Disposition, Consolidated EBITDA for such Reference Period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if any such Material Disposition occurred on the first day of such Reference Period.

 

“Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” means, with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of any date of determination on a Consolidated basis without duplication, all Indebtedness to the extent required to be classified as indebtedness on the Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness relating to issued and undrawn letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances and Indebtedness described in clause (f) of the definition thereof).

 

“Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed Reference Period to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense paid or payable in cash for the most recently completed Reference Period.

 

 

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the aggregate of the interest expense of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any fiscal period, the net income (or loss) of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a Consolidated basis, without duplication, in accordance with GAAP; provided, that in calculating Consolidated Net Income, there shall be excluded (a) the net income (or loss) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary which shall be subject to clause (c) below), in which Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has a joint interest with a third party, except to the extent such net income is actually paid in cash to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by dividend or other distribution during such period, (b) the net income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or is merged into or consolidated with Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person’s assets are acquired by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except to the extent included pursuant to the foregoing clause (a), (c) the net income (if positive), of any Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of such net income (i) is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to such Subsidiary or (ii) would be subject to any taxes payable on such dividends or distributions, but in each case only to the extent of such prohibition or taxes and (d) any gain or loss from Dispositions of assets during such period.

 

“Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness on such date minus (ii) all Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents on such date up to $75,000,000 to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed Reference Period.

 

“Continuing Director” means (a) any member of the Board of Directors who was a director (or comparable manager) of Borrower on the Closing Date, and (b) any individual who becomes a member of the Board of Directors after the Closing Date if such individual was approved, appointed or nominated for election to the Board of Directors by a majority of the then Continuing Directors.

 

“Control Agreement” means a control agreement, providing for springing dominion, and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by a Loan Party or one of its Subsidiaries, Agent, and the applicable securities intermediary (with respect to a Securities Account) or bank (with respect to a Deposit Account).

 

“Copyright Security Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

“Credit Facility” means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Swingline Facility, the L/C Facility and any term loan credit facility with respect to Incremental Term Loans advanced pursuant to Section 2.20.

 

“Daily Simple RFR Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on Adjusted Daily Simple RFR.

 

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

 

 

“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 15.19(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of the Revolving Credit Loans, any Incremental Term Loan, participations in L/C Obligations or participations in Swingline Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within two Business Days of the date such Loans or participations were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies Agent and Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s 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 Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified Borrower, Agent, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline 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 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 Agent or Borrower, to confirm in writing to Agent and 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 Agent and Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Insolvency Proceeding, (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 FDIC or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; 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 Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 15.19(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to Borrower, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and each Lender.

 

“Deposit Account” means any deposit account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition of any property (including any sale and leaseback transaction and any sale, transfer, license or other disposition of Equity Interests) (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including by a division of a limited liability company, and 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.

 

“Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interests that, by their terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interests into which they are is convertible or for which they are exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (a) mature or are mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), (b) are redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), in whole or in part, (c) provide for the scheduled payments of dividends in cash, or (d) are or become convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case, prior to the date that is 180 days after the Maturity Date.

 

 

“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 Agent or the Issuing Lender, as applicable, 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.

 

“Dollars” or “$” means United States dollars.

 

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Borrower organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.

 

“Earn-Outs” means unsecured liabilities of a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries arising under an agreement to make any deferred payment as a part of the Purchase Price for a Permitted Acquisition, including performance bonuses or consulting payments in any related services, employment or similar agreement, in an amount that is subject to or contingent upon the revenues, income, cash flow or profits (or the like) of the target of such Permitted Acquisition.

 

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

 

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

 

“EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country.

 

“Electronic Record” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 15 U.S.C. 7006.

 

“Electronic Signature” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 15 U.S.C. 7006.

 

“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 13.1(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 13.1(b)(iii)).

 

“Employee Benefit Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, whether or not subject to ERISA, (a) that is or within the preceding 6 years has been sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate or (b) to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has, or has had at any time within the preceding 6 years, any liability, contingent or otherwise.

 

 

“Environmental Action” means any written complaint, summons, citation, notice, directive, order, claim, litigation, investigation, judicial or administrative proceeding, judgment, letter, or other written communication from any Governmental Authority involving violations of Environmental Laws or releases of Hazardous Materials (a) from any assets, properties, or businesses of Borrower, any Subsidiary of a Borrower, or any of their predecessors in interest, (b) from adjoining properties or businesses, or (c) from or onto any facilities which received Hazardous Materials generated by Borrower, any Subsidiary of a Borrower, or any of their predecessors in interest.

 

“Environmental Law” means any applicable federal, state, provincial, foreign or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy, or rule of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended, or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, in each case, to the extent binding on Borrower or its Subsidiaries, relating to the environment, the effect of the environment on employee health, or Hazardous Materials, in each case as amended from time to time.

 

“Environmental Liabilities” means all liabilities, monetary obligations, losses, damages, reasonable costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts, or consultants, and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions, and interest incurred as a result of any claim or demand, or Remedial Action required, by any Governmental Authority or any third party, and which relate to any Environmental Action.

 

“Environmental Lien” means any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for Environmental Liabilities.

 

“Equipment” means equipment (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

“Equity Interests” means, with respect to a Person, all of the shares, options, warrants, interests, or participations of or in such Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including capital stock (or other ownership or profit interests), or preferred stock.

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder. Any reference to a specific section of ERISA shall be deemed to be a reference to such section of ERISA and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

“ERISA Affiliate” means each entity, trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that together with a Loan Party or a Subsidiary would be (or has been) treated as a “single employer” within the meaning of section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or subsections (b), (c), (m) or (o) of section 414 of the IRC. ERISA Affiliate shall include any Subsidiary of any Loan Party.

 

“Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 15.21(a).

 

“Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 15.21(d).

 

“Erroneous Payment Impacted Class” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 15.21(d).

 

“Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 15.21(d).

 

 

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

 

“EURIBOR” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”.

 

“Euro” and “€” mean the single currency of the Participating Member States.

 

“Eurocurrency Banking Day” means, for Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, Euros, a TARGET Day; provided, that for purposes of any notice requirements in Sections 2.4(a), 2.7(a), 2.8(c), 2.9(a), 2.13 and 2.20, in each case, such day is also a Business Day.

 

“Eurocurrency Rate” means, for any Eurocurrency Rate Loan for any Interest Period denominated in Euros, the greater of (i) the rate of interest per annum equal to the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) as administered by the European Money Markets Institute, or a comparable or successor administrator approved by Agent, for a period comparable to the applicable Interest Period, at approximately 11:00 a.m. (Brussels time) on the applicable Rate Determination Date and (ii) the Floor.

 

Each calculation by Agent of Eurocurrency Rate shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

 

“Eurocurrency Rate Loan” means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based on the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate.

 

“Eurocurrency Reserve Percentage” means, for any day, the percentage which is in effect for such day as prescribed by the Board of Governors for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any basic, supplemental or emergency reserves) in respect of eurocurrency liabilities or any similar category of liabilities for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City or any other reserve ratio or analogous requirement of any central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Loans. The Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate for each outstanding Loan shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of any change in the Eurocurrency Reserve Percentage.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 8.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in effect from time to time.

 

“Excluded Assets” has the meaning specified therefor in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

“Excluded Subsidiary” means each (a) Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary and (b) Foreign Subsidiary.

 

“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the liability of such Loan Party for or the guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any liability or guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act and the regulations thereunder at the time the liability for or the guarantee of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation (such determination being made after giving effect to any applicable keepwell, support or other agreement for the benefit of the applicable Loan Party). If a Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal for the reasons identified in the immediately preceding sentence of this definition.

 

 

“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any Obligation of the Loan Parties hereunder, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income Taxes), and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such Recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located, or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by Borrower under Section 14.2), any United States federal withholding Tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 16.7, except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Loan Parties with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 16, and (c) any United States federal withholding Tax imposed under FATCA.

 

“Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated October 18, 2018 by and among Borrower, as borrower, the lenders party thereto and Wells Fargo, as agent for such lenders, as amended prior to the Closing Date.

 

“Existing Letters of Credit” means those letters of credit existing on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 1.1(c).

 

“Extensions of Credit” means, as to any Lender at any time, (a) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender then outstanding, (ii) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding, (iii) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Swingline Loans then outstanding and (iv) the aggregate principal amount of any Incremental Term Loans made by such Lender then outstanding, or (b) the making of any Loan or participation in any Letter of Credit by such Lender, as the context requires.

 

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the IRC, 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 period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal to, for each day during such period, the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

 

 

“Fee Letters” means, collectively, (a) that certain fee letter, dated as of June 9, 2022, between Borrower, Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and (b) that certain fee letter, dated as of June 9, 2022, between BofA Securities, Inc. and Borrower.

 

“First Tier Foreign Subsidiary” means any Foreign Subsidiary that is a “controlled foreign corporation” within the meaning of Section 957 of the IRC and the Equity Interests of which are owned directly by any Loan Party.

 

“Fiscal Month” means any calendar month of any Fiscal Year.

 

“Fiscal Quarter” means any fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year, which quarters shall generally end on the last day of each January, April, July and October of such Fiscal Year in accordance with the fiscal accounting calendar of the Loan Parties.

 

“Fiscal Year” means any period of 12 consecutive Fiscal Months ending on October 31 of any calendar year.

 

“Floor” means a rate of interest equal to 0%.

 

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender or Participant that is not a United States person within the meaning of IRC section 7701(a)(30).

 

“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

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

 

“Funds Flow Agreement” means a flow of funds agreement, dated as of even date with this Agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by Borrower and Agent.

 

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time in the United States, consistently applied.

 

“Governing Documents” means (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation or formation 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 or articles of association, and the limited liability company or operating agreement or bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership agreement, joint venture agreement, declaration or other applicable agreement or documentation evidencing or otherwise relating to its formation or organization, governance and capitalization (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); and (d) with respect to any of the entities described above, any other 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, including an excerpt from the commercial register.

 

 

“Governmental Authority” means the government of any nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether at the national, state, territorial, provincial, municipal or any other level, 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).

 

“Guarantor” means (a) each Subsidiary of Borrower (other than any Excluded Subsidiary) and (b) each other Person that becomes a guarantor after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 5.11.

 

“Guaranty and Security Agreement” means that certain Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of July 29, 2016, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, executed and delivered by Borrower and each of the Guarantors to Agent.

 

“Hazardous Materials” means (a) substances that are defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to, any applicable laws or regulations as “hazardous substances,” “hazardous materials,” “hazardous wastes,” “toxic substances,” or any other formulation intended to define, list, or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive toxicity, or “EP toxicity”, (b) oil, petroleum, or petroleum derived substances, natural gas, natural gas liquids, synthetic gas, drilling fluids, produced waters, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude oil, natural gas, or geothermal resources, (c) any flammable substances or explosives or any radioactive materials, and (d) asbestos in any form or electrical equipment that contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls in excess of 50 parts per million.

 

“Hedge Agreement” 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.

 

“Hedge Obligations” means any and all obligations or liabilities, whether absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries arising under, owing pursuant to, or existing in respect of Hedge Agreements entered into with one or more of the Hedge Providers.

 

“Hedge Provider” means any Person that, (a) at the time it enters into a Hedge Agreement with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, is a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, Agent or an Affiliate of Agent or (b) at the time it (or its Affiliate) becomes a Lender (including on the Closing Date), is a party to a Hedge Agreement with the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case in its capacity as a party to such Hedge Agreement.

 

 

“Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary” means any Domestic Subsidiary that (a) together with its Subsidiaries, (i) has assets representing no more than 2.5% of the Consolidated total assets of Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries and (ii) generates no more than 2.5% of the Consolidated revenues of Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries, in each case, as reflected in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 and (b) has been designated as an “Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary” by Borrower in the manner provided below; provided that, if at any time, (x) the total assets of the Immaterial Domestic Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of the last day of Borrower’s most recently ended Fiscal Quarter shall be greater than 5% of the Consolidated total assets of Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries or (y) the total revenues of the Immaterial Domestic Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of the last day of Borrower’s most recently ended Fiscal Quarter shall be greater than 5% of the Consolidated total revenues of Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries on such date, then the Loan Parties shall take such actions as may be necessary, including causing a Subsidiary to become a Guarantor and grant security interests pursuant to Section 5.11, in order to comply with the requirements set forth in the preceding clauses (x) and (y). Borrower may from time to time designate any Domestic Subsidiary (including a newly-created or newly-acquired Domestic Subsidiary) as an Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary by delivering to Agent a certificate of the chief financial officer of the Borrower making such designation and confirming that (i) such Domestic Subsidiary meets the requirements set forth in this definition and (ii) immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. As of the Closing Date, each of Quanex Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Woodcraft International, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Truseal Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is an Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary.

 

“Incremental Amendment” means an amendment agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent delivered in connection with Section 2.20.

 

“Incremental Effective Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(a).

 

“Incremental Increases” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(a).

 

“Incremental Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(a).

 

“Incremental Term Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(a).

 

“Incremental Term Loan Commitment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(a).

 

“Incremental Term Loan Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of an Incremental Lender evidencing the portion of the Incremental Term Loans made by such Incremental Lender, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C-3, and any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part.

 

“Incremental Term Loan Percentage” means, with respect to any Incremental Lender at any time, the percentage of the total outstanding principal balance of the Incremental Term Loans represented by the outstanding principal balance of such Incremental Lender’s Incremental Term Loans.

 

 

“Indebtedness” as to any Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments and all reimbursement or other obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers acceptances, or other financial products, (c) all obligations of such Person as a lessee under Capital Leases, (d) all obligations or liabilities of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, irrespective of whether such obligation or liability is assumed, (e) all obligations of such Person under Earn-Outs or to pay the deferred purchase price of assets (other than trade payables incurred in the ordinary course of business and repayable in accordance with customary trade practices and, for the avoidance of doubt, other than royalty payments payable in the ordinary course of business in respect of licenses), (f) all monetary obligations of such Person owing under Hedge Agreements (which amount shall be calculated based on the amount that would be payable by such Person if the Hedge Agreement were terminated on the date of determination), (g) any Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person, and (h) any obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee (whether directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made, discounted, or sold with recourse) any obligation of any other Person that constitutes Indebtedness under any of clauses (a) through (g) above. For purposes of this definition, (i) the amount of any Indebtedness represented by a guaranty or other similar instrument shall be the lesser of the principal amount of the obligations guaranteed and still outstanding and the maximum amount for which the guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Indebtedness, and (ii) the amount of any Indebtedness which is limited or is non-recourse to a Person or for which recourse is limited to an identified asset shall be valued at the lesser of (A) if applicable, the limited amount of such obligations, and (B) if applicable, the fair market value of such assets securing such obligation.

 

“Indemnified Liabilities” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 10.3.

 

“Indemnified Person” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 10.3.

 

“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.

 

“Insolvency Proceeding” means any proceeding commenced by or against any Person under any provision of the Bankruptcy Code or under any other state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, or under any similar debtor relief laws of any other applicable jurisdiction, assignments for the benefit of creditors, formal or informal moratoria, compositions, extensions generally with creditors, or proceedings seeking reorganization, arrangement, or other similar relief in any applicable jurisdiction.

 

“Intercompany Subordination Agreement” means an intercompany subordination agreement, dated as of July 26, 2016, executed and delivered by Borrower, each of its Subsidiaries and Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

“Interest Payment Date” means (a) as to any Base Rate Loan or Daily Simple RFR Loan, the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter and the applicable Maturity Date and (b) as to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, the last day of each Interest Period therefor and, in the case of any Interest Period of more than three (3) months’ duration, each day prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at three-month intervals after the first day of such Interest Period; provided, that each such three-month interval payment day shall be the immediately succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day, unless such day is not a Business Day but is a day of the relevant month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, in which case such day shall be the immediately preceding Business Day and the applicable Maturity Date.

 

 

“Interest Period” means, as to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, the period commencing on the date such Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, as applicable, and ending on the date one (1), three (3) or six (6) months thereafter, in each case as selected by the Borrower in its Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation and subject to availability; provided that:

 

(a)            the Interest Period shall commence on the date of advance of or conversion to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, as applicable, and, in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods, each successive Interest Period shall commence on the date on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires,

 

(b)            if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided that if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day,

 

(c)            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 relevant calendar month at the end of such Interest Period,

 

(d)            no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date,

 

(e)            there shall be no more than six (6) Interest Periods in effect at any time, and

 

(f)            no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.18(c)(iv) shall be available for specification in any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation.

 

“Inventory” means inventory (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

“Investment” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any investment by such Person in any other Person (including Affiliates) in the form of loans, guarantees, advances, capital contributions (excluding (i) commission, travel, and similar advances to officers and employees of such Person made in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) bona fide accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business), (b) Acquisitions and acquisitions of Indebtedness, Equity Interests, or all or substantially all of the assets of such other Person (or of any division or business line of such other Person), and (c) any other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustment for increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs, or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

 

“IRC” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder. Any reference to a specific section of the IRC shall be deemed to be a reference to such section of the IRC and any successor statutes, and all regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder.

 

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

“ISP98” means the International Standby Practices (1998 Revision, effective January 1, 1999), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590.

 

 

“Issuing Lender” means (a) with respect to Letters of Credit issued hereunder on or after the Closing Date, Wells Fargo and (b) with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit, Wells Fargo, in its capacity as issuer thereof.

 

“Joint Lead Arrangers” means Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and BofA Securities, Inc., each in their respective capacities as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner.

 

“Junior Indebtedness” means (a) Subordinated Indebtedness, (b) unsecured Indebtedness, and (c) Indebtedness secured by Liens that are junior to the Liens securing the Obligations; provided that Junior Indebtedness shall not include any Permitted Intercompany Advances.

 

“L/C Facility” means the letter of credit facility established pursuant to Section 2.15.

 

“L/C Obligations” means at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 2.15(e).

 

“L/C Participants” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the collective reference to all the Revolving Credit Lenders other than the Issuing Lender.

 

“L/C Sublimit” means the lesser of (a)  $20,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment.

 

“Lender” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement, shall include the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender, and shall also include any other Person made a party to this Agreement pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.20 or Section 13.1 and “Lenders” means each of the Lenders or any one or more of them.

 

“Lender Group” means each of the Lenders (including the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender) and Agent, or any one or more of them.

 

“Lender Group Expenses” means all (a) costs or expenses (including taxes and insurance premiums) required to be paid by Borrower or its Subsidiaries under any of the Loan Documents that are paid, advanced, or incurred by the Lender Group, (b) reasonable documented out-of-pocket fees or charges paid or incurred by Agent in connection with the Lender Group’s transactions with Borrower or its Subsidiaries under any of the Loan Documents, including, photocopying, notarization, couriers and messengers, telecommunication, public record searches, filing fees, recording fees, publication and environmental audits, (c) Agent’s customary fees and charges imposed or incurred in connection with any background checks or OFAC/PEP searches related to Borrower or its Subsidiaries, (d) Agent’s customary fees and charges (as adjusted from time to time) with respect to the disbursement of funds (or the receipt of funds) to or for the account of Borrower (whether by wire transfer or otherwise), together with any reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, (e) reasonable documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses paid or incurred by the Lender Group to correct any default or enforce any provision of the Loan Documents, or during the continuance of an Event of Default, in gaining possession of, maintaining, handling, preserving, storing, shipping, selling, preparing for sale, or advertising to sell the Collateral, or any portion thereof, irrespective of whether a sale is consummated, (f) Agent’s reasonable costs and expenses (including reasonable documented attorneys’ fees and expenses) relative to third party claims or any other lawsuit or adverse proceeding paid or incurred, whether in enforcing or defending the Loan Documents or otherwise in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, Agent’s Liens in and to the Collateral, or the Lender Group’s relationship with Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (g) Agent’s and each Joint Lead Arranger’s reasonable documented costs and expenses (including reasonable documented attorneys’ fees, but limited to the reasonable documented attorneys’ fees of counsel to Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and due diligence expenses) incurred in advising, structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering (including travel, meals, and lodging), syndicating (including reasonable costs and expenses relative to CUSIP, SyndTrak or other communication costs incurred in connection with a syndication of the loan facilities), or amending, waiving, or modifying the Loan Documents, (h) reasonable documented out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (i) Agent’s, the Issuing Lender’s and each Lender’s reasonable documented costs and expenses (including reasonable documented attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other advisors fees and expenses) incurred in terminating, enforcing (including reasonable documented attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other advisors fees and expenses incurred in connection with a “workout,” a “restructuring,” or an Insolvency Proceeding concerning Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or in exercising rights or remedies under the Loan Documents), or defending the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether a lawsuit or other adverse proceeding is brought, or in taking any enforcement action or any Remedial Action with respect to the Collateral.

 

 

“Lender-Related Person” means, with respect to any Lender, such Lender, together with such Lender’s Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents and the officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents of such Lender’s Affiliates.

 

“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 Borrower and Agent.

 

“Letter of Credit Application” means an application, in the form specified by the Issuing Lender from time to time, requesting the Issuing Lender to issue a Letter of Credit.

 

“Letters of Credit” means the collective reference to letters of credit issued pursuant to Section 2.15(a) and the Existing Letters of Credit. Letters of Credit may be issued in Dollars or an Alternative Currency.

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, charge, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, easement, lien (statutory or other), security interest, or other security arrangement and any other preference, priority, or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever, including any conditional sale contract or other title retention agreement, the interest of a lessor under a Capital Lease and any synthetic or other financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing.

 

“Limited Conditionality Acquisition” means any Permitted Acquisition that is not conditioned on the availability of financing.

 

“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Fee Letters, the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, the Security Documents, the Reaffirmation Agreement, any Note or Notes, any Incremental Amendment and any other instrument or agreement entered into, now or in the future, by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any member of the Lender Group in connection with this Agreement (other than any Bank Product Agreement).

 

“Loan Party” means Borrower or any Guarantor.

 

 

“Loans” means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Loans, the Incremental Term Loans and the Swingline Loans, and “Loan” means any of such Loans.

 

“Margin Stock” as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors as in effect from time to time.

 

“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse effect in the business, operations, results of operations, assets, liabilities or financial condition of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) a material impairment of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries ability to perform their payment and other material obligations under the Loan Documents to which they are parties or of the Lender Group’s ability to enforce the Obligations or realize upon the Collateral (other than as a result of as a result of an action taken or not taken that is solely in the control of Agent), or (c) a material impairment of the enforceability or priority of Agent’s Liens with respect to all or a material portion of the Collateral.

 

“Material Contract” means, with respect to any Person, each contract or agreement to which such Person or any of its Subsidiaries is a party, the loss of which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

“Material Disposition” means any Disposition or series of related Dispositions by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of all or substantially all of its assets, any division or business line or other assets with a fair market value in excess of $5,000,000.

 

“Maturity Date” means the first to occur of (a) July 6, 2027 and (b) the date of acceleration of any of the Obligations pursuant to Section 9.1.

 

“Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, (a) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to 105% of the sum of (i) the Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Lender with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time and (ii) the Fronting Exposure of the Swingline Lender with respect to all Swingline Loans outstanding at such time and (b) otherwise, an amount determined by Agent and the Issuing Lender that is entitled to Cash Collateral hereunder at such time in their sole discretion.

 

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

 

“Multiemployer Plan” means any multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA with respect to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has an obligation to contribute or has any liability, contingent or otherwise or could be assessed withdrawal liability assuming a complete withdrawal from any such multiemployer plan.

 

“Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver, amendment, modification or termination that (a) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 13.1 and (b) has been approved by the Required Lenders.

 

“Non-Defaulting Lender” means each Lender other than a Defaulting Lender.

 

“Non-U.S. Plan” means any plan, benefit, scheme or compensation program or arrangement for the benefit of employees or individual workers located outside of the United States or any Employee Benefit Plan sponsored, maintained or contributed to by any Foreign Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision outside of the United States, and in each case, is not subject to United States law.

 

 

“Notes” means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Notes, the Swingline Note and the Incremental Term Loan Notes.

 

“Notice of Borrowing” has the meaning specified in Section 2.7(a).

 

“Notice of Conversion/Continuation” has the meaning specified in Section 2.13.

 

“Notice of Prepayment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.4(a).

 

“Notification Event” means (a) the occurrence of a “reportable event” described in Section 4043 of ERISA for which the 30-day notice requirement has not been waived by applicable regulations issued by the PBGC, (b) the withdrawal of any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (c) the termination of a Pension Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination, under Section 4041 of ERISA, if the plan assets are not sufficient to pay all plan liabilities, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate, or the appointment of a trustee with respect to, any Pension Plan by the PBGC or any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan administrator, (e) any other event or condition that would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan, (f) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to the IRC or ERISA in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan or the existence of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to result in the imposition of a Lien or a requirement that any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate provide security to any Pension Plan under the IRC, (g) the partial or complete withdrawal of any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan (other than any withdrawal that would not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.12), (h) any event or condition that results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Sections of ERISA, (i) any event or condition that results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate or to appoint a trustee to administer a Multiemployer Plan under ERISA, (j) any Pension Plan being in “at risk status” within the meaning of IRC Section 430(i), (k) any Multiemployer Plan being in “endangered status” or “critical status” within the meaning of IRC Section 432(b) or the determination that any Multiemployer Plan is or is expected to be insolvent or in reorganization within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, (l) with respect to any Pension Plan, any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate incurring a substantial cessation of operations within the meaning of ERISA Section 4062(e), (m) an “accumulated funding deficiency” within the meaning of the IRC or ERISA (including Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA) or the failure of any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan to meet the minimum funding standards within the meaning of the IRC or ERISA (including Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA), in each case, whether or not waived, (n) the filing of an application for a waiver of the minimum funding standards within the meaning of the IRC or ERISA (including Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA) with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (o) the failure to make by its due date a required payment or contribution with respect to any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (p) any event that results in or could reasonably be expected to result in a liability by a Loan Party pursuant to Title I of ERISA or the excise tax provisions of the IRC relating to Employee Benefit Plans or any event that results in or could reasonably be expected to result in a liability to any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate pursuant to Title IV of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) of the IRC, or (q) any of the foregoing is reasonably likely to occur in the following 30 days.

 

 

“Obligations” means (a) all loans (including the Loans), debts, principal, interest (including any interest that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), premiums, liabilities, obligations (including indemnification obligations), fees (including the fees provided for in the Fee Letters), L/C Obligations, Lender Group Expenses (including Lender Group Expenses that accrue after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), guaranties, indemnities and all covenants and duties of any other kind and description owing by any Loan Party arising out of, under, pursuant to, in connection with, or evidenced by this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents and irrespective of whether for the payment of money, whether direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, and including all interest not paid when due and all other expenses or other amounts that Borrower is required to pay or reimburse by the Loan Documents or by law or otherwise in connection with the Loan Documents, and (b) all Bank Product Obligations (other than Excluded Swap Obligations). Any reference in this Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the Obligations shall include all or any portion thereof and any extensions, modifications, renewals, or alterations thereof, both prior and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding. Any reference in this Agreement or in the Loan Documents to the Obligations shall include all or any portion thereof and any extensions, modifications, renewals, or alterations thereof, prior, during and subsequent to any Insolvency Proceeding.

 

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

 

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

 

“Other Taxes” means all court, intangible, recording and filing taxes, taxes arising from a registration, performance of any Loan Document and the receipt or perfection of a security interest, present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies (together, in each case, with any interest and penalties thereon) that arise from any payment made for or on account an Obligation under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or from the execution, delivery, or enforcement of, 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 14.2).

 

“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 Agent, the Issuing Lender, or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in an Alternative Currency, an overnight rate determined by Agent, the Issuing Lender, or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions.

 

“Participant” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 13.1(d).

 

“Participant Register” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 13.1(d).

 

“Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that has the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.

 

 

“Patent Security Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

“Patriot Act” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 4.13.

 

“Payment Recipient” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 15.21(a).

 

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor agency.

 

“Pension Plan” means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to the provisions of Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or Sections 412 or 430 of the IRC sponsored, maintained, or contributed to by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate or to which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has any liability, contingent or otherwise.

 

“Perfection Certificate” means a certificate in the form of Exhibit G.

 

“Permitted Acquisition” means any Acquisition that meets all of the following requirements:

 

(a)            no less than 15 Business Days (or such shorter period as agreed to by Agent) prior to the proposed closing date of such Acquisition, Borrower shall have delivered written notice of such Acquisition to Agent, which notice shall include the proposed closing date of such Acquisition;

 

(b)            such acquisition shall have been approved by the Board of Directors (or equivalent governing body) of the Person to be acquired (in the case of an acquisition of a Person) and such approval shall not have been withdrawn prior to the consummation thereof;

 

(c)            such Person or division or line of business is engaged in the same or a similar line of business as Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any business or operation reasonably related thereto;

 

(d)            if such Acquisition is a merger or consolidation involving a Loan party, a Loan Party shall be the surviving Person (or, other than in the case of the Borrower, the surviving Person shall become a Guarantor) and no Change of Control shall have been effected thereby;

 

(e)            upon consummation of the Acquisition, the Loan Parties shall comply with the applicable provisions of Section 5.11 within the time periods specified therein;

 

(f)             no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing both before and after giving effect to such Acquisition and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith; provided that if such Acquisition is a Limited Conditionality Acquisition financed with proceeds of a substantially concurrent Incremental Term Loan, this clause (f) shall be satisfied if (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of the execution of definitive purchase agreement, merger agreement or other acquisition agreement governing such Acquisition and (ii) no Event of Default under any of Sections 8.1, 8.4 or 8.5 shall have occurred and be continuing both before and after giving effect to such Acquisition and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith (including such Incremental Term Loan);

 

(g)            the assets being acquired or the Person whose Equity Interests are being acquired did not have negative Consolidated EBITDA during the four (4) consecutive Fiscal Quarter period most recently concluded prior to the date of the proposed Acquisition;

 

 

(h)            Borrower is in compliance, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Acquisition and any Indebtedness incurred or assumed in connection therewith, with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7 calculated as of the last day of the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of Borrower for which financial statements are available, as if such acquisition (and any related incurrence or repayment of Indebtedness) had occurred on the first day of each relevant period for testing such compliance; provided that, if such Acquisition is a Limited Conditionality Acquisition, this clause (h) may be determined at the time of the execution (as opposed to closing) of the definitive purchase agreement, merger agreement or other acquisition agreement governing such Acquisition;

 

(i)             for any Acquisition with aggregate consideration (including cash, Cash Equivalents, Equity Interests and other deferred payment obligations) in excess of $100,000,000, no later than 5 Business Days (or such shorter period as agreed to by Agent) prior to the proposed closing date of such Acquisition, Borrower shall have delivered to Agent the following:

 

(i)              a Compliance Certificate showing compliance with clause (h) above;

 

(ii)             copies of substantially final documentation entered into or to be entered into in connection with such Acquisition, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent;

 

(iii)            material financial information regarding the Person or business to be acquired in connection with such Acquisition (except to the extent that any such information is subject to any confidentiality agreement, unless mutually agreeable arrangements can be made to preserve such information as confidential); and

 

(iv)            forecasted balance sheets, profit and loss statements and cash flow statements for the Person to be acquired, all prepared on a basis consistent with such Person’s historical financial statements, together with appropriate supporting details and a statement of underlying assumptions for the one (1) year period following the date of the proposed Acquisition, on a quarterly basis, in form and substance (including, without limitation, as to scope and underlying assumptions) reasonably satisfactory to Agent; and

 

(j)             not later than 5 Business Days (or such later date as Agent may agree in its sole discretion) following the consummation of such Acquisition, the Borrower shall have delivered to Agent a certificate of a Responsible Officer thereof certifying that all of the requirements set forth in this definition (other than the requirements set forth in clause (e) of this definition) have been satisfied.

 

“Permitted Dispositions” means:

 

(a)            sales, abandonment, or other Dispositions of (i) Equipment that is substantially worn, damaged, or obsolete or no longer used or useful in the ordinary course of business, (ii) leases or subleases of Real Property not useful in the conduct of the business of Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (iii) patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights that is obsolete or no longer used or useful in the ordinary course of business,

 

(b)            sales, abandonment, or other Dispositions of Inventory that is damaged or obsolete or no longer used or useful in the ordinary course of business, and sales of Inventory to buyers in the ordinary course of business,

 

(c)            the use or transfer of money or Cash Equivalents in a manner that is not prohibited by the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents,

 

 

(d)            the licensing of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business,

 

(e)            the granting of Permitted Liens,

 

(f)             the sale or discount, in each case without recourse, of accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, but only in connection with the compromise or collection thereof,

 

(g)            any involuntary loss, damage or destruction of property,

 

(h)            any involuntary condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, or confiscation or requisition of use of property,

 

(i)             the leasing or subleasing of assets of Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,

 

(j)             the sale or issuance of Qualified Equity Interests of Borrower,

 

(k)            (i) the lapse of registered patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property of Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the extent not economically desirable in the conduct of their business or (ii) the abandonment of patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business, provided, that as to any such Disposition that occurs other than solely by reason of final expiration not subject to extension or renewal, so long as (in each case under clauses (i) and (ii)), (A) with respect to copyrights, such copyrights are not material revenue generating copyrights, and (B) the occurrence of such lapse could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,

 

(l)             the making of Restricted Payments that are expressly permitted to be made pursuant to this Agreement,

 

(m)           the making of Permitted Investments,

 

(n)            so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would immediately result therefrom, transfers of assets (i) from Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to a Loan Party, and (ii) from any Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Loan Party to any other Subsidiary of Borrower (provided that, with respect to any such transfer by any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party, the consideration for such transfer shall not exceed the fair market value of such assets),

 

(o)            the Disposition of Receivables in connection with Permitted Receivables Sales, and

 

(p)            Dispositions of assets (other than Accounts, Inventory, or Equity Interests of Subsidiaries of Borrower) not otherwise permitted in clauses (a) through (o) above so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall be continuing or result therefrom, (ii) at least 75% of the aggregate consideration received for such Disposition is cash consideration and is paid at the time of the closing of such Disposition, (iii) such Disposition is made for fair market value, (iv) the aggregate fair market value of all assets disposed of in a Fiscal Year (including the proposed Disposition) does not exceed 10% of Borrower’s Consolidated total assets (determined as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Year for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(i)) and (v) the Consolidated EBITDA represented by such assets does not exceed 10% of Consolidated EBITDA (determined as of the last day of the most recent Fiscal Year for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(i)).

 

 

“Permitted Indebtedness” means:

 

(a)            Indebtedness evidenced by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents,

 

(b)            Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 4.14 and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any such Indebtedness,

 

(c)            Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations) incurred after the Closing Date and at the time of, or within 270 days after, the acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of any fixed assets for the purpose of financing all or any part of the acquisition, construction, repair, replacement or improvement costs thereof, in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time not to exceed $35,000,000 (“Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness”), and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of such Indebtedness,

 

(d)            Indebtedness constituting or owing by reason of Permitted Investments,

 

(e)            Indebtedness arising in connection with the endorsement of instruments or other payment items for deposit or collection,

 

(f)             Indebtedness consisting of (i) unsecured guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business with respect to surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds, completion guarantee and similar obligations and (ii) unsecured guarantees arising with respect to customary indemnification obligations to purchasers in connection with Permitted Dispositions,

 

(g)            Indebtedness of a Person whose assets or Equity Interests are acquired by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in a Permitted Acquisition; provided, that such Indebtedness (i) was in existence prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition, and (ii) was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Permitted Acquisition in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $35,000,000 outstanding at any one time,

 

(h)            Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business under performance, surety, statutory, or appeal bonds,

 

(i)             Indebtedness owed to any Person providing property, casualty, liability, or other insurance to Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, so long as the amount of such Indebtedness is not in excess of the amount of the unpaid cost of, and shall be incurred only to defer the cost of, such insurance for the year in which such Indebtedness is incurred and such Indebtedness is outstanding only during such year,

 

(j)             the incurrence by Borrower or its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness under Hedge Agreements that are incurred for the bona fide purpose of hedging the interest rate, commodity, or foreign currency risks associated with Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ operations and not for speculative purposes,

 

(k)            Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of credit cards, credit card processing services, debit cards, stored value cards, commercial cards (including so-called “purchase cards”, “procurement cards” or “p-cards”), or Cash Management Services,

 

 

(l)             contingent liabilities in respect of any indemnification obligation, adjustment of purchase price, non-compete, or similar obligation of Borrower or the applicable Loan Party incurred in connection with the consummation of one or more Permitted Acquisitions,

 

(m)           unsecured Indebtedness incurred in respect of netting services, overdraft protection, and other like services, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business,

 

(n)            unsecured Indebtedness of Borrower owing to employees, former employees, officers, former officers, directors, or former directors (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing) incurred in connection with the redemption by Borrower of the Equity Interests of Borrower that has been issued to such Persons, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness outstanding at any one time does not exceed $5,000,000,

 

(o)            Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed $35,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided, that such Indebtedness is not directly or indirectly recourse to any of the Loan Parties or of their respective assets,

 

(p)            accrual of interest, accretion or amortization of original issue discount, or the payment of interest in kind, in each case, on Indebtedness that otherwise constitutes Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(q)            unsecured Indebtedness of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries; provided, that in the case of each incurrence of such Indebtedness, (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would be caused by the incurrence of such Indebtedness, (ii) Agent shall have received satisfactory written evidence that Borrower has a Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio at or below the then applicable ratio set forth in Section 7.1 (giving effect to any adjustment to such ratio following a Permitted Acquisition in accordance with such Section) on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the issuance of any such Indebtedness, (iii) such Indebtedness does not mature prior to the date that is 91 days after the Maturity Date, (iv) the weighted average life to maturity of such Indebtedness shall not be shorter than that applicable to any then outstanding Incremental Term Loan, (v) if such Indebtedness is Subordinated Indebtedness, any guaranty by the Loan Parties shall be expressly subordinated to the Obligations on terms materially not less favorable to the Lenders than the subordination terms of such Subordinated Indebtedness, (vi) if guaranteed, such Indebtedness is not guaranteed by any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party and (vii) the terms of such Indebtedness (other than pricing, fees, rate floors, premiums and optional prepayment or redemption provisions (and, if applicable, subordination terms)), taken as a whole, are not materially more restrictive (as determined by Borrower in good faith) on the Borrower and its Subsidiaries than the terms and conditions of this Agreement, taken as a whole, or are otherwise on current market terms,

 

(r)            customary indemnification obligations incurred by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof in connection with any Permitted Receivables Sale, and

 

(s)            other Indebtedness incurred by Borrower or any other Loan Party in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed at any one time the greater of (x) $40,000,000 and (y) 5% of the Consolidated total assets of Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries, as reflected in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1.

 

For all purposes of this Agreement, if an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Permitted Indebtedness described in the above clauses, the Loan Party in question (i) shall have the right to determine in its sole discretion the category to which such Indebtedness is to be allocated, (ii) shall not be required to allocate the amount of such Indebtedness to more than one of such categories, (iii) may elect in its sole discretion to apportion such item of Indebtedness between or among any two or more of such categories otherwise applicable, and (iv) may effect a reallocation of all or any part of such Indebtedness incurred under clauses (c), (g), (n), (o) and (s) to, between or among any one or more of such clauses (c), (g), (n), (o) and (s) at any time and from time to time (provided that, at the time such reclassification, such Indebtedness meets the requirements set forth in such clause (c), (g), (n), (o) or (s)).

 

 

“Permitted Intercompany Advances” has the meaning specified therefor in clause (g) of the definition of Permitted Investments.

 

“Permitted Investments” means:

 

(a)            Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents,

 

(b)            Investments in negotiable instruments deposited or to be deposited for collection in the ordinary course of business,

 

(c)            advances made in connection with purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of business,

 

(d)            Investments received in settlement of amounts due to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries effected in the ordinary course of business or owing to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries as a result of Insolvency Proceedings involving an account debtor or upon the foreclosure or enforcement of any Lien in favor of a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries,

 

(e)            Investments owned by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 1.1(a),

 

(f)             guarantees permitted under the definition of Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(g)            unsecured loans and advances (collectively, “Permitted Intercompany Advances”) made by (i) a Loan Party to another Loan Party, (ii) a Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Loan Party to another Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Loan Party, (iii) a Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Loan Party to a Loan Party, so long as the parties thereto are party to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, and (iv) a Loan Party to a Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Loan Party so long as (x) the aggregate principal amount of all such loans and advances under this clause (iv) (by type, not by the borrower) does not exceed, together with any Permitted Acquisitions made pursuant to clause (k)(ii) below, $50,000,000 outstanding at any one time and (y) at the time of the making of such loan or advance, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom,

 

(h)            Equity Interests or other securities acquired in connection with the satisfaction or enforcement of Indebtedness or claims due or owing to a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries (in bankruptcy of customers or suppliers or otherwise outside the ordinary course of business) or as security for any such Indebtedness or claims,

 

(i)             deposits of cash made in the ordinary course of business to secure performance of operating leases,

 

(j)             (i) non-cash loans and advances to employees, officers, and directors of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of purchasing Equity Interests in Borrower so long as the proceeds of such loans are used in their entirety to purchase such Equity Interests in Borrower, and (ii) loans and advances to employees and officers of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business for any other business purpose and in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $5,000,000 outstanding at any one time,

 

 

(k)            (i) Permitted Acquisitions to the extent that any Person or property acquired in such Permitted Acquisition becomes a part of a Loan Party or becomes a Guarantor in the manner contemplated by Section 5.11, and (ii) Permitted Acquisitions to the extent that any Person or property acquired in such Permitted Acquisition does not become a Guarantor or a part of a Loan Party in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to exceed, together with any Permitted Intercompany Advances made pursuant to clause (g)(iv) above, $50,000,000,

 

(l)             Investments in the form of capital contributions and the acquisition of Equity Interests made by any Loan Party in any other Loan Party (other than capital contributions to or the acquisition of Equity Interests of Borrower),

 

(m)           Investments resulting from entering into (i) Bank Product Agreements or (ii) Hedge Agreements of the type described in clause (j) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(n)           equity Investments by any Loan Party in any Subsidiary of such Loan Party which is required by law to maintain a minimum net capital requirement or as may be otherwise required by applicable law,

 

(o)            Investments held by a Person acquired in a Permitted Acquisition to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such Permitted Acquisition and were in existence on the date of such Permitted Acquisition,

 

(p)            Investments so long as (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) Borrower demonstrates that the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Investment and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith, is not greater than 2.75 to 1.00, and

 

(q)           so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, any other Investments in an amount not to exceed, at any time outstanding in the aggregate at any date of determination, the greater of (i) $40,000,000 and (ii) 5% of the Consolidated total assets of Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries, as reflected in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1.

 

For all purposes of this Agreement, if an Investment meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Permitted Investments described in the above clauses (other than under clause (p)), the Loan Party in question (i) shall have the right to determine in its sole discretion the category to which such Investment is to be allocated, (ii) shall not be required to allocate the amount of such Investment to more than one of such categories, (iii) may elect in its sole discretion to apportion such item of Investment between or among any two or more of such categories otherwise applicable, and (iv) may effect a reallocation of all or any part of such Investment made under clauses (g)(iv), (j), (k)(ii) and (q) to, between or among any one or more of such clauses (g)(iv), (j), (k)(ii) and (q) at any time and from time to time (provided that, at the time such reclassification, such Investments meets the requirements set forth in such clause (g)(iv), (j), (k)(ii) or (q)).

 

“Permitted Liens” means

 

 

(a)            Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents (including, without limitation, Liens in favor of the Swingline Lender and/or the Issuing Lenders, as applicable, on Cash Collateral granted pursuant to the Loan Documents),

 

(b)            Liens for unpaid taxes, assessments, or other governmental charges or levies that either (i) are not yet delinquent, or (ii) the underlying taxes, assessments, or charges or levies are the subject of Permitted Protests,

 

(c)            judgment Liens arising solely as a result of the existence of judgments, orders, or awards that do not constitute an Event of Default under Section 8.3,

 

(d)            Liens set forth on Schedule 1.1(b); provided, that to qualify as a Permitted Lien, any such Lien described on Schedule 1.1(b) shall only secure the Indebtedness that it secures on the Closing Date and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof,

 

(e)            the interests of lessors under operating leases and licensors under license agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business that do not interfere in any material respect with the operations of the business of Borrower and its Subsidiaries,

 

(f)             purchase money Liens on fixtures and equipment and the interests of lessors under Capital Leases to the extent that such Liens or interests secure Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness and so long as (i) such Lien attaches only to the asset purchased, leased or otherwise acquired and the proceeds thereof, and (ii) such Lien only secures the Indebtedness that was incurred to acquire the asset purchased, leased or otherwise acquired or any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof,

 

(g)            Liens arising by operation of law and not as a result of any default or omission by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries in favor of warehousemen, landlords, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, laborers, or suppliers, incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, and which Liens either (i) are for sums not yet delinquent, or (ii) are the subject of Permitted Protests,

 

(h)            Liens on amounts deposited to secure obligations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with worker’s compensation or other unemployment insurance or other social security legislation (other than Liens imposed pursuant to ERISA),

 

(i)            Liens on amounts deposited to secure obligations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with the making or entering into of bids, tenders, contracts or leases in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money,

 

(j)            Liens on amounts deposited to secure reimbursement obligations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to surety or appeal bonds obtained in the ordinary course of business,

 

(k)            with respect to any Real Property (i) easements, rights of way, encroachments, minor defects or irregularities in title, zoning restrictions, municipal bylaws, development agreements, and entitlement, land use, building or planning restrictions or regulations that, individually or in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with or impair the use or operation thereof, and (ii) the extent such Real Property is leased by a Loan Party, any Liens to which the underlying fee or any other interest in such leased Real Property (or the land on which or the building in which such leased Real Property may be located) is subject, including rights of the landlord under the applicable lease and all superior, underlying and ground leases and renewals, extensions, amendments or substitutions thereof,

 

 

(l)             licenses of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights entered into in the ordinary course of business,

 

(m)           Liens that are replacements of Permitted Liens to the extent that the original Indebtedness is the subject of permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and so long as the replacement Liens only encumber those assets that secured the original Indebtedness and, if applicable, subject to subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Lender Group as those that were applicable to the original Lien,

 

(n)            rights of setoff or bankers’ liens upon deposits of funds in favor of banks or other depository institutions, solely to the extent incurred in connection with the maintenance of such Deposit Accounts in the ordinary course of business or under the general business conditions of a bank,

 

(o)            Liens granted in the ordinary course of business on the unearned portion of insurance premiums securing the financing of insurance premiums to the extent the financing is permitted under the definition of Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(p)            Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods,

 

(q)            Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement with respect to a Permitted Acquisition,

 

(r)             Liens assumed by Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection with a Permitted Acquisition that secure Indebtedness permitted under clause (g) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(s)            Liens arising under a Permitted Receivables Sale solely with respect to Receivables disposed of by a Loan Party or its Subsidiary in accordance with such Permitted Receivables Sale, and

 

(t)            other Liens as to which the aggregate amount of the obligations secured thereby does not exceed, on the date such Liens are granted, the greater of (x) $40,000,000 and (y) 5% of the Consolidated total assets of Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries, as reflected in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1;

 

provided that Liens permitted under clauses (d), (f), (h), (i), (j), (l), (n), (o), (p), (q), (s) and (t) of this definition shall not encumber any Real Property of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

 

For all purposes of this Agreement and subject to the limitations set forth above, if a Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Permitted Liens described in the above clauses, the Loan Party in question (i) shall have the right to determine in its sole discretion the category to which such Lien is to be allocated, (ii) shall not be required to allocate the amount of such Lien to more than one of such categories, (iii) may elect in its sole discretion to apportion such item of Lien between or among any two or more of such categories otherwise applicable, and (iv) may effect a reallocation of all or any part of such Lien incurred under clauses (f), (r) and (t) to, between or among any one or more of such clauses (f), (r) and (t) at any time and from time to time (provided that, at the time such reclassification, such Liens meets the requirements set forth in such clause (f), (r) or (t)).

 

 

“Permitted Protest” means the right of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to protest any Lien (other than any Lien that secures the Obligations), taxes (other than payroll taxes or taxes that are the subject of a United States federal tax lien), or rental payment, provided that (a) a reserve with respect to such obligation is established on Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ books and records in such amount as is required under GAAP, (b) any such protest is instituted promptly and prosecuted diligently by Borrower or its Subsidiary, as applicable, in good faith, and (c) Agent is satisfied that, while any such protest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity, or priority of any of Agent’s Liens.

 

“Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness” has the meaning specified therefor in clause (c) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness.

 

“Permitted Receivables Sales” means sales (including at a discount) by one or more Loan Parties and/or their Subsidiaries of Receivables owing from customers from time to time pursuant to a supply chain financing arrangement or other financing arrangement for the collection or compromise of the same (“Supply Chain Financing Arrangements”) in the ordinary course of business on customary terms; provided that (a) the aggregate amount of Receivables sold in connection with such Supply Chain Financing Arrangements (calculated based on the non-discounted value of such Receivables) that remain outstanding or uncollected by the purchaser thereof shall not exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding and (b) any Liens arising under the Permitted Receivables Sales shall not at any time encumber any property other than the identified Receivables sold pursuant to the applicable Permitted Receivables Sales.

 

“Person” means natural persons, corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, land trusts, business trusts, or other organizations, irrespective of whether they are legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof.

 

“Platform” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.10(c).

 

“PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

 

“Public Lender” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.10(c).

 

“Purchase Price” means, with respect to any Acquisition, an amount equal to the aggregate consideration, whether cash, property or securities (including the fair market value of any Equity Interests of Borrower issued in connection with such Acquisition and including the maximum amount of Earn-Outs), paid or delivered by Borrower or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with such Acquisition (whether paid at the closing thereof or payable thereafter and whether fixed or contingent), but excluding therefrom (a) any cash of the seller and its Affiliates used to fund any portion of such consideration and (b) any cash or Cash Equivalents acquired in connection with such Acquisition.

 

“Qualified Equity Interests” means and refers to any Equity Interests issued by Borrower (and not by one or more of its Subsidiaries) that is not a Disqualified Equity Interest.

 

“Quanex Foundation” means Quanex Foundation, a Texas non-profit corporation (File Number: 68333201).

 

“Quanex Incentive Plans” means (a) the Quanex Building Products Corporation 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan and (b) the Quanex Building Products Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan, each as amended, modified, supplemented, renewed, extended or restated from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

 

“Rate Determination Date” means, with respect to any Interest Period, two (2) Eurocurrency Banking Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period (or such other day as is generally treated as the rate fixing day by market practice in such interbank market, as determined by Agent; provided that to the extent that such market practice is not administratively feasible for Agent, such other day as otherwise reasonably determined by Agent).

 

“Reaffirmation Agreement” means the Reaffirmation Agreement dated as of even date with this Agreement by Borrower, Guarantors and certain Subsidiaries party thereto to Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.

 

“Real Property” means any estates or interests in real property now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower or its Subsidiaries and the improvements thereto.

 

“Receivables” means the accounts receivable or Accounts and the related property and rights of any Loan Party.

 

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

 

“Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

 

“Reference Period” means, as of any date of determination, the period of four (4) consecutive Fiscal Quarters ended on or immediately prior to such date for which Borrower has delivered financial statements and a Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 5.1.

 

“Refinancing Indebtedness” means refinancings, renewals, or extensions of Indebtedness so long as:

 

(a)            such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in an increase in the principal amount of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, other than by the amount of premiums paid thereon and the fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and by the amount of unfunded commitments with respect thereto,

 

(b)            such refinancings, renewals, or extensions do not result in a shortening of the final stated maturity or the average weighted maturity (measured as of the refinancing, renewal, or extension) of the Indebtedness so refinanced, renewed, or extended, nor are they on terms or conditions that, taken as a whole, are or could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders,

 

(c)            if the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended was Subordinated Indebtedness, then the terms and conditions of the refinancing, renewal, or extension must include subordination terms and conditions that are at least as favorable to the Lender Group as those that were applicable to the refinanced, renewed, or extended Indebtedness,

 

(d)            the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed, or extended is not recourse to any Person that is liable on account of the Obligations other than those Persons which were obligated with respect to the Indebtedness that was refinanced, renewed, or extended,

 

 

(e)            if the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed or extended was unsecured, such refinancing, renewal or extension shall be unsecured,

 

(f)             if the Indebtedness that is refinanced, renewed or extended was secured (i) such refinancing, renewal or extension shall be secured by substantially the same or less collateral as secured such refinanced, renewed or extended Indebtedness on terms no less favorable to Agent or the Lender Group and (ii) the Liens securing such refinancing, renewal or extension shall not have a priority more senior than the Liens securing such refinanced, renewed or extended Indebtedness, and

 

(g)            at the time of the incurrence thereof, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

“Register” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 13.1(c).

 

“Reimbursement Obligation” means the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.15(e) for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender.

 

“Relevant Governmental Body” means (a) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, Dollars, the Board of Governors or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Board of Governors or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or any successor thereto and (b) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, any Alternative Currency, (1) the central bank for the currency in which such Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts are denominated, or calculated with respect to, or any central bank or other supervisor which is responsible for supervising either (A) such Benchmark Replacement or (B) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement or (2) any working group or committee officially endorsed or convened by (A) the central bank for the currency in which such Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts are denominated, or calculated with respect to, (B) any central bank or other supervisor that is responsible for supervising either (i) such Benchmark Replacement or (ii) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement, (C) a group of those central banks or other supervisors or (D) the Financial Stability Board or any part thereof.

 

“Remedial Action” means all actions taken to (a) clean up, remove, remediate, contain, treat, monitor, assess, evaluate, or in any way address Hazardous Materials in the indoor or outdoor environment, (b) prevent or minimize a release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials so they do not migrate or endanger or threaten to endanger public health or welfare or the indoor or outdoor environment, (c) restore or reclaim natural resources or the environment, (d) perform any pre-remedial studies, investigations, or post-remedial operation and maintenance activities, or (e) conduct any other actions with respect to Hazardous Materials required by Environmental Laws.

 

“Required Lenders” means, at any time, one or more Lenders having or holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding Incremental Term Loans, Revolving Credit Exposure and unfunded Commitments of all Lenders, or if the Revolving Credit Commitment has been terminated, any combination of Lenders holding more than 50% of the aggregate Incremental Term Loans and Revolving Credit Exposure; provided, that the outstanding Incremental Term Loans, Revolving Credit Exposure and unfunded Commitments of any Defaulting Lender shall be disregarded in the determination of the Required Lenders.

 

 

“Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

 

“Responsible Officer” means, as to any Person, the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, controller, treasurer or assistant treasurer of such Person or any other officer of such Person designated in writing by Borrower and reasonably acceptable to Agent; provided that, to the extent requested thereby, Agent shall have received a certificate of such Person certifying as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each such officer. Any document delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Person shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Person and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Person.

 

“Restricted Payment” means to (a) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution, directly or indirectly, on account of Equity Interests issued by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of Equity Interests issued by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Qualified Equity Interests issued by Borrower), (b) purchase, redeem, make any sinking fund or similar payment, or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including in connection with any merger or consolidation involving Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) any Equity Interests issued by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (c) make any payment to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options, or other rights to acquire Equity Interests of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries now or hereafter outstanding, or (d) make, or cause or suffer to permit to make, any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or legal defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, any Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

“Revaluation Date” means:

 

(a)            with respect to any Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, each of the following: (i) the date of the borrowing of such Loan (including any borrowing or deemed borrowing that results from the payment by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency) but only as to the amounts so borrowed on such date, (ii) each date of a continuation of such Loan pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, but only as to the amounts so continued on such date, and (iii) such additional dates as Agent shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require; and

 

(b)            with respect to any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, but only as to the Letter of Credit so issued on such date, (ii) each date such Letter of Credit is amended to increase the face amount of such Letter of Credit but only as to the amount of such increase, (iii) in the case of all Existing Letters of Credit denominated in Alternative Currencies, the Closing Date, but only as to such Existing Letters of Credit and (iv) such additional dates as Agent or the Issuing Lender (with notice thereof to Agent) shall determine or the Required Lenders shall require.

 

“Revolving Credit Commitment” means (a) as to any Revolving Credit Lender, the obligation of such Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans to, and to purchase participations in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans for the account of, the Borrower hereunder in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Revolving Credit Lender’s name on the Register, as such amount may be modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof (including, without limitation, Section 2.20) and (b) as to all Revolving Credit Lenders, the aggregate commitment of all Revolving Credit Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans, as such amount may be modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof (including, without limitation, Section 2.20). The aggregate Revolving Credit Commitment of all the Revolving Credit Lenders on the Closing Date shall be $325,000,000. The initial Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 1.1(d).

 

 

“Revolving Credit Commitment Increase” has the meaning specified in Section 2.20(a).

 

“Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage” means, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage of the total Revolving Credit Commitments of all the Revolving Credit Lenders represented by such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment. If the Revolving Credit Commitments have terminated or expired, the Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages shall be determined based upon the Revolving Credit Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments. The Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of each Revolving Credit Lender on the Closing Date is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 1.1(d).

 

“Revolving Credit Exposure” means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the Dollar Equivalent amount of 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 Swingline Loans at such time.

 

“Revolving Credit Facility” means the revolving credit facility established pursuant to Section 2 (including any increase in such revolving credit facility established pursuant to Section 2.20).

 

“Revolving Credit Lenders” means, collectively, all of the Lenders with a Revolving Credit Commitment.

 

“Revolving Credit Loan” means any revolving loan made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.5, and all such revolving loans collectively as the context requires.

 

“Revolving Credit Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Revolving Credit Lender evidencing the Revolving Credit Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C-1, and any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part.

 

“Revolving Credit Outstandings” means the sum of (a) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline 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 Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; plus (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the Dollar Equivalent amount of the aggregate outstanding amount thereof on such date after giving effect to any Extensions of Credit 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 of outstanding unpaid drawings under any Letters of Credit or any reductions in the maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of Credit taking effect on such date.

 

“RFR” means, for any Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, (a) Dollars, Term SOFR and (b) Sterling, SONIA.

 

“RFR Business Day” means, for any Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts denominated in, or calculated with respect to, (a) Dollars, any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities, (b) Sterling, any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which banks are closed for general business in London and (c) Euros, any day that is a TARGET Day; provided, that for purposes of notice requirements in Sections 2.7(a), 2.8(c), 2.9(a), 2.13 and 2.20, in each case, such day is also a Business Day.

 

 

“RFR Loan” means a Daily Simple RFR Loan or a Term SOFR Loan, as the context may require.

 

“RFR Rate Day” has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of “Adjusted Daily Simple RFR”.

 

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

 

“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 Agent or the Issuing Lender, as applicable, to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions in the relevant Alternative Currency.

 

“Sanctioned Country” means at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself or whose government is the subject or target of any Sanctions.

 

“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, including Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, Her Majesty’s Treasury, or other relevant sanctions authority, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person directly or indirectly owned or controlled (individually or in the aggregate) by or acting on behalf of any such Person or Persons described in clauses (a) and (b).

 

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

 

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

 

“Securities Account” means a securities account (as that term is defined in the Code).

 

“Security Documents” means the Guaranty and Security Agreement, the Control Agreements, the Patent Security Agreement, the Trademark Security Agreement, the Copyright Security Agreement, and each other security agreement or other instrument or document executed and delivered to Agent pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document granting a Lien to secure any of the Obligations.

 

“SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.

 

 

“SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

 

“Solvency Certificate” means a solvency certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H.

 

“Solvent” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination that, (a) the sum of the Indebtedness and other liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, does not exceed the fair value of the assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis; (b) the capital of such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, is not unreasonably small in relation to the conducting of the business of such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis; (c) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liabilities (including contingent liabilities) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, on their debts as they become absolute and matured in the ordinary course of business; (d) such Person and its Subsidiaries do not intend to incur, or believe that they will incur, on a Consolidated basis debts or liabilities (including current obligations and contingent liabilities) beyond their ability to pay such debts and liabilities on a Consolidated basis as they mature in the ordinary course of business; and (e) such Person and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, are able to pay their respective debts and liabilities, contingent liabilities and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes hereof, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that would reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

“SONIA” means a rate equal to the Sterling Overnight Index Average as administered by the SONIA Administrator.

 

“SONIA Adjustment” means a percentage equal to 0.0326% per annum.

 

“SONIA Administrator” means the Bank of England (or any successor administrator of the Sterling Overnight Index Average).

 

“SONIA Administrator’s Website” means the Bank of England’s website, currently at http://www.bankofengland.co.uk, or any successor source for the Sterling Overnight Index Average identified as such by the SONIA Administrator from time to time.

 

“Spot Rate” for a currency means the rate determined by Agent or the Issuing Lender, 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 Agent or the Issuing Lender may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by Agent or the Issuing Lender if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency; provided further that the Issuing Lender 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” or “£” means the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

 

“Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of Borrower or its Subsidiaries incurred from time to time that is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations; provided that, if such Indebtedness is secured, it shall be subject to an intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Agent.

 

 

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity in which that Person directly or indirectly owns or controls the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or other entity. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Quanex Foundation, a non-profit Texas corporation, shall be deemed to not be a Subsidiary so long as it remains a non-profit entity.

 

“Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Guarantor, any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

“Swingline Commitment” means the lesser of (a) $15,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment.

 

“Swingline Facility” means the swingline facility established pursuant to Section 2.

 

“Swingline Lender” means Wells Fargo in its capacity as swingline lender hereunder or any successor thereto.

 

“Swingline Loan” means any swingline loan made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.6, and all such swingline loans collectively as the context requires.

 

“Swingline Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of the Swingline Lender evidencing the Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C-2, and any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part.

 

“Swingline Participation Amount” has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.6(b)(iii).

 

“TARGET Day” means any day on which TARGET2 is open for the settlement of payments in Euros.

 

“TARGET2” means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system which utilizes a single shared platform and which was launched on November 19, 2007.

 

“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, fines, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 

“Term SOFR” means,

 

(a)            for any calculation with respect to a Term SOFR Loan, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) RFR Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on any Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding RFR Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding RFR Business Day is not more than two (2) RFR Business Days prior to such Periodic Term SOFR Determination Day, and

 

 

(b)            for any calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any day, the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a tenor of one month on the day (such day, the “Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day”) that is two (2) RFR Business Days prior to such day, as such rate is published by the Term SOFR Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 5:00 p.m. (Eastern time) on any Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day the Term SOFR Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term SOFR will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term SOFR Administrator on the first preceding RFR Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term SOFR Administrator so long as such first preceding RFR Business Day is not more than two (2) RFR Business Days prior to such Base Rate Term SOFR Determination Day.

 

“Term SOFR Adjustment” means a percentage equal to 0.10% per annum.

 

“Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited (CBA) (or a successor administrator of the Term SOFR Reference Rate selected by Agent in its reasonable discretion).

 

“Term SOFR Loan” means any Loan that bears interest at a rate based on Adjusted Term SOFR other than pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of “Base Rate”.

 

“Term SOFR Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR.

 

“Trademark Security Agreement” has the meaning specified therefor in the Guaranty and Security Agreement.

 

“Transactions” means, collectively, (a) the consummation of the refinancing of the Indebtedness outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement, (b) the execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, the Extensions of Credit on the Closing Date and the use of proceeds thereof, and (c) the payment of all fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing.

 

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

 

“UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

 

“UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

 

 

“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

 

“Uniform Customs” means the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), effective July, 2007 International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600.

 

“United States” means the United States of America.

 

“Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents” means, as of any date of determination, 100% of all cash and Cash Equivalents of Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries that (a) do not appear or would not be required to appear as “restricted” on the financial statements of Borrower or any such Subsidiary (unless related to the Loan Documents or Liens permitted under clause (a) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”), (b) are held in bank accounts or securities accounts (i) located in the United States or (ii) located outside of the United States in accredited financial institutions in an amount in such accounts under this clause (ii) not to exceed $25,000,000, (c) are not subject to any Liens (other than Liens permitted under clauses (a) and (n) of the definition of “Permitted Liens”) and (d) are not otherwise unavailable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary; provided that the proceeds of any Indebtedness incurred substantially concurrently with the determination of such amount shall be excluded.

 

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

 

“U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 16.7(b)(ii)(3).

 

“Voidable Transfer” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 17.9.

 

“Wells Fargo” has the meaning specified therefor in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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

 

“Withholding Agent” means any Loan Party and Agent.

 

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

 

1.2           Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP; provided, that if Borrower notifies Agent that Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Change occurring after the Closing Date or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if Agent notifies Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such Accounting Change or in the application thereof, then Agent and Borrower agree that they will negotiate in good faith amendments to the provisions of this Agreement that are directly affected by such Accounting Change with the intent of having the respective positions of the Lenders and Borrower after such Accounting Change conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions as of the date of this Agreement and, until any such amendments have been agreed upon and agreed to by the Required Lenders, the provisions in this Agreement shall be calculated as if no such Accounting Change had occurred. When used herein, the term “financial statements” shall include the notes and schedules thereto. Whenever the term “Borrower” is used in respect of a financial covenant or a related definition, it shall be understood to mean Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless the context clearly requires otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (a) all financial statements delivered hereunder shall be prepared, and all financial covenants contained herein shall be calculated, without giving effect to any election under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 825 (or any similar accounting principle) permitting a Person to value its financial liabilities or Indebtedness at the fair value thereof, and (b) the term “unqualified opinion” as used herein to refer to opinions or reports provided by accountants shall mean an opinion or report that is (i) unqualified, and (ii) does not include any explanation, supplemental comment, or other comment concerning the ability of the applicable Person to continue as a going concern or concerning the scope of the audit.

 

 

1.3           Code. Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the Code shall be construed and defined as set forth in the Code unless otherwise defined herein; provided, that to the extent that the Code is used to define any term herein and such term is defined differently in different Articles of the Code, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the Code shall govern.

 

1.4           Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the terms “includes” and “including” are not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.” The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder,” and similar terms in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be. Section, subsection, clause, schedule, and exhibit references herein are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified. Any reference in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to any agreement, instrument, or document shall include all alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements, thereto and thereof, as applicable (subject to any restrictions on such alterations, amendments, changes, extensions, modifications, renewals, replacements, substitutions, joinders, and supplements set forth herein). 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. Any reference herein or in any other Loan Document to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Obligations shall mean (a) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of (i) the principal amount of, and interest accrued and unpaid with respect to, all outstanding Loans, together with the payment of any premium applicable to the repayment of the Loans, (ii) all Lender Group Expenses that have accrued and are unpaid regardless of whether demand has been made therefor, (iii) all fees or charges that have accrued hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including the Commitment Fees) and are unpaid, (b) in the case of contingent reimbursement obligations with respect to Letters of Credit, providing Cash Collateral, (c) the receipt by Agent of cash collateral in order to secure any other contingent Obligations for which a claim or demand for payment has been made on or prior to such time or in respect of matters or circumstances known to Agent or a Lender at such time that are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage, or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses), such cash collateral to be in such amount as Agent reasonably determines is appropriate to secure such contingent Obligations, (d) the payment or repayment in full in immediately available funds of all other outstanding Obligations (including the payment of any termination amount then applicable (or which would or could become applicable as a result of the repayment of the other Obligations) under Hedge Agreements provided by Hedge Providers) other than (i) unasserted contingent indemnification Obligations, (ii) any Bank Product Obligations (other than Hedge Obligations) that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Bank Product Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid or cash collateralized, and (iii) any Hedge Obligations that, at such time, are allowed by the applicable Hedge Provider to remain outstanding without being required to be repaid, and (e) the termination of all of the Commitments of the Lenders. Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns; provided that no Loan Party shall assign its obligations under the Loan Documents except in accordance with Section 13.1. Any requirement of a writing contained herein or in any other Loan Document shall be satisfied by the transmission of a Record.

 

 

1.5           Time References. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, all references to time of day refer to Eastern standard time or Eastern daylight saving time, as in effect in Charlotte, North Carolina on such day. For purposes of the computation of a period of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to and including”; provided that, with respect to a computation of fees or interest payable to Agent or any Lender, such period shall in any event consist of at least one full day.

 

1.6           Schedules and Exhibits. All of the schedules and exhibits attached to this Agreement shall be deemed incorporated herein by reference.

 

1.7           Exchange Rates: Currency Equivalents.

 

(a)            Agent or the Issuing Lender shall determine the Spot Rates as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Extensions of Credit and Revolving Credit Outstandings 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 Agent or the Issuing Lender.

 

(b)            Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of an RFR Loan or Eurocurrency Rate Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum, a required maximum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such borrowing, 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 Agent or the Issuing Lender, as applicable.

 

1.8           Change of Currency.

 

(a)            The 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. 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 borrowing in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such 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 Agent may from time to time specify 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 Agent may from time to time specify 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.

 

1.9           Rates. Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, (a) the continuation of, administration of, submission of, calculation of or any other matter related to the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Adjusted Term SOFR, Term SOFR, any Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, the Eurocurrency Rate, the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate or any other Benchmark, or any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, or with respect to any alternative, successor or replacement rate thereto (including any Benchmark Replacement), including whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement), as it may or may not be adjusted pursuant to Section 2.18(c), will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, or have the same volume or liquidity as, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, Adjusted Term SOFR, any Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, the Eurocurrency Rate, the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate, such Benchmark or any other Benchmark prior to its discontinuance or unavailability, or (b) the effect, implementation or composition of any Conforming Changes. Agent and its Affiliates or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of a Benchmark, any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) or any relevant adjustments thereto and such transactions may be adverse to Borrower. Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any Benchmark, any component definition thereof or rates referred to in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to Borrower, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.

 

2.            CREDIT FACILITY AND TERMS OF PAYMENT.

 

2.1           [Reserved].

 

2.2           [Reserved].

 

2.3           Repayment of Incremental Term Loans. In the event any Incremental Term Loans are made, such Incremental Term Loans shall be repaid by Borrower in the amount and on the dates set forth in the Incremental Amendment with respect to thereto.

 

2.4           Prepayments of Incremental Term Loans.

 

(a)            Optional Prepayments. Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, without premium or penalty, to prepay any Incremental Term Loans, in whole or in part, with irrevocable prior written notice to Agent substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E (a “Notice of Prepayment”) given not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the same Business Day as prepayment of each Base Rate Loan and (ii) (A) in the case of a Term SOFR Loan, at least three (3) RFR Business Days before prepayment of such Term SOFR Loan, (B) in the case of an RFR Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency, at least three (3) RFR Business Days before prepayment of such RFR Loan, and (C) in the case of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency, at least four (4) Eurocurrency Banking Days before prepayment of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, in each case, specifying the date, currency and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, Daily Simple RFR Loans, Term SOFR Loans, Base Rate Loans or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to each and the Class(es) of the Incremental Term Loans to be repaid. Each optional prepayment of the Incremental Term Loans hereunder shall be in an aggregate principal amount of at least $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding) and shall be applied to the outstanding principal installments of the applicable Class(es) of Incremental Term Loan on a pro rata basis, including the bullet payment on the Maturity Date. Each repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.19(e). A Notice of Prepayment received after 11:00 a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day, RFR Business Day or Eurocurrency Banking Day, as applicable. Agent shall promptly notify the applicable Lenders of each Notice of Prepayment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower may rescind any notice of prepayment under this Section 2.4(a) if such prepayment would have resulted from a refinancing of the applicable Incremental Term Loans or the consummation of other transactions, which refinancing or other transactions shall not be consummated or shall otherwise be delayed.

 

 

(b)            No Reborrowings. Amounts prepaid under the Incremental Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.4 may not be reborrowed.

 

2.5           Revolving Credit Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower in Dollars or one or more Alternative Currencies from time to time from the Closing Date to, but not including, the Maturity Date as requested by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.7; provided, that (a) the Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment, (b) the Revolving Credit Exposure of any Revolving Credit Lender shall not at any time exceed such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment and (c) the aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings denominated in Alternative Currencies shall not exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit. Each Revolving Credit Loan by a Revolving Credit Lender shall be in a principal amount equal to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans requested on such occasion. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans hereunder until the Maturity Date.

 

2.6           Swingline Loans.

 

(a)            Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Swingline Lender may, in its sole discretion, make Swingline Loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date to, but not including, the Maturity Date; provided, that (i) after giving effect to any amount requested, the Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Loans (after giving effect to any amount requested) shall not exceed the Swingline Commitment.

 

(b)            Refunding.

 

(i)              The Swingline Lender, at any time and from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion may, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby irrevocably directs the Swingline Lender to act on its behalf), by written notice given no later than 11:00 a.m. on any Business Day request each Revolving Credit Lender to make, and each Revolving Credit Lender hereby agrees to make, a Revolving Credit Loan as a Base Rate Loan in an amount equal to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the aggregate amount of the Swingline Loans outstanding on the date of such notice, to repay the Swingline Lender. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall make the amount of such Revolving Credit Loan available to Agent in immediately available funds at Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such notice. The proceeds of such Revolving Credit Loans shall be immediately made available by Agent to the Swingline Lender for application by the Swingline Lender to the repayment of the Swingline Loans. No Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to fund its respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan shall be affected by any other Revolving Credit Lender’s failure to fund its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan, nor shall any Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage be increased as a result of any such failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to fund its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan.

 

 

(ii)             The Borrower shall pay to the Swingline Lender on demand, and in any event on the Maturity Date, in immediately available funds the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be refunded. In addition, the Borrower irrevocably authorizes Agent to charge any account maintained by the Borrower with the Swingline Lender (up to the amount available therein) in order to immediately pay the Swingline Lender the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be refunded. If any portion of any such amount paid to the Swingline Lender shall be recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower from the Swingline Lender in bankruptcy or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages.

 

(iii)            If for any reason any Swingline Loan cannot be refinanced with a Revolving Credit Loan pursuant to Section 2.6(b)(i), each Revolving Credit Lender shall, on the date such Revolving Credit Loan was to have been made pursuant to the notice referred to in Section 2.6(b)(i), purchase for cash an undivided participating interest in the then outstanding Swingline Loans by paying to the Swingline Lender an amount (the “Swingline Participation Amount”) equal to such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding. Each Revolving Credit Lender will immediately transfer to the Swingline Lender, in immediately available funds, the amount of its Swingline Participation Amount. Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Revolving Credit Lender’s Swingline Participation Amount, the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account of the Swingline Loans, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its Swingline Participation Amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s participating interest was outstanding and funded and, in the case of principal and interest payments, to reflect such Revolving Credit Lender’s pro rata portion of such payment if such payment is not sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on all Swingline Loans then due); provided that in the event that such payment received by the Swingline Lender is required to be returned, such Revolving Credit Lender will return to the Swingline Lender any portion thereof previously distributed to it by the Swingline Lender.

 

(iv)            Each Revolving Credit Lender’s obligation to make the Revolving Credit Loans referred to in Section 2.6(b)(i) and to purchase participating interests pursuant to Section 2.6(b)(iii) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Revolving Credit Lender or the Borrower may have against the Swingline Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Section 3, (C) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, (D) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Revolving Credit Lender or (E) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

 

 

 

(v)            If any Revolving Credit Lender fails to make available to Agent, for the account of the Swingline Lender, any amount required to be paid by such Revolving Credit Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.6(b) by the time specified in Section 2.6(b)(i) or 2.6(b)(iii), as applicable, the Swingline Lender shall be entitled to recover from such Revolving Credit Lender (acting through 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 Swingline Lender at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Federal Funds Rate, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Swingline 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 or Swingline Participation Amount, as the case may be. A certificate of the Swingline Lender submitted to any Revolving Credit Lender (through Agent) with respect to any amounts owing under this clause (v) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(c)            Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, this Section 2.6 shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15.19 and Section 15.20.

 

2.7            Procedure for Advances of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans.

 

(a)            Requests for Borrowing. The Borrower shall give Agent irrevocable prior written notice substantially in the form of Exhibit F (a “Notice of Borrowing”) not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the same Business Day as each Base Rate Loan and each Swingline Loan and (ii)(A) in the case of a Term SOFR Loan, at least three (3) RFR Business Days before such Term SOFR Loan, (B) in the case of an RFR Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency, at least three (3) RFR Business Days before such RFR Loan, and (C) in the case of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency, at least four (4) Eurocurrency Banking Days before such Eurocurrency Rate Loan of its intention to borrow, in each case, specifying (A) the date of such borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, (B) the currency of such borrowing, (C) the amount of such borrowing, which shall be, (x) with respect to Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, (y) with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Loans and RFR Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof and (z) with respect to Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, in each case, the remaining amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment or the Swingline Commitment, as applicable), (D) whether such Loan is to be a Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan, (E) in the case of a Revolving Credit Loan whether such Revolving Credit Loan is to be a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, a Daily Simple RFR Loan, a Term SOFR Loan or a Base Rate Loan, and (F) in the case of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a Term SOFR Loan, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify the currency of a Loan in a Notice of Borrowing, then the applicable Loans shall be made in Dollars. If the Borrower fails to specify a type of Loan denominated in Dollars in a Notice of Borrowing, then the applicable Loans shall be made as Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a borrowing of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a Term SOFR Loan in any such Notice of Borrowing, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. A Notice of Borrowing received after 11:00 a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day, RFR Business Day or Eurocurrency Banking Day, as applicable. The Agent shall promptly notify the Revolving Credit Lenders of each Notice of Borrowing.

 

 

(b)            Disbursement of Revolving Credit and Swingline Loans. Not later than 1:00 p.m., in the case of any Loan denominated in Dollars, and not later than the Applicable Time specified by Agent in the case of any Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, in each case on the proposed borrowing date, (i) each Revolving Credit Lender will make available to Agent, for the account of the Borrower, in Same Day Funds at Agent’s Office in funds immediately available to Agent, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on such borrowing date and (ii) the Swingline Lender will make available to Agent, for the account of the Borrower, in Same Day Funds at Agent’s Office in funds immediately available to Agent, the Swingline Loans to be made on such borrowing date. The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent to disburse the proceeds of each borrowing requested pursuant to this Section in Same Day Funds by crediting or wiring such proceeds to the deposit account of the Borrower identified in the most recent notice of account designation delivered by the Borrower to Agent or as may be otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and Agent from time to time. Subject to Section 2.17 hereof, Agent shall not be obligated to disburse the portion of the proceeds of any Revolving Credit Loan requested pursuant to this Section to the extent that any Revolving Credit Lender has not made available to Agent its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Loan. Revolving Credit Loans to be made for the purpose of refunding Swingline Loans shall be made by the Revolving Credit Lenders as provided in Section 2.6(b).

 

2.8            Repayment and Prepayment of Revolving Credit and Swingline Loans.

 

(a)            Repayment on Maturity Date. The Borrower hereby agrees to repay the outstanding principal amount of (i) all Revolving Credit Loans in full on the Maturity Date, and (ii) all Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.6(b) (but, in any event, no later than the Maturity Date), together, in each case, with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon.

 

(b)            Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(i)            If at any time the Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment, the Borrower agrees to repay immediately upon notice from Agent, by payment to Agent for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, Extensions of Credit in an amount equal to such excess with each such repayment applied first, to the principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans, second to the principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and third, with respect to any Letters of Credit then outstanding, a payment of Cash Collateral into a Cash Collateral account opened by Agent, for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders, in an amount equal to such excess.

 

(ii)            If at any time Agent notifies Borrower that aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Outstandings denominated in Alternative Currencies exceeds an amount equal to 105% of the Alternative Currency Sublimit then in effect, Borrower agrees to repay within two (2) Business Days after receipt of such notice, by payment to Agent for the account of the Lenders, Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies in an aggregate amount thereof 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.

 

 

(c)            Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty, upon delivery to Agent of a Notice of Prepayment not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the same Business Day as prepayment of each Base Rate Loan and each Swingline Loan and (ii) (A) in the case of a Term SOFR Loan, at least three (3) RFR Business Days before prepayment of such Term SOFR Loan, (B) in the case of an RFR Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency, at least three (3) RFR Business Days before prepayment of such RFR Loan, and (C) in the case of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency, at least four (4) Eurocurrency Banking Days before prepayment of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, in each case, specifying the date, currency and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, Daily Simple RFR Loans, Term SOFR Loans, Base Rate Loans, Swingline Loans or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to each. Upon receipt of such notice, Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date set forth in such notice. Partial prepayments shall be in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof with respect to Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans), $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Loans or RFR Loans and $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof with respect to Swingline Loans. A Notice of Prepayment received after 11:00 a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day, RFR Business Day or Eurocurrency Banking Day, as applicable. Each such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.19(e) hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower may rescind any notice of prepayment under this Section 2.8(c) if such prepayment would have resulted from a refinancing of the Revolving Credit Facility or the consummation of other transactions, which refinancing or other transactions shall not be consummated or shall otherwise be delayed.

 

(d)            [Reserved].

 

(e)            Limitation on Prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans and RFR Loans. The Borrower may not prepay any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan on any day other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, or any Daily Simple RFR Loan on any day other than an Interest Payment Date therefor, unless such prepayment is accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.19(e) hereof.

 

(f)            Hedge Agreements. No repayment or prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section shall affect any of the Borrower’s obligations under any Hedge Agreement entered into with respect to the Loans.

 

2.9            Permanent Reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment.

 

(a)            Voluntary Reduction. The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, upon at least five (5) Business Days prior irrevocable written notice to Agent, to permanently reduce, without premium or penalty, (i) the entire Revolving Credit Commitment at any time or (ii) portions of the Revolving Credit Commitment, from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not less than $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof. Any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment shall be applied to the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender according to its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage. All Commitment Fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment shall be paid on the effective date of such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower may rescind any notice to reduce the Revolving Credit Commitment under this Section 2.9(a) if such reduction would have resulted from a refinancing of the Revolving Credit Facility or the consummation of other transactions, which refinancing or other transactions shall not be consummated or shall otherwise be delayed.

 

(b)            Corresponding Payment. Each permanent reduction permitted pursuant to this Section shall be accompanied by a payment of principal sufficient to reduce the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations, as applicable, after such reduction to the Revolving Credit Commitment as so reduced, and if the aggregate amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit exceeds the Revolving Credit Commitment as so reduced, the Borrower shall be required to deposit Cash Collateral in a Cash Collateral account opened by Agent in an amount equal to such excess. Any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment to zero shall be accompanied by payment of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans (and furnishing of Cash Collateral satisfactory to Agent for all L/C Obligations) and shall result in the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment and the Swingline Commitment, the Alternative Currency Sublimit and the Revolving Credit Facility. If the reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment requires the repayment of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or RFR Loan, such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.19(e) hereof.

 

 

2.10            Termination of Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility and the Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.

 

2.11            Evidence of Debt.

 

(a)            Extensions of Credit. The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by Agent in the ordinary course of business. In addition, each Lender may record in such Lender’s internal records, an appropriate notation evidencing the date and amount of each Loan from such Lender, each payment and prepayment of principal of any such Loan, and each payment of interest, fees and other amounts due in connection with the Obligations due to such Lender. The accounts or records maintained by Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to 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 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 Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through Agent, Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through Agent) a Revolving Credit Note, Incremental Term Loan Note and/or Swingline Note, as applicable, which shall evidence such Lender’s applicable 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 and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto. Upon receipt of an affidavit of a Lender as to the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of such Lender’s Note and upon cancellation of such Note, Borrower will issue, in lieu thereof, a replacement Note in favor of such Lender, in the same principal amount thereof and otherwise of like tenor.

 

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

 

2.12            Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans 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 provided hereunder 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 365/366-day year), except that interest on Loans denominated in any Alternative Currency as to which market practice differs from the foregoing shall be computed in accordance with market practice for such Loans.

 

 

2.13            Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans. Provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, Borrower shall have the option subject to Section 2.14(a), to (a) convert at any time, subject to the notice requirements herein, all or any portion of any outstanding Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) in a principal amount equal to $1,000,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or such lesser amount as shall represent all of the Base Rate Loans then outstanding) into one or more Term SOFR Loans, (b) upon the expiration of any Interest Period therefor, (i) convert all or any part of any outstanding Term SOFR Loans in a principal amount equal to $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof (or such lesser amount as shall represent all of the Term SOFR Loans then outstanding) into Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) or (ii) continue any Term SOFR Loans as Term SOFR Loans, (c) upon the expiration of any Interest Period therefor, continue any Eurocurrency Rate Loans as Eurocurrency Rate Loans and (d) upon the occurrence of the Interest Payment Date therefor, continue any Daily Simple RFR Loans as Daily Simple RFR Loans. Whenever Borrower desires to convert or continue Loans as provided above, Borrower shall give Agent irrevocable prior written notice in the form attached as Exhibit D (a “Notice of Conversion/Continuation”) not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) in the case of a Loan denominated in Dollars, at least three (3) RFR Business Days before the day on which a proposed conversion or continuation of such Loan is to be effective, (ii) in the case of a Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency that is to be an RFR Loan, at least three (3) RFR Business Days before the day on which a proposed conversion or continuation of such Loan is to be effective, and (iii) in the case of a Loan denominated in any Alternative Currency that is to be a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, at least four (4) Eurocurrency Banking Days before the day on which a proposed conversion or continuation of such Loan is to be effective, in each case, specifying (A) the Loans to be converted or continued, and, in the case of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan to be converted or continued, the last day of the Interest Period therefor, (B) the effective date of such conversion or continuation (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the principal amount and currency of such Loans to be converted or continued, and (D) in the case of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, the Interest Period to be applicable to such converted or continued Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan. If Borrower fails to deliver a timely Notice of Conversion/Continuation with respect to a Daily Simple RFR Loan prior to the Interest Payment Date therefor, then, unless such RFR Loan is repaid as provided herein, Borrower shall be deemed to have selected that such RFR Loan shall automatically be continued as a Daily Simple RFR Loan as of such Interest Payment Date. If Borrower fails to deliver a timely Notice of Conversion/Continuation with respect to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a Term SOFR Loan prior to the end of the Interest Period therefor, then, unless such Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, as applicable, is repaid as provided herein, Borrower shall be deemed to have selected that such Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, as applicable, shall automatically be continued as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, respectively, with an Interest Period of one month at the end of such Interest Period. If Borrower requests a conversion to, or continuation of, a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a Term SOFR Loan, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one month. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Swingline Loan may not be converted to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or an RFR Loan. Agent shall promptly notify the affected Lenders with respect to the foregoing. For the avoidance of doubt, any reference herein to (i) the expiration of an Interest Period or (ii) any mandatory payment or conversion required in connection therewith shall not, in any case, be deemed to constitute a “maturity” of any Loan hereunder. No Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan may be converted into or continued as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a Term SOFR Loan denominated in a different currency, but instead must be prepaid in the original currency of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a Term SOFR Loan and reborrowed in the other currency.

 

2.14            Interest Rates: Rates, Payments, and Calculations.

 

(a)            Interest Rates. Revolving Credit Loans may be (i) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Dollars, (A) Base Rate Loans or (B) Term SOFR Loans, (ii) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Euros or other currencies (other than Dollars or Sterling), Eurocurrency Rate Loans or (iii) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans denominated in Sterling, Daily Simple RFR Loans, each as further provided herein. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.14(b) below, at the election of the Borrower, (x) at the election of the Borrower (where applicable), Revolving Credit Loans that are (1) Base Rate Loans shall bear interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, (2) Term SOFR Loans shall bear interest at Adjusted Term SOFR plus the Applicable Margin, (3) Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall bear interest at the applicable Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate plus the Applicable Margin and (4) Daily Simple RFR Loans shall bear interest at the applicable Adjusted Daily Simple RFR plus the Applicable Margin and (y) any Swingline Loan shall bear interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. Borrower shall select the rate of interest and Interest Period, if any, applicable to any Loan at the time a Notice of Borrowing is given or at the time a Notice of Conversion/Continuation is given pursuant to Section 2.13.

 

 

(b)            Default Rate. (x) Automatically upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default pursuant to Section 8.1, 8.4 or 8.5 and (y) at the election of the Required Lenders (or Agent on behalf of the Required Lenders), upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default pursuant to any other Section, (A) Borrower shall no longer have the option to request Eurocurrency Rate Loans, RFR Loans, Swingline Loans or Letters of Credit, (B) all outstanding Eurocurrency Rate Loans and Term SOFR Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess of the rate (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable to Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Term SOFR Loans, as applicable, until the end of the applicable Interest Period or the applicable Interest Payment Date therefor and shall automatically be converted to a Base Rate Loan denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the applicable Alternative Currency, if applicable) at the end of the applicable Interest Period therefor and shall, as of such conversion, bear interest at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess of the rate (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable to Base Rate Loans, (C) all Daily Simple RFR Loans shall automatically be converted to a Base Rate Loan denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the applicable Alternative Currency, if applicable) immediately and shall, as of such conversion, bear interest at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess of the rate (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable to Base Rate Loans and (D) all outstanding Base Rate Loans and other Obligations arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable to Base Rate Loans or such other Obligations arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document. Interest shall continue to accrue on the Obligations after the filing by or against Borrower of any petition seeking any relief in bankruptcy or under Bankruptcy Code or under any other state or federal bankruptcy or insolvency law, or under any similar debtor relief laws.

 

(c)              Payment. Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto commencing on July 29, 2022 and at such other times as may be specified herein; provided that (i) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (ii) in the event of any conversion of any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan prior to the end of the Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable on the effective date of such conversion. 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 Insolvency Proceeding.

 

(d)            Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful Rate. In no event shall the interest rate or rates payable under this Agreement, plus any other amounts paid in connection herewith, exceed the highest rate permissible under any law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable. Borrower and the Lender Group, in executing and delivering this Agreement, intend legally to agree upon the rate or rates of interest and manner of payment stated within it; provided, that, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if such rate or rates of interest or manner of payment exceeds the maximum allowable under applicable law, then, ipso facto, as of the date of this Agreement, Borrower is and shall be liable only for the payment of such maximum amount as is allowed by law, and payment received from Borrower in excess of such legal maximum, whenever received, shall be applied to reduce the principal balance of the Obligations to the extent of such excess, with any balance remaining after such principal balance has been reduced to zero to be paid over to Borrower, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

 

(e)            Initial Benchmark Conforming Changes. In connection with the use or administration of any Benchmark, Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use or administration of any Benchmark.

 

2.15            Letter of Credit Facility.

 

(a)            L/C Facility.

 

(i)            Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Lender, in reliance on the agreements of the Revolving Credit Lenders set forth in Section 2.15(d)(i), agrees to issue standby or commercial Letters of Credit in Dollars or an Alternative Currency in an aggregate amount not to exceed the L/C Sublimit for the account of the Borrower or, subject to Section 2.15(h), any Subsidiary thereof, Letters of Credit may be issued on any Business Day from the Closing Date to, but not including the thirtieth (30^th) Business Day prior to the Maturity Date in such form as may be approved from time to time by the Issuing Lender; provided, that the Issuing Lender shall not issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (A) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Sublimit, (B) the Revolving Credit Outstandings would exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment or (C) the Revolving Credit Outstandings denominated in Alternative Currencies would exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit.

 

(ii)            Terms of Letters of Credit. Each Letter of Credit shall (A) be denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency in a minimum amount of $100,000, in the case of a commercial Letter of Credit, or $100,000, in the case of a standby Letter of Credit (or such lesser amount as agreed to by the Issuing Lender and Agent), (B) expire on a date no more than twelve (12) months after the date of issuance or last renewal of such Letter of Credit (subject to automatic renewal for additional one (1) year periods (but not to a date later than the date set forth below) pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Credit Application or other documentation acceptable to the Issuing Lender), which date shall be no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the Maturity Date, and (C) be subject to the Uniform Customs, in the case of a commercial Letter of Credit, or ISP98, in the case of a standby Letter of Credit, in each case as set forth in the Letter of Credit Application or as determined by the Issuing Lender and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of New York. The Issuing Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder if (1) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any applicable law applicable to the Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender with respect to letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular any restriction or reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated) not in effect on the Closing Date, or any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense that was not applicable, in effect or known to the Issuing Lender as of the Closing Date and that the Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it, (2) the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 are not satisfied, (3) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Lender applicable to letters of credit generally or (4) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit is a Sanctioned Person. References herein to “issue” and derivations thereof with respect to Letters of Credit shall also include extensions or modifications of any outstanding Letters of Credit, unless the context otherwise requires. As of the Closing Date, each of the Existing Letters of Credit shall constitute, for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, a Letter of Credit issued and outstanding hereunder.

 

 

(iii)           Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Section 2.15 shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15.19 and Section 15.20.

 

(b)            Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit. The Borrower may from time to time request that the Issuing Lender issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to the Issuing Lender at its applicable office (with a copy to Agent at Agent’s Office) a Letter of Credit Application therefor, completed to the satisfaction of the Issuing Lender, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Issuing Lender or Agent may request. Upon receipt of any Letter of Credit Application, the Issuing Lender shall process such Letter of Credit Application and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall, subject to Section 2.15(a) and Section 3, promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Lender be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three (3) Business Days for any Letter of Credit to be denominated in Dollars (or four (4) Business Days for any Letter of Credit to be denominated in an Alternative Currency) after its receipt of the Letter of Credit Application therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by the Issuing Lender and the Borrower. The Issuing Lender shall promptly furnish to the Borrower and Agent a copy of such Letter of Credit and Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the issuance and upon request by any Lender, furnish to such Revolving Credit Lender a copy of such Letter of Credit and the amount of such Revolving Credit Lender’s participation therein.

 

(c)            Commissions and Other Charges.

 

(i)            Letter of Credit Commissions. Subject to Section 15.19(a)(iii)(B), the Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the account of the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants, a letter of credit commission in Dollars with respect to each Letter of Credit in the amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letters of Credit times the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans that are Eurocurrency Rate Loans or RFR Loans (determined, in each case, on a per annum basis). Such commission shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter, on the Maturity Date and thereafter on demand of Agent. Agent shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, distribute to the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants all commissions received pursuant to this Section 2.15(e) in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages.

 

(ii)            Issuance Fee. In addition to the foregoing commission, the Borrower shall pay directly to the Issuing Lender, for its own account, an issuance fee in Dollars based on the Dollar Equivalent with respect to each Letter of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender as set forth in the Fee Letter executed by the Issuing Lender. Such issuance fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Maturity Date and thereafter on demand of the Issuing Lender. For the avoidance of doubt, such issuance fee shall be applicable to and paid upon each of the Existing Letters of Credit.

 

 

(iii)          Other Fees, Costs, Charges and Expenses. In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Issuing Lender for such normal and customary fees, costs, charges and expenses as are incurred or charged by the Issuing Lender in issuing, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit issued by it.

 

(d)            L/C Participations.

 

(i)           The Issuing Lender irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the Issuing Lender, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C Participant’s own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage in the Issuing Lender’s obligations and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit issued by it hereunder and the amount of each draft paid by the Issuing Lender thereunder. Each L/C Participant unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with the Issuing Lender that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender for which the Issuing Lender is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower through a Revolving Credit Loan or otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender upon demand, in Dollars, at the Issuing Lender’s address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participant’s Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Dollar Equivalent amount of such draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.

 

(ii)           Upon becoming aware of any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2.15(d)(i) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit, issued by it, the Issuing Lender shall notify Agent of such unreimbursed amount and Agent shall notify each L/C Participant (with a copy to the Issuing Lender) of the amount and due date of such required payment and such L/C Participant shall pay to Agent (which, in turn shall pay the Issuing Lender) the amount specified on the applicable due date. If any such amount is paid to the Issuing Lender after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Lender on demand, in addition to such amount, the product of (A) such amount, times (B) the daily average Overnight Rate as determined by Agent during the period from and including the date such payment is due to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Issuing Lender at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect, times (C) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. A certificate of the Issuing Lender with respect to any amounts owing under this Section shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. With respect to payment to the Issuing Lender of the unreimbursed amounts described in this Section, if the L/C Participants receive notice that any such payment is due (1) prior to 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment shall be due that Business Day, and (2) after 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment shall be due on the following Business Day.

 

(iii)          Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Lender has made payment under any Letter of Credit issued by it and has received from any L/C Participant its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such payment in accordance with this Section, the Issuing Lender receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Issuing Lender will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, that in the event that any such payment received by the Issuing Lender shall be required to be returned by the Issuing Lender, such L/C Participant shall return to the Issuing Lender the portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Lender to it.

 

 

(iv)          Each L/C Participant’s obligation to make the Revolving Credit Loans referred to in Section 2.15(d)(ii) and to purchase participating interests pursuant to Section 2.15(d)(i) shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such Revolving Credit Lender or the Borrower may have against the Issuing Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or an Event of Default or the failure to satisfy any of the other conditions specified in Section 3, (C) any adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, (D) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any other Revolving Credit Lender or (E) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

 

(e)            Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower.

 

(i)            In the event of any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the Borrower agrees to reimburse (either with the proceeds of a Revolving Credit Loan as provided for in this Section or with funds from other sources), in Same Day Funds, the Issuing Lender on each date on which the Issuing Lender notifies the Borrower of the date and amount of a draft paid by it under any Letter of Credit for the amount of (A) such draft so paid and (B) any amounts referred to in Section 2.15(c)(iii) incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with such payment.

 

(ii)           In the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Lender in such Alternative Currency, unless (A) the Issuing Lender (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, Borrower shall have notified the Issuing Lender promptly following receipt of the notice of drawing that Borrower will reimburse the Issuing Lender in Dollars. In the case of any such reimbursement in Dollars of a drawing under a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, the Issuing Lender shall notify Borrower of the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof. Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in Dollars, or the Applicable Time on the date of any payment by the Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in an Alternative Currency (each such date, an “Honor Date”), Borrower shall reimburse the Issuing Lender through Agent in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing and in the applicable currency. In the event that (A) a drawing denominated in an Alternative Currency is to be reimbursed in Dollars pursuant to this Section 2.15(e)(ii) and (B) the Dollar amount paid by Borrower, whether on or after the Honor Date, shall not be adequate on the date of that payment to purchase in accordance with normal banking procedures a sum denominated in the Alternative Currency equal to the drawing, Borrower agrees, as a separate and independent obligation, to indemnify the Issuing Lender for the loss resulting from its inability on that date to purchase the Alternative Currency in the full amount of the drawing.

 

(iii)          Unless the Borrower shall immediately notify the Issuing Lender that the Borrower intends to reimburse the Issuing Lender for such drawing from other sources or funds, the Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice of Borrowing to Agent requesting that the Revolving Credit Lenders make a Revolving Credit Loan as a Base Rate Loan on the applicable repayment date in the amount of (A) such draft so paid and (B) any amounts referred to in Section 2.15(c)(iii) incurred by the Issuing Lender in connection with such payment, and the Revolving Credit Lenders shall make a Revolving Credit Loan as a Base Rate Loan in such amount, the proceeds of which shall be applied to reimburse the Issuing Lender for the amount of the related drawing and such fees and expenses. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to fund a Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with this Section to reimburse the Issuing Lender for any draft paid under a Letter of Credit issued by it is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.7(a) or Section 3. If the Borrower has elected to pay the amount of such drawing with funds from other sources and shall fail to reimburse the Issuing Lender as provided above, or if the amount of such drawing is not fully refunded through a Base Rate Loan as provided above, the unreimbursed amount of such drawing shall bear interest at the rate which would be payable on any outstanding Base Rate Loans which were then overdue from the date such amounts become payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) until payment in full.

 

 

(f)            Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligations under this Section 2.15 (including, without limitation, the Reimbursement Obligation) shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrower may have or have had against the Issuing Lender or any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Borrower also agrees that the Issuing Lender and the L/C Participants shall not be responsible for, and the Borrower’s Reimbursement Obligation under Section 2.15(e) shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The Issuing Lender shall not be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it, except for errors or omissions caused by the Issuing Lender’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final nonappealable judgment. The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by the Issuing Lender under or in connection with any Letter of Credit issued by it or the related drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct shall be binding on the Borrower and shall not result in any liability of the Issuing Lender or any L/C Participant to the Borrower. The responsibility of the Issuing Lender to the Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit issued to it shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment substantially conforms to the requirements under such Letter of Credit.

 

(g)            Effect of Letter of Credit Application. To the extent that any provision of any Letter of Credit Application related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 2.15, the provisions of this Section 2.15 shall apply.

 

(h)            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, or to cause the applicable Subsidiary to reimburse, the Issuing Lender 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 any of its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

 

2.16            Fees.

 

(a)            Commitment Fee. Commencing on the Closing Date, subject to Section 15.19(a)(iii)(A), the Borrower shall pay to Agent, for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, a non-refundable commitment fee (the “Commitment Fee”) in Dollars at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Margin on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Commitment of the Revolving Credit Lenders (other than the Defaulting Lenders, if any); provided, that the amount of outstanding Swingline Loans shall not be considered usage of the Revolving Credit Commitment for the purpose of calculating the Commitment Fee. The Commitment Fee shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter during the term of this Agreement commencing July 29, 2022 and ending on the date the Revolving Credit Commitment has been terminated. The Commitment Fee shall be distributed by Agent to the Revolving Credit Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender) pro rata in accordance with such Revolving Credit Lenders’ respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages.

 

 

(b)            Other Fees. Borrower shall pay to Agent and the Joint Lead Arrangers for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letters. Borrower shall pay to the Lenders 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.

 

2.17            Payments Generally; Agent’s Clawback.

 

(a)            General. All payments to be made by Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff.

 

(i)            Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrower on account of the principal of or interest on the Loans denominated in Dollars payable to the Lenders under this Agreement shall be made to Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at Agent’s Office in Dollars and in Same Day Funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Commitment Percentage (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 Agent after 2:00 p.m., at the option of Agent, shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.

 

(ii)           Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by Borrower on account of the principal of or interest on the Revolving Credit Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency payable to the Lenders under this Agreement shall be made to Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at Agent’s Office in such Alternative Currency and in Same Day Funds not later than the Applicable Time on the date specified herein. Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its Commitment Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. Each payment to Agent of Agent’s fees or expenses shall be made for the account of Agent. All payments received by Agent after the Applicable Time, at the option of Agent, shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue.

 

(iii)         Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Agent may require that any payments due under this Agreement be made in the United States. If, for any reason, Borrower is prohibited by any applicable law from making any required payment hereunder in an Alternative Currency, Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the Alternative Currency payment amount. Upon receipt by Agent of each such payment, Agent shall distribute to each such Lender at its address for notices set forth herein its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage (or other applicable share as provided herein) of such payment and shall wire advice of the amount of such credit to each Lender. Each payment to Agent on account of the principal of or interest on the Swingline Loans or of any fee, commission or other amounts payable to the Swingline Lender shall be made in like manner, but for the account of the Swingline Lender. Each payment to Agent of the Issuing Lender’s fees or L/C Participants’ commissions shall be made in like manner, but for the account of the Issuing Lender or the L/C Participants, as the case may be. Each payment to Agent of Agent’s fees or expenses shall be made for the account of Agent and any amount payable to any Lender under Sections 2.19(a), 10.3, 10.4 or 16 shall be paid to Agent for the account of the applicable Lender. Subject to the definition of Interest Period, if any payment under this Agreement shall be specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing any interest if payable along with such payment.

 

 

(b)           (i)            Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Agent. Unless Agent shall have received notice from a Lender (i) in the case of Base Rate Loans, not later than 12:00 noon on the date of any proposed Borrowing and (ii) otherwise, prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to Agent, then the applicable Lender and Borrower severally agree to pay to 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 Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the Overnight Rate, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to Agent for the same or an overlapping period, Agent shall promptly remit to Borrower the amount of such interest paid by Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable Borrowing to Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing. Any payment by Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to Agent.

 

(ii)            Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Agent. Unless Agent shall have received notice from Borrower prior to the time at which any payment is due to Agent for the account of the Lenders, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender hereunder that Borrower will not make such payment, Agent may assume that Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender, 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 Agent, as the Overnight Rate.

 

A notice of Agent to any Lender or 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 Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Section 2, and such funds are not made available to Borrower by Agent because the conditions to funding set forth in Section 3 are not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, 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 Loans, to issue or participate in Letters of Credit and to make payments hereunder are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make available its Commitment Percentage of any Loan requested by Borrower, to fund any such participation or to make any payment hereunder 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 Commitment Percentage of such Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its payment hereunder.

 

 

(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.

 

2.18            Changed Circumstances.

 

(a)            Circumstances Affecting Eurocurrency Rates and RFRs. Subject to clause (c) below, in connection with any RFR Loan or Eurocurrency Rate Loan, a request therefor, a conversion to or a continuation thereof or otherwise, if for any reason (i)  Agent shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that (x) if Adjusted Daily Simple RFR is utilized in any calculations hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect to any Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts, reasonable and adequate means do not exist for ascertaining Adjusted Daily Simple RFR pursuant to the definition thereof or (y) if Adjusted Term SOFR or a Eurocurrency Rate is utilized in any calculations hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect to any Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts, reasonable and adequate means do not exist for ascertaining Adjusted Term SOFR or such Eurocurrency Rate, as applicable, for the applicable currency and the applicable Interest Period with respect to a proposed Term SOFR Loan or Eurocurrency Rate Loan, as applicable, on or prior to the first day of such Interest Period, (ii)  Agent shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that a fundamental change has occurred in the foreign exchange or interbank markets with respect to an applicable Alternative Currency (including changes in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls), (iii) with respect to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan, Agent shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that deposits are not being offered in the applicable currency to banks in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market for the applicable currency, amount or Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or (iv) the Required Lenders shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that (x) if Adjusted Daily Simple RFR is utilized in any calculations hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect to any Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts, Adjusted Daily Simple RFR does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining such Loans or (y) if Adjusted Term SOFR or a Eurocurrency Rate is utilized in any calculations hereunder or under any other Loan Document with respect to any Obligations, interest, fees, commissions or other amounts, Adjusted Term SOFR or such Eurocurrency Rate, as applicable, does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining such Loans during the applicable Interest Period and, in the case of (x) or (y), the Required Lenders have provided notice of such determination to Agent, then, in each case, Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to Borrower. Upon notice thereof by Agent to Borrower, any obligation of the Lenders to make RFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as applicable, in each such currency, and any right of Borrower to convert any Loan in each such currency (if applicable) to or continue any Loan as an RFR Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, as applicable, in each such currency, shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected RFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans or, in the case of Term SOFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, the affected Interest Periods) until Agent (with respect to clause (iv), at the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, (A)  Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of RFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans in each such affected currency (to the extent of the affected RFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans or, in the case of Term SOFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, the affected Interest Periods) or, failing that, (I) in the case of any request for a borrowing of an affected Term SOFR Loan, Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein and (II) in the case of any request for a borrowing of an affected RFR Loan or Eurocurrency Rate Loan in an Alternative Currency, then such request shall be ineffective and (B)(I) any outstanding affected Term SOFR Loans will be deemed to have been converted into Base Rate Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period and (II) any outstanding affected Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, at Borrower’s election, shall either (1) be converted into Base Rate Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such Alternative Currency) immediately or, in the case of Term SOFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, at the end of the applicable Interest Period or (2) be prepaid in full immediately or, in the case of Term SOFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, at the end of the applicable Interest Period; provided that if no election is made by Borrower by the date that is the earlier of (x) three (3) Business Days after receipt by Borrower of such notice or (y) with respect to a Term SOFR Loan or Eurocurrency Rate Loan the last day of the current Interest Period, Borrower shall be deemed to have elected clause (1) above. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, Borrower shall also pay accrued interest (except with respect to any prepayment or conversion of a Daily Simple RFR Loan) on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.19(e).

 

 

(b)            Laws Affecting Eurocurrency Rate or RFR Availability. If, after the date hereof, the introduction of, or any change in, any applicable law or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, shall make it unlawful or impossible for any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) to honor its obligations hereunder to make or maintain any Daily Simple RFR Loan, Term SOFR Loan or Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or to determine or charge interest based upon any applicable RFR, Adjusted Daily Simple RFR, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, Term SOFR, Adjusted Term SOFR, the Eurocurrency Rate or the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate, such Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to Agent and Agent shall promptly give notice to Borrower and the other Lenders (an “Illegality Notice”). Thereafter, until each affected Lender notifies Agent and Agent notifies Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist, (i) any obligation of the Lenders to make RFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as applicable, in the affected currency or currencies, and any right of Borrower to convert any Loan denominated in Dollars to a Term SOFR Loan or continue any Loan as an RFR Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, as applicable, in the affected currency or currencies shall be suspended and (ii) if necessary to avoid such illegality, Agent shall compute the Base Rate without reference to clause (b) of the definition of “Base Rate”. Upon receipt of an Illegality Notice, Borrower shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, upon demand from any Lender (with a copy to the Agent), prepay or, if applicable, (A) convert all Term SOFR Loans to Base Rate Loans or (B) convert all RFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in an affected Alternative Currency to Base Rate Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such Alternative Currency) (in each case, if necessary to avoid such illegality, Agent shall compute the Base Rate without reference to clause (b) of the definition of “Base Rate”), (I) with respect to Daily Simple RFR Loans, on the Interest Payment Date therefor, if all affected Lenders may lawfully continue to maintain such Daily Simple RFR Loans to such day, or immediately, if any Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Daily Simple RFR Loans to such day or (II) with respect to Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Term SOFR Loans, on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if all affected Lenders may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Term SOFR Loans, as applicable, to such day, or immediately, if any Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Term SOFR Loans, as applicable, to such day. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest (except with respect to any prepayment or conversion of a Daily Simple RFR Loan) on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 2.19(e).

 

 

(c)            Benchmark Replacement Setting.

 

(i)            Benchmark Replacement.

 

(A)            Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event with respect to any Benchmark, Agent and Borrower may amend this Agreement to replace such Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement. Any such amendment with respect to a Benchmark Transition Event will become effective at 5:00 p.m. on the fifth (5^th) Business Day after Agent has posted such proposed amendment to all affected Lenders and the Borrower so long as Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such amendment from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders. No replacement of a Benchmark with a Benchmark Replacement pursuant to this Section 2.18(c)(i)(A) will occur prior to the applicable Benchmark Transition Start Date.

 

(ii)           Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes. In connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, Agent will have the right to make Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

(iii)          Notices; Standards for Decisions and Determinations. Agent will promptly notify Borrower and the Lenders of (A) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement and (B) the effectiveness of any Conforming Changes in connection with the use, administration, adoption or implementation of a Benchmark Replacement. Agent will promptly notify Borrower of the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to Section 2.18(c)(iv). Any determination, decision or election that may be made by Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.18(c), including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.18(c).

 

(iv)          Unavailability of Tenor of Benchmark. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (A) if any then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Reference Rate or EURIBOR) and either (1) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by Agent in its reasonable discretion or (2) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is not or will not be representative, then Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (B) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (A) above either (1) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (2) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is not or will not be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” (or any similar or analogous definition) for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

 

 

(v)           Benchmark Unavailability Period. Upon Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a given Benchmark, (A) Borrower may revoke any pending request for a borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of RFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, in each case, to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period denominated in the applicable currency and, failing that, (I) in the case of any request for any affected Term SOFR Loans, if applicable, Borrower will be deemed to have converted any such request into a request for a borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein and (II) in the case of any request for any affected RFR Loan or Eurocurrency Rate Loan, in each case, in an Alternative Currency, if applicable, then such request shall be ineffective and (B)(I) any outstanding affected Term SOFR Loans, if applicable, will be deemed to have been converted into Base Rate Loans at the end of the applicable Interest Period and (II) any outstanding affected RFR Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, in each case, denominated in an Alternative Currency, at Borrower’s election, shall either (1) be converted into Base Rate Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Equivalent of such Alternative Currency) immediately or, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, at the end of the applicable Interest Period or (2) be prepaid in full immediately or, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, at the end of the applicable Interest Period; provided that, with respect to any Daily Simple RFR Loan, if no election is made by Borrower by the date that is three (3) Business Days after receipt by Borrower of such notice, Borrower shall be deemed to have elected clause (1) above; provided, further that, with respect to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan, if no election is made by Borrower by the earlier of (x) the date that is three (3) Business Days after receipt by Borrower of such notice and (y) the last day of the current Interest Period for the applicable Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected clause (1) above. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, Borrower shall also pay accrued interest (except with respect to any prepayment or conversion of a Daily Simple RFR Loan) on the amount so prepaid or converted, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section ‎2.19(e). During a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to any Benchmark or at any time that a tenor for any then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark that is the subject of such Benchmark Unavailability Period or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of Base Rate.

 

2.19            Increased Costs; Compensation for Losses.

 

(a)            Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law 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 any reserve requirement reflected in the Adjusted Eurocurrency Rate) or the Issuing Lender;

 

(ii)           subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (c) 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; or

 

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

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender, the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender, the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient 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, the Issuing Lender or other Recipient hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Issuing Lender or other Recipient, Borrower will pay to such Lender, the Issuing Lender or other Recipient, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender, the Issuing Lender or other Recipient, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

 

(b)            Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the Issuing Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the Issuing Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’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 the Issuing Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy and liquidity), then from time to time upon written request of such Lender or the Issuing Lender the Borrower shall promptly pay to such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

(c)            Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender, the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender, the Issuing Lender, such other Recipient or any of their respective holding companies, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient, 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 the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s or such other Recipient’s right to demand such compensation, provided that Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Lender or any other Recipient pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such other Recipient, as the case may be, notifies Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or the Issuing Lender’s or such other Recipient’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 nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

(e)            Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to Agent) from time to time, Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

 

(i)            any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Daily Simple RFR Loan on a date other than on the Interest Payment Date therefor (in each case, whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise and including as a result of an Event of Default) or Term SOFR Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor (in each case, whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise and including as a result of an Event of Default);

 

 

(ii)          any failure by Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to (A) borrow or continue an RFR Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or convert to an RFR Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation or (B) prepay any RFR Loan or Eurocurrency Rate Loan on a date specified therefor in any Notice of Prepayment (regardless of whether any such Notice of Prepayment may be revoked under Section 2.4(a) or Section 2.8(c) and is revoked in accordance therewith);

 

(iii)          any failure of Borrower to make any payment when due of any amount due hereunder in connection with an RFR Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or any payment thereof in a different currency; or

 

(iv)         any assignment of any Daily Simple RFR Loan other than on the Interest Payment Date therefor or any Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by Borrower pursuant to Section 14.2;

 

including any loss of anticipated profits on account of interest payments that would otherwise have been made with respect to such Loan and any loss or expense or fees payable arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds. Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

 

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 2.19(e), in the case of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the amount of such loss or expense shall be determined by the applicable Lender based upon the assumption that such Lender funded its Commitment Percentage of the Eurocurrency Rate Loans in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market for such currency, whether or not such Eurocurrency Rate Loan was in fact so funded, and using any reasonable attribution or averaging methods which such Lender deems appropriate and practical. A certificate of such Lender setting forth the basis for determining such amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender shall be forwarded to Borrower through Agent and shall be conclusively presumed to be correct save for manifest error.

 

All of Borrower’s obligations under this Section 2.19 shall survive termination of the Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

 

2.20            Incremental Increases.

 

(a)            At any time after the Closing Date, Borrower may by written notice to Agent (x) request the establishment of one or more incremental term loan commitments (each, an “Incremental Term Loan Commitment”) to make one or more additional term loans (any such additional term loan, an “Incremental Term Loan”) and/or (y) request one or more increases in the Revolving Credit Commitment (each, a “Revolving Credit Commitment Increase” and, together with any Incremental Term Loan Commitment and Incremental Term Loan, the “Incremental Increases”); provided that (i) the total aggregate principal amount for all Incremental Increases incurred pursuant to this Section 2.20 shall not exceed an amount equal to the greater of (A) $150,000,000 (based on the original principal amount thereof) and (B) 100% of Consolidated EBITDA of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recently completed Reference Period (based on the original principal amount thereof) and (ii) the total aggregate amount for each Incremental Increase shall not be less than a minimum principal amount of $10,000,000 or, if less, the remaining amount permitted pursuant to the foregoing clause (i). Each such notice shall specify the date (each, an “Incremental Effective Date”) on which Borrower proposes that any Incremental Increase shall be effective, which shall be a date not less than ten (10) Business Days (or such shorter period as agreed to by Agent in its sole discretion) after the date on which such notice is delivered to Agent. Borrower may invite any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender, any Approved Fund and/or any other Eligible Assignee, to provide an Incremental Increase (any such Person, an “Incremental Lender”). Any proposed Incremental Lender offered or approached to provide all or a portion of any Incremental Increase may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Incremental Increase.

 

 

(b)            Any Incremental Increase shall become effective as of such Incremental Effective Date; provided that:

 

(i)            no Default or Event of Default shall exist on such Incremental Effective Date before or after giving effect to any Incremental Increase; provided that, with respect to any Incremental Term Loan Commitment the primary purpose of which is to finance a substantially concurrent Limited Conditionality Acquisition, this clause (i) may be determined at the time of the signing (as opposed to closing) of the acquisition agreement with respect thereto as agreed to by Borrower and the applicable Incremental Lenders; provided further that no Event of Default under Sections 8.1, 8.4 or 8.5 shall exist at the time of funding;

 

(ii)           each of the representations and warranties contained in Section 4 shall be true and correct in all material respects, except to the extent any such representation and warranty is qualified by materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, in which case, such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects, on such Incremental Effective Date with the same effect as if made on and as of such date (except for any such representation and warranty that by its terms is made only as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct as of such earlier date); provided that, with respect to any Incremental Term Loan Commitment primary purpose of which is to finance a substantially concurrent Limited Conditionality Acquisition, this clause (ii) may be subject to customary “Sungard” limitations agreed to by Borrower and the applicable Incremental Lenders;

 

(iii)          the proceeds of any Incremental Increase shall be used for general corporate purposes of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, Permitted Acquisitions and Restricted Payments);

 

(iv)          each Incremental Increase shall constitute Obligations, shall have the same Guarantors as the other Loans and shall be secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the other Loans;

 

(v)          Incremental Term Loans will not have a maturity date earlier than the Maturity Date;

 

(vi)         Agent and the Lenders shall have received from Borrower a Compliance Certificate demonstrating, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, that Borrower is in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7 based on the financial statements most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(i) or 5.1(a)(ii), as applicable, both before and after giving effect (on a pro forma basis) to (x) any Incremental Increase, (y) the making of any Loans pursuant thereto (with any Incremental Term Loan Commitment, Revolving Credit Commitment Increase and the Revolving Credit Commitment being deemed to be fully funded) and (z) any Permitted Acquisition consummated in connection therewith, refinancing of Indebtedness or other event giving rise to a pro forma adjustment; provided that, with respect to any Incremental Term Loan Commitment the primary purpose of which is to finance a substantially concurrent Limited Conditionality Acquisition, this clause (vi) may be determined at the time of the signing (as opposed to closing) of the acquisition agreement with respect thereto as agreed to by Borrower and the applicable Incremental Lenders;

 

 

(vii)         the interest rate margins, amortization schedule and mandatory prepayments applicable to any Incremental Term Loan shall be determined by Borrower and the applicable Incremental Lenders in their mutual sole discretion;

 

(viii)        Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered any customary legal opinions or other documents (including, without limitation, a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of each Loan Party authorizing such Incremental Increase substantially consistent with those delivered on the Closing Date) reasonably requested by Agent or the Incremental Lenders in connection with any such transaction;

 

(ix)          except as provided above, all other terms and conditions applicable to any Incremental Term Loan, to the extent not consistent with the terms and conditions applicable to the Revolving Credit Facility, shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agent, Borrower and the applicable Incremental Lenders; and

 

(x)           each Revolving Credit Commitment Increase shall have the same terms, including interest rate, unused fees and upfront fees, as the Revolving Credit Facility.

 

(c)            On any Incremental Effective Date on which any Incremental Term Loan Commitment becomes effective, subject to the foregoing terms and conditions, each Incremental Lender with an Incremental Term Loan Commitment shall make, or be obligated to make, an Incremental Term Loan to Borrower in an amount equal to its Incremental Term Loan Commitment and shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to such Incremental Term Loan Commitment and the Incremental Term Loan made pursuant thereto. The Incremental Lenders shall be included in any determination of the Required Lenders and, unless otherwise agreed, the Incremental Lenders will not constitute a separate voting class for any purposes under this Agreement. Any Incremental Lender shall be entitled to the same voting rights as the existing Lenders under the applicable Credit Facility.

 

(d)            On any Incremental Effective Date on which any Revolving Credit Commitment Increase becomes effective, the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages of Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations will be reallocated by Agent on the applicable Incremental Effective Date among the Revolving Credit Lenders (including the Incremental Lenders providing such Revolving Credit Commitment Increase) in accordance with their revised Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages (and the Revolving Credit Lenders (including the Incremental Lenders providing such Revolving Credit Commitment Increase) agree to make all payments and adjustments necessary to effect such reallocation and the Borrower shall pay any and all costs required pursuant to Section 2.19(e) in connection with such reallocation as if such reallocation were a repayment).

 

(e)            Such Incremental Increases shall be effected pursuant to one or more Incremental Amendments executed and delivered by Borrower, Agent and the applicable Incremental Lenders (which Incremental Amendment may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of Agent and Borrower, to effect the provisions of this Section 2.20, and the Lenders hereby expressly authorize Agent to enter into such amendment on their behalf).

 

 

3.            CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT.

 

3.1            Conditions Precedent to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit. The obligation of each Lender to fund the initial Loans or issue or participate in the initial Letters of Credit, if any, provided for in this Agreement is subject to the fulfillment, to the satisfaction of Agent and each Lender (the making of such Loan or the issuance of or participation in such Letter of Credit by any Lender being conclusively deemed to be its satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent), of each of the following conditions precedent:

 

(a)            Agent shall have received each of the following documents, in form and substance satisfactory to Agent, duly executed and delivered, and each such document shall be in full force and effect:

 

(i)            this Agreement,

 

(ii)           the Fee Letters,

 

(iii)          the Funds Flow Agreement,

 

(iv)         a completed Perfection Certificate for each of the Loan Parties for the most recently ended Fiscal Quarter of Borrower prior to the Closing Date for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(i) of the Existing Credit Agreement,

 

(v)           the Security Documents, as applicable,

 

(vi)          the Reaffirmation Agreement, and

 

(vii)         a Note in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;

 

(b)            Agent shall have received results of searches or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to Agent (in each case dated as of a date reasonably satisfactory to Agent) indicating the absence of Liens on the assets of the Loan Parties, except for Permitted Liens and Liens for which termination statements and releases, satisfactions and discharges of any mortgages, or subordination agreements satisfactory to Agent are being tendered concurrently with such extension of credit or other arrangements satisfactory to Agent for the delivery of such termination statements and releases, satisfactions and discharges have been made;

 

(c)           Agent shall have received such financing statements necessary or, in the opinion of Agent, desirable to perfect Agent’s Liens in and to the Collateral;

 

(d)           Agent shall have received duly executed copies of all documents and instruments necessary to establish that Agent will have a first priority security interest in the Collateral (subject to Permitted Liens), which shall be, if applicable, in proper form for filing;

 

(e)           All existing Indebtedness of Borrower and its Subsidiaries under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be refinanced prior to or substantially concurrently with the initial funding of the Loans. Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that, on the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transactions, neither Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have any outstanding Indebtedness (other than (i) the Obligations, and (ii) the Indebtedness set forth on Schedule 4.14 which the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Loan Parties have agreed may remain outstanding);

 

(f)           Agent shall have received (i) original stock certificates or other certificates evidencing the certificated Equity Interests pledged pursuant to the Security Documents, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof, other than such certificates as are pledged to and in the possession of secured parties holding indebtedness that is being fully repaid (and who are releasing and cancelling such pledges) on the Closing Date and (ii) each original promissory note pledged pursuant to the Security Documents together with an undated allonge for each such promissory note duly executed in blank by the holder thereof, other than such promissory notes as are pledged to and in the possession of secured parties holding indebtedness that is being fully repaid (and who are releasing and cancelling such pledges) on the Closing Date;

 

 

(g)            a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of Borrower certifying (i) that as of the Closing Date, each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 shall be true and correct in all material respects (except (A) to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date and (B) in the case of any representation and warranty qualified by materiality, they shall be true and correct in all respects), (ii) that there has been no event or circumstance since October 31, 2021 that has had or would be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) that all governmental and third party approvals necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of Agent, advisable in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, shall have been obtained and are in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority which would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on this Agreement or the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents;

 

(h)            Agent shall have received a certificate signed by a secretary of each Loan Party certifying as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each officer of such Loan Party executing Loan Documents to which it is a party and certifying that attached thereto is a true, correct and complete copy of (i) such Loan Party’s Governing Documents, as amended, modified, or supplemented to the Closing Date, which Governing Documents that are charter documents, shall be certified as of a recent date (not more than 30 days prior to the Closing Date) by the appropriate governmental official, (ii) resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors (or other governing body) of such Loan Party authorizing and approving the transactions contemplated hereunder and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and (iii) a certificate of status with respect to each Loan Party, dated within 30 days of the Closing Date, such certificate to be issued by the appropriate governmental official of the jurisdiction of organization of such Loan Party, which certificate shall indicate that such Loan Party is in good standing in such jurisdiction;

 

(i)            Agent shall have received one or more opinions of the Loan Parties’ counsel in form and substance from counsel satisfactory to Agent (which such opinions shall expressly permit reliance by permitted successors and assigns of Agent and the Lenders);

 

(j)            (i) Agent shall have received, at least 5 Business Days prior to the Closing Date, all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and Anti-Money Laundering Laws, including the Patriot Act, that has been requested at least 10 Business Days prior to the Closing Date and (ii) to the extent Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it shall have delivered to Agent, and any Lender requesting the same, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to Borrower at least five (5) Business Days prior to the Closing Date;

 

(k)            Agent shall have received a Solvency Certificate prepared by the chief financial officer of Borrower certifying as to the solvency of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (on a Consolidated basis) after giving effect to consummation of the Transactions;

 

(l)           Borrower shall have paid all Lender Group Expenses incurred in connection with the transactions evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents for which statements or invoices therefor have been furnished to Borrower at least one Business Day prior to the Closing Date or set forth in the Funds Flow Agreement; and

 

 

(m)           Agent shall have received a duly executed Notice of Borrowing and a notice of account designation specifying the account or accounts to which the proceeds of any Loans made on or after the Closing Date are to be disbursed.

 

3.2            Conditions to All Extensions of Credit. Subject to Section 2.20 with respect to any Incremental Term Loan, the primary purpose of which is to finance a substantially concurrent Limited Conditionality Acquisition, the obligations of the Lenders to make or participate in any Extensions of Credit (including the initial Extension of Credit) and/or the Issuing Lender to issue, extend or increase the face amount of any Letter of Credit are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the relevant borrowing, issuance or extension date:

 

(a)            Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects, except for any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, which such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects, on and as of such borrowing, issuance or extension date with the same effect as if made on and as of such date (except for any such representation and warranty that by its terms is made only as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, except for any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, which such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects as of such earlier date).

 

(b)            No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) on the borrowing date with respect to such Loan or after giving effect to the Loans to be made on such date or (ii) on the date of issuance, extension or increase with respect to such Letter of Credit or after giving effect to the issuance, extension or increase of such Letter of Credit on such date.

 

(c)             Notices. Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing or Letter of Credit Application, as applicable, from the Borrower.

 

(d)            New Swingline Loans/Letters of Credit. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (i) the Swingline Lender shall not be required to fund any Swingline Loans unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect to such Swingline Loan and (ii) the Issuing Lender shall not be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.

 

(e)            Alternative Currency. In the case of a Loan 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 Agent or the Required Lenders would make it impracticable for such Loan to be denominated in the relevant Alternative Currency.

 

3.3            Effect of Maturity. On the Maturity Date, all commitments of the Lender Group to provide additional credit hereunder shall automatically be terminated and all of the Obligations immediately shall become due and payable without notice or demand and Borrower shall be required to repay all of the Obligations in full. No termination of the obligations of the Lender Group (other than payment in full of the Obligations and termination of the Commitments) shall relieve or discharge any Loan Party of its duties, obligations, or covenants hereunder or under any other Loan Document and Agent’s Liens in the Collateral shall continue to secure the Obligations and shall remain in effect until all Obligations (other than (a) contingent indemnification obligations and (b) obligations and liabilities under Bank Products) have been paid in full and the Commitments have been terminated. When all of the Obligations (other than (a) contingent indemnification obligations and (b) obligations and liabilities under Bank Products) have been paid in full and the Lender Group’s obligations to provide additional credit under the Loan Documents have been terminated irrevocably, Agent will, at Borrower’s sole expense, execute and deliver any termination statements, lien releases, discharges of security interests, and other similar discharge or release documents (and, if applicable, in recordable form) as are reasonably necessary to release, as of record, Agent’s Liens and all notices of security interests and liens previously filed by Agent.

 

 

3.4            Conditions Subsequent. The obligation of the Lender Group (or any member thereof) to continue to make any Loans (or otherwise extend credit hereunder) is subject to the fulfillment, on or before the date applicable thereto, of the conditions subsequent set forth on Schedule 3.4 (the failure by Borrower to so perform or cause to be performed such conditions subsequent as and when required by the terms thereof (unless such date is extended, in writing, by Agent, which Agent may do without obtaining the consent of the other members of the Lender Group), shall constitute an Event of Default).

 

4.            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

 

In order to induce the Lender Group to enter into this Agreement and make Extensions of Credit hereunder, each Loan Party represents and warrants to Agent and the other Lenders that:

 

4.1            Due Organization and Qualification; Subsidiaries.

 

(a)            Each Loan Party (i) is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (ii) is qualified to do business in any state where the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby. No Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is an Affected Financial Institution or a Covered Party.

 

(b)            Set forth on Schedule 4.1(b) (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under this Agreement) is a complete and accurate description of the authorized Equity Interests of Borrower, by class, and, as of the Closing Date, a description of the number of shares of each such class that are issued and outstanding. Borrower is not subject to any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to repurchase or otherwise acquire or retire any shares of its Equity Interests or any security convertible into or exchangeable for any of its Equity Interests.

 

(c)            Set forth on Schedule 4.1(c) (as such Schedule may be updated from time to time to reflect changes resulting from transactions permitted under this Agreement), is a complete and accurate list of the Loan Parties’ direct and indirect Subsidiaries, showing: (i) the number of shares of each class of common and preferred Equity Interests authorized for each of such Subsidiaries, and (ii) the number and the percentage of the outstanding shares of each such class owned directly or indirectly by Borrower. All of the outstanding Equity Interests of each such Subsidiary has been validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable.

 

(d)            Except as set forth on Schedule 4.1(d), there are no subscriptions, options, warrants, or calls relating to any shares of Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any right of conversion or exchange under any outstanding security or other instrument.

 

 

 

4.2            Due Authorization; No Conflict.

 

(a)            As to each Loan Party, the execution, delivery, and performance by such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Loan Party.

 

(b)            As to each Loan Party, the execution, delivery, and performance by such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (i) violate any material provision of federal, state, or local law or regulation applicable to any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, the Governing Documents of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, or any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority binding on any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Material Contract of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries where any such conflict, breach or default could individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon any assets of any Loan Party, other than Permitted Liens, or (iv) require any approval of any holder of Equity Interests of a Loan Party or any approval or consent of any Person under any Material Contract of any Loan Party, other than consents or approvals that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect and except, in the case of Material Contracts, for consents or approvals, the failure to obtain could not individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.3            Governmental Consents. The execution, delivery, and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not require any registration with, consent, or approval of, or notice to, or other action with or by, any Governmental Authority, other than registrations, consents, approvals, notices, or other actions that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect and except for filings and recordings with respect to the Collateral to be made, or otherwise delivered to Agent for filing or recordation, as of the Closing Date.

 

4.4            Binding Obligations; Perfected Liens.

 

(a)            Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as enforcement may be limited by equitable principles or by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally.

 

(b)            Agent’s Liens are validly created, enforceable, and, (i) to the extent that the same may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code, subject only to the filing of such financing statements in the appropriate filing offices, (ii) with respect to certificates evidencing any of the Equity Interests of each Domestic Subsidiary and First Tier Foreign Subsidiary of a Loan Party required to be pledged pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, to the extent those certificates have been delivered to Agent, (iii) to the extent that the same may be perfected by the filing of short-form security agreements with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or the United States Copyright Office, subject only to the filing of such short-form security agreements in the appropriate of those filing offices, and (iv) with respect to Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts of a Loan Party required to be pledged pursuant to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, to the extent a Control Agreement has been entered into with respect thereto, perfected Liens and are prior to all other Liens on the Collateral, other than Permitted Liens which are non-consensual Permitted Liens, permitted purchase money Liens, or the interests of lessors under Capital Leases.

 

 

4.5            Title to Assets; No Encumbrances. Each of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries has (a) good, sufficient and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in Real Property), (b) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property), and (c) good and marketable title to (in the case of all other personal property), all of their respective assets material to its business, in each case except for irregularities or deficiencies in title that, individually or in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such assets for their intended purpose. All of such assets are free and clear of Liens except for Permitted Liens.

 

4.6            Litigation. There are no actions, suits, or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened in writing against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.7            Compliance with Laws. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) is in violation of any applicable laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, or codes (including Environmental Laws) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (b) is subject to or in default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.8            No Material Adverse Effect. All historical financial statements relating to the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries that have been delivered by Borrower to Agent have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly in all material respects, the Loan Parties’ and their Subsidiaries’ consolidated financial condition as of the date thereof and results of operations for the period then ended. Since October 31, 2021, no event, circumstance, or change has occurred that has or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.9            Solvency; Fraudulent Transfer.

 

(a)            Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, are Solvent.

 

(b)            No transfer of property is being made by any Loan Party and no obligation is being incurred by any Loan Party in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with the intent to hinder, delay, or defraud either present or future creditors of such Loan Party.

 

4.10            Employee Benefits.

 

(a)            Except for the Employee Benefit Plans set forth on Schedule 4.10 and other Non-U.S. Plans, none of the Loan Parties, their Subsidiaries, or their ERISA Affiliates maintains or contributes to any Employee Benefit Plan.

 

(b)            Each Loan Party and each of the ERISA Affiliates has complied in all material respects with (i) ERISA and the IRC, to the extent applicable, and (ii) all applicable laws regarding each Employee Benefit Plan.

 

(c)            Each Employee Benefit Plan is, and has been, maintained in substantial compliance with (i) ERISA and the IRC, to the extent applicable, (ii) all applicable laws and (iii) the terms of each such Employee Benefit Plan.

 

 

(d)            Each Employee Benefit Plan that is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the IRC has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for such letter is currently being processed by the IRS, or may rely on an opinion or advisory letter issued by the IRS with respect to such Employee Benefit Plan. To the best knowledge of each Loan Party and the ERISA Affiliates, nothing has occurred which would prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification.

 

(e)            No liability to the PBGC (other than for the payment of current premiums which are not past due) by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has been incurred or is expected by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate to be incurred with respect to any Pension Plan.

 

(f)            No Notification Event exists or has occurred in the past 6 years.

 

(g)            Except as required by applicable non-United States law, no Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or contributes to any Employee Benefit Plan, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities that may not be terminated by any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate in its sole discretion at any time without material liability.

 

(h)            No Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate has provided any security under Section 436 of the IRC.

 

(i)            As of the Closing Date, Borrower is not nor will be using “plan assets” (within the meaning of 29 CFR § 2510.3-101, as modified by Section 3(42) of ERISA) of one or more Benefit Plans in connection with the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments

 

4.11            Environmental Condition. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.11, (a) to Borrower’s knowledge, no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has ever been used by a Loan Party, its Subsidiaries, or by previous owners or operators in the disposal of, or to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or transport, any Hazardous Materials, where such disposal, production, storage, handling, treatment, release or transport was in violation, in any material respect, of any applicable Environmental Law, (b) to Borrower’s knowledge, no Loan Party’s nor any of its Subsidiaries’ properties or assets has ever been designated or identified in any manner pursuant to any environmental protection statute as a Hazardous Materials disposal site, (c) no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries has received notice that a Lien arising under any Environmental Law has attached to any revenues or to any Real Property owned or operated by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, and (d) no Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their respective facilities or operations is subject to any outstanding written order, consent decree, or settlement agreement with any Person relating to any Environmental Law or Environmental Liability that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.12            Complete Disclosure. Borrower has disclosed to Agent and 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, if violated or breached by, enforced against, or adversely determined in against, Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of Borrower to Agent or any Lender in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any misstatement of material fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not materially misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time. As of the Closing Date, to the extent applicable, all of the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct. As of the Closing Date, there have been no material changes to the information reflected in the Perfection Certificate described in Section 3.1(a)(iv) since the date of delivery thereof.

 

 

4.13            Patriot Act. To the extent applicable, each Loan Party is in compliance, in all material respects, with the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act of 2001) (the “Patriot Act”).

 

4.14            Indebtedness. Set forth on Schedule 4.14 is a true and complete list of all Indebtedness of each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior to the Closing Date that is to remain outstanding immediately after giving effect to the closing hereunder on the Closing Date and such Schedule accurately sets forth the aggregate principal amount of such Indebtedness as of the Closing Date.

 

4.15            Payment of Taxes. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 5.5, all tax returns and reports of each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them have been timely filed, and all taxes shown on such tax returns to be due and payable and all material assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries and upon their respective assets, income, businesses and franchises that are due and payable have been paid when due and payable. To their knowledge, each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries has made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for all taxes not yet due and payable. No Borrower knows of any proposed tax assessment against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries that is not being actively contested by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary diligently, in good faith, and by appropriate proceedings; provided, that such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

 

4.16            Margin Stock. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No part of the proceeds of the Loans made to Borrower will be used to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors.

 

4.17            Governmental Regulation. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other federal or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable. No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is a “registered investment company” or a company “controlled” by a “registered investment company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

4.18            Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Sanctions.

 

(a)            None of (i) Borrower, any Subsidiary or, to the knowledge of Borrower or such Subsidiary, any of their respective directors, officers, employees or affiliates, or (ii) to the knowledge of Borrower, any agent or representative of Borrower or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, (A) is a Sanctioned Person or currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (B) has its assets located in a Sanctioned Country, (C) directly or indirectly derives revenues from investments in, or transactions with, Sanctioned Persons or (D) has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such Persons of any Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws. Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates with the Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions. Each of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of Borrower, each director, officer, employee, agent and Affiliate of Borrower and each such Subsidiary, is in compliance with the Anti-Corruption Laws and Anti-Money Laundering Laws in all material respects and all applicable Sanctions.

 

 

(b)            No proceeds of any Extension of Credit have been used, directly or indirectly, by Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, including any payments (directly or indirectly) to a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

4.19            Employee and Labor Matters. There is (i) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower or its Subsidiaries before any Governmental Authority and no grievance or arbitration proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened against Borrower or its Subsidiaries which arises out of or under any collective bargaining agreement and that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown, stoppage or similar action or grievance pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened in writing against Borrower or its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (iii) to the knowledge of Borrower, no union representation question existing with respect to the employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries and no union organizing activity taking place with respect to any of the employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries. None of Borrower or its Subsidiaries has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or similar state law, which remains unpaid or unsatisfied. The hours worked and payments made to employees of Borrower or its Subsidiaries have not been in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act or any other applicable legal requirements, except to the extent such violations could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. All material payments due from Borrower or its Subsidiaries on account of wages and employee health and welfare insurance and other benefits have been paid or accrued as a liability on the books of Borrower, except where the failure to do so could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.20            Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc. The Loan Parties own, or possess the right to use, all of the intellectual property, licenses, permits and other authorizations that are material to their respective businesses, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of the Loan Parties, (a) the use by the Loan Parties of such intellectual property, licenses and permits does not conflict with the rights of any other Person and (b) no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by any Loan Party infringes upon any rights held by any other Person. Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 4.20, no claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.21            Leases. Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession under all leases material to their business and to which they are parties or under which they are operating, and, subject to Permitted Protests, all of such material leases are valid and subsisting and no material default by the applicable Loan Party or its Subsidiaries exists under any of them.

 

4.22            Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts. Annexed hereto as Schedule 4.22 is a list of all Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts maintained by the Loan Parties as of the Closing Date, which Schedule includes, with respect to each Deposit Account and Securities Account (a) the name and address of the depository or securities intermediary, as applicable; (b) the account number(s) maintained with such depository; and (c) a contact person at such depository or securities intermediary, as applicable.

 

 

4.23            Absence of Defaults. No event has occurred or is continuing (a) which constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, or (b) which constitutes, or which with the passage of time or giving of notice or both would constitute, a default or event of default by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof under (i) any Material Contract or (ii) any judgment, decree or order to which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is a party or by which any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective properties may be bound or which would require any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof to make any payment thereunder prior to the scheduled maturity date therefor that, in any case under this clause (ii), could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

4.24            Senior Indebtedness Status. The Obligations of each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents ranks and shall continue to rank at least senior in priority of payment to all Subordinated Indebtedness of each such Person and is designated as “Senior Indebtedness” under all instruments and documents, now or in the future, relating to all Subordinated Indebtedness of such Person.

 

4.25            Insurance. The properties of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies which are not Affiliates of the Loan Parties, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks (including, without limitation, workmen’s compensation, public liability, business interruption and property damage insurance) as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Loan Parties or the applicable Subsidiary operates. Schedule 4.25 sets forth a description of all material insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties as of the Closing Date. As of the Closing Date, each insurance policy listed on Schedule 4.25 is in full force and effect and all premiums in respect thereof that are due and payable have been paid.

 

4.26            Material Contracts. Schedule 4.26 sets forth a complete and accurate list of all Material Contracts of each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof in effect as of the Closing Date. Other than as set forth in Schedule 4.26, as of the Closing Date, each such Material Contract is, and after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents will be, in full force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof. To the extent requested by Agent, each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof has delivered to Agent a true and complete copy of each Material Contract required to be listed on Schedule 4.26 or any other Schedule hereto. As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof (nor, to its knowledge, any other party thereto) is in breach of or in default under any Material Contract in any material respect.

 

5.            AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

 

Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments, termination or expiration (or Cash Collateralization) of all Letters of Credit and payment in full of the Obligations:

 

5.1            Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates, Notices.

 

(a)            Borrower will deliver to Agent each of the following:

 

(i)            as soon as available, but in any event within 120 days after the end of each Fiscal Year of Borrower, Consolidated financial statements of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each such Fiscal Year, audited by independent certified public accountants reasonably acceptable to Agent and certified, without any qualifications (including any “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit), by such accountants to have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (such audited financial statements to include a balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flow, and statement of shareholder’s equity, and, if prepared, such accountants’ letter to management);

 

 

(ii)            as soon as available, but in any event within 60 days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of Borrower, an unaudited Consolidated balance sheet, income statement, statement of cash flow, and statement of shareholder’s equity covering Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ operations during such period and compared to the prior period and plan, together with a corresponding discussion and analysis of results from management;

 

(iii)            as soon as available, but in any event within 60 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a business plan and operating and capital budget of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the ensuing 4 Fiscal Quarters, such plan to be prepared in accordance with GAAP and to include, on a quarterly basis, the following: a quarterly operating and capital budget; a projected income statement; statements of cash flows and balance sheet; and a report containing management’s discussion and analysis of such budget with a reasonable disclosure of the key assumptions and drivers with respect to such budget, accompanied by a certificate from a Responsible Officer of Borrower to the effect that such budget contains good faith estimates (utilizing assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time of delivery of such budget) of the financial condition and operations of Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period;

 

(iv)            (A) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.1(a)(i) and (ii), a duly completed Compliance Certificate to the effect that no Default or Event of Default exists or, if any Default or Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof, which certificate shall set forth (x) certification of compliance with the definition of “Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary”, and (y) reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7, and (B) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.1(a)(i), a supplement to the Perfection Certificate;

 

(v)            if and when filed by Borrower, (A) Form 10-Q quarterly reports, Form 10-K annual reports, and Form 8-K current reports, (B) any other filings made by Borrower with the SEC, and (C) any other information that is provided by Borrower to its shareholders generally;

 

(vi)            promptly, but in any event within 5 days after Borrower has knowledge of any event or condition that constitutes a Default or Event of Default, notice of such event or condition and a statement of the curative action that Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto;

 

(vii)            promptly after the commencement thereof, but in any event within 5 days after the service of process with respect thereto on Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, notice of all actions, suits, or proceedings brought by or against Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any Governmental Authority which reasonably could be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(viii)            promptly, but in any event within 5 days after Borrower has knowledge thereof, notice of any default by Borrower under any Material Contract, together with a description of the nature of such default;

 

(ix)            promptly, but in any event within 5 days after receipt thereof (or the date Borrower has knowledge thereof, as applicable), (A) any unfavorable determination letter from the IRS regarding the qualification of an Employee Benefit Plan under Section 401(a) of the IRC (along with a copy thereof), (B) all notices received by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate of the PBGC’s intent to terminate any Pension Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Pension Plan, (C) all notices received by any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning the imposition or amount of withdrawal liability pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA and (D) Borrower obtaining knowledge or reason to know that any Loan Party or any ERISA Affiliate has filed or intends to file a notice of intent to terminate any Pension Plan under a distress termination within the meaning of Section 4041(c) of ERISA; and

 

 

(x)            upon the request of Agent (or any Lender through Agent), any other information reasonably requested relating to the financial condition of Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

 

(b)            Borrower further (i) agrees that no Subsidiary of a Loan Party will have a Fiscal Year different from that of Borrower, (ii) agrees to maintain a system of accounting that enables Borrower to produce financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and (iii) agrees that it will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, (A) keep a reporting system that shows all additions, sales, claims, returns, and allowances with respect to its and its Subsidiaries’ sales, and (B) maintain its billing systems and practices substantially as in effect as of the Closing Date and shall only make material modifications thereto with notice to, and with the consent of, Agent.

 

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(a)(i), (ii) or (v) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on Borrower’s website on the Internet (which, as of the Closing Date, is http://www.quanex.com); or (ii) on which such documents are posted on Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by Agent); provided that: (i)  Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to Agent or any Lender that requests Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by Agent or such Lender and (ii)  Borrower shall notify Agent and each Lender (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents or the creation of any such link and provide to Agent by electronic mail electronic versions of such documents. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies of the Compliance Certificates required by Section 5.1(a)(iv) to Agent. Except for such Compliance Certificates, Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

 

5.2            Accounting Methods and Financial Records. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain a system of accounting, and keep proper books, records and accounts (which shall be true and complete in all material respects) as may be required or as may be necessary to permit the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and in compliance with the regulations of any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over it or any of its properties.

 

5.3            Existence. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 6.3 or Section 6.4, Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect such Person’s valid existence and good standing (or in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, the equivalent status, if any, in the applicable foreign jurisdiction) in its jurisdiction of organization and, except as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, good standing (or in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, the equivalent status, if any, in the applicable foreign jurisdiction) with respect to all other jurisdictions in which it is qualified to do business and any rights, franchises, permits, licenses, accreditations, authorizations, or other approvals material to their businesses except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

5.4            Maintenance of Properties. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and preserve all of its assets that are material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear, tear, casualty, and condemnation and Permitted Dispositions excepted.

 

5.5            Taxes. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay in full before delinquency or before the expiration of any extension period all material governmental assessments and taxes imposed, levied, or assessed against it, or any of its assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses, or franchises, except to the extent that the validity or amount of such governmental assessment or tax is the subject of a Permitted Protest and, as a result of such Permitted Protest, such governmental assessments and taxes do not become due.

 

5.6            Insurance. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, at Borrower’s expense, (a) maintain insurance respecting each of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ assets wherever located, covering liabilities, losses or damages as are customarily are insured against by other Persons engaged in same or similar businesses and similarly situated and located. All such policies of insurance shall be with financially sound and reputable insurance companies acceptable to Agent and in such amounts as is carried generally in accordance with sound business practice by companies in similar businesses similarly situated and located and, in any event, in amount, adequacy, and scope reasonably satisfactory to Agent (it being agreed that the amount, adequacy, and scope of the policies of insurance of Borrower in effect as of the Closing Date are acceptable to Agent). All property insurance policies covering the Collateral are to be made payable to Agent for the benefit of Agent and the Lenders, as their interests may appear, in case of loss, pursuant to a standard loss payable endorsement with a standard non-contributory “lender” or “secured party” clause and are to contain such other provisions as Agent may reasonably require to fully protect the Lenders’ interest in the Collateral and to any payments to be made under such policies. All certificates of property and general liability insurance are to be delivered to Agent, with the loss payable (but only in respect of Collateral) and additional insured endorsements in favor of Agent and shall provide for not less than 30 days (10 days in the case of non-payment) prior written notice to Agent of the exercise of any right of cancellation. If Borrower or its Subsidiaries fail to maintain such insurance, Agent may arrange for such insurance, but at Borrower’s expense and without any responsibility on Agent’s part for obtaining the insurance, the solvency of the insurance companies, the adequacy of the coverage, or the collection of claims. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Agent shall have the sole right to file claims under any property and general liability insurance policies in respect of the Collateral, to receive, receipt and give acquittance for any payments that may be payable thereunder, and to execute any and all endorsements, receipts, releases, assignments, reassignments or other documents that may be necessary to effect the collection, compromise or settlement of any claims under any such insurance policies.

 

5.7            Inspection. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit Agent and each of its duly authorized representatives or agents to visit any of its properties and inspect any of its assets or books and records, to examine and make copies of its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances, and accounts with, and to be advised as to the same by, its officers and employees (provided, that an authorized representative of Borrower shall be allowed to be present) at such reasonable times and intervals as Agent may designate and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, with reasonable prior notice to Borrower and during regular business hours.

 

5.8            Compliance with Laws. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any Governmental Authority, other than laws, rules, regulations, and orders the non-compliance with which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

5.9            Environmental. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to,

 

(a)            Keep any property either owned or operated by Borrower or its Subsidiaries free of any Environmental Liens or post bonds or other financial assurances sufficient to satisfy the obligations or liability evidenced by such Environmental Liens, except where failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect,

 

(b)            Comply, in all material respects, with Environmental Laws and provide to Agent documentation of such compliance which Agent reasonably requests,

 

(c)            Promptly notify Agent of any release of which Borrower has knowledge of a Hazardous Material in any reportable quantity from or onto property owned or operated by Borrower or its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and take any Remedial Actions required to abate said release or otherwise to come into compliance, in all material respects, with applicable Environmental Law, and

 

(d)            Promptly, but in any event within 5 Business Days of its receipt thereof, provide Agent with written notice of any of the following which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect: (i) notice that an Environmental Lien has been filed against any of the real or personal property of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, (ii) commencement of any Environmental Action or written notice that an Environmental Action will be filed against Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and (iii) written notice of a violation, citation, or other administrative order from a Governmental Authority.

 

5.10            Disclosure Updates. Borrower will, promptly and in no event later than 5 Business Days after obtaining knowledge thereof, notify Agent if any written information, exhibit, or report furnished to Agent or the Lenders contained, at the time it was furnished, any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state any material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which made. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, any notification pursuant to the foregoing provision will not cure or remedy the effect of the prior untrue statement of a material fact or omission of any material fact nor shall any such notification have the effect of amending or modifying this Agreement or any of the Schedules hereto.

 

5.11            Formation of Subsidiaries.

 

(a)            Each Loan Party will, promptly after (x) the formation or acquisition (including by statutory division) of any Domestic Subsidiary (other than any Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary) or (y) becoming aware that any Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary fails to meet the requirements set forth in the definition thereof (and, in any event, within 30 days after such formation or acquisition or becoming aware of such failure, or such later date as permitted by Agent in its sole discretion), cause such Person to (i) become a Guarantor by delivering to Agent a duly executed joinder to the Guaranty and Security Agreement, a joinder to the Intercompany Subordination Agreement and such other documents as Agent shall reasonably deem appropriate for such purpose, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent (including being sufficient to grant Agent a first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) in and to the assets of such newly formed or acquired Subsidiary (other than assets constituting Excluded Assets)), (ii) provide, or cause the applicable Loan Party to provide, to Agent a pledge agreement (which may include an addendum to the Guaranty and Security Agreement), appropriate certificates and powers or financing statements, pledging all of the direct or beneficial Equity Interests in such new Subsidiary in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, and (iii) provide to Agent all other documentation, including one or more opinions of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Agent, which, in its opinion, is appropriate with respect to the execution and delivery of the applicable documentation referred to above.

 

 

(b)            Each Loan Party will, promptly after the formation or acquisition of any First Tier Foreign Subsidiary (and, in any event, within 30 days after such formation or acquisition, or such later date as permitted by Agent in its sole discretion), (i) provide, or cause the applicable Loan Party to provide, to Agent an agreement pledging 65% of the total outstanding voting Equity Interests (and 100% of the nonvoting Equity Interests) of any such new First Tier Foreign Subsidiary and a consent thereto executed by such new First Tier Foreign Subsidiary (including, if applicable, original certificated Equity Interests (or the equivalent thereof pursuant to the applicable laws and practices of any relevant foreign jurisdiction) evidencing the Equity Interests of such new First Tier Foreign Subsidiary, together with an appropriate undated stock or other transfer power for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof), and (ii) provide to Agent all other documentation, including one or more opinions of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Agent, which, in its opinion, is appropriate with respect to the execution and delivery of the applicable documentation referred to above. For the avoidance of doubt, no guaranty by (or pledge of any of the assets or Equity Interests (other than up to 65% of the voting Equity Interests and 100% of the nonvoting Equity Interests of a First Tier Foreign Subsidiary) of) any First Tier Foreign Subsidiary shall be required.

 

(c)            Any document, agreement, or instrument executed or issued pursuant to this Section 5.11 shall constitute a Loan Document.

 

5.12            Further Assurances. Borrower will, and will cause each of the other Loan Parties to, at any time upon the reasonable request of Agent, execute or deliver to Agent any and all financing statements, fixture filings, security agreements, pledges, assignments, opinions of counsel, and all other documents (the “Additional Documents”) that Agent may reasonably request in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent, to create, perfect, and continue perfected or to better perfect Agent’s Liens in substantially all of the assets of each Loan Party (whether now owned or hereafter arising or acquired (including assets acquired by statutory division), tangible or intangible) (other than assets constituting Excluded Assets), and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated hereby and under the other Loan Documents. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, if Borrower or any other Loan Party refuses or fails to execute or deliver any reasonably requested Additional Documents within a reasonable period of time following the request to do so, Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby authorizes Agent to execute any such Additional Documents in the applicable Loan Party’s name and authorizes Agent to file such executed Additional Documents in any appropriate filing office. In furtherance of, and not in limitation of, the foregoing, each Loan Party shall take such actions as Agent may reasonably request from time to time to ensure that the Obligations are guaranteed by the Guarantors and are secured by substantially all of the assets of each Loan Party (other than assets constituting Excluded Assets).

 

5.13            Compliance with Material Contracts. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply in all respects with each Material Contract, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may contest any compliance matter respecting such Material Contract in good faith through applicable proceedings so long as adequate reserves are maintained in accordance with GAAP.

 

5.14            Compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws, Beneficial Ownership Regulation, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Sanctions. Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and applicable Sanctions. Borrower will (a) notify Agent and each Lender that previously received a Beneficial Ownership Certification (or a certification that the Borrower qualifies for an express exclusion to the “legal entity customer” definition under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation) of any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified therein (or, if applicable, the Borrower ceasing to fall within an express exclusion to the definition of “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation) and (b) promptly upon the reasonable request of Agent or any Lender, provide Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, any information or documentation requested by it for purposes of complying with the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

 

 

5.15            Compliance with ERISA and the IRC. In addition to and without limiting the generality of Section 5.8, Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to (a) comply in all material respects with applicable provisions of ERISA and the IRC with respect to all Employee Benefit Plans, (b) without the prior written consent of Agent and the Required Lenders, not take any action or fail to take action the result of which could result in a Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate incurring a material liability to the PBGC or to a Multiemployer Plan (other than to pay contributions or premiums payable in the ordinary course), (c) allow any facts or circumstances to exist with respect to one or more Employee Benefit Plans that, in the aggregate, reasonably could be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (d) not participate in any prohibited transaction that could result in other than a de minimis civil penalty excise tax, fiduciary liability or correction obligation under ERISA or the IRC, (e) operate each Employee Benefit Plan in such a manner that will not incur any material tax liability under the IRC (including Section 4980B of the IRC), and (e) furnish to Agent upon Agent’s written request such additional information about any Employee Benefit Plan for which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate could reasonably expect to incur any material liability. With respect to each Pension Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) except as could not reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Loan Parties, the Loan Parties and the ERISA Affiliates shall (i) satisfy in full and in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any Lien, all of the contribution and funding requirements of the IRC and of ERISA, and (ii) pay, or cause to be paid, to the PBGC in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty, all premiums required pursuant to ERISA.

 

6.            NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

 

Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments, termination or expiration (or Cash Collateralization) of all Letters of Credit and payment in full of the Obligations:

 

6.1            Indebtedness. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, guarantee, or otherwise become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except for Permitted Indebtedness.

 

6.2            Liens. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume, or suffer to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets, of any kind, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except for Permitted Liens.

 

6.3            Fundamental Changes. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(a)            other than in order to consummate a Permitted Acquisition, enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization, or recapitalization, or reclassify its Equity Interests (including, in each case, pursuant to statutory division), except for (i) any merger between Loan Parties, provided, that Borrower must be the surviving entity of any such merger to which it is a party, (ii) any merger between a Loan Party and a Subsidiary of such Loan Party that is not a Loan Party so long as such Loan Party is the surviving entity of any such merger, (iii) any merger between Subsidiaries of Borrower that are not Loan Parties and (iv) any such merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or reclassification of a Loan Party pursuant to a statutory division so long as each newly created division becomes a Loan Party,

 

 

(b)            liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) (including, in each case, pursuant to statutory division), except for (i) the liquidation or dissolution of Subsidiaries of Borrower if Borrower determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of Borrower and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lender Group and provided that all of the assets (including any interest in any Equity Interests) of any such liquidating or dissolving Subsidiary that is a Loan Party are transferred to a Loan Party, (ii) the liquidation or dissolution of a Loan Party (other than Borrower) or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries so long as all of the assets (including any interest in any Equity Interests) of such liquidating or dissolving Loan Party or Subsidiary are transferred to a Loan Party that is not liquidating or dissolving, (iii) the liquidation or dissolution of a Subsidiary of Borrower that is not a Loan Party (other than any such Subsidiary the Equity Interests of which (or any portion thereof) is subject to a Lien in favor of Agent) so long as all of the assets of such liquidating or dissolving Subsidiary are transferred to a Subsidiary of Borrower that is not liquidating or dissolving, (iv) the liquidation or dissolution of TME WII, S.A. de C.V., TME WII Services, S.A. de C.V., and Vintage Windows Limited, provided that all of the assets (including any interest in any Equity Interests) of any such liquidating or dissolving Subsidiary that is a Loan Party are transferred to a Loan Party, or (v) the liquidation or dissolution of a Loan Party pursuant to a statutory division so long as each newly created division becomes a Loan Party, or

 

(c)            suspend or cease operating a substantial portion of its or their business (including, in each case, pursuant to statutory division), except as permitted pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) above or in connection with a transaction permitted under Section 6.4.

 

6.4            Disposal of Assets. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into an agreement to convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of) any of its or their assets (including, in each case, pursuant to statutory division), except for Permitted Dispositions (which may be accomplished pursuant to statutory division) and transactions expressly permitted by Sections 6.3 or 6.9.

 

6.5            Nature of Business. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business that is substantially different from the business conducted by Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date, other than a business reasonably related or complimentary thereto.

 

6.6            Prepayments and Amendments. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(a)            Prepay, repay, redeem, purchase, defease, or otherwise or acquire for value (including (x) by way of depositing with any trustee with respect thereto money or securities before due for the purpose of paying when due and (y) at the maturity thereof) any Junior Indebtedness, or make any payment in violation of any subordination terms of any Junior Indebtedness, except:

 

(i)            so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would be caused thereby, regularly scheduled or mandatory repayments, repurchases, redemptions or defeasances of Junior Indebtedness, provided that such payments of Subordinated Indebtedness shall be in accordance with the subordination terms thereof or the subordination agreement applicable thereto,

 

(ii)            in connection with Refinancing Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.1 and in compliance with any subordination provisions applicable thereto,

 

 

(iii)            payments and prepayments of Junior Indebtedness made solely with proceeds of any issuance of Qualified Equity Interests of Borrower, or any capital contribution in respect of Qualified Equity Interests of Borrower, so long as immediately before and after giving effect to any such payment or prepayment, no Default or Event of Default then exists,

 

(iv)            (A) payments and prepayments of Junior Indebtedness as a result of the conversion of all or any portion of such Junior Indebtedness into Qualified Equity Interests of Borrower, and (B) payments of interest in respect of Junior Indebtedness in the form of payment in kind interest constituting Permitted Indebtedness,

 

(v)            so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom, payments and prepayments in respect of Permitted Intercompany Advances, to the extent permitted by the Intercompany Subordination Agreement, if applicable, and

 

(vi)            without limiting and in addition to the exceptions permitted in clauses (i) through (v) above, prepayments, redemptions, purchases, defeasances and payments in respect of Junior Indebtedness prior to their scheduled maturity; provided that (i) at the time of such prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other payment, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) Borrower demonstrates (x) that the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio is not greater than 2.75 to 1.00 and (y) that the aggregate amount of all cash and Cash Equivalents of Borrower and its Subsidiaries that are unrestricted and not subject to any Lien (other than any Permitted Lien) plus availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is greater than $25,000,000, in each of clauses (x) and (y) calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such prepayment, redemption, purchase, defeasance or other payment and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith.

 

(b)            Directly or indirectly, amend, modify, or change any of the terms or provisions of

 

(i)            any agreement, instrument, document, indenture, or other writing evidencing or concerning any Junior Indebtedness in any respect which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interest of the Lenders or in violation or contravention of the subordination terms thereof or the subordination agreement applicable thereto, or

 

(ii)            the Quanex Incentive Plans or the Governing Documents of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case, if the effect thereof, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

 

6.7            Restricted Payments. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make any Restricted Payment; provided, that, so long as it is permitted by law, and so long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom:

 

(a)            Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments permitted pursuant to Section 6.6(a);

 

(b)            (i) each Subsidiary of a Loan Party may make Restricted Payments (other than in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness) to any Loan Party (and, if applicable, to other holders of its outstanding Equity Interests on a ratable basis), and (ii) each Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may make Restricted Payments to any Subsidiary,

 

(c)            Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common Qualified Equity Interests of such Person,

 

 

(d)            Borrower may make distributions to former employees, officers, or directors of Borrower (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing) on account of redemptions of Equity Interests of Borrower held by such Persons, provided, that the aggregate amount of such distributions made by Borrower during the term of this Agreement plus the amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (n) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness, does not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate,

 

(e)            Borrower may make distributions to former employees, officers, or directors of Borrower (or any spouses, ex-spouses, or estates of any of the foregoing), solely in the form of forgiveness of Indebtedness of such Persons owing to Borrower on account of repurchases of the Equity Interests of Borrower held by such Persons; provided that such Indebtedness was incurred by such Persons solely to acquire Equity Interests of Borrower,

 

(f)            Borrower may declare and pay dividends in accordance with Borrower’s historical dividend policy in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25,000,000 in any Fiscal Year,

 

(g)            Without limiting and in addition to the exceptions permitted in clauses (a) through (f) above and clause (h) below, Borrower may make Restricted Payments so long as (i) at the time of such Restricted Payment, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) Borrower demonstrates (x) that the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio is not greater than 2.75 to 1.00 and (y) that the aggregate amount of all cash and Cash Equivalents of Borrower and its Subsidiaries that are unrestricted and not subject to any Lien (other than a Lien in favor of Agent or any Permitted Lien) plus availability under the Revolving Credit Facility is greater than $25,000,000, in each of clauses (x) and (y) calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith, and

 

(h)            To the extent not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 6.7, Borrower and its Subsidiaries may make additional Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not exceeding the greater of (i) $40,000,000 and (ii) 5% of the Consolidated total assets of Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries, as reflected in the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1, so long as Borrower demonstrates that they are in compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7, calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Restricted Payment and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith.

 

6.8            Fiscal Year; Accounting Methods. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, modify or change its Fiscal Year or its method of accounting (other than as may be required to conform to GAAP).

 

6.9            Investments. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make or acquire any Investment or incur any liabilities (including contingent obligations) for or in connection with any Investment except for Permitted Investments.

 

6.10            Transactions with Affiliates. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction with any Affiliate of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries except for:

 

(a)            transactions (other than the payment of management, consulting, monitoring, or advisory fees) between Borrower or its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and any Affiliate of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, on the other hand, so long as such transactions are no less favorable, taken as a whole, to Borrower or its Subsidiaries, as applicable, than would be obtained in an arm’s length transaction with a non-Affiliate,

 

 

(b)            so long as it has been approved by Borrower’s or its applicable Subsidiary’s board of directors (or comparable governing body) in accordance with applicable law, any indemnity provided for the benefit of directors (or comparable managers) of Borrower or its applicable Subsidiary,

 

(c)            so long as it has been approved by Borrower’s or its applicable Subsidiary’s board of directors (or comparable governing body) in accordance with applicable law, the payment of reasonable compensation, severance, or employee benefit arrangements to employees, officers, and outside directors of Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and consistent with industry practice, and

 

(d)            transactions permitted by Section 6.3, Section 6.6, Section 6.7, or Section 6.9.

 

6.11            Use of Proceeds.

 

(a)            Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to use the proceeds of any Extensions of Credit made hereunder for any purpose other than (a) on the Closing Date, (i) to refinance certain existing Indebtedness owing under or in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement and (ii) to pay the fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the other transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, in each case, as set forth in the Funds Flow Agreement, and (b) thereafter, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, to finance working capital from time to time for Borrower and the other Loan Parties and for other lawful and permitted general corporate purposes (including that no part of the proceeds of any Extensions of Credit will be used to purchase or carry any such Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors).

 

(b)            No proceeds of any Extension of Credit shall be used, directly or indirectly, by Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any of its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents (i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws or Anti-Money Laundering Laws, (ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, including any payments (directly or indirectly) to a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Country or (iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

6.12            No Further Negative Pledges; Restrictive Agreements. Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

 

(a)            Enter into, assume or be subject to any agreement prohibiting or otherwise restricting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or requiring the grant of any security for such obligation if security is given for some other obligation, except (i) pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) pursuant to any document or instrument governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (c) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness (provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets financed thereby), (iii) customary restrictions contained in the organizational documents of any Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor as of the Closing Date and (iv) customary restrictions in connection with any Permitted Lien or any document or instrument governing any Permitted Lien (provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such Permitted Lien).

 

(b)            Create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary on its Equity Interests or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, (ii) pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to any Loan Party or (iii) make loans or advances to any Loan Party, except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (A) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (B) applicable law.

 

 

(c)            Create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof to (i) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to any Loan Party or (ii) act as a Loan Party pursuant to the Loan Documents or any renewals, refinancings, exchanges, refundings or extension thereof, except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (A) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (B) applicable law, (C) any document or instrument governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (c) of the definition of Permitted Indebtedness (provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets acquired in connection therewith), (D) any Permitted Lien or any document or instrument governing any Permitted Lien (provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such Permitted Lien), (E) obligations that are binding on a Subsidiary at the time such Subsidiary first becomes a Subsidiary of Borrower, so long as such obligations are not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary, (F) customary restrictions contained in an agreement related to the sale of property (to the extent such sale is permitted pursuant to Section 6.4) that limit the transfer of such property pending the consummation of such sale, (G) customary restrictions in leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted by this Agreement so long as such restrictions relate only to the assets subject thereto and (H) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business.

 

7.            FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

 

Borrower covenants and agrees that, until termination of all of the Commitments, termination or expiration (or Cash Collateralization) of all Letters of Credit and payment in full of the Obligations:

 

7.1            Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio. As of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, it shall not permit the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio to be greater than 3.25 to 1.00.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any (i) Permitted Acquisition (or any other Acquisition consented to by Agent and the Required Lenders) or (ii) series of Permitted Acquisitions (or any other Acquisitions consented to by Agent and the Required Lenders) completed during any consecutive twelve (12) month period, in each case, having aggregate cash consideration (including cash, Cash Equivalents and other deferred payment obligations) in excess of $100,000,000, the Borrower may, at its election, in connection with such Acquisition or series of Acquisitions and by written notice to Agent (i) in connection with the determination of compliance with clause (h) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition and Section 2.20(b)(vi), or (ii) not less than five (5) Business Days prior to delivery of financial statements pursuant to Sections 5.1(a)(i) or (a)(ii), as applicable, for the fiscal quarter ended immediately after the consummation of such Acquisition or the last of the series of such Acquisitions, increase the required Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio pursuant to this Section to be not greater than 3.75 to 1.00 solely for each Fiscal Quarter ending during the four Fiscal Quarter period immediately following such Acquisition or the last of such series of Acquisitions (including for determining pro forma compliance with clause (h) of the definition of Permitted Acquisition and Section 2.20(b)(vi)); provided that there shall be at least two consecutive Fiscal Quarters following each such increase during which no such increase shall then be in effect.

 

7.2            Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. As of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, it shall not permit the Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio to be less than 3.00 to 1.00.

 

 

8.            EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

 

Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an event of default (each, an “Event of Default”) under this Agreement:

 

8.1            Payments. If Borrower fails to pay when due and payable, or when declared due and payable, and in the currency required hereunder, (a) all or any portion of the Obligations consisting of interest, fees, or charges due the Lender Group, reimbursement of Lender Group Expenses, or other amounts (other than any portion thereof constituting principal) constituting Obligations (including any portion thereof that accrues after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, regardless of whether allowed or allowable in whole or in part as a claim in any such Insolvency Proceeding), and such failure continues for a period of 5 Business Days, (b) all or any portion of the principal of the Loans or (c) any Reimbursement Obligation;

 

8.2            Covenants. If any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries:

 

(a)            fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in any of (i) Sections 3.4, 5.1, 5.3 (solely if Borrower is not in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization), 5.6, 5.7 (solely if Borrower refuses to allow Agent or its representatives or agents to visit Borrower’s properties, inspect its assets or books or records, examine and make copies of its books and records, or discuss Borrower’s affairs, finances, and accounts with officers and employees of Borrower), 5.10, 5.11, or 5.15, (ii) Section 6, (iii) Section 7, or (iv) Section 7 of the Guaranty and Security Agreement;

 

(b)            fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in any of Sections 5.3 (other than if Borrower is not in good standing in its jurisdiction of organization), 5.4, 5.5, 5.8, and 5.12 and such failure continues for a period of 10 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which such failure shall first become known to any officer of Borrower or (ii) the date on which written notice thereof is given to Borrower by Agent; or

 

(c)            fails to perform or observe any covenant or other agreement contained in this Agreement, or in any of the other Loan Documents, in each case, other than any such covenant or agreement that is the subject of another provision of this Section 8 (in which event such other provision of this Section 8 shall govern), and such failure continues for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (i) the date on which such failure shall first become known to any officer of Borrower or (ii) the date on which written notice thereof is given to Borrower by Agent;

 

8.3            Judgments. If one or more judgments, orders, or awards for the payment of money involving an aggregate amount of $15,000,000, or more (except to the extent fully covered (other than to the extent of customary deductibles) by insurance pursuant to which the insurer has not denied coverage) is entered or filed against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or with respect to any of their respective assets, and either (a) there is a period of 30 consecutive days at any time after the entry of any such judgment, order, or award during which (1) the same is not discharged, satisfied, vacated, or bonded pending appeal, or (2) a stay of enforcement thereof is not in effect, or (b) enforcement proceedings are commenced upon such judgment, order, or award;

 

8.4            Voluntary Bankruptcy, etc. If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

8.5            Involuntary Bankruptcy, etc. If an Insolvency Proceeding is commenced against a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any of the following events occur: (a) such Loan Party or such Subsidiary consents to the institution of such Insolvency Proceeding against it, (b) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not timely controverted, (c) the petition commencing the Insolvency Proceeding is not dismissed within 60 calendar days of the date of the filing thereof, (d) an interim trustee is appointed to take possession of all or any substantial portion of the properties or assets of, or to operate all or any substantial portion of the business of, such Loan Party or its Subsidiary, or (e) an order for relief shall have been issued or entered therein;

 

 

8.6            Default Under Other Agreements. If there is a default in one or more agreements to which a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with one or more third Persons relative to a Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ Indebtedness involving an aggregate amount of $25,000,000 or more, and such default (a) occurs at the final maturity of the obligations thereunder, or (b) results in a right by such third Person, irrespective of whether exercised, to accelerate the maturity of such Loan Party’s or its Subsidiary’s obligations thereunder;

 

8.7            Representations, etc. If any warranty, representation, certificate, statement, or Record made herein or in any other Loan Document or delivered in writing to Agent or any Lender in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document proves to be untrue in any material respect (except that such materiality qualifier shall not be applicable to any representations and warranties that already are qualified or modified by materiality in the text thereof) as of the date of issuance or making or deemed making thereof;

 

8.8            Guaranty. If the obligation of any Guarantor under the guaranty contained in the Guaranty and Security Agreement is limited or terminated by operation of law or by such Guarantor (other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement);

 

8.9            Security Documents. If the Guaranty and Security Agreement or any other Loan Document that purports to create a Lien, shall, for any reason, fail or cease to create a valid and perfected and, except to the extent of Permitted Liens which are (a) non-consensual Permitted Liens, (b) permitted purchase money Liens or (c) the interests of lessors under Capital Leases, except (i) as a result of a disposition of the applicable Collateral in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, (ii) with respect to Collateral the aggregate value of which, for all such Collateral, does not exceed at any time, $2,500,000, or (iii) as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent;

 

8.10            Loan Documents. The validity or enforceability of any Loan Document shall at any time for any reason (other than solely as the result of an action or failure to act on the part of Agent) be declared to be null and void, or a proceeding shall be commenced by a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, or by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries, seeking to establish the invalidity or unenforceability thereof, or a Loan Party or its Subsidiaries shall deny that such Loan Party or its Subsidiaries has any liability or obligation purported to be created under any Loan Document;

 

8.11            Change of Control. A Change of Control shall occur, whether directly or indirectly;

 

8.12            ERISA. The occurrence of any of the following events: (a) any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate fails to make full payment when due of all amounts which any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions, installments, or otherwise to or with respect to all Pension Plans and Multiemployer Plans, and such failure could reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of $25,000,000 in the aggregate, (b) an accumulated funding deficiency or funding shortfall in excess of $25,000,000 occurs or exists with respect to all Pension Plans in the aggregate (excluding any overfunding), whether or not waived, (c) one or more Notification Events, which could reasonably be expected to result in liability in excess of $25,000,000, either individually or in the aggregate, or (d) any Loan Party or ERISA Affiliate completely or partially withdraws from one or more Multiemployer Plans and incurs Withdrawal Liability in excess of $25,000,000 in the aggregate, or fails to make any Withdrawal Liability payment when due;

 

 

8.13            Interference with Business. Borrower or any Subsidiary is enjoined, restrained, or in any way prevented by the order of any court or other Governmental Authority, the effect of which order restricts such Person from conducting all or any material part of its business, unless such order is subject to a good faith dispute being diligently pursued according to appropriate legal proceedings and such order could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

 

8.14            Senior Debt Status. The Obligations shall fail to rank senior in priority of payment to all Subordinated Indebtedness.

 

9.            RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.

 

9.1            Rights and Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, Agent may, and, at the instruction of the Required Lenders, shall (in the case of clause (a) or (b) by written notice to Borrower), in addition to any other rights or remedies provided for hereunder or under any other Loan Document or by applicable law, do any one or more of the following:

 

(a)            (i) declare the principal of, and any and all accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect of, the Loans, Reimbursement Obligations and all other Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations), whether evidenced by this Agreement or by any of the other Loan Documents to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the same shall become and be immediately due and payable and Borrower shall be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full, without presentment, demand, protest, or further notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower, and (ii) direct Borrower to provide (and Borrower agrees that upon receipt of such notice Borrower will provide) Cash Collateral to Agent to be held as security for Borrower’s Reimbursement Obligations;

 

(b)            declare the Commitments terminated, whereupon the Commitments shall immediately be terminated together with (i) any obligation of any Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans, (ii) the obligation of the Swingline Lender to make Swingline Loans and (iii) the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit; and

 

(c)            exercise all other rights and remedies available to Agent or the Lenders under the Loan Documents, under applicable law, or in equity.

 

The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.4 or Section 8.5, in addition to the remedies set forth above, without any notice to Borrower or any other Person or any act by the Lender Group, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Obligations (other than the Bank Product Obligations) shall automatically become and be immediately due and payable and Borrower shall automatically be obligated to repay all of such Obligations in full (including Borrower being obligated to provide (and Borrower agrees that it will provide) Cash Collateral to Agent to be held as security for Borrower’s reimbursement obligations in respect of drawings that may subsequently occur under issued and outstanding Letters of Credit), without presentment, demand, protest, or notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by Borrower.

 

9.2            Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 9.1 (or after the Obligations have automatically become immediately due and payable as set forth in the last sentence of Section 9.1), except as set forth in Section 15.20, any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by Agent in the following order:

 

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, Lender Group Expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to Agent) payable to Agent;

 

 

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting indemnities, Lender Group Expenses (other than Commitment Fees and Letter of Credit fees payable to the Revolving Credit Lenders), and other amounts (other than principal, interest and fees) payable to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Commitment Fees, Letter of Credit fees payable to the Revolving Credit Lenders and interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations, ratably among the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, Reimbursement Obligations and Bank Product Obligations and to Cash Collateralize any L/C Obligations then outstanding, ratably among the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and the Bank Product Providers in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and

 

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Loan Parties or as otherwise required by law.

 

9.3            Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; Etc.

 

(a)            The rights and remedies of the Lender Group under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and all other agreements shall be cumulative. The Lender Group shall have all other rights and remedies not inconsistent herewith as provided under the Code, by law, or in equity. No exercise by the Lender Group of one right or remedy shall be deemed an election, and no waiver by the Lender Group of any Event of Default shall be deemed a continuing waiver. No delay by the Lender Group shall constitute a waiver, election, or acquiescence by it.

 

(b)            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, Agent in accordance with Section 9.1 for the benefit of all the Lenders; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (i) Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (ii) the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as the Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (iii) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 15.12(a) (subject to the terms of Section 15.12(b)), or (iv) 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 Insolvency Proceeding; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (A) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to Agent pursuant to Section 9.1 and (B) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (ii) and (iii) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 15.12(b), 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.

 

 

10.            WAIVERS; INDEMNIFICATION.

 

10.1            Demand; Protest; etc. Except to the extent set forth in or required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at any time held by the Lender Group on which Borrower may in any way be liable.

 

10.2            The Lender Group’s Liability for Collateral. Borrower hereby agrees that: (a) so long as Agent complies with its obligations, if any, under the Code, the Lender Group shall not in any way or manner be liable or responsible for: (i) the safekeeping of the Collateral, (ii) any loss or damage thereto occurring or arising in any manner or fashion from any cause, (iii) any diminution in the value thereof, or (iv) any act or default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee, forwarding agency, or other Person, and (b) all risk of loss, damage, or destruction of the Collateral shall be borne by Borrower.

 

10.3            Indemnification. Borrower shall pay, indemnify, defend, and hold the Agent-Related Persons, the Lender-Related Persons, the Joint Lead Arrangers, and each Participant (each, an “Indemnified Person”) harmless (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, investigations, proceedings, liabilities, fines, costs, penalties, and damages, and all reasonable fees and disbursements of attorneys, experts, or consultants and all other reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith or in connection with the enforcement of this indemnification (as and when they are incurred and irrespective of whether suit is brought), at any time asserted against, imposed upon, or incurred by any of them (including, without limitation, in connection with any action, claim or proceeding brought by a Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof) (a) in connection with or as a result of or related to the execution and delivery (provided, that Borrower shall not be liable for costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) of any Lender (other than Wells Fargo) incurred in advising, structuring, drafting, reviewing, administering or syndicating the Loan Documents), enforcement, performance, or administration (including any restructuring or workout with respect hereto) of this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents, or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or the monitoring of Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents (provided, that the indemnification in this clause (a) shall not extend to (i) disputes solely between or among the Lenders that do not involve any acts or omissions of any Loan Party, or (ii) disputes solely between or among the Lenders and their respective Affiliates that do not involve any acts or omissions of any Loan Party; it being understood and agreed that the indemnification in this clause (a) shall extend to Agent (but not the Lenders to the extent provided above) relative to disputes between or among Agent on the one hand, and one or more Lenders, or one or more of their Affiliates, on the other hand, or (iii) any Taxes or any costs attributable to Taxes, which shall be governed by Section 16), (b) with respect to any actual or prospective investigation, litigation, or proceeding related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or the making of any Loans or issuance of any Letters of Credit hereunder, or the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the Letters of Credit provided hereunder (irrespective of whether any Indemnified Person is a party thereto), or any act, omission, event, or circumstance in any manner related thereto, (c) in connection with or arising out of any presence or release of Hazardous Materials at, on, under, to or from any assets or properties owned, leased or operated by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any Environmental Actions, Environmental Liabilities or Remedial Actions related in any way to any such assets or properties of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d) with respect to any actual or prospective investigation, litigation, or proceeding brought by or relating to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (each and all of the foregoing, the “Indemnified Liabilities”). The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, Borrower shall have no obligation to any Indemnified Person under this Section 10.3 with respect to any Indemnified Liability that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final non-appealable judgment to have resulted from (x) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person or its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, or agents or (y) a material breach in bad faith of the funding obligations of such Indemnified Person under this Agreement. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment in full of the Obligations. If any Indemnified Person makes any payment to any other Indemnified Person with respect to an Indemnified Liability as to which Borrower was required to indemnify the Indemnified Person receiving such payment, the Indemnified Person making such payment is entitled to be indemnified and reimbursed by Borrower with respect thereto.

 

 

10.4            Costs and Expenses. Borrower and any other Loan Party, jointly and severally, shall pay all Lender Group Expenses when due.

 

11.            NOTICES.

 

(a)            Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices or demands relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in writing and (except for financial statements and other informational documents which may be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid) shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), overnight courier, electronic mail (at such email addresses as a party may designate in accordance herewith), or facsimile. In the case of notices or demands to Borrower or Agent, as the case may be, they shall be sent to the respective address set forth below:

 

	If to Borrower:	QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION
		1800 West Loop South, Suite 1500
		Houston, TX 77027
		Attn: Chief Financial Officer
		Fax No.: (713) 993-0591
		Email:  Scott.Zuehlke@quanex.com
	with copies to:	FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
		1000 Louisiana Street, Suite 2000
		Houston, TX 77002
		Attn:  Hoang Quan Vu, Esq.
		Fax No.: (713) 276-5174
		Email:  hvu@foley.com
	If to Agent:	WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
		MAC D1109-019 1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd. Charlotte, NC  28262 Attention of:  Syndication Agency Services Telephone No.:  (704) 590-2703 Fax No.:  (704) 715-0092

 

 

	with copies to:	WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
		MAC T0318-060 21 Waterway Avenue, 6th Floor
		The Woodlands, TX 77380
		Attn: Benita V. Reyes Telephone No.: (713) 319-1332
		Fax No.:  (281) 362-6611
		Email:  Benita.V.Reyes@wellsfargo.com

 

(b)            Any party hereto may change the address at which they are to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other party. All notices or demands sent in accordance with this Section 11, shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or 3 Business Days after the deposit thereof in the mail; provided, that (a) notices sent by overnight courier service shall be deemed to have been given when received, (b) notices 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) and (c) notices by electronic mail shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email or other written acknowledgment).

 

(c)            Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Lender hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 2 if such Lender or the Issuing Lender has notified Agent that is incapable of receiving notices under such Section by electronic communication. Agent or Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications. Unless Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or other communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

(d)            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 applicable 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 Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal or state securities applicable laws.

 

 

12.            CHOICE OF LAW AND VENUE; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.

 

(a)            THE VALIDITY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (UNLESS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED TO THE CONTRARY IN ANOTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN RESPECT OF SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT), THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT HEREOF AND THEREOF, THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO, AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR RELATED HERETO OR THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

(b)            THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT AGENT’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE AGENT ELECTS TO BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION 12(b).

 

(c)            TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS, IF ANY, TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS (EACH A “CLAIM”). BORROWER AND EACH MEMBER OF THE LENDER GROUP REPRESENT THAT EACH HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.

 

(d)            BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT AGENT MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

 

 

(e)            NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY ANY LOAN PARTY AGAINST AGENT, THE ISSUING LENDER, THE SWINGLINE LENDER, ANY OTHER LENDER OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES OR LOSSES IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AND EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.

 

13.

ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS; SUCCESSORS.

 

13.1          Assignments and Participations.

 

(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 no Loan Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of Agent and each Lender (except in connection with the consummation of a transaction expressly permitted under the Loan Documents) 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 Section 13.1(b), (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of Section 13.1(d), or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of Section 13.1(e) (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 Affiliates of each of the Lender Group) 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 Loans at the time owing to it); provided that 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 and/or the Loans at the time owing to it or contemporaneous assignments to related Approved Funds that equal at least the amount specified in subsection (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 Agent or, if a “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless each of Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed and shall be deemed given if Borrower has not responded to a request for such consent within 5 Business Days after having received notice thereof);

 

 

(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 Loan or the Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its rights and obligations among separate classes 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 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 a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided, that Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to Agent within 5 Business Days after having received notice thereof;

 

(B)            the consent of Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of the Incremental Term Loans if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and

 

(C)            the consent of Agent, Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment or an affiliate of such Lender.

 

(iv)            Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 for each assignment; provided that (A) only one such fee will be payable in connection with simultaneous assignments to two or more related Approved Funds by a Lender and (B) Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

 

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

 

(vi)            No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person).

 

(vii)           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 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 Borrower and 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 (A) pay and satisfy in full all payment liabilities then owed by such Defaulting Lender to Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender and each other Lender hereunder (and interest accrued thereon), and (B) acquire (and fund as appropriate) its full pro rata share of all Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans. 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.

 

 

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by Agent pursuant to paragraph (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 and subject to the requirements of Section 16 and Sections 2.18, 2.19, 10.3, 10.4 and 15.7 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. 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 Section 13.1(d) (other than a purported assignment to a natural Person (including a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person) or Borrower or any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates, which shall be null and void).

 

(c)            Register. Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrower, shall maintain at Agent’s Office, a copy of each Assignment and Assumption and each Incremental Amendment delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of (and stated interest on) the Loans 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 Borrower, 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. The Register shall be available for inspection by Borrower and any Lender (but only to the extent of entries in the Register that are applicable to such 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, Borrower or Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person) or Borrower or any of Borrower’s Subsidiaries or Affiliates) (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 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) Borrower, Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 15.7 with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s).

 

 

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, modification or waiver or modification described in Section 14.1(a)(i) through (iii) or (a)(viii) that directly and adversely affects such Participant. Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 16 and Section 2.19 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 16.7 (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 16.7 shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 14.2 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 16 or Section 2.19, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change in Law that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at Borrower’s request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with Borrower to effectuate the provisions of Section 14.2(b) with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefit of any right of setoff provided herein as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.18 as though it were a Lender.

 

Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts of (and stated interest on) 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, Agent (in its capacity as 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.

 

14.

AMENDMENTS; WAIVERS.

 

14.1         Amendments and Waivers.

 

(a)            No amendment, waiver or other modification of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (other than the Fee Letters), and no consent with respect to any departure by Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Required Lenders (or by Agent at the written request of the Required Lenders) and Borrower and then any such waiver or consent shall be effective, but only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, that no such waiver, amendment, or consent shall:

 

(i)            increase or extend the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 9.1) without the written consent of such Lender,

 

 

(ii)            waive, postpone or delay any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment of principal, interest, fees, or other amounts due hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby,

 

(iii)           reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest on, any loan or other extension of credit hereunder, or reduce any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby; provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be required to (i) waive any obligation of Borrower to pay increased interests pursuant to Section 2.14(b) or (ii)  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 or to reduce any fee payable hereunder,

 

(iv)           amend, modify, or eliminate Section 3.1 without the written consent of each Lender,

 

(v)            other than as permitted by Section 15.11, release or subordinate Agent’s Lien in and to all or substantially all of the Collateral without the written consent of each Lender,

 

(vi)           reduce the percentages set forth in the definition of “Required Lenders”, or amend, modify, or eliminate this Section or any provision of this Agreement providing for consent or other action by all Lenders without the written consent of each Lender,

 

(vii)          other than in connection with a merger, liquidation, dissolution or sale of such Person expressly permitted by the terms hereof or the other Loan Documents, release Borrower or all Guarantors or Guarantors comprising substantially all of the credit support for the Obligations from their respective obligations under the Loan Documents or consent to the assignment or transfer by Borrower or any Guarantor of any of its rights or duties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents without the written consent of each Lender,

 

(viii)         amend, modify or eliminate Section 9.2 or Section 15.12(b) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or order of application required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby,

 

(ix)            amend, modify or waive any provision of the Loan Documents in a manner disproportionately affecting the Lenders under a specific Class under this Agreement, as applicable, without the consent of the Lenders holding at least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans and outstanding Commitments of such disproportionately affected Class, or

 

(x)            amend the definition of “Alternative Currency” without the written consent of each Revolving Credit Lender and each Issuing Lender, or

 

(b)           No amendment, waiver, modification, or consent shall amend, modify, waive, or eliminate,

 

(i)             the definition of, or any of the terms or provisions of, the Fee Letters, without the written consent of the parties thereto (and shall not require the written consent of any of the Lenders),

 

 

(ii)            any provision of Section 15 pertaining to Agent, or any other rights or duties of Agent under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, without the written consent of Agent, Borrower, and the Required Lenders,

 

(iii)            any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents pertaining to the Issuing Lender, or any other rights or duties of the Issuing Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, without the written consent of the Issuing Lender, Agent, Borrower, and the Required Lenders, or

 

(iv)            any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents pertaining to the Swingline Lender, or any other rights or duties of the Swingline Lender under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, without the written consent of the Swingline Lender, Agent, Borrower, and the Required Lenders.

 

(c)            Anything in this Section 14.1 to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) any amendment, modification, elimination, waiver, consent, termination, or release of, or with respect to, any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document that relates only to the relationship of the Lender Group among themselves, and that does not affect the rights or obligations of Borrower, shall not require consent by or the agreement of any Loan Party, (ii) any amendment, waiver, modification, elimination, or consent of or with respect to any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be entered into without the consent of, or over the objection of, any Defaulting Lender other than any of the matters governed by Section 14.1(a)(i) through (iii) that affect such Lender, (iii) Agent and Borrower shall be permitted to amend any provision of the Loan Documents (and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document) if Agent and Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error or omission of a technical or immaterial nature in any such provision and (iv) Agent and Borrower may, without the consent of any Lender, enter into amendments or modifications to this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to enter into additional Loan Documents as Agent and Borrower reasonably deem appropriate in order to implement any Benchmark Replacement or any Conforming Changes or otherwise effectuate the terms of Section 2.18(c) in accordance with the terms of Section 2.18(c).

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes Agent on its behalf, and without further consent of any Lender (but with the consent of the Borrower and Agent), to (x) amend and restate this Agreement and the other Loan Documents if, upon giving effect to such amendment and restatement, such Lender shall no longer be a party to this Agreement (as so amended and restated), the Commitments of such Lender shall have terminated, such Lender shall have no other commitment or other obligation hereunder and shall have been paid in full all principal, interest and other amounts owing to it or accrued for its account under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (y) enter into amendments or modifications to this Agreement (including amendments to this Section 14.1) or any of the other Loan Documents or to enter into additional Loan Documents as Agent reasonably deems appropriate in order to effectuate the terms of Section 2.20 (including, without limitation, as applicable, (1) to permit the Incremental Increase to share ratably in the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (2) to include the Incremental Term Loan Commitments, outstanding Incremental Term Loans or Revolving Credit Commitment Increases in any determination of (i) Required Lenders or (ii) similar required lender terms applicable thereto); provided that no amendment or modification shall result in any increase in the amount of any Lender’s Loans without the written consent of such affected Lender.

 

 

14.2

Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Certain Lenders.

 

(a)            Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.19, or Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 16, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 2.18(b), then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 16 or Section 2.19, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 2.18(b), as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

(b)            Replacement of Certain Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.19, or if 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 16, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender or a Non-Consenting Lender, then Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and 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 13.1), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 16 and Section 2.19) 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:

 

(i)            Borrower shall have paid to Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 13.1(b);

 

(ii)           such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.19(e)) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

 

(iii)          in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.19 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 16, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

 

(iv)          such assignment does not conflict with applicable law (as defined in Section 16.1); and

 

(v)           in the case of any 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 Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

14.3            No Waivers; Cumulative Remedies. No failure by Agent or any Lender to exercise any right, remedy, or option under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or delay by Agent or any Lender in exercising the same, will operate as a waiver thereof. No waiver by Agent or any Lender will be effective unless it is in writing, and then only to the extent specifically stated. No waiver by Agent or any Lender on any occasion shall affect or diminish Agent’s and each Lender’s rights thereafter to require strict performance by Borrower of any provision of this Agreement. Agent’s and each Lender’s rights under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents will be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right or remedy that Agent or any Lender may have.

 

 

15.

AGENT; THE LENDER GROUP.

 

15.1            Appointment and Authorization of Agent. Each Lender and the Issuing Lender hereby designates and appoints Wells Fargo as its agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and each Lender hereby irrevocably authorizes (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to designate, appoint, and authorize) Agent to execute and deliver each of the other Loan Documents on its behalf and to take such other action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to Agent by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Agent agrees to act as agent for and on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Lender (and the Bank Product Providers) on the conditions contained in this Section 15. Any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document notwithstanding, Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents, nor shall Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender or the Issuing Lender (or Bank Product Provider), and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents with reference to 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 merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only a representative relationship between independent contracting parties. Each Lender and the Issuing Lender hereby further authorizes (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to authorize) Agent to act as the secured party under each of the Loan Documents that create a Lien on any item of Collateral. Except as expressly otherwise provided in this Agreement, Agent shall have and may use its sole discretion with respect to exercising or refraining from exercising any discretionary rights or taking or refraining from taking any actions that Agent expressly is entitled to take or assert under or pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, or of any other provision of the Loan Documents that provides rights or powers to Agent, Lenders and the Issuing Lender agree that Agent shall have the right to exercise the following powers as long as this Agreement remains in effect: (a) maintain, in accordance with its customary business practices, ledgers and records reflecting the status of the Obligations, the Collateral, payments and proceeds of Collateral, and related matters, (b) execute or file any and all financing or similar statements or notices, amendments, renewals, supplements, documents, instruments, proofs of claim, notices and other written agreements with respect to the Loan Documents or to take any other action with respect to any Collateral or Loan Documents which may be necessary to perfect, and maintain the perfection of, Agent’s Liens, (c) make Revolving Credit Loans, for itself or on behalf of the Lenders, as provided in the Loan Documents, (d) exclusively receive, apply, and distribute payments and proceeds of the Collateral as provided in the Loan Documents, (e) open and maintain such bank accounts and cash management arrangements as Agent deems necessary and appropriate in accordance with the Loan Documents for the foregoing purposes, (f) perform, exercise, and enforce any and all other rights and remedies of the Lender Group with respect to Borrower or its Subsidiaries, the Obligations, the Collateral, or otherwise related to any of same as provided in the Loan Documents, and (g) incur and pay such Lender Group Expenses as Agent may deem necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions and powers pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

15.2            Delegation of Duties. Agent may execute any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents, employees or attorneys in fact and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney in fact that it selects as long as such selection was made without gross negligence or willful misconduct.

 

 

15.3            Liability of Agent. None of the Agent-Related Persons shall (a) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final nonappealable judgment), or (b) be responsible in any manner to any of the Lenders (or Bank Product Providers) for any recital, statement, representation or warranty made by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any officer or director thereof, contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by Agent under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for any failure of Borrower or its Subsidiaries or any other party to any Loan Document to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. No Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Lenders (or Bank Product Providers) to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or to inspect the books and records or properties of Borrower or its Subsidiaries. Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or in the opinion of its counsel, may expose it to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law or regulation.

 

15.4            Reliance by Agent. Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram, facsimile or other electronic method of transmission, telex or telephone message, statement or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent, or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to Borrower or counsel to any Lender), independent accountants and other experts selected by Agent. Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Agreement or any other Loan Document unless Agent shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Lenders as it deems appropriate and until such instructions are received, Agent shall act, or refrain from acting, as it deems advisable. If Agent so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the Lenders and the Issuing Lender (and, if it so elects, the Bank Product Providers) against any and all liability and expense that may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Agreement or any other Loan Document in accordance with a request or consent of the Required Lenders and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Lenders and the Issuing Lender (and Bank Product Providers).

 

15.5            Notice of Default or Event of Default. Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Event of Default is given to Agent by Borrower or a Lender.

 

15.6            Credit Decision. Each Lender (and Bank Product Provider) acknowledges that none of the Agent-Related Persons has made any representation or warranty to it, and that no act by Agent hereinafter taken, including any review of the affairs of Borrower and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, shall be deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any Lender (or Bank Product Provider). Each Lender represents (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to represent) to Agent that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such due diligence, documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own appraisal of and investigation into the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document, and all applicable bank regulatory laws relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to enter into this Agreement and to extend credit to Borrower. Each Lender also represents (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to represent) that it will, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit analysis, appraisals and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to make such investigations as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition and creditworthiness of Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document. Except for notices, reports, and other documents expressly herein required to be furnished to the Lenders by Agent, Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender (or Bank Product Provider) with any credit or other information concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of Borrower or any other Person party to a Loan Document that may come into the possession of any of Agent-Related Persons. Each Lender acknowledges (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that Agent does not have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis (except to the extent, if any, that is expressly specified herein) to provide such Lender (or Bank Product Provider) with any credit or other information with respect to Borrower, its Affiliates or any of their respective business, legal, financial or other affairs, and irrespective of whether such information came into Agent’s or its Affiliates’ or representatives’ possession before or after the date on which such Lender became a party to this Agreement (or such Bank Product Provider entered into a Bank Product Agreement).

 

 

15.7            Costs and Expenses; Indemnification. Agent may incur and pay Lender Group Expenses to the extent Agent reasonably deems necessary or appropriate for the performance and fulfillment of its functions, powers, and obligations pursuant to the Loan Documents, including court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, reasonable fees and expenses of financial accountants, advisors, consultants, and appraisers, costs of collection by outside collection agencies, auctioneer fees and expenses, and costs of security guards or insurance premiums paid to maintain the Collateral, whether or not Borrower is obligated to reimburse Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or Lenders for such expenses pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise. Agent is authorized and directed to deduct and retain sufficient amounts from payments or proceeds of the Collateral received by Agent to reimburse Agent for such out-of-pocket costs and expenses prior to the distribution of any amounts to Lenders (or Bank Product Providers). In the event Agent, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender is not reimbursed for such costs and expenses by Borrower or its Subsidiaries, each Lender hereby agrees that it is and shall be obligated to pay to Agent, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender such Lender’s ratable share thereof; provided that with respect to such unpaid amounts owed to the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender solely in its capacity as such, only the Revolving Credit Lenders shall be required to pay such unpaid amounts, such payment to be made severally among them based on such Revolving Credit Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought or, if the Revolving Credit Commitment has been reduced to zero as of such time, determined immediately prior to such reduction). Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each of the Lenders, on a ratable basis, shall indemnify and defend the Agent-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or on behalf of Borrower and without limiting the obligation of Borrower to do so) from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for the payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified Liabilities resulting solely from such Person’s gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final nonappealable judgment nor shall any Lender be liable for the obligations of any Defaulting Lender in failing to make a Revolving Credit Loan or other Extension of Credit hereunder. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender shall reimburse Agent upon demand for such Lender’s ratable share of any costs or out of pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys, accountants, advisors, and consultants fees and expenses) incurred by Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment, or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the extent that Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of Borrower. The undertaking in this Section shall survive the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the resignation or replacement of Agent.

 

 

15.8            Agent in Individual Capacity. Wells Fargo and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, provide Bank Products to, acquire Equity Interests in, and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Document as though Wells Fargo were not Agent hereunder, and, in each case, without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender Group. The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, pursuant to such activities, Wells Fargo or its Affiliates may receive information regarding Borrower or its Affiliates or any other Person party to any Loan Documents that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of Borrower or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders (or Bank Product Providers), and the Lenders acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, in such circumstances (and in the absence of a waiver of such confidentiality obligations, which waiver Agent will use its reasonable best efforts to obtain), Agent shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them. The terms “Lender” and “Lenders” include Wells Fargo in its individual capacity.

 

15.9            Successor Agent. Agent may resign as Agent upon 30 days (10 days if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) prior written notice to the Lenders (unless such notice is waived by the Required Lenders) and Borrower (unless such notice is waived by Borrower or an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) and without any notice to the Bank Product Providers. If Agent resigns under this Agreement, the Required Lenders shall be entitled, with (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the consent of Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned), to appoint a successor Agent for the Lenders (and the Bank Product Providers). If, at the time that Agent’s resignation is effective, it is acting as Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, such resignation shall also operate to effectuate its resignation as Issuing Lender or Swingline Lender, as applicable, and it shall automatically be relieved of any further obligation to issue Letters of Credit or to make Swingline Loans; provided that the retiring Issuing Lender shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with respect to Letters of Credit then outstanding and issued by it prior to such resignation, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit or to extend, renew or increase any existing Letter of Credit. If no successor Agent is appointed prior to the effective date of the resignation of Agent, Agent may appoint, after consulting with the Lenders and Borrower, a successor Agent. If Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may agree in writing to remove and replace Agent with a successor Agent from among the Lenders with (so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing) the consent of Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed, or conditioned). In any such event, upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers, and duties of the retiring Agent and the term “Agent” shall mean such successor Agent and the retiring Agent’s appointment, powers, and duties as Agent shall be terminated. After any retiring Agent’s resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 15.9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement. If no successor Agent has accepted appointment as Agent by the date which is 30 days following a retiring Agent’s notice of resignation, the retiring Agent’s resignation shall nevertheless thereupon become effective and the Lenders shall perform all of the duties of Agent hereunder until such time, if any, as the Lenders appoint a successor Agent as provided for above.

 

 

15.10         Lender in Individual Capacity. Any Lender and its respective Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of credit for the account of, accept deposits from, provide Bank Products to, acquire Equity Interests in and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting, or other business with Borrower and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates and any other Person party to any Loan Documents as though such Lender were not a Lender hereunder without notice to or consent of the other members of the Lender Group (or the Bank Product Providers). The other members of the Lender Group acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, pursuant to such activities, such Lender and its respective Affiliates may receive information regarding Borrower or its Affiliates or any other Person party to any Loan Documents that is subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of Borrower or such other Person and that prohibit the disclosure of such information to the Lenders, and the Lenders acknowledge (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to acknowledge) that, in such circumstances, such Lender shall not be under any obligation to provide such information to them.

 

15.11        Collateral and Guaranty Matters.

 

(a)            The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to authorize) Agent to release any Lien on any Collateral (i) upon the termination of the Commitments and payment and satisfaction in full by Borrower of all of the Obligations (other than (A) contingent indemnification obligations and (B) obligations and liabilities under Bank Products) and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements satisfactory to Agent and the Issuing Lender shall have been made), (ii) constituting property being sold or disposed of if a release is required or desirable in connection therewith and if Borrower certifies to Agent that the Disposition is permitted under Section 6.4 (and Agent may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry), (iii) constituting property in which Borrower or its Subsidiaries owned no interest at the time Agent’s Lien was granted nor at any time thereafter, (iv) constituting property leased or licensed to Borrower or its Subsidiaries under a lease or license that has expired or is terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement, (v) in connection with a credit bid or purchase authorized under this Section 15.11, (vi) constituting property of a Guarantor that is released from its obligations under the Loan Documents by reason of such Person ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents or (v) constituting property of a Guarantor that is released from its obligations under the Loan Documents by reason of such Person being designated as an Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary in accordance with the definition thereof. The Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to authorize) Agent to release any Guarantor from its obligations under any Loan Documents if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under the Loan Documents or is designated as an Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary in accordance with the definition thereof; provided that the release of Guarantors comprising substantially all of the credit support for the Obligations shall be subject to Section 14.1(a)(vii). The Loan Parties and the Lenders hereby irrevocably authorize (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to authorize) Agent, based upon the instruction of the Required Lenders, to (a) consent to the sale of, credit bid, or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) credit bid or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any sale or other Disposition thereof conducted under the provisions of the Code, including pursuant to Sections 9-610 or 9-620 of the Code, or (c) credit bid or purchase (either directly or indirectly through one or more entities) all or any portion of the Collateral at any other sale or foreclosure conducted or consented to by Agent in accordance with applicable law in any judicial action or proceeding or by the exercise of any legal or equitable remedy. In connection with any such credit bid or purchase, (i) the Obligations owed to the Lenders and the Bank Product Providers shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims being estimated for such purpose if the fixing or liquidation thereof would not impair or unduly delay the ability of Agent to credit bid or purchase at such sale or other Disposition of the Collateral and, if such contingent or unliquidated claims cannot be estimated without impairing or unduly delaying the ability of Agent to credit bid at such sale or other Disposition, then such claims shall be disregarded, not credit bid, and not entitled to any interest in the Collateral that is the subject of such credit bid or purchase) and the Lenders and the Bank Product Providers whose Obligations are credit bid shall be entitled to receive interests (ratably based upon the proportion of their Obligations credit bid in relation to the aggregate amount of Obligations so credit bid) in the Collateral that is the subject of such credit bid or purchase (or in the Equity Interests of any entities that are used to consummate such credit bid or purchase), and (ii) Agent, based upon the instruction of the Required Lenders, may accept non-cash consideration, including debt and equity securities issued by any entities used to consummate such credit bid or purchase and in connection therewith Agent may reduce the Obligations owed to the Lenders and the Bank Product Providers (ratably based upon the proportion of their Obligations credit bid in relation to the aggregate amount of Obligations so credit bid) based upon the value of such non-cash consideration. Agent will not execute and deliver a release of any Lien on any Collateral without the prior written authorization of (y) if the release is of all or substantially all of the Collateral, all of the Lenders (without requiring the authorization of the Bank Product Providers), or (z) otherwise, except as provided above the Required Lenders (without requiring the authorization of the Bank Product Providers). Upon request by Agent or Borrower at any time, the Lenders will (and if so requested, the Bank Product Providers will) confirm in writing Agent’s authority to release any such Liens on particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 15.11; provided, that (1) anything to the contrary contained in any of the Loan Documents notwithstanding, Agent shall not be required to execute any document or take any action necessary to evidence such release on terms that, in Agent’s opinion, could expose Agent to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Lien without recourse, representation, or warranty, and (2) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly released) upon (or obligations of Borrower in respect of) any and all interests retained by Borrower, including, the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral. Each Lender further hereby irrevocably authorize (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to irrevocably authorize) Agent, at its option and in its sole discretion, to subordinate any Lien granted to or held by Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Permitted Lien on such property if such Permitted Lien secures Permitted Purchase Money Indebtedness; provided that the subordination of all or substantially all of the Collateral shall be subject to Section 14.1(a)(v).

 

 

(b)            Agent shall have no obligation whatsoever to any of the Lenders (or the Bank Product Providers) (i) to verify or assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by Borrower or its Subsidiaries or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, (ii) to verify or assure that Agent’s Liens have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or (iii) to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities and powers granted or available to Agent pursuant to any of the Loan Documents, it being understood and agreed that in respect of the Collateral, or any act, omission, or event related thereto, subject to the terms and conditions contained herein, Agent may act in any manner it may deem appropriate, in its sole discretion given Agent’s own interest in the Collateral in its capacity as one of the Lenders and that Agent shall have no other duty or liability whatsoever to any Lender (or Bank Product Provider) as to any of the foregoing, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.

 

 

15.12

Right of Setoff; Sharing of Payments.

 

(a)            If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender 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, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of Borrower or any other Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of Borrower or such Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any of their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or any such Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or such Affiliate 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 Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.2 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff.  The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender or their respective Affiliates may have.  Each Lender, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender agrees to notify Borrower and 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.

 

(b)            If, at any time or times any Lender shall receive (i) by payment, foreclosure, setoff, or otherwise, any proceeds of Collateral or any payments with respect to the Obligations, except for any such proceeds or payments received by such Lender from Agent pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or (ii) payments from Agent in excess of such Lender’s pro rata share of all such distributions by Agent, such Lender promptly shall (A) turn the same over to Agent, in kind, and with such endorsements as may be required to negotiate the same to Agent, or in immediately available funds, as applicable, for the account of all of the Lenders and for application to the Obligations in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement, or (B) purchase, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in the Obligations owed to the other Lenders so that such excess payment received shall be applied ratably as among the Lenders in accordance with their pro rata shares; provided, that to the extent that such excess payment received by the purchasing party is thereafter recovered from it, those purchases of participations shall be rescinded in whole or in part, as applicable, and the applicable portion of the purchase price paid therefor shall be returned to such purchasing party, but without interest except to the extent that such purchasing party is required to pay interest in connection with the recovery of the excess payment.

 

15.13       Agency for Perfection. Agent hereby appoints each other Lender (and each Bank Product Provider) as its agent (and each Lender hereby accepts (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to accept) such appointment) for the purpose of perfecting Agent’s Liens in assets which, in accordance with Article 8 or Article 9, as applicable, of the Code can be perfected by possession or control. Should any Lender obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify Agent thereof, and, promptly upon Agent’s request therefor shall deliver possession or control of such Collateral to Agent or in accordance with Agent’s instructions.

 

 

15.14       Payments by Agent to the Lenders. All payments to be made by Agent to the Lenders (or Bank Product Providers) shall be made by bank wire transfer of immediately available funds pursuant to such wire transfer instructions as each party may designate for itself by written notice to Agent. Concurrently with each such payment, Agent shall identify whether such payment (or any portion thereof) represents principal, premium, fees, or interest of the Obligations.

 

15.15       Concerning the Collateral and Related Loan Documents. Each member of the Lender Group authorizes and directs Agent to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each member of the Lender Group agrees (and by entering into a Bank Product Agreement, each Bank Product Provider shall be deemed to agree) that any action taken by Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents relating to the Collateral and the exercise by Agent of its powers set forth therein or herein, together with such other powers that are reasonably incidental thereto, shall be binding upon all of the Lenders (and such Bank Product Provider).

 

15.16       Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Insolvency Proceeding or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, 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 Agent shall have made any demand on Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a)            to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Lender and Agent under Sections 2.16, 10.3 and 15.7) 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;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and the Issuing Lender to make such payments to Agent and, in the event that Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Lender, to pay to Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due Agent under Sections 2.16, 2.15(c), 10.3 and 15.7.

 

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or the Issuing Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or compensation affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or the Issuing Lender or to authorize Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or the Issuing Lender in any such proceeding.

 

15.17        Several Obligations; No Liability. Notwithstanding that certain of the Loan Documents now or hereafter may have been or will be executed only by or in favor of Agent in its capacity as such, and not by or in favor of the Lenders, any and all obligations on the part of Agent (if any) to make any credit available hereunder shall constitute the several (and not joint) obligations of the respective Lenders on a ratable basis, according to their respective Commitments, to make an amount of such credit not to exceed, in principal amount, at any one time outstanding, the amount of their respective Commitments. Nothing contained herein shall confer upon any Lender any interest in, or subject any Lender to any liability for, or in respect of, the business, assets, profits, losses, or liabilities of any other Lender. Each Lender shall be solely responsible for notifying its Participants of any matters relating to the Loan Documents to the extent any such notice may be required, and no Lender shall have any obligation, duty, or liability to any Participant of any other Lender. Except as provided in Section 15.7, no member of the Lender Group shall have any liability for the acts of any other member of the Lender Group. No Lender shall be responsible to Borrower or any other Person for any failure by any other Lender (or Bank Product Provider) to fulfill its obligations to make credit available hereunder, nor to advance for such Lender (or Bank Product Provider) or on its behalf, nor to take any other action on behalf of such Lender (or Bank Product Provider) hereunder or in connection with the financing contemplated herein.

 

 

15.18      Joint Lead Arrangers, Joint Bookrunners, Syndication Agents and Documentation Agents. Each of the Joint Lead Arrangers, joint book runners, syndication agents and documentation agents, in such capacities, shall not have any right, power, obligation, liability, responsibility, or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to it in its capacity as a Lender, Issuing Lender, Swingline Lender or as Agent. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the Joint Lead Arrangers, joint bookrunners, syndication agents and documentation agents, in such capacities, shall not have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender or any Loan Party. Each Lender, Agent, Issuing Lender, Swingline Lender and each Loan Party acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on the Joint Lead Arrangers, joint bookrunners, syndication agents and documentation agents in deciding to enter into this Agreement or in taking or not taking action hereunder. Each of the Joint Lead Arrangers, joint bookrunners, syndication agents and documentation agents, in such capacities, shall be entitled to resign at any time by giving notice to Agent and Borrower.

 

15.19

Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a)            Defaulting Lender Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such 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 and Section 14.1.

 

(ii)            Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Section 8 or otherwise) or received by Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 15.12(a) shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 15.20; fourth, as Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan or funded participation in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by Agent; fifth, if so determined by Agent and Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (A) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans and funded participations under this Agreement and (B) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lender’s future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 15.20; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline Lender as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender, the Issuing Lender or the Swingline 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 Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by 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 (1) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or funded participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (2) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and funded participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or funded participations in Letters of Credit or Swingline Loans owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and funded and unfunded participations in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Revolving Credit Commitments under the applicable Revolving Credit Facility without giving effect to Section 15.19(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 15.19(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 Commitment Fee 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 shall be entitled to receive letter of credit commissions pursuant to Section 2.15(c) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 15.20.

 

(C)            With respect to any Commitment Fee or letter of credit commission not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (1) pay to each Non-Defaulting 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 Swingline Loans that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (2) pay to each Issuing Lender and Swingline Lender, as applicable, the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to the Issuing Lender’s or Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (3) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

 

(iv)            Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s participation in L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment) but only to the extent that 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. Subject to Section 17.16, 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 Swingline Loans. If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, (x) first, repay Swingline Loans in an amount equal to the Swingline Lender’s Fronting Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lender’s Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 15.20.

 

(b)            Defaulting Lender Cure. If Borrower, Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, 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), such Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments under the applicable Credit Facility (without giving effect to Section 15.19(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 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 Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

15.20       Cash Collateral. At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of Agent, the Issuing Lender (with a copy to Agent) or the Swingline Lender (with a copy to Agent), the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Lender and/or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 15.19(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount.

 

(a)            Grant of Security Interest. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans, to be applied pursuant to subsection (b) below. If at any time Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender as herein provided (other than Permitted Liens), or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by Agent, pay or provide to Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

 

(b)            Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, Cash Collateral provided under this Section 15.20 or Section 15.19 in respect of Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of L/C Obligations and Swingline Loans (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.

 

 

(c)            Termination of Requirement. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce the Fronting Exposure of the Issuing Lender and/or the Swingline Lender, as applicable, shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 15.20 following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (ii) the determination by Agent, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that, subject to Section 15.19, the Person providing Cash Collateral, the Issuing Lender and the Swingline Lender may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations; and provided further that to the extent that such Cash Collateral was provided by the Borrower, such Cash Collateral shall remain subject to the security interest granted pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

15.21       Erroneous Payments.

 

(a)            Each Lender, the Issuing Lender, each other Bank Product Provider and any other party hereto hereby severally agrees that if (i) Agent notifies (which such notice shall be conclusive absent manifest error) such Lender or the Issuing Lender or any other Bank Product Provider (or the Lender Affiliate of a Bank Product Provider) or any other Person that has received funds from Agent or any of its Affiliates, either for its own account or on behalf of a Lender, the Issuing Lender or other Bank Product Provider (each such recipient, a “Payment Recipient”) that Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Payment Recipient were erroneously transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Payment Recipient) or (ii) any Payment Recipient receives any payment from Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, as applicable, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, as applicable, or (z) that such Payment Recipient otherwise becomes aware was transmitted or received in error or by mistake (in whole or in part) then, in each case, an error in payment shall be presumed to have been made (any such amounts specified in clauses (i) or (ii) of this Section 15.21(a), whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise; individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”), then, in each case, such Payment Recipient is deemed to have knowledge of such error at the time of its receipt of such Erroneous Payment; provided that nothing in this Section shall require Agent to provide any of the notices specified in clauses (i) or (ii) above. Each Payment Recipient agrees that it shall not assert any right or claim to any Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payments, including without limitation waiver of any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.

 

(b)            Without limiting the immediately preceding clause (a), each Payment Recipient agrees that, in the case of clause (a)(ii) above, it shall promptly notify Agent in writing of such occurrence.

 

(c)            In the case of either clause (a)(i) or (a)(ii) above, such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of Agent and shall be segregated by the Payment Recipient and held in trust for the benefit of Agent, and upon demand from Agent such Payment Recipient shall (or, shall cause any Person who received any portion of an Erroneous Payment on its behalf to), promptly, but in all events no later than one Business Day thereafter, return to Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in Same Day Funds and in the currency so received, together with interest thereon in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to Agent at the Overnight Rate.

 

 

(d)            In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by Agent for any reason, after demand therefor by Agent in accordance with immediately preceding clause (c), from any Lender that is a Payment Recipient or an Affiliate of a Payment Recipient (such unrecovered amount as to such Lender, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), then at the sole discretion of Agent and upon the Agent’s written notice to such Lender (i) such Lender shall be deemed to have made a cashless assignment of the full face amount of the portion of its Loans (but not its Commitments) of the relevant Class with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class”) to Agent or, at the option of Agent, the Agent’s applicable lending affiliate in an amount that is equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Commitments) of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Class, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) plus any accrued and unpaid interest on such assigned amount, without further consent or approval of any party hereto and without any payment by Agent or its applicable lending affiliate as the assignee of such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (1) any assignment contemplated in this clause (d) shall be made without any requirement for any payment or other consideration paid by the applicable assignee or received by the assignor, (2) the provisions of this clause (d) shall govern in the event of any conflict with the terms and conditions of Section 13.1 and (3) Agent may reflect such assignments in the Register without further consent or action by any other Person.

 

(e)            Each party hereto hereby agrees that (x) in the event an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, Agent (1) shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Payment Recipient with respect to such amount and (2) is authorized to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Payment Recipient under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by Agent to such Payment Recipient from any source, against any amount due to Agent under this Section 15.21 or under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement, (y) the receipt of an Erroneous Payment by a Payment Recipient shall not for the purpose of this Agreement be treated as a payment, prepayment, repayment, discharge or other satisfaction of any Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, except, in each case, to the extent such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by Agent from the Borrower or any other Loan Party for the purpose of making a payment on the Obligations and (z) to the extent that an Erroneous Payment was in any way or at any time credited as payment or satisfaction of any of the Obligations, the Obligations or any part thereof that were so credited, and all rights of the Payment Recipient, as the case may be, shall be reinstated and continue in full force and effect as if such payment or satisfaction had never been received.

 

(f)            Each party’s obligations under this Section 15.21 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Agent or any transfer of right or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.

 

(g)            Nothing in this Section 15.21 will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of Agent hereunder arising from any Payment Recipient’s receipt of an Erroneous Payment.

 

16.

TAXES.

 

16.1            Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 16, the term “applicable law” includes FATCA and the term “Lender” includes the Issuing Lender.

 

 

16.2       Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that, after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

 

16.3        Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

 

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

 

16.5        Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify Agent, within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for (i) any Indemnified Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified Agent for such Indemnified Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 13.1(d) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to Agent under this Section 16.5.

 

16.6         Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 16, such Loan Party shall deliver to Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to Agent.

 

16.7         Status of Lenders.

 

(a)            Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the applicable Loan Party is resident for Tax purposes, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party shall deliver to Borrower and Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by Borrower or Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent as will enable Borrower or 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 16.7(b)(i), (b)(ii) and (b)(iv) 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.

 

 

(b)            Without limiting the generality of the foregoing:

 

(i)            Any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to Borrower and 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 Borrower or Agent), executed originals of a duly completed IRS Form W-9 (or any equivalent or successor form) certifying that such Lender is exempt from United States federal backup withholding Tax;

 

(ii)            any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrower and 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 Borrower or Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

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

 

(2)            executed originals of a duly completed IRS Form W-8ECI (or any equivalent or successor form);

 

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

 

(4)            to the extent a Foreign Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY (or any equivalent or successor form), accompanied by executed originals of a duly completed IRS Form W-8ECI, IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or IRS Form W-9 (or any equivalent or successor forms), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit I-2 or Exhibit I-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 I-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

 

(iii)            any Foreign Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to Borrower and 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 Borrower or Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit Borrower or Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(iv)            if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to United States 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 IRC, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to Borrower and Agent at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the IRC) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by Borrower or Agent as may be necessary for Borrower and 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 (iv), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

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

 

16.8            Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 16 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 16), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 16 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all reasonable documented out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this Section 16.8 (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 16.8, in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 16.8 the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

 

16.9            Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 16 shall survive the resignation or replacement of Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Document.

 

17.

GENERAL PROVISIONS.

 

17.1            Effectiveness. This Agreement shall be binding and deemed effective when executed by Borrower, Agent, and each Lender whose signature is provided for on the signature pages hereof.

 

17.2            Section Headings. Headings and numbers have been set forth herein for convenience only. Unless the contrary is compelled by the context, everything contained in each Section applies equally to this entire Agreement.

 

17.3            Interpretation. Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed against the Lender Group or Borrower, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise. On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to accomplish fairly the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.

 

17.4            Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

 

17.5            Bank Product Providers. Each Bank Product Provider in its capacity as such shall be deemed a third party beneficiary hereof and of the provisions of the other Loan Documents for purposes of any reference in a Loan Document to the parties for whom Agent is acting. Agent hereby agrees to act as agent for such Bank Product Providers and, by virtue of entering into a Bank Product Agreement, the applicable Bank Product Provider shall be automatically deemed to have appointed Agent as its agent and to have accepted the benefits of the Loan Documents. It is understood and agreed that the rights and benefits of each Bank Product Provider under the Loan Documents consist exclusively of such Bank Product Provider’s being a beneficiary of the Liens and security interests (and, if applicable, guarantees) granted to Agent and the right to share in payments and collections out of the Collateral as more fully set forth herein. In connection with any such distribution of payments or proceeds of Collateral, Agent shall be entitled to assume no amounts are due or owing to any Bank Product Provider unless such Bank Product Provider has provided a written certification (setting forth a reasonably detailed calculation) to Agent as to the amounts that are due and owing to it and such written certification is received by Agent a reasonable period of time prior to the making of such distribution. Agent shall have no obligation to calculate the amount due and payable with respect to any Bank Products, but may rely upon the written certification of the amount due and payable from the applicable Bank Product Provider. In the absence of an updated certification, Agent shall be entitled to assume that the amount due and payable to the applicable Bank Product Provider is the amount last certified to Agent by such Bank Product Provider as being due and payable (less any distributions made to such Bank Product Provider on account thereof). Borrower may obtain Bank Products from any Bank Product Provider, although Borrower is not required to do so. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that no Bank Product Provider has committed to provide any Bank Products and that the providing of Bank Products by any Bank Product Provider is in the sole and absolute discretion of such Bank Product Provider. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no provider or holder of any Bank Product shall have any voting or approval rights hereunder (or be deemed a Lender) solely by virtue of its status as the provider or holder of such agreements or products or the Obligations owing thereunder, nor shall the consent of any such provider or holder be required (other than in their capacities as Lenders, to the extent applicable) for any matter hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents, including as to any matter relating to the Collateral or the release of Collateral or Guarantors.

 

 

17.6            Debtor-Creditor Relationship. The relationship between the Lenders and Agent, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, is solely that of creditor and debtor. No member of the Lender Group has (or shall be deemed to have) any fiduciary relationship or duty to any Loan Party arising out of or in connection with the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated thereby, and there is no agency or joint venture relationship between the members of the Lender Group, on the one hand, and the Loan Parties, on the other hand, by virtue of any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated therein.

 

17.7            Counterparts; Electronic Execution.

 

(a)            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. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or in electronic (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) format shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

(b)            The words “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery” and words of like import in or related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any document, amendment, approval, consent, waiver, modification, information, notice, certificate, report, statement, disclosure, or authorization to be signed or delivered in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures or execution in the form of an Electronic Record, and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by Agent, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature 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. Each party hereto agrees that any Electronic Signature or execution in the form of an Electronic Record shall be valid and binding on itself and each of the other parties hereto to the same extent as a manual, original signature. For the avoidance of doubt, the authorization under this paragraph may include, without limitation, use or acceptance by the parties of a manually signed paper which has been converted into electronic form (such as scanned into PDF format), or an electronically signed paper converted into another format, for transmission, delivery and/or retention. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Agent is under no obligation to accept an Electronic Signature in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by Agent pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent Agent has agreed to accept such Electronic Signature from any party hereto, Agent and the other parties hereto shall be entitled to rely on any such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the executing party without further verification and (ii) upon the request of Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by an original manually executed counterpart thereof.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby (A) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among Agent, the Lenders and any of the Loan Parties, electronic images of this Agreement or any other Loan Document (in each case, including with respect to any signature pages thereto)  shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, and (B) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents based solely on the lack of paper original copies of any Loan Documents, including with respect to any signature pages thereto.

 

 

 

 

17.8          No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.

 

(a)            In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that (i) the facilities provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and Agent, Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders, on the other hand, and Borrower is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof), (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, each of Agent, Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for Borrower or any of its Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person, (iii) none of Agent, Joint Lead Arrangers or the Lenders has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of Borrower with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document (irrespective of whether any Joint Lead Arranger or Lender has advised or is currently advising Borrower or any of its Affiliates on other matters) and none of Agent, Joint Lead Arrangers or the Lenders has any obligation to Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the financing transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, (iv) the Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from, and may conflict with, those of Borrower and its Affiliates, and none of Agent, Joint Lead Arrangers or the Lenders has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship and (v) Agent, Joint Lead Arrangers and the Lenders have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) and the Loan Parties have consulted their own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent they have deemed appropriate.

 

(b)            Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that each Lender, the Joint Lead Arrangers and any Affiliate thereof may lend money to, invest in, and generally engage in any kind of business with, any of Borrower, any Affiliate thereof or any other person or entity that may do business with or own securities of any of the foregoing, all as if such Lender, Joint Lead Arranger or Affiliate thereof were not a Lender or Joint Lead Arranger or an Affiliate thereof (or an agent or any other person with any similar role under the Credit Facility) and without any duty to account therefor to any other Lender, the Joint Lead Arrangers, Borrower or any Affiliate of the foregoing.  Each Lender, the Joint Lead Arrangers and any Affiliate thereof may accept fees and other consideration from Borrower or any Affiliate thereof for services in connection with this Agreement, the Credit Facility contemplated hereunder or otherwise without having to account for the same to any other Lender, the Joint Lead Arrangers, Borrower or any Affiliate of the foregoing.

 

17.9         Revival and Reinstatement of Obligations; Certain Waivers. If any member of the Lender Group or any Bank Product Provider repays, refunds, restores, or returns in whole or in part, any payment or property (including any proceeds of Collateral) previously paid or transferred to such member of the Lender Group or such Bank Product Provider in full or partial satisfaction of any Obligation or on account of any other obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document or any Bank Product Agreement, because the payment, transfer, or the incurrence of the obligation so satisfied is asserted or declared to be void, voidable, or otherwise recoverable under any law relating to creditors’ rights, including provisions of the Bankruptcy Code relating to fraudulent transfers, preferences, or other voidable or recoverable obligations or transfers (each, a “Voidable Transfer”), or because such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider elects to do so on the reasonable advice of its counsel in connection with a claim that the payment, transfer, or incurrence is or may be a Voidable Transfer, then, as to any such Voidable Transfer, or the amount thereof that such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider elects to repay, restore, or return (including pursuant to a settlement of any claim in respect thereof), and as to all reasonable costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees of such member of the Lender Group or Bank Product Provider related thereto, (i) the liability of the Loan Parties with respect to the amount or property paid, refunded, restored, or returned will automatically and immediately be revived, reinstated, and restored and will exist and (ii) Agent’s Liens securing such liability shall be effective, revived, and remain in full force and effect, in each case, as fully as if such Voidable Transfer had never been made.  If, prior to any of the foregoing, (A) Agent’s Liens shall have been released or terminated or (B) any provision of this Agreement shall have been terminated or cancelled, Agent’s Liens, or such provision of this Agreement, shall be reinstated in full force and effect and such prior release, termination, cancellation or surrender shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligation of any Loan Party in respect of such liability or any Collateral securing such liability. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and repayment in full of the Obligations.

 

 

17.10       Confidentiality.

 

(a)            Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and Lenders each individually (and not jointly or jointly and severally) agree that material, non-public information regarding Borrower and its Subsidiaries, their operations, assets, and existing and contemplated business plans (provided that, in the case of information received from a Loan Party or a Subsidiary thereof after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential) (“Confidential Information”) shall be treated by Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders in a confidential manner, and shall not be disclosed by Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders to Persons who are not parties to this Agreement, except: (i) to attorneys for and other advisors, accountants, auditors, and consultants to any member of the Lender Group and to employees, directors and officers of any member of the Lender Group (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), (ii) to Subsidiaries and Affiliates of any member of the Lender Group (including the Bank Product Providers), (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), (iii) as may be required by regulatory authorities so long as such authorities are informed of the confidential nature of such information (in which case Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders shall use commercially reasonable efforts to, except with respect to any audit or examination conducted by bank accounts or any governmental regulatory authority exercising examination or regulatory authority, promptly notify Borrower, in advance, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, and shall provide reasonable cooperation, to the extent commercially reasonable and permitted by law, with any efforts Borrower undertakes to obtain a protect order), (iv) as may be required by statute, decision, or judicial or administrative order, rule, or regulation (in which case Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders shall use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly notify Borrower, in advance, to the extent practicable and permitted by law, and shall provide reasonable cooperation, to the extent commercially reasonable and permitted by law, with any efforts Borrower undertakes to obtain a protect order), (v) as may be agreed to in advance in writing by Borrower, (vi) as requested or required by any Governmental Authority pursuant to any subpoena or other legal process, (vii) as to any such information that (A) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (B) becomes available to Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender, any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates from a third party that is not, to such Person’s knowledge, subject to confidentiality obligations to Borrower, (viii) in connection with any assignment, participation or pledge of any Lender’s interest under this Agreement, provided that prior to receipt of Confidential Information any such assignee, participant, or pledgee shall have agreed in writing to receive such Confidential Information either subject to the terms of this Section 17.10 or pursuant to confidentiality requirements substantially similar to those contained in this Section 17.10 (and such Person may disclose such Confidential Information to Persons employed or engaged by them as described in clause (i) above), (ix) in connection with any litigation or other adversary proceeding involving parties hereto which such litigation or adversary proceeding involves claims related to the rights or duties of such parties under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; provided, that, prior to any disclosure to any Person (other than any Loan Party, Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender, any Lender, any of their respective Affiliates, or their respective counsel) under this clause (ix) with respect to litigation involving any Person (other than Borrower, Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender, any Lender, any of their respective Affiliates, or their respective counsel), the disclosing party agrees to provide Borrower with prior written notice thereof, (x) in connection with, and to the extent reasonably necessary for, the exercise of any secured creditor remedy under this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Bank Product Agreement, or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (xi) to any other party hereto, (xii) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating Borrower or its Subsidiaries or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the Loans, (xiii) to the extent that such information is independently developed by such Person, and (xiv) for purposes of establishing a “due diligence” defense.

 

 

(b)            Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Agent and the Lenders may disclose information concerning the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to loan syndication and pricing reporting services or in its marketing or promotional materials, with such information to consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in such publications or marketing or promotional materials and may otherwise use the name, logos, and other insignia of Borrower or the other Loan Parties and the Commitments provided hereunder in any “tombstone” or other advertisements, on its website or in other marketing materials of Agent and the Lenders.

 

(c)            The Loan Parties hereby acknowledge that Agent or its Affiliates may make available to the Lenders, the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Lender materials or information provided by or on behalf of Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting Borrower Materials on IntraLinks, SyndTrak or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities) (each, a “Public Lender”). The Loan Parties shall be deemed to have authorized Agent and its Affiliates, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders to treat Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” or otherwise at any time filed with the SEC as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Loan Parties or their securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws. All Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated as “Public Investor” (or another similar term). Agent and its Affiliates, the Issuing Lender, the Swingline Lender and the Lenders shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” or that are not at any time filed with the SEC as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not marked as “Public Investor” (or such other similar term).

 

17.11       Survival. All representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties in the Loan Documents and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of, or any accrued interest on, any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding or unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or been terminated.

 

 

17.12       Patriot Act; Anti-Money Laundering Laws. Each Lender that is subject to the requirements of the Patriot Act or any other Anti-Money Laundering Laws hereby notifies Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Borrower, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act or such Anti-Money Laundering Laws. In addition, if Agent is required by law or regulation or internal policies to do so, it shall have the right to periodically conduct (a) Patriot Act searches, OFAC/PEP searches, and customary individual background checks for the Loan Parties and (b) OFAC/PEP searches and customary individual background checks for the Loan Parties’ senior management and key principals, and Borrower agrees to cooperate in respect of the conduct of such searches and further agrees that the reasonable costs and charges for such searches shall constitute Lender Group Expenses hereunder and be for the account of Borrower.

 

17.13       Integration. This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, reflects the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by any other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, all Bank Product Agreements, if any, are independent agreements governed by the written provisions of such Bank Product Agreements, which will remain in full force and effect, unaffected by any repayment, prepayments, acceleration, reduction, increase, or change in the terms of any credit extended hereunder, except as otherwise expressly provided in such Bank Product Agreement.

 

17.14       Independent Effect of Covenants; Inconsistencies.

 

(a)            The Loan Parties expressly acknowledge and agree that each covenant contained in Section 5 or Section 6 hereof shall be given independent effect. Accordingly, the Loan Parties shall not engage in any transaction or other act otherwise permitted under any covenant contained in Section 5 or Section 6, if before or after giving effect to such transaction or act, the Loan Parties shall or would be in breach of any other covenant contained in Section 5 or Section 6.

 

(b)            In the event there is a conflict or inconsistency between this Agreement and any other Loan Document, the terms of this Agreement shall control; provided that any provision of the other Loan Documents which imposes additional burdens on the Loan Parties or further restricts the rights of the Loan Parties or gives Agent or the Lenders additional rights shall not be deemed to be in conflict or inconsistent with this Agreement and shall be given full force and effect.

 

17.15        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 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 Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to 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 Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, 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 Agent or any Lender from Borrower in the Agreement Currency, Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify 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 Agent or any Lender in such currency, Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, agrees to return the amount of any excess to Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law).

 

  

17.16       Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a)            the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

 

(b)            the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i)            a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii)            a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii)            the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

 

17.17       Certain ERISA Matters.

 

(a)            Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, Agent, each Joint Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

(i)            such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit or the Commitments;

 

(ii)            the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement;

 

 

(iii)            (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement; or

 

(iv)            such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

(b)            In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, Agent, each Joint Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of Borrower or any other Loan Party, that none of Agent, any Joint Lead Arranger and their respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

 

17.18       Amendment and Restatement; No Novation. The parties to this Agreement agree that, upon (a) the execution and delivery by each of the parties hereto of this Agreement and (b) satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Section 3.1, the terms and provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be and hereby are amended, superseded and restated in their entirety by the terms and provisions of this Agreement.  This Agreement is not intended to and shall not constitute a novation or termination of the Obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement.  On the Closing Date, the credit facilities described in the Existing Credit Agreement, shall be amended, supplemented, modified and restated in their entirety by the facilities described herein, and all “Revolving Credit Loans” and other “Obligations” outstanding as of such date under the Existing Credit Agreement (to the extent not repaid on the Closing Date), shall be deemed to be Revolving Credit Loans and Obligations outstanding hereunder, without any further action by any Person, except that Agent shall make such reallocations of Revolving Credit Commitments and transfers of funds as are necessary in order that the outstanding balance of such Revolving Credit Loans, together with any Revolving Credit Loans funded on the Closing Date, reflect the respective Revolving Credit Commitments of the Lenders hereunder and each Lender party hereto hereby waives any requirement to compensate such Lender for any and all losses, costs and expenses incurred by such Lender in connection with such reallocations and transfers required pursuant to Section 2.19(e) of the Existing Credit Agreement.  Certain lenders under the Existing Credit Agreement will not be Lenders under this Agreement and, on the Closing Date, the loans and commitments of each such departing lender will be paid in full and terminated on a non-pro rata basis and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such prepayment and termination.

 

 

17.19       Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Hedge Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and, each such QFC, a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the FDIC under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

(a)            In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

 

(b)            As used in this Section 17.19, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

“BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

 

“Covered Entity” means any of the following:

 

(i)

a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

 

(ii)

a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

 

(iii)

a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

 

“QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

 

[Signature Pages Follow.]

 

 

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

 

BORROWER:	QUANEX BUILDING PRODUCTS CORPORATION
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

Quanex Building Products Corporation

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

Signature Page

 

 

AGENT AND LENDERS:	WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent, Swingline Lender, Issuing Lender and as a Lender
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

Quanex Building Products Corporation

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

Signature Page

 

 

	BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

Quanex Building Products Corporation

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

Signature Page

 

 

	CITIBANK, N.A., as a Lender
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

Quanex Building Products Corporation

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

Signature Page

 

 

	JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender
	By:
	Name:
	Title:

 

Quanex Building Products Corporation

Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

Signature Page

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

Quanex Building Products Announces Amended and Restated Credit Facility

 

HOUSTON, TEXAS – July 6, 2022 - Quanex Building Products Corporation (NYSE:NX) (“Quanex” or the “Company”) today announced that it has entered into a second amended and restated credit facility (the “Amended Credit Facility”).

 

The Amended Credit Facility extends the maturity date of the existing $325 million revolver by five years to July 2027. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility will bear a tiered interest rate based on Quanex’s consolidated net leverage ratio. At the time of closing, existing borrowings transitioned to the Amended Credit Facility totaled approximately $58 million.

 

Scott Zuehlke, Senior Vice President - Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, commented, “The Amended Credit Facility extends the maturity date on our outstanding debt by five years and grants us the flexibility necessary to continue to fund and grow our business. Our balance sheet is strong, and we are well positioned to execute on our plan with a focus on creating further value for shareholders. We are also thankful for our longstanding banking relationships and appreciate the support.”

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, and BofA Securities, Inc. served as the Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners for the Amended Credit Facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association serving as Administrative Agent.

 

About Quanex

 

Quanex Building Products Corporation is an industry-leading manufacturer of components sold to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the building products industry.  Quanex designs and produces energy-efficient fenestration products in addition to kitchen and bath cabinet components.

 

Contact:

 

Scott Zuehlke

SVP, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

713-877-5327

scott.zuehlke@quanex.com