EXHIBIT 4.2
EXECUTION COPY
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of July 17, 2001
among
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
as Borrower
THE SEVERAL LENDERS
FROM TIME TO TIME PARTY HERETO
AND
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
as Administrative Agent
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
as Sole Lead Arranger and Book Manager
and
WACHOVIA BANK
and
SUNTRUST BANK
as Co-Syndication Agents
and
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
and
DEUTSCHE BANC ALEX. ▇▇▇▇▇ INC.
as Co-Documentation Agents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.
SECTION 1 DEFINITIONS............................................................................................1
1.1 Definitions.........................................................................................1
1.2 Computation of Time Periods........................................................................14
1.3 Accounting Terms...................................................................................14
SECTION 2 THE CREDIT FACILITIES.................................................................................14
2.1 Revolving Loans....................................................................................14
2.2 Competitive Loan Subfacility.......................................................................16
2.3 Swingline Loan Subfacility.........................................................................19
2.4 Default Rate.......................................................................................21
2.5 Extension and Conversion...........................................................................22
2.6 Reductions in Commitments, Prepayments and Term Out Option.........................................22
2.7 Fees...............................................................................................23
2.8 Capital Adequacy...................................................................................24
2.9 Inability To Determine Interest Rate...............................................................24
2.10 Illegality........................................................................................25
2.11 Requirements of Law...............................................................................25
2.12 Taxes.............................................................................................26
2.13 Funding Losses....................................................................................29
2.14 Pro Rata Treatment................................................................................29
2.15 Sharing of Payments...............................................................................30
2.16 Place and Manner of Payments......................................................................31
2.17 Replacement of Lenders............................................................................32
SECTION 3 CONDITIONS............................................................................................32
3.1 Closing Conditions.................................................................................32
3.2 Each Loan Advance..................................................................................34
SECTION 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................................................................34
4.1 Financial Statements...............................................................................34
4.2 Corporate Status...................................................................................35
4.3 Corporate Authorization............................................................................35
4.4 No Conflicts.......................................................................................35
4.5 Litigation.........................................................................................36
4.6 Governmental and Other Approvals...................................................................36
4.7 Use of Loans.......................................................................................36
4.8 Taxes..............................................................................................36
4.9 Compliance with Law................................................................................36
4.10 ERISA.............................................................................................37
4.11 Hazardous Substances..............................................................................38
4.12 Liens.............................................................................................38
4.13 Investment Company................................................................................38
4.14 Accuracy and Completeness of Information..........................................................38
SECTION 5 COVENANTS.............................................................................................39
5.1 Reports, Certificates and Other Information........................................................39
5.2 Books and Records..................................................................................40
5.3 Mergers and Consolidations.........................................................................41
5.4 Insurance..........................................................................................41
5.5 Payment of Taxes...................................................................................41
5.6 Compliance with Laws and Contractual Obligations...................................................41
5.7 Use of Proceeds....................................................................................41
5.8 Asset Sales, etc...................................................................................41
5.9 Liens..............................................................................................42
5.10 Minimum Book Net Worth............................................................................43
5.11 Transactions With Affiliates......................................................................44
5.12 Indebtedness......................................................................................44
SECTION 6 EVENTS OF DEFAULT.....................................................................................45
6.1 Events of Default..................................................................................45
6.2. Rights and Remedies...............................................................................48
SECTION 7 AGENCY PROVISIONS.....................................................................................49
7.1 Appointment and Authorization of Agent.............................................................49
7.2 Delegation of Duties...............................................................................49
7.3 Liability of Agent.................................................................................49
7.4 Reliance by Agent..................................................................................50
7.5 Notice of Default..................................................................................50
7.6 Credit Decision; Disclosure of Information by Agent................................................51
7.7 Indemnification of Agent...........................................................................51
7.8 Agent in its Individual Capacity...................................................................52
7.9 Successor Agent....................................................................................52
7.10 Other Agents; Lead Managers.......................................................................52
SECTION 8 MISCELLANEOUS.........................................................................................53
8.1 Notices............................................................................................53
8.2 Benefit of Agreement...............................................................................54
8.3 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.....................................................................57
8.4 Payment of Expenses, etc...........................................................................58
8.5 Amendments, Waivers and Consents...................................................................58
8.6 Audits/Inspections.................................................................................59
8.7 Confidentiality....................................................................................59
8.8 Counterparts; Telecopy.............................................................................60
8.9 Headings...........................................................................................60
8.10 Survival of Indemnification.......................................................................60
8.11 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue..................................................60
8.12 Severability......................................................................................61
8.13 Entirety..........................................................................................61
8.14 Survival of Representations and Warranties........................................................62
ii
SCHEDULES
Schedule 2.1(a) Schedule of Lenders and Commitments
Schedule 2.1(b)(i) Form of Notice of Borrowing
Schedule 2.1(e) Form of Committed Note
Schedule 2.2(b)-1 Form of Competitive Bid Request
Schedule 2.2(b)-2 Form of Notice of Competitive Bid Request
Schedule 2.2(c) Form of Competitive Bid
Schedule 2.2(e) Form of Competitive Bid Accept/Reject Letter
Schedule 2.2(i) Form of Competitive Note
Schedule 2.3(d) Form of Swingline Note
Schedule 2.5 Form of Notice of Conversion or Extension
Schedule 2.12 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
Schedule 3.1(c) Form of Legal Opinion
Schedule 4.12 Existing Liens
Schedule 5.1(c) Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate
Schedule 5.12(b) Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 8.2(b) Form of Assignment and Acceptance
iii
CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS
CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of July 17, 2001 (the "
Credit
Agreement"), is by and among
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY, a South Carolina
corporation (the "Borrower"), the several lenders identified on the signature
pages hereto and such other lenders as may from time to time become a party
hereto (the "Lenders") and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as administrative agent for
the Lenders (in such capacity, the "Agent").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a
$450,000,000 364-day revolving credit facility under this
Credit Agreement for
commercial paper backup and funding general corporate purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Lenders have agreed to make the requested credit facility
available to the Borrower on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION of the premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions.
As used in this
Credit Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings specified below unless the context otherwise requires:
"Affiliate" means as to any Person, any other Person which,
directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by, or is under
common control with such Person. For purposes of this definition, a
Person shall be deemed to be "controlled by" a Person if such Person
possesses, directly or indirectly, power either (a) to vote 5% more of
the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of
directors of such Person or (b) to direct or cause the direction of the
management and policies of such Person whether by contract or
otherwise.
"Agent" means Bank of America, in its capacity as
administrative agent hereunder, and any successors and assigns in such
capacity.
1
"Agent-Related Persons" means the Agent (including any
successor Agent), together with its Affiliates (including, in the case
of Bank of America in its capacity as the Agent, the Arranger), and the
officers, directors, employees agents and attorneys-in-fact of such
Persons and Affiliates.
"Applicable Percentage" shall mean, for purposes of
calculating the applicable interest rate for any day for any Loan, the
applicable rate of the Facility Fee for any day for purposes of Section
2.7(a), or the applicable rate of the Utilization Fee for any day for
purposes of Section 2.7(b), the appropriate applicable percentage set
forth below corresponding to the ratings applicable on such date to any
Long-Term Debt of the Borrower then outstanding:
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
Debt Ratings Applicable Applicable Applicable Applicable
Pricing of Percentage for Percentage for Percentage for Percentage for
Level S&P/▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Eurodollar Loans Base Rate Loans Facility Fee Utilization Fee
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
I =>A+/A1 0.235% 0 0.065% 0.100%
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
II A/A2 0.305% 0 0.070% 0.125%
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
III A-/A3 0.415% 0 0.085% 0.125%
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
IV BBB+/Baa1 0.500% 0 0.125% 0.125%
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
V BBB/Baa2 0.600% 0 0.15% 0.250%
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
VI <=BBB-/Baa3 0.750% 0 0.25% 0.250%
----------- ----------------- -------------------- ------------------- ----------------- -----------------
For purposes of the foregoing, (a) if no rating for any Long-Term Debt
of the Borrower shall be available from either ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ or S&P, such
rating agency shall be deemed to have established a rating for the
Long-Term Debt of the Borrower which is one rating grade higher than
the subordinated debt rating grade of the Borrower, (b) if no rating
for any Long-Term Debt or subordinated debt of the Borrower shall be
available from either ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ or S&P, the Applicable Percentage shall
be as set forth in Pricing Level VI, (c) if the ratings established or
deemed to have been established by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ and S&P shall fall within
different categories, the Applicable Percentage shall be based upon the
superior (or numerically lowest) Pricing Level and (d) if any rating
established or deemed to have been established by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ or S&P shall
be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of
either ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ or S&P), such change shall be effective as of the date
on which such change is first announced by the rating agency making
such change. Each such change shall apply to the Facility Fees,
Utilization Fees and all Loans that are outstanding at any time during
the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending
on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such
change. If the rating system of either ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ or S&P shall change
prior to the Termination Date, the Borrower and the Lenders shall
negotiate in good faith to amend the references to specific ratings in
this definition to reflect such changed rating system.
"Approved Fund" means any Fund that is administered or managed
by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an
Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
2
"Arranger" means Banc of America Securities LLC, in its
capacity as sole lead arranger and sole book manager.
"Bank of America" means Bank of America, N.A., and its
successors.
"Bankruptcy Code" means the Bankruptcy Code in Title 11 of the
United States Code, as amended, modified, succeeded or replaced from
time to time.
"Base Rate" means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum
equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day
plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the Prime Rate in effect on such day.
"Base Rate Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate
determined by reference to the Base Rate.
"Book Net Worth" means, at any time, consolidated net
stockholders' equity of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries determined in
accordance with GAAP.
"Borrower" means
Sonoco Products Company, a South Carolina
corporation, as identified as such in the heading hereof, together with
any permitted successors and assigns.
"Business Day" means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or
other day on which commercial banks in San Francisco, California or New
York, New York are authorized or required by law to close, except that,
when used in connection with a Eurodollar Loan, such day shall also be
a day on which dealings between banks are carried on in U.S. dollar
deposits in London, England, San Francisco, California and New York,
New York.
"Capital Lease" means any lease of Property the obligations
with respect to which are required to be capitalized on a balance sheet
of the lessee in accordance with GAAP.
"Closing Date" means the date hereof.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and any successor thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations
issued thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.
References to sections of the Code shall be construed also to refer to
any successor sections.
"Commitment" means (i) as to each Lender, the commitment of
such Lender to make its Commitment Percentage of Committed Loans up to
its Committed Amount and (ii) as to the Swingline Lender, the Swingline
Commitment.
"Commitment Percentage" means, for each Lender, a fraction
(expressed as a percentage) the numerator of which is the Committed
Amount of such Lender at such time and the denominator of which is the
3
Total Committed Amount, provided that if the Commitment Percentage of
any Lender is to be determined after the Commitments have been
terminated, then the Commitment Percentage of such Lender shall be
determined immediately prior (and without giving effect) to such
termination.
"Committed Amount" means, as to each Lender, the maximum
amount of such Lender's Commitment as identified on Schedule 2.1(a), as
such amount may be reduced or increased from time to time in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.
"Committed Loans" means such term as defined in Section 2.1.
"Committed Note" or "Committed Notes" means the promissory
notes of the Borrower in favor of each of the Lenders evidencing the
Committed Loans delivered pursuant to Section 2.1(e), individually or
collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory notes may be amended,
modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced from time to
time.
"Competitive Bid" means an offer by a Lender to make a
Competitive Loan pursuant to the terms of Section 2.2.
"Competitive Bid Rate" means, as to any Competitive Bid made
by a Lender in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2, the fixed
rate of interest offered by the Lender making the Competitive Bid.
"Competitive Bid Request" means a request by the Borrower for
Competitive Bids in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.2.
"Competitive Loan" means a loan made by a Lender in its
discretion pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2.
"Competitive Lenders" means, at any time, those Lenders which
have Competitive Loans outstanding.
"Competitive Note" or "Competitive Notes" means the promissory
notes of the Borrower in favor of each of the Lenders evidencing the
Competitive Loans, if any, delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(i),
individually or collectively, as appropriate, as such promissory notes
may be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed or replaced
from time to time.
"
Credit Agreement" means this
Credit Agreement.
"Credit Documents" means this
Credit Agreement, the Notes, the
Fee Letter and all other related agreements and documents issued or
delivered hereunder or thereunder or pursuant hereto or thereto.
4
"Default" means any event, act or condition which with notice
or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"Designating Lender" shall have the meaning assigned thereto
in Section 8.3(h).
"Dollars" and "$" means dollars in lawful currency of the
United States of America.
"Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary (a) incorporated
under the laws of the United States or any state, territory or
possession thereof, or the Commonwealth or Puerto Rico, (b) the
operations of which are substantially conducted in the United States or
its territories or possessions, or in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
or (c) a substantial portion of the assets of which are located in the
United States or its territories or possessions, or in the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico.
"Eligible Assignee" means (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a
Lender; (c) an Approved Fund; and (d) any other Person (other than a
natural Person) approved by the Agent and the Borrower, unless (x) such
Person is taking delivery of an assignment in connection with physical
settlement of a credit derivatives transaction or (y) a Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (each such approval not
to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
"Environmental Laws" means any and all lawful and applicable
Federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, regulations,
ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions,
grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other governmental
restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions, discharges,
releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals,
or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the
environment including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water,
ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport,
or handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals, or industrial,
toxic or hazardous substances or wastes.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by
the rules and regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect
from time to time. References to sections of ERISA shall be construed
also to refer to any successor sections.
"ERISA Affiliate" means an entity, whether or not
incorporated, which is under common control with the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA, or
is a member of a group which includes the Borrower and which is treated
as a single employer under Sections 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the
Code.
"Eurodollar Loan" means any Loan bearing interest at a rate
determined by reference to the Eurodollar Rate.
5
"Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for any
Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) determined by the Agent to be
equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the Interbank Offered
Rate, by (ii) 1 minus the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.
"Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means for any day, that
percentage (expressed as a decimal) which is in effect from time to
time under Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (or any successor), as such regulation may be amended
from time to time or any successor regulation, as the maximum weighted
average reserve requirement for the Lenders (including, without
limitation, any basic, supplemental, emergency, special, or marginal
reserves) applicable with respect to Eurocurrency liabilities as that
term is defined in Regulation D (or against any other category of
liabilities that includes deposits by reference to which the interest
rate of Eurodollar Loans is determined). The Eurodollar Rate shall be
adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in
the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage. The Agent will promptly notify the
Borrower of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage of which it
becomes aware.
"Event of Default" means such term as defined in Section 6.1.
"Facility Fee" means such term as defined in Section 2.7(a).
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum
(rounded upwards to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted
average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with
members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers
on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank on the Business
Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a
Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on
such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on
the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so
published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate
for such day shall be the average rate charged to Bank of America on
such day on such transactions as determined by the Agent.
"Fee Letter" means that certain letter agreement dated May 29,
2001 between the Agent and the Borrower, as amended, modified,
supplemented or replaced from time to time.
"Fund" means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is
(or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise
investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the
ordinary course of its business.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the
United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to Section 1.3
hereof.
6
"Governmental Authority" means any Federal, state, local or
foreign court or governmental agency, authority, instrumentality or
regulatory body.
"Guaranty Obligations" means, with respect to any Person,
without duplication, any obligations of such Person (other than
endorsements in the ordinary course of business of negotiable
instruments for deposit or collection) guaranteeing or intended to
guarantee any Indebtedness of any other Person in any manner, whether
direct or indirect, and including without limitation any obligation,
whether or not contingent, (i) to purchase any such Indebtedness or any
Property constituting security therefor, (ii) to advance or provide
funds or other support for the payment or purchase of any such
Indebtedness or to maintain working capital, solvency or other balance
sheet condition of such other Person (including without limitation keep
well agreements, maintenance agreements, comfort letters or similar
agreements or arrangements) for the benefit of any holder of
Indebtedness of such other Person, (iii) to lease or purchase Property,
securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the holder
of such Indebtedness, or (iv) to otherwise assure or hold harmless the
holder of such Indebtedness against loss in respect thereof. The amount
of any Guaranty Obligation hereunder shall (subject to any limitations
set forth therein) be deemed to be an amount equal to the outstanding
principal amount (or maximum principal amount, if larger) of the
Indebtedness in respect of which such Guaranty Obligation is made.
"Indebtedness" of any Person means (i) all obligations of such
Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person
evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, or upon
which interest payments are customarily made, (iii) all obligations of
such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements
relating to Property purchased by such Person (other than customary
reservations or retentions of title under agreements with suppliers
entered into in the ordinary course of business), (iv) all obligations,
including without limitation intercompany items, of such Person issued
or assumed as the deferred purchase price of Property or services
purchased by such Person (other than trade debt incurred in the
ordinary course of business and due within six months of the incurrence
thereof) which would appear as liabilities on a balance sheet of such
Person, (v) all Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which the
holder of such Indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or
otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on, or payable out of the
proceeds of production from, Property owned or acquired by such Person,
whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been assumed, (vi)
all Guaranty Obligations of such Person, (vii) the principal portion of
all obligations of such Person under Capital Leases, (viii) all
obligations of such Person in respect of interest rate protection
agreements, foreign currency exchange agreements, commodity purchase or
option agreements or other interest or exchange rate or commodity price
hedging agreements, or (ix) the maximum amount of all letters of credit
issued or bankers' acceptances facilities created for the account of
such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder (to
the extent unreimbursed). The Indebtedness of any Person shall include
the Indebtedness of any partnership in which such Person is a general
partner (except for any such Indebtedness with respect to which the
holder thereof is limited to the assets of such partnership or joint
venture).
7
"Indemnified Liabilities" means (a) any and all claims,
demands, actions or causes of action that are asserted against any
Agent-Related Person by any Person (other than the Agent or any Lender)
relating directly or indirectly to a claim, demand, action or cause of
action that such Person asserts or may assert against the Borrower, any
Affiliate of the Borrower or any of their respective officers or
directors; (b) any and all claims, demands, actions or causes of action
that may at any time (including at any time following repayment of the
Obligations and the resignation or removal of the Agent or the
replacement of any Lender) be asserted or imposed against any
Agent-Related Person, arising out of or relating to, the Credit
Documents, any predecessor Credit Documents, the Commitments, the use
or contemplated use of the proceeds of any extension of credit, or the
relationship of the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders under this
Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document; (c) any administrative
or investigative proceeding by any Governmental Authority arising out
of or related to a claim, demand, action or cause of action described
in subsection (a) or (b) above; and (d) any and all liabilities
(including liabilities under indemnities), losses, costs or expenses
(including reasonable fees and costs of counsel) that any Agent-Related
Person suffers or incurs as a result of the assertion of any foregoing
claim, demand, action, cause of action or proceeding, or as a result of
the preparation of any defense in connection with any foregoing claim,
demand, action, cause of action or proceeding, in all cases, whether or
not an Agent-Related Person is a party to such claim, demand, action,
cause of action or proceeding.
"Interbank Offered Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for
any Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%) in each case determined by the
Agent to be equal to:
(a) the offered rate that appears on the Dow ▇▇▇▇▇
Telerate Screen Page 3750 (or any successor page)
that displays an average British Bankers Association
Interest Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for
delivery on the first day of the applicable Interest
Period) for a term equivalent to the applicable
Interest Period at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London
time) two Business Days prior to the first day of the
applicable Interest Period; or
(b) if for any reason the foregoing rate in clause (i) is
unavailable or undeterminable, the offered rate on
such other page or other service that displays an
average British Bankers Association Interest
Settlement Rate for deposits in Dollars (for delivery
on the first day of the applicable Interest Period)
for a term equivalent to the applicable Interest
Period at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two
Business Days prior to the first day of the
applicable Interest Period; or
(c) if for any reason the foregoing rates in clauses (i)
and (ii) are unavailable or undeterminable, the rate
of interest at which deposits in Dollars for delivery
on the first day of the applicable Interest Period in
same day funds in the approximate amount of the
applicable Eurodollar Loan for a term equivalent to
the applicable Interest Period would be offered by
the London branch of Bank of America to major banks
in the offshore Dollar market at approximately 11:00
a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the
first day of the applicable Interest Period.
8
"Interest Payment Date" means (i) as to any Base Rate Loan,
the last day of each March, June, September and December and the
Termination Date, (ii) as to any Eurodollar Loan, any Competitive Loan
or any Swingline Loan, the last day of each Interest Period for such
Loan and on the Termination Date, and in addition where the applicable
Interest Period is more than 3 months, then also on the date 3 months
from the beginning of the Interest Period, and each 3 months
thereafter. If an Interest Payment Date falls on a date which is not a
Business Day, such Interest Payment Date shall be deemed to be the next
succeeding Business Day, except that in the case of Eurodollar Loans
where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding
calendar month, then on the next preceding Business Day.
"Interest Period" means (i) with respect to any Eurodollar
Loan, a period of one, two, three or six months' duration (or, subject
to the approval of all Lenders), nine or twelve months' duration,
provided that a twelve month Interest Period may only be elected by the
Borrower in connection with its exercise of the term-out option
pursuant to Section 2.6(e)), as the Borrower may elect, commencing in
each case on the date of the borrowing (including extensions and
conversions), (ii) with respect to any Competitive Loan, a period
beginning on the date of borrowing and ending on the date specified in
the respective Competitive Bid whereby the offer to make such
Competitive Loan was extended, which shall be not less than 7 days nor
more than 180 days' duration and (iii) as to any Swingline Loan, a
period commencing in each case on the date of the borrowing and ending
on the date agreed to by the Borrower and the Swingline Lender in
accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3(b)(i) (such ending date
in any event to be not more than 13 days from the date of borrowing);
provided, however, (A) if any Interest Period would end on a day which
is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the
next succeeding Business Day (except that in the case of Eurodollar
Loans where the next succeeding Business Day falls in the next
succeeding calendar month, then on the next preceding Business Day),
(B) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Termination Date, and
(C) in the case of Eurodollar Loans, where an Interest Period begins on
a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the
calendar month in which the Interest Period is to end, such Interest
Period shall, subject to clause (A) above, end on the last Business Day
of such calendar month.
"Lenders" means each of the Persons identified as a "Lender"
on the signature pages hereto, and each Person which may become a
Lender by way of assignment in accordance with the terms hereof,
together with their successors and permitted assigns.
9
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment,
deposit arrangement, security interest, encumbrance, lien (statutory or
otherwise), preference, priority or charge of any kind (including any
agreement to give any of the foregoing, any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement, any financing or similar statement or notice
filed under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect in the
relevant jurisdiction or other similar recording or notice statute, and
any lease in the nature thereof).
"Loan" or "Loans" means a Committed Loan and/or a Competitive
Loan and/or a Swingline Loan, as appropriate.
"Long-Term Debt" shall mean, at any time, any non-credit
enhanced publicly-held senior unsecured debt obligations outstanding at
such time with a maturity more than one year after the date of any
determination hereunder.
"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on
(i) the condition (financial or otherwise), operations, business,
assets, liabilities (actual or contingent) or prospects of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of the Borrower
to perform any material obligation under the Credit Documents or (iii)
the material rights and remedies of the Lenders under the Credit
Documents.
"Moody's" means ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ Investors Service, Inc.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a Plan which is a multiemployer
plan as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
"Multiple Employer Plan" means a Plan which the Borrower, any
of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one employer
other than the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate are
contributing sponsors.
"Non-Excluded Taxes" means such term as defined in Section
2.12(a).
"Note" or "Notes" means the Committed Notes and/or the
Competitive Notes and/or the Swingline Note, collectively, separately
or individually, as appropriate.
"Notice of Borrowing" means the written notice of borrowing as
referenced and defined in Section 2.1(b)(i).
"Notice of Extension/Conversion" means the written notice of
extension or conversion of a Loan in accordance with Section 2.5, a
form of which is attached as Schedule 2.5.
"Obligations" means, with respect to the Agent and any or all
of the Lenders, the unpaid principal of, and the accrued and unpaid
10
interest on, the Loans, all accrued and unpaid fees and all other
unsatisfied obligations of the Borrower arising under any of the Credit
Documents, including without limitation under Sections 2.11, 2.12 and
2.13.
"Participation Interest" means the extension of credit by a
Lender by way of a purchase of a participation in Swingline Loans as
provided in Section 2.3(b)(iii).
"Participant" has the meaning specified in Section 8.2(d).
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any
successor thereof.
"Person" means any individual, partnership, joint venture,
firm, corporation, limited liability company, association, trust or
other enterprise (whether or not incorporated) or any Governmental
Authority.
"Plan" means any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section
3(3) of ERISA) which is covered by ERISA and with respect to which the
Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or,
if such plan were terminated at such time, would under Section 4069 of
ERISA be deemed to be) an "employer" within the meaning of Section 3(5)
of ERISA.
"Prime Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum in effect
for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America
as its "prime rate." Such rate is a rate set by Bank of America based
upon various factors including Bank of America's costs and desired
return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a
reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above,
or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank
of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day
specified in the public announcement of such change.
"Property" means any interest in any kind of property or
asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.
"Quoted Rate" means, with respect to any Quoted Rate Swingline
Loan, the fixed percentage rate per annum offered by the Swingline
Lender and accepted by the Borrower with respect to such Swingline Loan
as provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.3.
"Quoted Rate Swingline Loan" means a Swingline Loan bearing
interest at a Quoted Rate.
"Register" shall have the meaning given such term in Section
8.2(c).
"Replaced Lender" means such term as defined in Section 2.17.
"Replacement Lender" means such term as defined in Section
2.17.
11
"Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in
Section 4043(b) of ERISA, other than those events as to which the
post-event notice requirement is waived under subsections .13, .14,
.18, .19, or .20 of PBGC Reg. ss. 2615.
"Required Lenders" means, at any time, Lenders having at least
fifty-one percent (51%) of the Commitments or, if the Commitments have
been terminated, Lenders holding at least fifty-one percent (51%) of
the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Notes (excluding any
Competitive Notes) and the Participation Interests.
"Requirement of Law" means, as to any Person, the certificate
of incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing
documents of such Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation or
determination of an arbitrator or a court or other Governmental
Authority, in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or
any of its material property.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The
▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ Companies, Inc.
"Single Employer Plan" means any Plan which is covered by
Title IV of ERISA, but which is not a Multiemployer Plan.
"Subject Property" means such term as defined in Section 4.11.
"Subsidiary" means, as to any Person, (a) any corporation more
than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the terms
thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the directors of
such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the time, any class
or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by
reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time owned by
such Person directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries, and (b) any
partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or
other entity in which such Person directly or indirectly through
Subsidiaries has more than 50% equity interest at any time. Unless
otherwise specified, any reference to a Subsidiary is intended as a
reference to a Subsidiary of the Borrower.
"Swingline Commitment" means the commitment of the Swingline
Lender to make Swingline Loans in an aggregate principal amount at any
time outstanding of up to the Swingline Committed Amount.
"Swingline Committed Amount" shall have the meaning assigned
to such term in Section 2.3(a).
"Swingline Lender" means Bank of America.
12
"Swingline Loan" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 2.3(a).
"Swingline Note" means the promissory note of the Borrower in
favor of the Swingline Lender in the original principal amount of
$15,000,000.00, as such promissory note may be amended, modified,
restated or replaced from time to time.
"Termination Date" means the earlier of (i) July 16, 2002 (as
such date may be extended pursuant to Section 2.6(e)) and (ii) the day
on which the Commitments shall have been reduced to zero and terminated
in whole pursuant to the terms hereof.
"Termination Event" means (i) with respect to any Plan, the
occurrence of a Reportable Event or the substantial cessation of
operations (within the meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA); (ii) the
withdrawal of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in which it
was a substantial employer (as such term is defined in Section
4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple Employer Plan;
(iii) the distribution of a notice of intent to terminate or the actual
termination of a Plan pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA;
(iv) the institution of proceedings to terminate or the actual
termination of a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA; (v) any
event or condition which might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of
ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to
administer, any Plan; or (vi) the complete or partial withdrawal of the
Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a
Multiemployer Plan.
"Total Assets" means, at any time, all items which would, in
accordance with GAAP, be classified as assets (other than intangible
assets) on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries.
"Total Committed Amount" means the aggregate Committed Amounts
of all the Lenders, being initially $450,000,000.
"U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate" means such term as defined
in Section 2.11(b)(Y).
"Utilization Fee" means such term as defined in Section
2.7(b).
"Utilization Fee Period" means such term as defined in Section
2.7(b).
1.2 Computation of Time Periods.
For purposes of computation of periods of time hereunder, the word
"from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each mean "to
but excluding."
13
1.3 Accounting Terms.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms
used herein shall be interpreted, and all financial statements and certificates
and reports as to financial matters required to be delivered to the Lenders
hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent
basis. All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with
this Credit Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be
made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent
annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1
hereof (or, prior to the delivery of the first financial statements pursuant to
Section 5.1 hereof, consistent with the financial statements as at April 1, 2001
referenced in Section 4.1); provided, however, if (a) the Borrower shall object
to determining such compliance on such basis at the time of delivery of such
financial statements due to any change in GAAP or the rules promulgated with
respect thereto or (b) the Agent or the Required Lenders shall so object in
writing within 30 days after delivery of such financial statements, then such
calculations shall be made on a basis consistent with the most recent financial
statements delivered by the Borrower to the Lenders as to which no such
objection shall have been made.
SECTION 2
THE CREDIT FACILITIES
2.1 Revolving Loans.
(a) Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Credit Agreement, each Lender severally agrees to make revolving loans
("Committed Loans") to the Borrower from time to time during the period
from the date hereof to the Termination Date in an aggregate principal
amount not to exceed such Lender's Commitment at any time in effect;
provided, however, that (A) with regard to each Lender individually,
such Lender's Committed Loans shall not exceed its Committed Amount and
(B) with regard to the Lenders collectively, the aggregate amount
outstanding of Committed Loans plus the aggregate amount outstanding of
Competitive Loans plus the aggregate amount outstanding of all
Swingline Loans shall not exceed the Total Committed Amount. Committed
Loans may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, or a
combination thereof, as the Borrower may request, and may be repaid and
reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(b) Committed Loan Borrowings.
(i) Notice of Borrowing. The Borrower shall request a
Committed Loan borrowing by written notice (or telephone notice
promptly confirmed in writing) to the Agent not later than 10:00 A.M.
(San Francisco, California time) on the Business Day of the requested
14
borrowing in the case of Base Rate Loans, and on the third Business Day
prior to the date of the requested borrowing in the case of Eurodollar
Loans. Each such request for borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall
specify (A) that a Committed Loan is requested, (B) the date of the
requested borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the aggregate
principal amount to be borrowed, and (D) whether the borrowing shall be
comprised of Base Rate Loans, Eurodollar Loans or a combination
thereof, and if Eurodollar Loans are requested, the Interest Period(s)
therefor. A form of Notice of Borrowing (a "Notice of Borrowing") is
attached as Schedule 2.1(b)(i). If the Borrower shall fail to specify
in any such Notice of Borrowing (I) an applicable Interest Period in
the case of a Eurodollar Loan, then such notice shall be deemed to be a
request for an Interest Period of one month, or (II) the type of
Committed Loan requested, then such notice shall be deemed to be a
request for a Base Rate Loan hereunder. The Agent shall give notice to
each Lender promptly upon receipt of each Notice of Borrowing, the
contents thereof and each such Lender's share thereof.
(ii) Minimum Amounts. Each Committed Loan borrowing
shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $5,000,000 and integral
multiples of $2,000,000.
(iii) Advances. Each Lender will make its Commitment
Percentage of each Committed Loan borrowing available to the Agent for
the account of the Borrower at the office of the Agent specified in
Schedule 2.1(a), or at such other office as the Agent may designate in
writing, by 12:00 P.M. (San Francisco, California time) on the date
specified in the applicable Notice of Borrowing in Dollars and in funds
immediately available to the Agent. Such borrowing will then be made
available to the Borrower by the Agent by crediting the account of the
Borrower on the books of such office with the aggregate of the amounts
made available to the Agent by the Lenders and in like funds as
received by the Agent.
(c) Repayment. The principal amount of all Committed Loans
shall be due and payable in full on the Termination Date.
(d) Interest. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4,
Committed Loans shall bear interest at a per annum rate equal to:
(i) Base Rate Loans. During such periods as Committed
Loans shall be comprised of Base Rate Loans, the Base Rate plus the
Applicable Percentage; and
(ii) Eurodollar Loans. During such periods as
Committed Loans shall be comprised of Eurodollar Loans, the sum of the
Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Percentage.
Interest on Committed Loans shall be payable in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date.
(e) Committed Notes. The Committed Loans made by each Lender
shall be evidenced by a duly executed promissory note of the Borrower
to each Lender in substantially the form of Schedule 2.1(e).
15
2.2 Competitive Loan Subfacility.
(a) Competitive Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Credit Agreement, the Borrower may, from time to time during the
period from the date hereof to the Termination Date, request and each
Lender may, in its sole discretion, agree to make, Competitive Loans to
the Borrower; provided that the sum of the aggregate amount outstanding
of Competitive Loans plus the aggregate amount outstanding of Committed
Loans plus the aggregate amount outstanding of Swingline Loans shall
not exceed the Total Committed Amount. Each Competitive Loan shall be
in a minimum aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 and multiples of
$2,000,000 in excess thereof.
(b) Competitive Bid Requests. The Borrower may solicit
Competitive Bids by delivery of a Competitive Bid Request substantially
in the form of Schedule 2.2(b)-1 to the Agent or each Lender by 11:00
a.m. (San Francisco, California time) on the second Business Day prior
to the date of the requested Competitive Loan borrowing. A Competitive
Bid Request shall specify (i) the date of the requested Competitive
Loan borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount of the
requested Competitive Loan borrowing and (iii) the applicable Interest
Periods requested. The Agent shall, promptly following its receipt of a
Competitive Bid Request notify the Lenders of its receipt and the
contents thereof. A form of such notice is provided in Schedule
2.2(b)-2. No more than three (3) Competitive Bid Requests shall be
submitted at any one time (e.g., the Borrower may request Competitive
Bids for no more than three (3) different Interest Periods at a time)
and Competitive Bid Requests may be made no more frequently than once
every five (5) Business Days.
(c) Competitive Bid Procedure. Each Lender may, in its sole
discretion, make one or more Competitive Bids to the Borrower in
response to a Competitive Bid Request. Each Competitive Bid must be
received by the Agent not later than 8:00 A.M. (San Francisco,
California time) on the proposed date of borrowing. A Lender may offer
to make all or part of the requested Competitive Loan borrowing and may
submit multiple Competitive Bids in response to a Competitive Bid
Request. The Competitive Bid shall specify (i) the particular
Competitive Bid Request as to which the Competitive Bid is submitted,
(ii) the minimum (which shall be not less than $1,000,000 and integral
multiples thereof) and maximum principal amounts of the requested
Competitive Loan or Loans as to which the Lender is willing to make,
and (iii) the applicable interest rate or rates and Interest Period or
Periods therefor. A form of such Competitive Bid is provided in
Schedule 2.2(c). A Competitive Bid submitted by a Lender in accordance
with the provisions hereof shall be irrevocable, absent manifest error.
In the case of each Competitive Bid auction being administered by the
Agent, the Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower of all Competitive
Bids made and the terms thereof and shall send a copy of each of the
Competitive Bids to the Borrower for its records as soon as
practicable.
(d) Submission of Competitive Bids by Agent. In the case of
each Competitive Bid auction being administered by the Agent, if the
16
Agent, in its capacity as a Lender, elects to submit a Competitive Bid
in response to the related Competitive Bid Request, it shall submit
such Competitive Bid directly to the Borrower one-half of an hour
earlier than the latest time at which the other Lenders are required to
submit their Competitive Bids to the Agent in response to such
Competitive Bid Request pursuant to the terms of subsection (c) above.
(e) Acceptance of Competitive Bids. The Borrower may, in its
sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the provisions of this
subsection (e), accept or reject any Competitive Bid offered to it. To
accept a Competitive Bid, the Borrower shall give written notification
(or telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing) substantially in
the form of Schedule 2.2(e) of its acceptance of any or all such
Competitive Bids. Such notification must be received by the Agent not
later than 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco, California time) on the date on
which notice of election to make a Competitive Bid is to be given by
the Lenders pursuant to the terms of subsection (c) above; provided,
however, (i) the failure by the Borrower to give timely notice of its
acceptance of a Competitive Bid shall be deemed to be a rejection
thereof, (ii) the Borrower may accept Competitive Bids only in
ascending order of rates, (iii) the aggregate amount of Competitive
Bids accepted by the Borrower shall not exceed the principal amount
specified in the Competitive Bid Request, (iv) the Borrower may accept
a portion of a Competitive Bid in the event, and to the extent,
acceptance of the entire amount thereof would cause the Borrower to
exceed the principal amount specified in the related Competitive Bid
Request, subject however to the minimum amounts provided herein (and
provided that where two or more Lenders submit a Competitive Bid at the
same Competitive Bid Rate, then the Borrower shall accept portions of
the Competitive Bids of such Lenders on a pro rata basis based upon the
amount of the Competitive Bids of such Lenders) and (v) no bid shall be
accepted for a Competitive Loan unless such Competitive Loan is in a
minimum principal amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples thereof,
except that where a portion of a Competitive Bid is accepted in
accordance with the provisions of subsection (iv) hereof, then in a
minimum principal amount of $100,000 and integral multiples thereof
(but not in any event less than the minimum amount specified in the
Competitive Bid), and in calculating the pro rata allocation of
acceptances of portions of multiple bids at a particular Competitive
Bid Rate pursuant to subsection (iv) hereof, the amounts shall be
rounded to integral multiples of $100,000 in a manner which shall be in
the discretion of the Borrower. A notice of acceptance of a Competitive
Bid given by the Borrower in accordance with the provisions hereof
shall be irrevocable. In the case of each Competitive Bid auction being
administered by the Agent, the Agent shall, not later than 11:00 a.m.
(San Francisco, California time) on the date of receipt by the Agent of
a notification from the Borrower of its acceptance and/or rejection of
Competitive Bids, notify each Lender of its receipt and the contents
thereof, such notification to include the ranges of Competitive Bids
submitted and the highest and lowest Competitive Bids accepted for each
Interest Period requested by the Borrower and the aggregate amount
borrowed pursuant to the applicable Competitive Bid Request. Upon its
receipt from the Agent or the Borrower, as applicable, of notification
of the Borrower's acceptance of its Competitive Bid(s) in accordance
with the terms of this subsection (e), each successful bidding Lender
will thereupon become bound, subject to the other applicable conditions
17
hereof, to make the Competitive Loan in respect of which its bid has
been accepted.
(f) Funding of Competitive Loans. Each Lender which is to make
a Competitive Loan shall make its Competitive Loan borrowing available
to the Agent for the account of the Borrower (in Dollars and in funds
immediately available to the Agent) at the office of the Agent
specified in Schedule 2.1(a), or at such other office as the Agent may
designate in writing, (i) in the case of same day Competitive Loan
borrowing requests, by 3:00 P.M. (San Francisco, California time) on
the date specified in the Competitive Bid Request or (ii) in all other
cases, by 12:30 P.M. (San Francisco, California time) on the date
specified in the Competitive Bid Request. Such borrowing will then be
made available to the Borrower by crediting the account of the Borrower
on the books of such office with the aggregate of the amount made
available to the Agent by the applicable Competitive Lenders and in
like funds as received by the Agent.
(g) Maturity of Competitive Loans. Each Competitive Loan shall
mature and be due and payable in full on the last day of the Interest
Period applicable thereto. Unless the Borrower shall give notice to the
Agent otherwise, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a
Committed Loan borrowing in the amount of the maturing Competitive
Loan, the proceeds of which will be used to repay such Competitive
Loan.
(h) Interest on Competitive Loans. Subject to the provisions
of Section 2.4, Competitive Loans shall bear interest in each case at
the Competitive Bid Rate applicable thereto. Interest on Competitive
Loans shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date.
(i) Competitive Loan Notes. The Competitive Loans shall be
evidenced by a duly executed promissory note of the Borrower to each
Lender in an original principal amount equal to the Total Committed
Amount and substantially in the form of Schedule 2.2(i).
(j) Competitive Bid Request Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the
Agent for each Competitive Bid Request a Competitive Bid administration
fee in the amount set forth in the Fee Letter concurrently with
delivery of any Competitive Bid Request (whether or not any Competitive
Bid is offered by a Lender or accepted by the Borrower and whether or
not any Competitive Loan is extended by any Lender in connection with
such Competitive Bid Request).
2.3 Swingline Loan Subfacility.
(a) Swingline Commitment. Subject to the terms and conditions
hereof and in reliance upon the representations and warranties herein
set forth, the Swingline Lender, in its individual capacity, agrees to
make certain revolving credit loans requested by the Borrower in
Dollars to the Borrower (each a "Swingline Loan" and, collectively, the
"Swingline Loans") from time to time from the Closing Date until the
18
Termination Date for the purposes hereinafter set forth; provided,
however, (i) the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans
outstanding at any time shall not exceed FIFTEEN MILLION DOLLARS
($15,000,000.00) (the "Swingline Committed Amount"), and (ii) the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Committed Loans plus the
aggregate principal amount outstanding of Swingline Loans plus the
aggregate principal amount outstanding of Competitive Loans shall not
exceed the Total Committed Amount. Swingline Loans hereunder shall be
made as Base Rate Loans or Quoted Rate Swingline Loans as the Borrower
may request in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.3, and
may be repaid and reborrowed in accordance with the provisions hereof.
(b) Swingline Loan Advances.
(i) Notices; Disbursement. Whenever the Borrower
desires a Swingline Loan advance hereunder it shall give written notice
(or telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Swingline
Lender not later than 11:00 a.m. (San Francisco, California time) on
the Business Day of the requested Swingline Loan advance. Each such
notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify (A) that a Swingline Loan
advance is requested, (B) the date of the requested Swingline Loan
advance (which shall be a Business Day) and (C) the principal amount of
the Swingline Loan advance requested. Each Swingline Loan shall be made
as a Base Rate Loan or a Quoted Rate Swingline Loan and shall have such
maturity date as the Swingline Lender and the Borrower shall agree upon
receipt by the Swingline Lender of any such notice from the Borrower
but in no event shall the maturity of any Swingline Loan exceed 13
days. The Swingline Lender shall initiate the transfer of funds
representing the Swingline Loan advance to the Borrower by 4:00 P.M.
(San Francisco, California time) on the Business Day of the requested
borrowing.
(ii) Minimum Amounts. Each Swingline Loan advance
shall be in a minimum principal amount of $500,000.00 and in integral
multiples of $100,000.00 in excess thereof (or the remaining amount of
the Swingline Committed Amount, if less).
(iii) Repayment of Swingline Loans. The principal
amount of all Swingline Loans shall be due and payable on the earlier
of (A) the maturity date agreed to by the Swingline Lender and the
Borrower with respect to such Loan (which maturity date shall not be a
date more than thirteen (13) days from the date of advance thereof) or
(B) the Termination Date. The Swingline Lender may, at any time, in its
sole discretion, by written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders,
demand repayment of its Swingline Loans by way of a Committed Loan, in
which case the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Committed
Loan comprised solely of Base Rate Loans in the amount of such
Swingline Loans; provided, however, that any such demand shall be
deemed to have been given one Business Day prior to the Termination
19
Date and on the date of the occurrence of any Event of Default
described in Section 6.1 and upon acceleration of the indebtedness
hereunder and the exercise of remedies in accordance with the
provisions of Section 6.2. Each Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to
make its pro rata share of each such Committed Loan in the amount, in
the manner and on the date specified in the preceding sentence
notwithstanding (I) the amount of such borrowing may not comply with
the minimum amount for advances of Committed Loans otherwise required
hereunder, (II) whether any conditions specified in Section 3.2 are
then satisfied, (III) whether a Default or an Event of Default then
exists, (IV) failure of any such request or deemed request for
Committed Loan to be made by the time otherwise required hereunder, (V)
whether the date of such borrowing is a date on which Committed Loans
are otherwise permitted to be made hereunder or (VI) any termination of
the Commitments relating thereto immediately prior to or
contemporaneously with such borrowing. In the event that any Committed
Loan cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above
(including, without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a
proceeding under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code with respect to the
Borrower), then each Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith
purchase (as of the date such borrowing would otherwise have occurred,
but adjusted for any payments received from the Borrower on or after
such date and prior to such purchase) from the Swingline Lender such
participations in the outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary
to cause each such Lender to share in such Swingline Loans ratably
based upon its Commitment Percentage of the Total Committed Amount,
provided that (A) all interest payable on the Swingline Loans shall be
for the account of the Swingline Lender until the date as of which the
respective participation is purchased and (B) at the time any purchase
of participations pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the
purchasing Lender shall be required to pay to the Swingline Lender, to
the extent not paid to the Swingline Lender by the Borrower in
accordance with the terms of subsection (c)(ii) hereof, interest on the
principal amount of participation purchased for each day from and
including the day upon which such borrowing would otherwise have
occurred to but excluding the date of payment for such participation,
at the rate equal to the Federal Funds Rate.
(c) Interest on Swingline Loans. (i) Subject to the provisions
of Section 2.4, each Swingline Loan shall bear interest as follows:
(A) Base Rate Loans. If such Swingline Loan is a Base
Rate Loan, at a per annum rate (computed on the basis of the
actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) equal
to the Base Rate.
(B) Quoted Rate Swingline Loans. If such Swingline Loan
is a Quoted Rate Swingline Loan, at a per annum rate (computed
on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year
of 360 days) equal to the Quoted Rate applicable thereto.
20
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary set forth in this
Credit Agreement, in the event that the principal amount of any Quoted
Rate Swingline Loan is not repaid on the last day of the Interest
Period for such Loan, then such Loan shall be automatically converted
into a Base Rate Loan at the end of such Interest Period.
(ii) Payment of Interest. Interest on Swingline Loans
shall be payable in arrears on each applicable Interest
Payment Date (or at such other times as may be specified
herein).
(d) Swingline Note. The Swingline Loans shall be evidenced by
a duly executed promissory note of the Borrower to the Swingline Lender
in substantially the form of Schedule 2.3(d).
2.4 Default Rate.
Overdue principal and, to the extent permitted by law, overdue interest
in respect of each Loan and any other overdue amount payable hereunder or under
the other Credit Documents shall bear interest, payable on demand, at a per
annum rate 2% greater than the rate which would otherwise be applicable (or if
no rate is applicable, whether in respect of interest, fees or other amounts,
then 2% greater than the Base Rate).
2.5 Extension and Conversion.
The Borrower shall have the option, on any Business Day prior to the
Termination Date, to extend existing Loans into a subsequent permissible
Interest Period or to convert Loans into Loans of another type; provided,
however, that (i) except as provided in Section 2.10, Eurodollar Loans may be
converted into Base Rate Loans only on the last day of the Interest Period
applicable thereto, (ii) Eurodollar Loans may be extended, and Base Rate Loans
may be converted into Eurodollar Loans, only if no Default or Event of Default
is in existence on the date of extension or conversion, (iii) Loans extended as,
or converted into, Eurodollar Loans shall be subject to the terms of the
definition of "Interest Period" set forth in Section 1.1 and shall be in such
minimum amounts as provided in Section 2.1(b)(ii), (iv) any request for
extension or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan which shall fail to specify an
Interest Period shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest Period of one
month and (v) Swingline Loans and Competitive Loans may not be extended or
converted pursuant to this Section 2.5. Each such extension or conversion shall
be effected by the Borrower by giving a Notice of Extension/Conversion (or
telephone notice promptly confirmed in writing) to the Agent prior to 10:00 A.M.
(San Francisco, California time) on the Business Day of, in the case of the
conversion of a Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan, and on the third Business
Day prior to, in the case of the extension of a Eurodollar Loan as, or
conversion of a Base Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the date of the proposed
extension or conversion, specifying the date of the proposed extension or
conversion, the Loans to be so extended or converted, the types of Loans into
which such Loans are to be converted and, if appropriate, the applicable
Interest Periods with respect thereto. Each request for extension or conversion
shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower of the matters
specified in Sections 3.2(b), 3.2(c) and 3.2(d). In the event the Borrower fails
to request extension of or conversion into any Eurodollar Loan in accordance
21
with this Section, or any such conversion or extension is not permitted or
required by this Section, then such Loans shall be automatically converted into
Base Rate Loans at the end of their Interest Period. The Agent shall give each
Lender notice as promptly as practicable of any such proposed extension or
conversion affecting any Loan.
2.6 Reductions in Commitments, Prepayments and Term Out Option.
(a) Termination of Commitments Generally. The Borrower may at
any time, upon not less than five (5) Business Days' written notice to
the Agent, terminate the Commitments, in whole or in part; provided
that (i) the Commitments shall not be terminated to an amount less than
the sum of the aggregate principal amount outstanding of Competitive
Loans plus the aggregate principal amount outstanding of Committed
Loans plus the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Swingline
Loans and (ii) partial terminations shall be in a minimum principal
amount of $5,000,000 and multiples of $2,000,000 in excess thereof.
Partial terminations in the Commitments will serve to reduce each of
the Lenders' respective Committed Amount ratably in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.14(a). Terminations of the Commitments, in
whole or in part, pursuant to this subsection (a) are permanent and may
not be reinstated.
(b) Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower may prepay the Loans,
in whole or in part; provided that (i) Committed Loans which are
Eurodollar Loans and Competitive Loans may be prepaid only with three
(3) Business Days' prior written notice to the Agent and any such
prepayment of Committed Loans which are Eurodollar Loans, Competitive
Loans and Quoted Rate Swingline Loans shall be accompanied by any
amounts owing under Section 2.13 on account thereof, and (ii) partial
prepayments shall be in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000 and
multiples of $2,000,000 in excess thereof (or, in the case of Swingline
Loans, in a minimum principal amount of $500,000 and multiples of
$100,000 in excess thereof).
(c) Mandatory Prepayments. If at any time the sum of the
aggregate principal amount outstanding of Competitive Loans plus the
aggregate principal amount outstanding of Committed Loans plus the
aggregate principal amount outstanding of the Swingline Loans shall
exceed the Total Committed Amount, the Borrower shall immediately make
payment on the Loans in an amount sufficient to eliminate the
deficiency.
(d) Notice. In the case of voluntary prepayments under
subsection (b) hereof, the Borrower will give notice to the Agent of
its intent to make such a prepayment by 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco,
California time) three (3) Business Days', in the case of Committed
Loans which are Eurodollar Loans and Competitive Loans, and one (1)
Business Day, in all other cases, prior to the date of prepayment.
(e) Term Out Option. If (i) the Borrower shall have delivered
to the Agent a written notice requesting an extension of the
22
Termination Date at least three (3) Business Days prior to July 16,
2002 and (ii) no Default or Event of Default exists on July 16, 2002,
then the Termination Date shall be extended to July 16, 2003; provided,
however, that the Commitments shall terminate on July 16, 2002, and any
amounts repaid on loans outstanding during such extension period may
not be reborrowed.
2.7 Fees.
(a) Facility Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay in immediately
available funds to the Agent (without offset or counterclaim), for the
account of the Lenders, in consideration of the Commitments hereunder,
on the last day of each calendar quarter (commencing with the first
such date after the date hereof) and on the Termination Date, a
facility fee (the "Facility Fee") equal to the Applicable Percentage
for the Facility Fee (on a per annum basis) multiplied by the Total
Committed Amount during the preceding period or quarter. The Facility
Fee shall commence to accrue as of the date hereof, and shall cease to
accrue on the Termination Date.
(b) Utilization Fee. During such periods as the aggregate
principal amount of all outstanding Loans is greater than or equal to
33% of the Total Committed Amount then in effect (or, if the term-out
option has been exercised pursuant to Section 2.6(e), the Total
Committed Amount immediately prior to such exercise) (each a
"Utilization Fee Period"), the Borrower agrees to pay in immediately
available funds to the Agent (without offset or counterclaim), for the
account of the Lenders, in consideration of the Commitments hereunder,
on the last day of each calendar quarter (commencing with the first
such date after the date hereof) and on the Termination Date, a
utilization fee (the "Utilization Fee") on the aggregate principal
amount of all Loans outstanding during each such Utilization Fee Period
computed at a rate for each day during each such period equal to the
Applicable Percentage for the Utilization Fee (on a per annum basis).
The Utilization Fee shall commence to accrue as of the date hereof, and
shall cease to accrue on the Termination Date.
(c) Administrative Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Agent , for its own account, the administrative and similar fees set
forth in the Fee Letter.
2.8 Capital Adequacy.
If, after the date hereof, any Lender has determined and certified to
the Agent and the Borrower that the adoption or effectiveness of any applicable
law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change therein, 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 such Lender (or any Person controlling
such Lender (its "parent")) with any request or directive regarding capital
adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central
bank or comparable agency, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of
return on such Lender's (or its parent's) capital or assets as a consequence of
23
its commitments or obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender
(or its parent) could have achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, change
or compliance (taking into consideration such Lender's (and its parent's)
policies with respect to capital adequacy), then, upon written notice and
certification from such Lender, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender, without
duplication, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender
(or its parent) for such reduction; provided that no such amounts shall be
payable with respect to reduction in rate of return incurred more than 90 days
before such Lender demands compensation under this Section; and provided further
that the amount requested shall have been determined and allocated by such
Lender pro rata on all its commitments and assets affected thereby. Each
determination by any such Lender of amounts owing under this Section shall,
absent manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the parties hereto.
2.9 Inability To Determine Interest Rate.
If prior to the first day of any Interest Period, the Agent shall have
determined (which determination shall be conclusive and binding upon the
Borrower) that, by reason of circumstances affecting the relevant market,
adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Eurodollar Rate
for such Interest Period, the Agent shall give telecopy or telephonic notice
thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders as soon as practicable thereafter. If
such notice is given (i) any Eurodollar Loans requested to be made on the first
day of such Interest Period shall be made as Base Rate Loans, (ii) any Loans
that were to have been converted on the first day of such Interest Period to or
continued as Eurodollar Loans shall be converted to or continued as Base Rate
Loans and (iii) any outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall be converted, on the
first day of such Interest Period, to Base Rate Loans. Until such notice has
been withdrawn by the Agent, no further Eurodollar Loans shall be made or
continued as such, nor shall the Borrower have the right to convert Base Rate
Loans to Eurodollar Loans.
2.10 Illegality.
Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if the adoption of or any
change in any Requirement of Law or in the interpretation or application thereof
occurring after the Closing Date shall make it unlawful for any Lender to make
or maintain Eurodollar Loans as contemplated by this Credit Agreement, (a) such
Lender shall promptly give written notice of such circumstances to the Borrower
and the Agent (which notice shall be withdrawn whenever such circumstances no
longer exist), (b) the commitment of such Lender hereunder to make Eurodollar
Loans, continue Eurodollar Loans as such and convert a Base Rate Loan to
Eurodollar Loans shall forthwith be canceled and, until such time as it shall no
longer be unlawful for such Lender to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans, such
Lender shall then have a commitment only to make a Base Rate Loan when a
Eurodollar Loan is requested and (c) such Lender's Loans then outstanding as
Eurodollar Loans, if any, shall be converted automatically to Base Rate Loans on
the respective last days or the then current Interest Periods with respect to
such Loans or within such earlier period as required by law. If any such
conversion of a Eurodollar Loan occurs on a day which is not the last day of the
then current Interest Period with respect thereto, the Borrower shall pay to
such Lender such amounts, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section 2.13.
24
2.11 Requirements of Law.
If the adoption of or any change in any Requirement of Law or in the
interpretation or application thereof applicable to any Lender, or compliance by
any Lender with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of
law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority, in each case made
subsequent to the Closing Date (or, if later, the date on which such Lender
becomes a Lender):
(i) shall subject such Lender to any tax of any kind
whatsoever with respect to any Eurodollar Loans made by it or its
obligation to make Eurodollar Loans, or change the basis of taxation of
payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Non-Excluded
Taxes covered by Section 2.12 (including Non-Excluded Taxes imposed
solely by reason of any failure of such Lender to comply with its
obligations under Section 2.12(b)) and changes in taxes measured by or
imposed upon the overall net income, or franchise tax (imposed in lieu
of such net income tax), of such Lender or its applicable lending
office, branch, or any affiliate thereof);
(ii) shall impose, modify or hold applicable any reserve,
special deposit, compulsory loan or similar requirement against assets
held by, deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of,
advances, loans or other extensions of credit by, or any other
acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender which is not
otherwise included in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate
hereunder; or
(iii) shall impose on such Lender any other condition
(excluding any tax of any kind whatsoever);
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such
Lender, by an amount which such Lender deems to be material, of making,
converting into, continuing or maintaining Eurodollar Loans or to
reduce any amount receivable hereunder in respect thereof, then, in any
such case, upon notice to the Borrower from such Lender, through the
Agent, in accordance herewith, the Borrower shall promptly pay such
Lender, upon its demand and without duplication, any additional amounts
necessary to compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduced
amount receivable, provided that in any such case, the Borrower (after
payment of all amounts due under this Section 2.11) may elect to
convert the Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender hereunder to Base Rate
Loans by giving the Agent at least one Business Day's notice of such
election, in which case the Borrower shall promptly pay to such Lender,
upon demand, without duplication, such amounts, if any, as may be
required pursuant to Section 2.13. If any Lender becomes entitled to
claim any additional amounts pursuant to this Section 2.11, it shall
provide prompt notice thereof to the Borrower, through the Agent,
certifying (x) that one of the events described in this paragraph (a)
has occurred and describing in reasonable detail the nature of such
event, (y) as to the increased cost or reduced amount resulting from
such event and (z) as to the additional amount demanded by such Lender
and a reasonably detailed explanation of the calculation thereof. Such
a certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this
Section 2.11 submitted by such Lender, through the Agent, to the
25
Borrower shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. This
covenant shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement and the
payment of the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder.
2.12 Taxes.
(a) Except as provided below in this subsection, all payments
made by the Borrower under this Credit Agreement and the Notes shall be
made free and clear of, and without deduction or withholding for or on
account of, any present or future income, stamp or other taxes, levies,
imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings, now or
hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by
Governmental Authority, excluding (i) taxes measured by or imposed upon
the overall net income of any Lender or its applicable lending office,
or any branch or affiliate thereof, and all franchise taxes, branch
taxes, taxes on doing business or taxes on the overall capital or net
worth of any Lender or its applicable lending office, or any branch or
affiliate thereof, in each case imposed in lieu of net income taxes, or
(ii) any taxes arising after the Closing Date solely as a result of or
attributable to a Lender changing any applicable lending office after
the date that such Lender becomes a party hereto, imposed: (i) by the
jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender, applicable lending
office, branch or affiliate is organized or is located, or in which its
principal executive office is located, or any nation within which such
jurisdiction is located or any political subdivision thereof; or (ii)
by reason of any connection between the jurisdiction imposing such tax
and such Lender, applicable lending office, branch or affiliate other
than a connection arising solely from such Lender having executed,
delivered or performed its obligations, or received payment under or
enforced, this Credit Agreement or the Notes. If any such non-excluded
taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or
withholdings ("Non-Excluded Taxes") are required to be withheld from
any amounts payable to the Agent or any Lender hereunder, (A) the
amounts so payable to the Agent or such Lender shall be increased to
the extent necessary to yield to the Agent or such Lender (after
payment of all Non-Excluded Taxes) interest or any such other amounts
payable hereunder at the rates or in the amounts specified in this
Credit Agreement, provided, however, that the Borrower shall be
entitled to deduct and withhold any Non-Excluded Taxes and shall not be
required to increase any such amounts payable to any Lender that is not
organized under the laws of the United States of America or a state
thereof if such Lender fails to comply with the requirements of Section
2.12(b) whenever any Non-Excluded Taxes are payable by the Borrower,
and (B) as promptly as possible thereafter the Borrower shall send to
the Agent for its own account or for the account of such Lender, as the
case may be, a certified copy of an original official receipt received
by the Borrower showing payment thereof. If the Borrower fails to pay
any Non-Excluded Taxes when due to the appropriate taxing authority or
fails to remit to the Agent the required receipts or other required
documentary evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the Agent and the
Lenders for any incremental taxes, interest or penalties that may
become payable by the Agent or any Lender as a result of any such
failure. The agreements in this Section 2.12 shall survive the
termination of this Credit Agreement and the payment of the Loans and
all other amounts payable hereunder.
26
(b) Each Lender that is not incorporated under the laws of the
United States of America or a state thereof shall:
(X) (i) on or before the date of any payment by the
Borrower under this Credit Agreement or Notes to such Lender,
deliver to the Borrower and the Agent (A) two duly completed
copies of United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN
or W-8ECI, or successor applicable form, as the case may be,
certifying that it is entitled to receive payments under this
Credit Agreement and any Notes without deduction or
withholding of any United States federal income taxes and (B)
an Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9, or successor
applicable form, as the case may be, certifying that it is
entitled to an exemption from United States backup withholding
tax;
(ii) deliver to the Borrower and the Agent two
further copies of any such form or certification on or before the date
that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete and
after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent
form previously delivered by it to the Borrower; and
(iii) obtain such extensions of time for filing and
complete such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by
the Borrower or the Agent in order to establish the legal entitlement
of such Lender to an exemption from withholding with respect to
payments under this Credit Agreement and any Notes; or
(Y) in the case of any such Lender that is not a
"bank" within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (i)
represent to the Borrower (for the benefit of the Borrower and the
Agent) that it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A)
of the Code, (ii) agree to furnish to the Borrower on or before the
date of any payment by the Borrower, with a copy to the Agent (A) a
certificate substantially in the form of Schedule 2.12 hereto (any such
certificate a "U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate") and (B) two accurate
and complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form
W-8, or successor applicable form certifying to such Lender's legal
entitlement at the date of such certificate to an exemption from U.S.
withholding tax under the provisions of Section 881(c) of the Code with
respect to payments to be made under this Credit Agreement and any
Notes (and to deliver to the Borrower and the Agent two further copies
of such form on or before the date it expires or becomes obsolete and
after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most
recently provided form and, if necessary, obtain any extensions of time
reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Agent for filing and
completing such forms), and (iii) agree, to the extent legally entitled
to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrower, to provide to the
Borrower (for the benefit of the Borrower and the Agent) such other
forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal
27
entitlement of such Lender to an exemption from withholding with
respect to payments under this Credit Agreement and any Notes;
unless in any such case any change in treaty, law or regulation has
occurred after the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder which
renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent such Lender
from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it
and such Lender so advises the Borrower and the Agent. Each Person that
shall become a Lender or a Participant pursuant to Section 8.2 shall,
upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide
all of the forms, certifications and statements required pursuant to
this Section 2.12, provided that in the case of a Participant the
obligations of such Participant pursuant to this Section 2.12(b) shall
be determined as if the Participant were a Lender except that such
Participant shall furnish all such required forms, certifications and
statements to the Lender from which the related participation shall
have been purchased.
2.13 Funding Losses.
Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Agent) from time to time,
the 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:
(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any
Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of
the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory,
automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise); or
(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the
failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or
convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the
amount notified by the Borrower;
including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of
funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the
deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrower shall also pay any
customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the
foregoing. For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the
Lenders under this Section 2.13, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each
Eurodollar Loan made by it at the Interbank Offered Rate for such Loan by a
matching deposit or other borrowing in the applicable offshore Dollar interbank
market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such
Eurodollar Loan was in fact so funded.
2.14 Pro Rata Treatment.
Except to the extent otherwise provided herein:
(a) Committed Loans. Each Committed Loan borrowing, each
payment or prepayment of principal of any Committed Loan and each
28
payment of interest on the Committed Loans, each reduction of the Total
Committed Amount, and each conversion or continuation of any Loan,
shall be allocated among the relevant Lenders in accordance with the
respective applicable Commitment Percentages (or, if the Commitments of
such Lenders have expired or been terminated, in accordance with the
respective principal amounts of the outstanding Committed Loans of such
Lenders); and
(b) Advances.
(i) No Lender shall be responsible for the failure or delay by
any other Lender in its obligation to make its ratable share of a
borrowing hereunder; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender
to fulfill its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender
of its obligations hereunder.
(ii) Unless the Borrower or any Lender has notified the Agent
prior to the date any payment is required to be made by it to the Agent
hereunder, that the Borrower or such Lender, as the case may be, will
not make such payment, the Agent may assume that the Borrower or such
Lender, as the case may be, has timely made such payment and may (but
shall not be so required to), in reliance thereon, make available a
corresponding amount to the Person entitled thereto. If and to the
extent that such payment was not in fact made to the Agent in
immediately available funds, then:
(A) if the Borrower failed to make such payment, each Lender
shall forthwith on demand repay to the Agent the portion of
such assumed payment that was made available to such Lender
in immediately available funds, together with interest
thereon in respect of each day from and including the date
such amount was made available by the Agent to such Lender
to the date such amount is repaid to the Agent in
immediately available funds, at the Federal Funds Rate from
time to time in effect; and
(B) if any Lender failed to make such payment, such Lender shall
forthwith on demand pay to the Agent the amount thereof in
immediately available funds, together with interest thereon
for the period from the date such amount was made available
by the Agent to the Borrower to the date such amount is
recovered by the Agent (the "Compensation Period") at a rate
per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time
in effect. If such Lender does not pay such amount forthwith
upon the Agent's demand therefor, the Agent shall notify the
Borrower within 30 day's of the failure of such Lender to
make such amount available to the Agent and may make a
demand therefor upon the Borrower, and the Borrower shall
pay such amount to the Agent, together with interest thereon
for the Compensation Period at a rate per annum equal to the
rate of interest applicable to the applicable Borrowing.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its
obligation to fulfill its Commitment or to prejudice any rights that
29
the Agent or the Borrower may have against any Lender as a result of
any default by such Lender hereunder. A notice of the Agent to any
Lender with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall
be conclusive, absent manifest error.
2.15 Sharing of Payments.
The Lenders agree among themselves that, in the event that any Lender
shall obtain payment in respect of any Loan or any other obligation owing to
such Lender under this Credit Agreement through the exercise of a right of
setoff, banker's lien or counterclaim, or pursuant to a secured claim under
Section 506 of Title 11 of the United States Code or other security or interest
arising from, or in lieu of, such secured claim, received by such Lender under
any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law or otherwise, or by
any other means, in excess of its pro rata share of such payment as provided for
in this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall promptly purchase from the other
Lenders a participation in such Loans and other obligations in such amounts, and
make such other adjustments from time to time, as shall be equitable to the end
that all Lenders share such payment in accordance with their respective ratable
shares as provided for in this Credit Agreement. The Lenders further agree among
themselves that if payment to a Lender obtained by such Lender through the
exercise of a right of setoff, banker's lien, counterclaim or other event as
aforesaid shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored, each Lender which
shall have shared the benefit of such payment shall, by repurchase of a
participation theretofore sold, return its share of that benefit (together with
its share of any accrued interest payable with respect thereto) to each Lender
whose payment shall have been rescinded or otherwise restored. The Borrower
agrees that any Lender so purchasing such a participation may, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, exercise all rights of payment, including setoff,
banker's lien or counterclaim, with respect to such participation as fully as if
such Lender were a holder of such Loan or other obligation in the amount of such
participation. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement,
if any Lender or the Agent shall fail to remit to the Agent or any other Lender
an amount payable by such Lender or the Agent to the Agent or such other Lender
pursuant to this Credit Agreement on the date when such amount is due, such
payments shall be made together with interest thereon for each date from the
date such amount is due until the date such amount is paid to the Agent or such
other Lender at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate. If under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a
secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 2.15 applies, such
Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such
secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders under this
Section 2.15 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.
2.16 Place and Manner of Payments.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all payments
hereunder shall be made to the Agent in dollars in immediately available funds,
without offset, deduction, counterclaim or withholding of any kind, at its
offices specified in Schedule 2.1(a) not later than 1:00 P.M. (San Francisco,
California time) on the date when due. Payments received after such time shall
be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day. The Agent
30
may (but shall not be obligated to) debit the amount of any such payment which
is not made by such time to any ordinary deposit account of the Borrower
maintained with the Agent (with notice to the Borrower). The Borrower shall, at
the time it makes any payment under this Credit Agreement, specify to the Agent
the Loans, fees or other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder to which such
payment is to be applied (and in the event that it fails so to specify, or if
such application would be inconsistent with the terms hereof, the Agent shall
distribute such payment to the Lenders in such manner as the Agent may determine
to be appropriate in respect of obligations owing by the Borrower hereunder,
subject to the terms of Section 2.6(c)). The Agent will distribute such payments
to the Lenders, if any such payment is received prior to 1:00 P.M. (San
Francisco, California time) on a Business Day in like funds as received prior to
the end of such Business Day and otherwise the Agent will distribute such
payment to the Lenders on the next succeeding Business Day. Whenever any payment
hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the
due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day (subject
to accrual of interest and fees for the period of such extension), except that
in the case of Eurodollar Loans, if the extension would cause the payment to be
made in the next following calendar month, then such payment shall instead be
made on the next preceding Business Day. All computations of interest and fees
shall be made on the basis of actual number of days elapsed over a year of 360
days; provided, however, that computations of interest at the Prime Rate shall
be made on the basis of actual number of days elapsed over a 365/366 day year.
Interest shall accrue from and include the date of borrowing, but exclude the
date of payment.
2.17 Replacement of Lenders.
If any Lender delivers a notice to the Borrower pursuant to Sections
2.8, 2.10, 2.11, 2.12 or 2.14, then the Borrower shall have the right, if no
Default or Event of Default then exists, to replace such Lender (the "Replaced
Lender") with one or more additional banks or financial institutions
(collectively, the "Replacement Lender"), provided that (A) at the time of any
replacement pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Replacement Lender shall enter
into one or more assignment agreements substantially in the form of Schedule
8.2(b) pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of, Section 8.2(b) (and
with all fees payable pursuant to said Section 8.2(b) to be paid by the
Replacement Lender) pursuant to which the Replacement Lender shall acquire all
of the rights and obligations of the Replaced Lender hereunder and, in
connection therewith, shall pay to the Replaced Lender in respect thereof an
amount equal to the sum of (a) the principal of, and all accrued interest on,
all outstanding Loans of the Replaced Lender, and (b) all accrued, but
theretofore unpaid, fees owing to the Replaced Lender pursuant to Section 2.7,
and (B) all obligations of the Borrower owing to the Replaced Lender (including
all obligations, if any, owing pursuant to Section 2.8, 2.11 or 2.12, but
excluding those obligations specifically described in clause (A) above in
respect of which the assignment purchase price has been, or is concurrently
being paid) shall be paid in full to such Replaced Lender concurrently with such
replacement.
31
SECTION 3
CONDITIONS
3.1 Closing Conditions.
The obligation of the Lenders to enter into this Credit Agreement is
subject to satisfaction of the following conditions (in form and substance
acceptable to the Lenders):
(a) Executed Credit Documents. Receipt by the Agent of duly
executed copies of this Credit Agreement and the Notes.
(b) No Default; Representations and Warranties. As of the
Closing Date (i) there shall exist no Default or Event of Default and
(ii) all representations and warranties contained herein and in the
other Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material
respects.
(c) Opinion of Counsel. Receipt by the Agent of an opinion, or
opinions, satisfactory to the Agent, addressed to the Agent and the
Lenders and dated as of the Closing Date substantially in the form of
Schedule 3.1(c) attached hereto.
(d) Corporate Documents. Receipt by the Agent of the
following:
(i) Charter Documents. Copies of the articles or
certificates of incorporation or other charter documents of the
Borrower certified to be true and complete as of a recent date by the
appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other jurisdiction
of its incorporation and certified by a secretary or assistant
secretary of the Borrower to be true and correct as of the Closing
Date.
(ii) Bylaws. A copy of the bylaws of the Borrower
certified by a secretary or assistant secretary of the Borrower to be
true and correct as of the Closing Date.
(iii) Resolutions. Copies of resolutions of the Board
of Directors of the Borrower approving and adopting the Credit
Documents, the transactions contemplated therein and authorizing
execution and delivery thereof, certified by a secretary or assistant
secretary of the Borrower to be true and correct and in force and
effect as of the Closing Date.
(vi) Good Standing. Copies of certificates of good
standing, existence or its equivalent with respect to the Borrower
certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental
Authorities in the State of South Carolina.
32
(e) Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2000, there
shall not have occurred, nor otherwise exist, an event or condition
which has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(f) Other. Receipt by the Agent of such other documents,
agreements or information which may be reasonably requested by the
Agent or the Lenders, including without limitation evidence
satisfactory to the Agent that the Borrower's prior credit facility for
commercial paper back-up has been terminated.
3.2 Each Loan Advance.
The obligation of each Lender, including the Swingline Lender, to make
any Loan, including the conversion to or extension of any Eurodollar Loan, is
subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) (i) In the case of any Committed Loan, the Agent shall
have received an appropriate Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Extension/Conversion; and (ii) in the case of any Competitive Loan, the
applicable Competitive Lender shall have received an appropriate notice
of acceptance of its related Competitive Bid;
(b) The representations and warranties set forth in Section 4
shall be true and correct on and as of the date of the making of such
Loan with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date
(or, if any such representation or warranty is expressly stated to have
been made as of a specific date, as of such specific date);
(c) There shall not have been commenced against the Borrower
an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or
other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or any case, proceeding
or other action for the appointment of a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator (or similar official) of the
Borrower or for any substantial part of its Property or for the winding
up or liquidation of its affairs, and such involuntary case or other
case, proceeding or other action shall remain undismissed, undischarged
or unbonded; and
(d) No Default or Event of Default shall exist and be
continuing either prior to or after giving effect thereto.
The delivery of each Notice of Borrowing and each Notice of Extension/Conversion
relating to an extension of or conversion into Eurodollar Loans and each request
for a Competitive Bid pursuant to a Competitive Bid Request and receipt by the
Borrower of the proceeds of each Loan shall constitute a representation and
warranty by the Borrower of the correctness of the matters specified in
subsections (b), (c) and (d) above.
33
SECTION 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Borrower represents and warrants to the Agent and the Lenders as
follows:
4.1 Financial Statements.
The Borrower has furnished to the Lenders copies of (i) the
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at December
31, 2000, and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and
common shareholders' equity for the fiscal year then ended and (ii) the
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at April 1,
2001 and the related consolidated statements of income and reinvested earnings
and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, for the 3 months then
ended. Such financial statements, including the related schedules and notes, are
complete and correct in all material respects and fairly present the
consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such
dates and the results of their operations for such periods, all in accordance
with GAAP applied on a consistent basis (except (i) as otherwise stated therein
or in the notes thereto and (ii) for changes resulting from audit and normal
year-end audit adjustment to the December 31, 2000 financial statements)
throughout the periods involved. As of the Closing Date, there has not occurred
or existed nor does there otherwise exist, an event or condition which has had
or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect since December
31, 2000.
4.2 Corporate Status.
The Borrower is a corporation duly incorporated and organized and
validly existing in good standing in its jurisdiction of incorporation, is duly
qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation and authorized to do
business in all other jurisdictions wherein the nature of its business or
property makes such qualification necessary, except where its failure so to
qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and has full power to own its
real properties and its material personal properties and to carry on its
business as now conducted.
4.3 Corporate Authorization.
The execution, delivery and performance of this Credit Agreement and of
the other Credit Documents are within the powers and authority of the Borrower
and have been duly authorized by proper corporate proceedings. This Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents have been duly executed and delivered
by the Borrower and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the
Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their respective
terms.
4.4 No Conflicts.
Neither the execution and delivery of the Credit Agreement and the
other Credit Documents, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
therein, nor performance of and compliance with the terms and provisions thereof
34
by the Borrower will (a) violate or conflict with any provision of its articles
of incorporation or bylaws, (b) violate, contravene or materially conflict with
any law, regulation (including, without limitation, Regulation U or Regulation
X), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or permit applicable to it, (c)
violate, contravene or materially conflict with contractual provisions of, or
cause an event of default under, any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, deed
of trust, contract or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by
which it may be bound, the violation of which could have or might be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (d) result in or require the
creation of any Lien upon or with respect to its properties.
4.5 Litigation.
There are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or, to the best
knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any
Subsidiary in any court or arbitration or before or by any governmental
department, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, which reasonably
would be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Borrower
nor any Subsidiary is in violation of any judgment, order, writ, injunction,
decree or award or in violation of any rule or regulation of any court or
binding arbitration or governmental department, agency or instrumentality,
domestic or foreign, the violation of which would have a Material Adverse
Effect.
4.6 Governmental and Other Approvals.
No approval, consent or authorization of, or any other action by, or
filing or registration with, any governmental department, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, is necessary for the execution or delivery
by the Borrower of this Credit Agreement or the other Credit Documents or for
the performance by the Borrower of any of the terms or conditions hereof or
thereof.
4.7 Use of Loans.
The proceeds of the Loans will be used for general corporate purposes;
provided that no part of the proceeds of any Loan hereunder will be used for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying "margin stock" within the meaning of
Regulation U or any "margin security" within the meaning of Regulation T, or to
extend credit to others for such purpose, in violation of Regulation T,
Regulation U or Regulation X issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System or Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
4.8 Taxes.
The Borrower has filed, or caused to be filed, all tax returns
(federal, state, local and foreign) required to be filed and paid all amounts of
taxes shown thereon to be due (including interest and penalties) and has paid
all other taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges (including
mortgage recording taxes, documentary stamp taxes and intangibles taxes) owing
by it, except for such taxes (a) which are not yet delinquent, (b) that are
35
being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings, and against which
adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP or (c) which are
promptly filed or paid upon notice to the Borrower of the existence thereof.
4.9 Compliance with Law.
Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all
laws, rules, regulations, orders and decrees (including without limitation
Environmental Laws) applicable to it, or to its properties, unless such failure
to comply would not have or be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
4.10 ERISA.
Except as would not result in a Material Adverse Effect:
(a) During the five-year period prior to the date on which
this representation is made or deemed made: (i) no Termination Event
has occurred, and, to the best of the Borrower's or any ERISA
Affiliate's knowledge, no event or condition has occurred or exists as
a result of which any Termination Event could reasonably be expected to
occur, with respect to any Plan; (ii) no "accumulated funding
deficiency," as such term is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and
Section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, has occurred with
respect to any Plan; (iii) each Single Employer Plan and, to the best
of the Borrower's or any ERISA Affiliate's knowledge, each
Multiemployer Plan has been maintained, operated, and funded in
compliance with its own terms and in material compliance with the
provisions of ERISA, the Code, and any other applicable federal or
state laws; and (iv) no lien in favor or the PBGC or a Plan has arisen
or is reasonably likely to arise on account of any Plan.
(b) The actuarial present value of all "benefit liabilities"
under each Single Employer Plan (determined within the meaning of
Section 401(a)(2) of the Code, utilizing the actuarial assumptions used
to fund such Plans), whether or not vested, did not, as of the last
annual valuation date prior to the date on which this representation is
made or deemed made, exceed the current value of the assets of such
Plan allocable to such accrued liabilities.
(c) None of the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliate has incurred, or, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge,
are reasonably expected to incur, any withdrawal liability under ERISA
to any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan. None of the
Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has received any
notification that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization (within
the meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), is insolvent (within the meaning
of Section 4245 of ERISA), or has been terminated (within the meaning
of Title IV of ERISA), and no Multiemployer Plan is, to the best of the
Borrower's knowledge, reasonably expected to be in reorganization,
insolvent, or terminated.
36
(d) No prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section
406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary
responsibility has occurred with respect to a Plan which has subjected
or may subject the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA
Affiliate to any liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l)
of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other
instrument pursuant to which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or
any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify any person
against any such liability.
4.11 Hazardous Substances.
Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect, (i) the real property owned or leased by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries or on which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries operates (the
"Subject Property") is free from "hazardous substances" as defined in the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, 42
U.S.C. Sections 9601 et seq., as amended, and the regulations promulgated
thereunder, (ii) no portion of the Subject Property is subject to federal, state
or local regulation or liability because of the presence of stored, leaked or
spilled petroleum products, hazardous wastes, "PCB's" or PCB items (as defined
in 40 C.F.R. Section 763.3), underground storage tanks, "asbestos" (as defined
in 40 C.F.R. Section 763.63) or the past or present accumulation, spillage or
leakage of any such substance, (iii) the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
is in compliance in all material respects with all federal, state and local
requirements relating to protection of health or the environment in connection
with the operation of their businesses, and (iv) the Borrower does not know of
any complaint or investigation regarding real property which it or any of its
Subsidiaries owns or leases or on which it or any of its Subsidiaries operates.
4.12 Liens.
Except as set forth on Schedule 4.12 attached hereto and as permitted
under Section 5.9, there are no material Liens on any Property owned by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including any capital stock owned by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries).
4.13 Investment Company.
The Borrower is not an "investment company," or a company "controlled"
by an "investment company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended.
4.14 Accuracy and Completeness of Information.
All material factual information heretofore, contemporaneously or
hereafter furnished (except as the same may have been revised or superseded by
subsequent submissions) by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries to the Agent or any Lender for purposes of or in connection with
this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document, or any transaction
contemplated hereby or thereby, is or will be true and accurate in all material
respects and not incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to
make such information not misleading. As of the Closing Date, there is no fact
37
known to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which has, or would reasonably
be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect which fact has not been set forth
herein, in the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
furnished to the Agent and/or the Lenders, or in any certificate, opinion or
other written statement made or furnished by the Borrower to the Agent and/or
the Lenders.
SECTION 5
COVENANTS
So long as any of the Commitments are in effect and, in any event,
until payment in full and discharge of all Obligations to the Agent and the
Lenders, including payment of all principal and interest on the Loans, the
Borrower shall comply, and shall cause each Subsidiary, to the extent
applicable, to comply, with the following covenants:
5.1 Reports, Certificates and Other Information.
The Borrower shall furnish to the Agent:
(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in
any event within 90 days after the close of each fiscal year of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, either (i) written notice that a copy of
a report on Form 10-K, or any successor form, and any amendments
thereto, has been filed by the Borrower with the Securities and
Exchange Commission with respect to the immediately preceding Fiscal
Year, provided that in the event that an electronic copy of such report
is unavailable to either the Agent or a Lender, the Borrower shall
promptly furnish a copy of such report upon request or (ii) a
consolidated balance sheet and income statement of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, as of the end of such fiscal year, together with related
consolidated statements of operations and retained earnings and of cash
flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form
consolidated figures for the preceding fiscal year, all such financial
information described above to be in reasonable form and detail and
audited by independent certified public accountants of recognized
national standing reasonably acceptable to the Agent and whose opinion
shall be to the effect that such financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP (except for changes with which such
accountants concur) and shall not be limited as to the scope of the
audit or qualified as to the status of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries as a going concern.
(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, and
in any event within 45 days after the close of each fiscal quarter of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, either (i) written notice that a
copy of a report on Form 10-Q, or any successor form, and any
amendments thereto, has been filed by the Borrower with the Securities
and Exchange Commission with respect to the immediately preceding
fiscal quarter, provided that in the event that an electronic copy of
such report is unavailable to either the Agent or a Lender, the
Borrower shall promptly furnish a copy of such report upon request or
38
(ii) a consolidated balance sheet and income statement of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, together
with related consolidated statements of operations and retained
earnings and of cash flows for such fiscal quarter in each case setting
forth in comparative form consolidated figures for the corresponding
period of the preceding fiscal year, all such financial information
described above to be in reasonable form and detail and reasonably
acceptable to the Agent, and accompanied by a certificate of the chief
financial officer of the Borrower to the effect that such quarterly
financial statements fairly present in all material respects the
financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from
audit and normal year-end audit adjustments.
(c) Officer's Certificate. Within the period for delivery of
the financial statements provided in Section 5.1(a) or (b), a
certificate of the chief financial officer of the Borrower in the form
of Schedule 5.1(c) stating among other things that, to the best of his
or her knowledge and belief, no Default or Event of Default has
occurred (or, if any Default or Event of Default has occurred,
specifying such Default or Event of Default and the nature and status
thereof).
(d) Reports. Promptly after the sending or filing thereof,
written notice of any filings and registrations with, and reports to or
from, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor agency,
provided that in the event that an electronic copy of such report is
unavailable to either the Agent or a Lender, the Borrower shall
promptly furnish a copy of such report upon request, and copies of all
reports which the Borrower may from time to time furnish its
stockholders.
(e) Notices. Upon the chief financial officer (or any other
principal financial officer) of the Borrower obtaining knowledge
thereof, prompt (and in any event within five (5) Business Days of the
relevant officer obtaining knowledge thereof, except with respect to a
Default or Event of Default, in which case within two (2) Business Days
of the relevant officer obtaining knowledge thereof) written notice to
the Agent of (i) the occurrence of an event or condition consisting of
a Default or Event of Default, specifying the nature and existence
thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect
thereto, and (ii) the occurrence of any of the following with respect
to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (A) the pendency or commencement of
any litigation, arbitral or governmental proceeding against the
Borrower or such Subsidiary which if adversely determined is likely to
have a Material Adverse Effect or (B) the institution of any
proceedings against the Borrower or such Subsidiary with respect to, or
the receipt of notice by such Person of potential liability or
responsibility for violation, or alleged violation of any federal,
state or local law, rule or regulation, including but not limited to,
Environmental Laws, the violation of which would likely have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(f) Other Information. With reasonable promptness upon any
such request, such other information regarding the business, properties
or financial condition of the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries as the
Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
39
5.2 Books and Records.
The Borrower shall keep, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to
keep, complete and accurate books and records of the Borrower's and such
Subsidiaries' transactions (i) in accordance with good accounting practices with
respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (ii) on the basis of GAAP with
respect to the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries.
5.3 Mergers and Consolidations.
The Borrower shall (i) maintain its corporate existence and (ii) not
merge or consolidate with or into any other entity unless the Borrower is the
surviving corporation and no Default or Event of Default shall exist either
immediately prior to or after giving effect thereto.
5.4 Insurance.
The Borrower shall maintain, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to maintain, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as is consistent
with sound business practice.
5.5 Payment of Taxes.
The Borrower shall pay and discharge, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges or levies imposed upon the Borrower or such Subsidiaries, or upon income
or profits of the Borrower or such Subsidiaries, or upon any of the properties
of the Borrower or such Subsidiaries, before they shall become delinquent;
provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor any such Subsidiary shall be
required to pay any such tax, assessment or levy which is being contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves therefor
have been established in accordance with GAAP, unless the failure to make any
such payment (i) would give rise to an immediate right to foreclose on a Lien
securing such amounts or (ii) would have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.6 Compliance with Laws and Contractual Obligations.
The Borrower will comply, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to
comply, with all laws, rules, regulations and orders (including, without
limitation, Environmental Laws and ERISA), and all applicable restrictions
imposed by all Governmental Authorities, applicable to it and its property and
with all contractual obligations if noncompliance with any such law, rule,
regulation, order, restriction or contractual obligation would have or would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.7 Use of Proceeds.
The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Loans solely for the
purposes set forth in Section 4.7.
40
5.8 Asset Sales, etc.
The Borrower shall not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of
its properties and assets (including without limitation any capital stock in any
of its Subsidiaries) except:
(i) sales or leases in the ordinary course of
business; and
(ii) other than non-ordinary course of business sales
provided that (A) the aggregate net book value of the assets sold by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in all such transactions after
the Closing Date does not exceed 25% of Total Assets as of the Closing
Date and (B) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing at the time of any such sale or shall result upon giving
effect thereto.
5.9 Liens.
After the date hereof the Borrower will not issue, assume or guarantee,
and will not permit any Domestic Subsidiary to issue, assume or guarantee, any
Indebtedness which is secured by a Lien of or upon any assets, whether now owned
or hereafter acquired, of the Borrower or any such Domestic Subsidiary without
effectively providing that the Obligations (together with, if the Borrower shall
so determine, any other Indebtedness of the Borrower ranking equally with the
Obligations) shall be equally and ratably secured by a Lien ranking ratably with
and equal to (or at the Borrower's option prior to) such secured Indebtedness;
provided, however, that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:
(i) Liens on any assets of any corporation existing at the
time such corporation becomes a Domestic Subsidiary (and not incurred
in contemplation thereof);
(ii) Liens on any assets existing at the time of acquisition
of such assets by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary, or Liens to
secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price of such
assets upon the acquisition of such assets by the Borrower or a
Domestic Subsidiary or to secure any Indebtedness incurred, assumed or
guaranteed by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary prior to, at the
time of, or within 180 days after such acquisition (or in the case of
real property, the completion of construction (including any
improvements on an existing asset) or commencement of full operation of
such asset, whichever is later) which Indebtedness is incurred, assumed
or guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the
purchase price thereof or, in the case of real property, construction
or improvements thereon; provided, however, that in the case of any
such acquisition, construction or improvement, the Lien shall not apply
to any assets theretofore owned by the Borrower or a Domestic
Subsidiary, other than, in the case of any such construction or
improvement, any real property on which the property so constructed, or
the improvement, is located;
(iii) Liens on any assets to secure Indebtedness of a
Subsidiary to the Borrower or to any wholly owned Domestic Subsidiary;
41
(iv) Liens on any assets of a corporation existing at the time
such corporation is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or a
Domestic Subsidiary or at the time of a purchase, lease or other
acquisition of the assets of a corporation or firm as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety by the Borrower or a Domestic Subsidiary
(and not incurred in contemplation thereof);
(v) Liens on any assets of the Borrower or a Domestic
Subsidiary in favor of the United States of America or any State
thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political
subdivision of the United States of America or any State thereof, or in
favor of any other country, or any political subdivision thereof, to
secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any
contract or statute or to secure any Indebtedness incurred or
guaranteed for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase
price (or, in the case of real property, the cost of construction) of
the assets subject to such Liens (including, but not limited to, Liens
incurred in connection with pollution control, industrial revenue or
similar financings);
(vi) any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive
extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any Lien
referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) to (v), inclusive; provided,
however, that the principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby
shall not exceed the principal amount of Indebtedness so secured at the
time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such
extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or a part of
the assets which secured the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced
(plus improvements and construction on real property);
(vii) Liens not permitted by clauses (i) through (vi) above if
at the time of, and after giving effect to, the creation or assumption
of any such Lien, the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness of the
Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries secured by all such Liens not so
permitted by clauses (i) through (vi) above does not exceed 10% of
Total Assets.
5.10 Minimum Book Net Worth.
The Borrower shall not permit Book Net Worth to be less than
$677,500,000 (which represents approximately 85% of Book Net Worth as of April
1, 2001) as of the last day of any fiscal quarter (commencing with the fiscal
quarter ending September 30, 2001); provided, however, (i) such amount shall be
increased at the end of each fiscal quarter (commencing with the fiscal quarter
ending September 30, 2001) by an amount equal to 25% of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries' net income for the fiscal quarter then ending (computed on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP); and (ii) such amount shall be
decreased Dollar for Dollar by the aggregate cumulative amount of all payments
made by the Borrower on and after July 18, 2001 for the redemption, retirement
or other repurchase of any shares of the capital stock of the Borrower so long
as the Borrower's Long-Term Debt is rated A- or higher by S&P and A3 or higher
by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ at the time of such payments. If, as a result of the payments made by
the Borrower for such redemption, retirement or other repurchase of any shares
of the capital stock of the Borrower, the rating applicable to the Long-Term
42
Debt of the Borrower is lowered by either S&P or ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ below the applicable
level set forth in the preceding sentence within forty-five (45) days of the
last of such payments, then any reduction in the minimum Book Net Worth amount
previously made pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 5.10 in connection with
such payments shall be reversed.
5.11 Transactions With Affiliates.
Except as otherwise specifically permitted in this Credit Agreement,
the Borrower will not, nor will it permit its Subsidiaries to, enter into any
transactions or series of transactions, whether or not in the ordinary course of
business, with any officer, director, shareholder or Affiliate other than on
terms and conditions substantially as favorable as would be obtainable in a
comparable arm's length transaction with a Person other than an officer,
director, shareholder or Affiliate.
5.12 Indebtedness.
The Borrower will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to
contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries existing as of the
Closing Date as referenced in the financial statements referred to in
Section 4.1 (and set out more specifically in Schedule 5.12(b)) and
renewals, refinancings or extensions thereof in a principal amount not
in excess of that outstanding as of the date of such renewal,
refinancing or extension;
(b) Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries incurred after the
Closing Date consisting of Capital Leases or Indebtedness incurred to
provide all or a portion of the purchase price or cost of construction
of an asset provided that (i) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not
exceed the purchase price or cost of construction of such asset; (ii)
no such Indebtedness shall be refinanced for a principal amount in
excess of the principal balance outstanding thereon at the time of such
refinancing; and (iii) the total amount of all such Indebtedness shall
not exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(c) unsecured intercompany Indebtedness among the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries;
(d) Indebtedness and obligations owing under hedging
agreements entered into in order to manage existing or anticipated
interest rate, exchange rate or commodity price risks and not for
speculative purposes;
(e) Indebtedness and obligations of the Subsidiaries owing
under documentary letters of credit for the purchase of goods or other
merchandise (but not under standby, direct pay or other letters of
credit) generally;
43
(f) Indebtedness of the Subsidiaries incurred in connection
with acquisitions provided that (i) such Indebtedness when incurred
shall not exceed the purchase price for such acquisition and (ii) if
the aggregate amount of any such Indebtedness (whether anticipated to
be funded at one time or over a series of fundings) exceeds
$100,000,000, then (A) the Borrower shall give the Agent prior written
notice of such Indebtedness and (B) prior to the incurrence of any such
Indebtedness the Borrower shall have provided to the Agent such
evidence as the Agent may reasonably request demonstrating pro forma
covenant compliance and the maintenance of an investment grade rating
from S&P and ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ (defined for purposes hereof as BBB- or better by
S&P and Baa3 or better by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇) with respect to the Borrower's
Long-Term Debt; and
(g) other non-acquisition-related Indebtedness of the
Subsidiaries which does not exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate at any
time outstanding.
SECTION 6
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
6.1 Events of Default.
Each of the following occurrences shall constitute an "Event of
Default" under this Agreement:
(A) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the
Borrower to the Lenders in or in connection with this Credit Agreement
or any of the other Credit Documents shall prove to have been false or
misleading in any material respect when made, deemed made or furnished;
(B) the Borrower shall fail to pay
(i) any principal of any Note as and when the same
shall become due and payable, or
(ii) any interest on any Note, any fee or any other
Obligation as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such
failure shall continue unremedied for more than three days;
(C) the Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any covenant
contained in Section 5.1(e), 5.7, 5.10 or 5.12 of this Credit
Agreement;
(D) the Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any other
term, covenant or agreement contained in this Credit Agreement or any
other Credit Document (other than as provided in Sections 6.1(B) and
(C)) on its part to be performed or observed, and such failure shall
continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after written notice
thereof has been received from the Agent or any Lender;
(E) the Borrower shall fail to pay when due, whether by
acceleration or otherwise, one or more evidences of Indebtedness (other
than the Notes hereunder) having an aggregate unpaid balance of more
than $50,000,000.00, and such failure shall continue for more than the
44
period of grace, if any, applicable thereto and shall not have been
waived;
(F) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) apply for or
consent to the appointment of a receiver, custodian, trustee or
liquidator of the Borrower or such Subsidiary or any of their
respective properties or assets, (ii) generally fail or admit in
writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, (iii) make a
general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iv) commence a
voluntary case under the Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in
effect), (v) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other law
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up or
composition or readjustment of debts, (vi) fail to controvert in a
timely and appropriate manner, or acquiesce in writing to, any petition
filed against the Borrower or such Subsidiary in an involuntary case
under the Bankruptcy Code or (vii) take any corporate action for the
purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; provided, however, the
occurrence of any of the foregoing events referenced in this Section
6.1(F) with respect to any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall not
constitute an Event of Default unless such occurrence could have or
might be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(G) a proceeding or case shall be commenced, without the
application or consent of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, in any court
of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) its liquidation, reorganization,
dissolution or winding-up or the composition or readjustment of its
debts, (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian or
liquidator of the Borrower or such Subsidiary or of all or any
substantial part of its assets or (iii) similar relief in respect of
the Borrower or such Subsidiary under any law relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, winding-up or composition or adjustment of
debts, and such proceeding or case shall continue undismissed, or an
order, judgment or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing
shall be entered and continue unstayed and in effect, for a period of
60 days; or an order for relief against the Borrower or such Subsidiary
shall be entered in an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code;
provided, however, the occurrence of any of the foregoing events
referenced in this Section 6.1(G) with respect to any Subsidiary of the
Borrower shall not constitute an Event of Default unless such
occurrence could have or might be reasonably expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect;
(H) any of the following events or conditions, which in the
aggregate, reasonably could be expected to involve possible taxes,
penalties, and other liabilities in an aggregate amount in excess of
$50,000,000.00: (1) any "accumulated funding deficiency," as such term
45
is defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code, whether
or not waived, shall exist with respect to any Plan, or any lien shall
arise on the assets of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate in favor of the PBGC or a Plan; (2) a Termination
Event shall occur with respect to a Single Employer Plan, which is, in
the reasonable opinion of the Agent, likely to result in the
termination of such Plan for purposes of Title IV of ERISA; (3) a
Termination Event shall occur with respect to a Multiemployer Plan or
Multiple Employer Plan, which is, in the reasonable opinion of the
Agent, likely to result in (i) the termination of such Plan for
purposes of Title IV of ERISA, or (ii) the Borrower, any Subsidiary of
the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate incurring any liability in
connection with a withdrawal from, reorganization of (within the
meaning of Section 4241 of ERISA), or insolvency or (within the meaning
of Section 4245 of ERISA) such Plan; or (4) any prohibited transaction
(within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall occur which may
subject the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate to any liability under Sections 406, 409, 502(i), or 502(l)
of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other
instrument pursuant to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has agreed or is required to indemnify
any person against any such liability;
(I) any final judgment, final consent decree or final order
for the payment of money (or for the performance of any remedial action
or other services that would result in the expenditure of funds by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries) shall be rendered against the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries by any federal, state or local
court or administrative agency and the same shall fail to be
discharged, stayed or bonded for a period of 60 days after such final
judgment, final consent decree or final order for the payment of money
(or, in the case of performance obligations, shall fail to be performed
in the manner and at the times required in such final judgment, final
consent decree or final order or shall fail to otherwise be discharged,
stayed or bonded, in any such case, for a period of 60 days after the
performance of such obligations is required), provided that no
occurrence described in this Section 6.1(I) shall constitute an Event
of Default unless the aggregate outstanding liability of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries which has resulted from all such occurrences shall
exceed $50,000,000.00 or its equivalent in any other currency);
(J) (i) a "person" or a "group" (within the meaning of
Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of more than 35% of the then
outstanding voting stock of the Borrower or (ii) during any period of
up to 24 consecutive months, commencing after the Closing Date,
individuals who at the beginning of such 24 month period were directors
of the Borrower (together with any new director whose election by the
Borrower's board of directors or whose nomination for election by the
Borrower's shareholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds
of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the
beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election
was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a
majority of the Board of Directors of the Borrower then in office; or
46
(K) any Credit Document shall fail to be in full force and
effect or to give the Agent and/or the Lenders the rights, powers and
privileges purported to be created thereby and such failure shall have
a material adverse effect on the rights and remedies of the Agent or
the Lenders thereunder (except to the extent any such failure is caused
by the Agent and except as such documents may be terminated or no
longer in force and effect in accordance with the terms thereof, other
than those indemnities and provisions which by their terms shall
survive) or the Borrower or any Person acting by or on behalf of the
Borrower shall deny or disaffirm any obligations under the Credit
Documents.
6.2. Rights and Remedies.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time thereafter
unless and until such Event of Default has been waived by the Required Lenders
or cured to the satisfaction of the Required Lenders (pursuant to the voting
procedures in Section 8.5), the Agent shall, upon the request and direction of
the Required Lenders, by written notice to the Borrower take any of the
following actions without prejudice to the rights of the Agent or any Lender to
enforce its claims against the Borrower:
(i) Termination of Commitments. Declare the
Commitments terminated whereupon the Commitments shall be immediately
terminated.
(ii) Acceleration. Declare the unpaid principal of
and any accrued interest in respect of all Loans and any and all other
Obligations to be due whereupon the same shall be immediately due and
payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any
kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
(iii) Enforcement of Rights. Enforce any and all
rights and interests created and existing under this Credit Agreement
and the other Credit Documents and all rights of set-off.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default
specified in Section 6.1(F) or (G) relating to the Borrower, the respective
Commitment of each Lender shall be immediately terminated and the Notes,
including all interest thereon, and all other Obligations shall be immediately
due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all
of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.
47
SECTION 7
AGENCY PROVISIONS
7.1 Appointment and Authorization of Agent.
Each Lender hereby irrevocably (subject to Section 7.9) appoints,
designates and authorizes the Agent to take such action on its behalf under the
provisions of this Credit Agreement and each other Credit Document and to
exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by
the terms of this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document, together with
such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision
to the contrary contained elsewhere herein or in any other Credit Document, the
Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set
forth herein, nor shall the Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary
relationship with any Lender or participant, and no implied covenants,
functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read
into this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document or otherwise exist
against the Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence,
the use of the term "agent" herein and in the other Credit Documents with
reference to the 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 an administrative relationship between independent
contracting parties.
7.2 Delegation of Duties.
The Agent may execute any of its duties under this Credit Agreement or
any other Credit Document by or through agents, employees or attorneys-in-fact
and shall be entitled to advice of counsel and other consultants or experts
concerning all matters pertaining to such duties. The Agent shall not be
responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact
that it selects in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
7.3 Liability of Agent.
No Agent-Related Person shall (a) be liable for any action taken or
omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Credit
Agreement or any other Credit Document or the transactions contemplated hereby
(except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with
its duties expressly set forth herein), or (b) be responsible in any manner to
any Lender or participant for any recital, statement, representation or warranty
made by the Borrower or any officer thereof, contained herein or in any other
Credit Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document
referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agent under or in connection
with, this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document, or the validity,
effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Credit
Agreement or any other Credit Document, or for any failure of the Borrower or
any other party to any Credit Document to perform its obligations hereunder or
thereunder. No Agent-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Lender
or participant to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of
any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Credit Agreement or
48
any other Credit Document, or to inspect the properties, books or records of the
Borrower or any Affiliate thereof.
7.4 Reliance by Agent.
(a) The Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully
protected in relying, upon any writing, communication, signature, resolution,
representation, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram,
facsimile, 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 the Borrower), independent accountants and
other experts selected by the Agent. The Agent shall be fully justified in
failing or refusing to take any action under any Credit Document unless it shall
first receive such advice or concurrence of the Required Lenders as it deems
appropriate and, if it so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its
satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may
be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The
Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from
acting, under this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document in accordance
with a request or consent of the Required Lenders or all the Lenders, if
required hereunder, and such request and any action taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders and participants. Where
this Credit Agreement expressly permits or prohibits an action unless the
Required Lenders otherwise determine, the Agent shall, and in all other
instances, the Agent may, but shall not be required to, initiate any
solicitation for the consent or a vote of the Lenders.
(b) For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions
specified in Section 3.1, each Lender that has signed this Credit Agreement
shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied
with, each document or other matter either sent by the Agent to such Lender for
consent, approval, acceptance or satisfaction, or required thereunder to be
consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender.
7.5 Notice of Default.
The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the
occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, except with respect to defaults
in the payment of principal, interest and fees required to be paid to the Agent
for the account of the Lenders, unless the Agent shall have received written
notice from a Lender or the Borrower referring to this Credit Agreement,
describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a
"notice of default." The Agent will notify the Lenders of its receipt of any
such notice. The Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or
Event of Default as may be directed by the Required Lenders in accordance with
Section 6; provided, however, that unless and until the Agent has received any
such direction, the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action,
or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of
Default as it shall deem advisable or in the best interest of the Lenders.
49
7.6 Credit Decision; Disclosure of Information by Agent.
Each Lender acknowledges that no Agent-Related Person has made any
representation or warranty to it, and that no act by the Agent hereinafter
taken, including any consent to and acceptance of any assignment or review of
the affairs of the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof, shall be deemed to
constitute any representation or warranty by any Agent-Related Person to any
Lender as to any matter, including whether Agent-Related Persons have disclosed
material information in their possession. Each Lender represents to the Agent
that it has, independently and without reliance upon any Agent-Related Person
and based on such 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 the Borrower and
its respective Subsidiaries, and all applicable bank or other regulatory Laws
relating to the transactions contemplated hereby, and made its own decision to
enter into this Credit Agreement and to extend credit to the Borrower hereunder.
Each Lender also represents 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 Credit
Agreement and the other Credit 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 the Borrower.
Except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be
furnished to the Lenders by the Agent herein, the Agent shall not have any duty
or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information
concerning the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other
condition or creditworthiness of the Borrower or any of their respective
Affiliates which may come into the possession of any Agent-Related Person.
7.7 Indemnification of Agent.
Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated,
the Lenders shall indemnify upon demand each Agent-Related Person (to the extent
not reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower and without limiting the
obligation of the Borrower to do so), pro rata, and hold harmless each
Agent-Related Person from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities
incurred by it; provided, however, that no Lender shall be liable for the
payment to any Agent-Related Person of any portion of such Indemnified
Liabilities resulting from such Person's gross negligence or willful misconduct;
provided, however, that no action taken in accordance with the directions of the
Required Lenders shall be deemed to constitute gross negligence or willful
misconduct for purposes of this Section. Without limitation of the foregoing,
each Lender shall reimburse the Agent upon demand for its ratable share of any
costs or out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable fees and costs of counsel)
incurred by the 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 Credit Agreement, any other Credit
Document, or any document contemplated by or referred to herein, to the extent
that the Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by or on behalf of the
Borrower. The undertaking in this Section shall survive termination of the
50
Commitments, the payment of all Obligations hereunder and the resignation or
replacement of the Agent.
7.8 Agent in its Individual Capacity.
Bank of America and its Affiliates may make loans to, issue letters of
credit for the account of, accept deposits from, acquire equity interests in and
generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory, underwriting
or other business with the Borrower and its respective Affiliates as though Bank
of America were not the Agent hereunder and without notice to or consent of the
Lenders. The Lenders acknowledge that, pursuant to such activities, Bank of
America or its Affiliates may receive information regarding the Borrower or its
Affiliates (including information that may be subject to confidentiality
obligations in favor of the Borrower or such Affiliate) and acknowledge that the
Agent shall be under no obligation to provide such information to them. With
respect to its Loans, Bank of America shall have the same rights and powers
under this Credit Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise such rights and
powers as though it were not the Agent, and the terms "Lender" and "Lenders"
include Bank of America in its individual capacity.
7.9 Successor Agent.
The Agent may resign as Agent upon 30 days' notice to the Lenders. If
the Agent resigns under this Credit Agreement, the Required Lenders shall
appoint from among the Lenders a successor Agent for the Lenders which successor
Agent shall be consented to by the Borrower at all times other than during the
existence of an Event of Default (which consent of the Borrower shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed). If no successor Agent is appointed prior to
the effective date of the resignation of the Agent, the Agent may appoint, after
consulting with the Lenders and the Borrower, a successor Agent from among the
Lenders. 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 7 and Sections 8.7, 8.10 and 8.14 shall inure to its benefit as to
any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this
Credit 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 the Agent hereunder until such
time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor agent as provided for
above.
7.10 Other Agents; Lead Managers.
None of the Lenders identified on the facing page or signature pages of
this Credit Agreement as a "syndication agent," "documentation agent,"
"co-agent" or "lead manager" shall have any right, power, obligation, liability,
responsibility or duty under this Credit Agreement other than those applicable
to all Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of the Lenders so
identified shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any
51
Lender. Each Lender acknowledges that it has not relied, and will not rely, on
any of the Lenders so identified in deciding to enter into this Credit Agreement
or in taking or not taking action hereunder.
SECTION 8
MISCELLANEOUS
8.1 Notices.
Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all notices and other
communications shall have been duly given and shall be effective (i) when
delivered, (ii) when transmitted via telecopy (or other facsimile device) to the
number set out below, (iii) the day following the day on which the same has been
delivered prepaid to a reputable national overnight air courier service, or (iv)
the third Business Day following the day on which the same is sent by certified
or registered mail, postage prepaid, in each case to the respective parties at
the address, in the case of the Borrower and the Agent, set forth below, and in
the case of the Lenders, set forth on Schedule 2.1(a), or at such other address
as such party may specify by written notice to the other parties hereto:
if to the Borrower:
Sonoco Products Company
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopy: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
if to the Agent:
Bank of America, N.A.
Agency Administrative Services
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
8.2 Benefit of Agreement.
(a) The provisions of this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise
transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower
52
without such consent shall be null and void). Nothing in this Credit Agreement,
expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than
the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby
and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Agent-Related Persons) any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Credit
Agreement.
(b) Any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a
portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement (including all
or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this
subsection (b), participations in Swingline Loans) at the time owing to it);
provided that (i) except in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining
amount of the assigning Lender's Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to
it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender or an
Approved Fund with respect to a Lender, the aggregate amount of the Commitment
(which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) subject to each
such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance with
respect to such assignment is delivered to the Agent, shall not be less than
$5,000,000 (or, if less, the entire amount of the assigning Lender's Commitment)
unless each of the Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld or delayed), (ii) each partial assignment shall be made as
an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender's rights and
obligations under this Credit Agreement with respect to the Loans or the
Commitment assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not apply to rights in
respect of outstanding Swingline Loans, and (iii) the parties to each assignment
shall execute and deliver to the Agent an Assignment and Acceptance, together
with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500. Subject to acceptance and
recording thereof by the Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from
and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, the
Eligible Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the
interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and
obligations of a Lender under this Credit Agreement, and the assigning Lender
thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and
Acceptance, be released from its obligations under this Credit Agreement (and,
in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all of the assigning
Lender's rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement, such Lender shall
cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 8.4, 8.10 and 8.14). Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall
execute and deliver new or replacement Notes to the assigning Lender and the
assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations
under this Credit Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be
treated for purposes of this Credit Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a
participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d)
of this Section.
(c) The Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the
Borrower, shall maintain at its office in Charlotte,
North Carolina a copy of
each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of,
and principal amount of 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, and the Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person
whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender
hereunder for all purposes of this Credit Agreement, notwithstanding notice to
53
the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and
any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior
notice.
(d) Any Lender may, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower
or the Agent, sell participations to one or more banks or other entities (a
"Participant") in all or a portion of such Lender's rights and/or obligations
under this Credit Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or
the Loans (including such Lender's participations the Swingline Loans) owing to
it); provided that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Credit Agreement
shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the
other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the
Borrower, the Agent 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 Credit Agreement. 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 Credit Agreement and to approve any
amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement;
provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will
not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or
other modification that would (i) postpone any date upon which any payment of
money is scheduled to be paid to such Participant, (ii) reduce the principal,
interest, fees or other amounts payable to such Participant or (iii) release all
or substantially all of the Guarantors from their obligations under the Credit
Documents. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that
each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.8, 2.11, 2.12
and 2.13 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest
by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.
(e) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment
under Section 2.8, 2.11 and 2.12 than the applicable Lender would have been
entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant,
unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the
Borrower's prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender
if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.12 unless
the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such
Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.12
as though it were a Lender.
(f) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in
all or any portion of its rights under this Credit Agreement (including under
its Notes, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or
assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Lender; provided that no
such pledge or assignment shall release a Lender from any of its obligations
hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party
hereto.
(g) If the consent of the Borrower to an assignment or to an Eligible
Assignee is required hereunder (including a consent to an assignment which does
not meet the minimum assignment threshold specified in clause (i) of the proviso
to the first sentence of Section 8.2(b), the Borrower shall be deemed to have
given its consent five Business Days after the date notice thereof has been
54
delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Agent) unless such consent is
expressly refused by the Borrower prior to such fifth Business Day.
(h) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at
any time Bank of America assigns all of its Commitment and Loans pursuant to
subsection (b) above, Bank of America may upon 5 Business Days' notice to the
Borrower, resign as Swingline Lender. In the event of any such resignation as
Swingline Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the
Lenders a successor Swingline Lender hereunder; provided, however, that no
failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall affect the
resignation of Bank of America as Swingline Lender, as the case may be. If Bank
of America resigns as Swingline Lender, it shall retain all the rights of the
Swingline Lender provided for hereunder with respect to Swingline Loans made by
it and outstanding as of the effective date of such resignation, including the
right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund participations in
outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to Section 2.3.
(i) (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, any Lender (a "Designating Lender") may grant to one
or more special purpose funding vehicles (each, an "SPV"),
identified as such in writing from time to time by the
Designating Lender to the Agent and the Borrower, the option
to provide to the Borrower all or any part of any Loan that
such Designating Lender would otherwise be obligated to make
to the Borrower pursuant to this Credit Agreement; provided
that (A) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any
SPV to make any Loan, (B) if an SPV elects not to exercise
such option or otherwise fails to provide all or any part of
such Loan, the Designating Lender shall be obligated to make
such Loan pursuant to the terms hereof, (C) the Designating
Lender shall remain liable for any indemnity or other payment
obligation with respect to its Commitments hereunder and (D)
each such SPV would satisfy the requirements of Section 2.12
if such SPV was a Lender hereunder. The making of a Loan by an
SPV hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Designating
Lender to the same extent as a Loan made by, and as if such
Loan were made by, such Designating Lender.
(ii) As to any Loans or portion thereof made by it,
each SPV shall have all the rights that a Lender making such
Loans or portion thereof would have had under this Credit
Agreement; provided, however that each SPV shall have granted
to its Designating Lender an irrevocable power of attorney, to
deliver and receive all communications and notices under this
Agreement (and any related documents), including, without
limitation, any Notice of Borrowing and any Notice of
Extension/Conversion, and to exercise on such SPV's behalf,
all of such SPV's voting rights under this Credit Agreement.
No additional Note shall be required to evidence the Loans or
portion thereof made by an SPV; and the related Designating
Lender shall be deemed to hold its Note as agent for such SPV
to the extent of the Loans or portion thereof funded by such
SPV. In addition, any payments for the account of any SPV
shall be paid to its Designating Lender as agent for such SPV.
55
(iii) Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPV
shall be liable for any indemnity or payment under this Credit
Agreement for which a Lender would otherwise be liable for so
long as, and to the extent, the Designating Lender provides
such indemnity or makes such payment. In furtherance of the
foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreement
shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement) that,
prior to the date that is one year and one day after the
payment in full of all outstanding prior indebtedness of any
SPV, it will not institute against, or join any other person
in instituting against, such SPV any bankruptcy,
reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation
proceedings or similar proceedings under the laws of the
United States or any State thereof.
(iiii) In addition, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Section 8.3 or otherwise in this
Credit Agreement, any SPV may (A) at any time and without
paying any processing fee therefor, assign or participate all
or a portion of its interest in any Loans to the Designating
Lender (or to any other SPV of such Designating Lender) or to
any financial institutions providing liquidity and/or credit
support to or for the account of such SPV to support the
funding or maintenance of Loans and (B) disclose on a
confidential basis any non-public information relating to its
Loans to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or
provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity
enhancements to such SPV. This Section 8.3 may not be amended
without the written consent of any Designating Lender affected
thereby.
8.3 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.
No failure or delay on the part of the Borrower, the Agent or any
Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other
Credit Document and no course of dealing between the Borrower and the Agent or
any Lender shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Credit
Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or privilege hereunder or thereunder. The rights and remedies
provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which
the Agent or any Lender would otherwise have. No notice to or demand on the
Borrower in any case shall entitle the Borrower to any other or further notice
or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights
of the Agent or the Lenders to any other or further action in any circumstances
without notice or demand.
8.4 Payment of Expenses, etc.
The Borrower agrees to: (i) pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses of (a) the Agent in connection with the preparation, administration and
syndication of, and any amendment, waiver or consent relating to, this Credit
Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including, but not limited to, any
amendments, waivers or consents resulting from or related to any work-out,
56
renegotiation or restructure relating to the performance by the Borrower under
this Credit Agreement and (b) the Agent and each Lender in connection with
enforcement of the Credit Documents and the documents and instruments referred
to therein (including, without limitation, in connection with any such
enforcement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including the
documented and non-duplicative allocated costs of internal counsel) for the
Agent and each of the Lenders); (ii) pay and hold each of the Lenders harmless
from and against any and all present and future stamp and other similar taxes
with respect to the foregoing matters and save each of the Lenders harmless from
and against any and all liabilities with respect to or resulting from any delay
or omission (other than to the extent attributable to such Lender) to pay such
taxes; and (iii) indemnify the Agent and each Lender, their respective
Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents from and
hold each of them harmless against any and all losses, liabilities, claims,
damages or expenses incurred by any of them as a result of, or arising out of,
or in any way related to, or by reason of, any investigation, litigation or
other proceeding (whether or not the Agent or any Lender is a party thereto)
related to the entering into and/or performance of any Credit Document or the
use of proceeds of any Loans (including other extensions of credit) hereunder or
the consummation of any other transactions contemplated in any Credit Document,
including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
(including the documented and non-duplicative allocated costs of internal
counsel) incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation or other
proceeding (but excluding any such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or
expenses to the extent incurred by reason of gross negligence or willful
misconduct on the part of the Person to be indemnified).
8.5 Amendments, Waivers and Consents.
Neither this Credit Agreement nor any other Credit Document nor any of
the terms hereof or thereof may be amended, changed, waived, discharged or
terminated unless such amendment, change, waiver, discharge or termination is in
writing signed by the Required Lenders, provided that no such amendment, change,
waiver, discharge or termination shall, without the consent of each Lender
affected thereby, (i) extend the scheduled maturities (including the final
maturity and any mandatory prepayments) of any Loan, or any portion thereof, or
reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest (other than as a
result of waiving the applicability of any post-default increase in interest
rates) thereon or fees hereunder or reduce the principal amount thereof, or
increase the Commitment of a Lender or the Swingline Lender over the amount
thereof in effect, (ii) amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section,
(iii) reduce any percentage specified in, or otherwise modify, the definition of
Required Lenders or (iv) consent to the assignment or transfer by the Borrower
of any of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement. No provision
of Section 7 may be amended without the consent of the Agent. No provision of
Section 2.3 may be amended without the consent of the Swingline Lender.
Notwithstanding the fact that the consent of each affected Lender is
required in certain circumstances as set forth above, (i) each Lender is
entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan
that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of
Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code supersedes the unanimous consent
provisions set forth herein and (ii) the Required Lenders may consent to allow
the Borrower to use cash collateral in the context of a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding.
57
8.6 Audits/Inspections.
Upon reasonable notice and during normal business hours, the Borrower
shall, at the expense of the Lenders (or, after the occurrence (and during the
continuance) of an Event of Default, at the expense of the Borrower), permit
representatives appointed by the Agent, including, without limitation,
independent accountants, agents, attorneys, and appraisers to visit and inspect
its property, including its books and records, its accounts receivable and
inventory, its facilities and its other business assets, and to make photocopies
or photographs thereof and to write down and record any information such
representative obtains and shall permit the Agent or its representatives to
investigate and verify the accuracy of information provided to the Lenders and
to discuss all such matters with the officers, employees and representatives of
the Borrower.
8.7 Confidentiality.
Each of the Agent and the Lenders agrees to use commercially reasonable
efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below),
except that Information may be disclosed with 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
(a) to its and its Affiliates' directors, officers, employees and agents,
including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors; (b) to the extent
requested by any regulatory authority; (c) to the extent required by applicable
laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any
other party to this Credit Agreement; (e) in connection with the exercise of any
remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Credit
Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder; (f) subject to an agreement
containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i)
any Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective Eligible Assignee
of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Credit
Agreement or (ii) any direct or indirect contractual counterparty or prospective
counterparty (or such contractual counterparty's or prospective counterparty's
professional advisor) to any credit derivative transaction relating to
obligations of the Borrower; (g) with the consent of the Borrower; (h) to the
extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of
a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Agent or any Lender on
a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower; or (i) to the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any other similar
organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to
information about a Lender's or its Affiliates' investment portfolio in
connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender or its Affiliates.
For the purposes of this Section, "Information" means all information received
from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its business, other than any such
information that is available to the Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential
basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower; provided that, in the case of
information received from the Borrower after the date hereof, such information
is clearly identified in writing at the time of delivery as confidential. Any
Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in
this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so
if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the
confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own
confidential information.
58
8.8 Counterparts; Telecopy.
This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts,
each of which where so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of
which shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in
making proof of this Credit Agreement to produce or account for more than one
such counterpart. Delivery by facsimile by any of the parties hereto of an
executed counterpart of this Credit Agreement shall be as effective as an
original executed counterpart hereof and shall be deemed a representation that
an original executed counterpart hereof will be delivered.
8.9 Headings.
The headings of the sections and subsections hereof are provided for
convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of
any provision of this Credit Agreement.
8.10 Survival of Indemnification.
All indemnities set forth herein, including, without limitation, in
Sections 2.8, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13 and 8.4 shall survive the execution and delivery
of this Credit Agreement, and the making of the Loans, the repayment of the
Loans and other obligations and the termination of the Commitment hereunder.
8.11 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue.
(a) THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS AND
THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA. Any legal action or proceeding
with respect to this Credit Agreement or any other Credit Document may
be brought in the courts of the State of
North Carolina in Mecklenburg
County, or of the United States for the Western District of
North
Carolina, and, by execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement, each
party hereby irrevocably accepts for itself and in respect of its
property, generally and unconditionally, the jurisdiction of such
courts.
(b) EACH PARTY TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY
WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE
OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED
WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR
ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY CREDIT DOCUMENT, OR THE TRANSACTIONS
RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER
59
ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH
PARTY HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR
CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND
THAT ANY PARTY TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL
COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN
EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF
THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
(c) EACH OF THE AGENTS, EACH OF THE LENDERS AND THE BORROWER
HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW,
ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER
CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
8.12 Severability.
If any provision of any of the Credit Documents is determined to be
illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and
the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be
construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provisions.
8.13 Entirety.
This Credit Agreement together with the other Credit Documents
represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede
all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any
commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Credit Documents or the
transactions contemplated herein and therein.
8.14 Survival of Representations and Warranties.
All representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein shall
survive delivery of the Notes and the making of the Loans hereunder.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
60
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart
of this Credit Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first
above written.
BORROWER:
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
By
Title
Signature Page to July 2001
Sonoco Products Company
Credit Agreement
LENDERS: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
individually in its capacity as a
Lender and in its capacity as Agent
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
WACHOVIA BANK, N.A.
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
BANK OF MONTREAL
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
Signature Page to July 2001
Sonoco Products Company
Credit Agreement
THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
SUNTRUST BANK
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
THE SANWA BANK, LIMITED, acting through its
New York Branch
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA S.A.
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
Signature Page to July 2001
Sonoco Products Company
Credit Agreement
DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH AND/OR
CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI TRUST COMPANY
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
BANK ONE, NA
By__________________________________________
Title_______________________________________
Signature Page to July 2001
Sonoco Products Company
Credit Agreement
Schedule 2.1(a)
Schedule of Lenders and
Commitments
Commitment
Lender Committed Amount Percentage
------ ---------------- ----------
Bank of America, N.A
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ floor .......... $45,000,000 10.00000000%
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇.▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
First Union National Bank
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ............................. $41,250,000 9.16666666%
Mail Code: ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ................................. 07901
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
Wachovia Bank, N.A .........................
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ....................... $41,250,000 9.16666666%
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
SunTrust Bank
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ .................... $41,250,000 9.16666666%
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch
and/or Cayman Islands Branch $41,250,000 9.16666666%
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇.▇▇▇
Bank of Montreal
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ $35,000,000 7.777777777%
Floor 5W
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇.▇▇▇
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi
Trust Company $35,000,000 7.777777777%
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Van de Berghe
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Credit Suisse First Boston
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ floor $35,000,000 7.777777777%
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Schedule 2.1(a)
Schedule of Lenders and
Commitments
Lender Commitment
Committed Amount Percentage
---------------- ----------
The Industrial Bank of Japan,
Limited $35,000,000 7.777777777%
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇.
105
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, ▇▇
▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ $25,000,000 5.55555555%
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇_▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
The Bank of New York $25,000,000 5.55555555%
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
The Sanwa Bank, Limited,
acting through its New $25,000,000 5.55555555%
York Branch
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Wu
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria $25,000,000 5.55555555%
S.A.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
Telephone: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Telecopier: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇▇@▇▇▇▇▇▇.▇▇▇
Total: $450,000,000 100%
Schedule 2.1(b)(i)
FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
Bank of America, N.A.
Agency Administrative Services
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned,
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY (the "Borrower"), refers to
the Credit Agreement dated as of July 17, 2001 (as amended and modified, from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the Lenders and Bank
of America, N.A., as Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit
Agreement. The Borrower hereby gives notice1 that it requests a Committed Loan
borrowing pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.1(b) of the Credit Agreement
and in connection herewith sets forth below the terms on which such borrowing is
requested to be made:
(A) Date of Borrowing
(which is a Business Day) _______________________
(B) Principal Amount of
Borrowing2 _______________________
(C) Interest rate basis3 _______________________
(D) Interest Period and the
last day thereof4 _______________________
In accordance with the requirements of Section 3.2, the Borrower hereby
reaffirms the representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement
as provided in subsection (b) of such Section, and confirms that the matters
referenced in subsections (c) and (d) of such Section, are true and correct.
Very truly yours,
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
_____________________
1 Notice must be received by the Agent not later than 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco,
California time) on the Business Day of the requested borrowing in the case of
Base Rate Loans, and on the third Business Day prior to the date of the
requested borrowing in the case of Eurodollar Loans.
2 A minimum of $5,000,000 and increments of $2,000,000.
3 Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans available.
4 Interest Periods of one, two, three and six months' duration for Eurodollar
Loans.
Schedule 2.1(e)
FORM OF COMMITTED NOTE
July 17, 2001
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY, a South Carolina
corporation (the "Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
__________________________, its successors and assigns (the "Lender"), at the
office of Bank of America, N.A., as Agent (the "Agent"), at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ (or at such other place or places as
the holder hereof may designate) at the times set forth in the Credit Agreement
dated as of July 17, 2001 among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent (as it
may be amended and modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"; all
capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth
in the Credit Agreement), but in no event later than the Termination Date, in
Dollars and in immediately available funds, the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of all Committed Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to the
Credit Agreement, and to pay interest from the date hereof on the unpaid
principal amount hereof, in like money, at said office, on the dates and at the
rates selected in accordance with Section 2.1(d) of the Credit Agreement.
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default
the balance outstanding hereunder shall bear interest as provided in Section 2.4
of the Credit Agreement. Further, in the event the payment of all sums due
hereunder is accelerated under the terms of the Credit Agreement, this Note and
all other indebtedness owing to the Lender under the Credit Documents shall
become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
In the event this Note is not paid when due at any stated or
accelerated maturity, the Borrower agrees to pay, in addition to the principal
and interest, all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees;
provided that such attorneys' fees shall be based on the actual amount of time
expended in connection with such matters at the usual hourly rates of such
attorneys, notwithstanding the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 6-21.2.
All borrowings evidenced by this Note and all payments and prepayments
of the principal hereof and interest hereon and the respective dates thereof
shall be endorsed by the holder hereof on a schedule attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference, or on a continuation thereof which shall be
attached hereto and made a part hereof; provided, however, that any failure to
endorse such information on such schedule or continuation thereof shall not in
any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to make payments of principal
and interest in accordance with the terms of this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Note to be duly
executed by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above
written.
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
Schedule 2.2(b)-1
FORM OF COMPETITIVE BID REQUEST
Bank of America, N.A.
Agency Administrative Services
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY (the "Borrower"), refers to the
Credit Agreement dated as of July 17, 2001 (as amended and modified from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the Lenders and Bank of
America, N.A., as Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
The Borrower hereby gives you notice1 pursuant to Section 2.2(b) of the Credit
Agreement it requests solicitation of Competitive Bids under the Credit
Agreement, and in connection herewith sets forth below the terms on which such
Competitive Loan borrowing is requested to be made:
(A) Date of Competitive Loan Borrowing
(which is a Business Day) __________________
(B) Principal Amount of
Competitive Loan Borrowing2 __________________
(C) Interest Period and the last
day thereof3 __________________
_________________________
1 Notice must be received by the Agent by 11:00 a.m. (San Francisco, California
time) on the second Business Day prior to the date of the requested Competitive
Loan borrowing .
2 A minimum of $5,000,000 and $2,000,000 increments in excess thereof.
3 Subject to the provisions and definitions of the Credit Agreement, but
generally not less than 7 days nor more than 180 days.
_______________________
1 Acceptance in a minimum principal amount of $1,000,000 and $1,000,000
increments in excess thereof. 1 Acceptance must be received by 10:00 A.M. (San
Francisco, California time) on the date on which notice of election to make a
Competitive Bid is to be given by the Lenders.
In accordance with the requirements of Section 3.2, the Borrower hereby
reaffirms the representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement
as provided in subsection (b) of such Section, and confirms that the matters
referenced in subsections (c) and (d) of such Section, are true and correct.
Very truly yours,
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
Schedule 2.2(b)-2
FORM OF NOTICE OF COMPETITIVE BID REQUEST
[Name of Lender]
[Address]
Attention:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 17, 2001 (as
amended and modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among SONOCO
PRODUCTS COMPANY (the "Borrower"), the Lenders and Bank of America, N.A., as
Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement. The Borrower made a
Competitive Bid Request on _____________, 20__, pursuant to Section 2.2(b) of
the Credit Agreement, and in that connection you are invited to submit a
Competitive Bid by 8:00 A.M. (San Francisco, California time) ______________,
20__ [Date of Proposed Competitive Loan borrowing] Your Competitive Bid must
comply with Section 2.2(c) of the Credit Agreement and the terms set forth below
on which the Competitive Bid Request was made:
(A) Date of Competitive Borrowing __________________
(B) Principal amount of
Competitive Borrowing __________________
(C) Interest Period and the last
day thereof __________________
Very truly yours,
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Agent
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
Schedule 2.2(c)
FORM OF COMPETITIVE BID
Bank of America, N.A.
Agency Administrative Services
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, [Name of Lender], refers to the Credit Agreement dated
as of July 17, 2001 (as amended and modified from time to time, the "Credit
Agreement"), among SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY (the "Borrower"), the Lenders and
Bank of America, N.A., as Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit
Agreement. The undersigned hereby makes a Competitive Bid pursuant to Section
2.2(c) of the Credit Agreement, in response to the Competitive Bid Request made
by the Borrower on ________________, 20__, and in that connection sets forth
below the terms on which such Competitive Bid is made:
(A) Principal Amount1 ____________________
(B) Competitive Bid Rate ____________________
(C) Interest Period and last
day thereof ____________________
The undersigned hereby confirms that it is prepared, subject to the
conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, to extend credit to the Borrower
upon acceptance by the Borrower of this bid in accordance with Section 2.2(e) of
the Credit Agreement.
Very truly yours,
[NAME OF LENDER]
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
Schedule 2.2(e)
FORM OF COMPETITIVE BID ACCEPT/REJECT LETTER
Bank of America, N.A.
Agency Administrative Services
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY (the "Borrower"), refers to
the Credit Agreement dated as of July 17, 2001 (as amended and modified from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the Lenders and Bank
of America, N.A., as Agent.
In accordance with Section 2.2(d) of the Credit Agreement, we have
received a summary of bids in connection with our Competitive Bid Request dated
______________, 20__ and in accordance with Section 2.2(e) of the Credit
Agreement, we hereby accept the following bids for maturity on [date]1:
Interest
Principal Amount Competitive Bid Rate Paid Lender
$ [%]
$ [%]
We hereby reject the following bids:
Interest
Principal Amount Competitive Bid Rate Paid Lender
$ [%]
$ [%]
The Competitive Loans accepted as provided above should be deposited in
the general deposit account maintained by the Borrower with Bank of America,
N.A. on [date].
Very truly yours,
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
Schedule 2.2(i)
FORM OF COMPETITIVE NOTE
July 17, 2001
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY, a South Carolina
corporation (the "Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
__________________________, its successors and permitted assigns (the "Lender"),
at the office of Bank of America, N.A., as Agent (the "Agent"), at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ (or at such other place or places as
the holder hereof may designate) at the times set forth in the Credit Agreement
dated as of July 17, 2001 among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Agent (as it
may be amended and modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"; all
capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth
in the Credit Agreement), or in the Competitive Bid provided by Lender to the
Borrower, but in no event later than the Termination Date, in Dollars and in
immediately available funds, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all
Competitive Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit
Agreement, and to pay interest from the date hereof on the unpaid principal
amount hereof, in like money, at said office, on the dates and at the rates
selected in accordance with Section 2.2(h) of the Credit Agreement and in the
respective Competitive Bid applicable to each Competitive Loan borrowing
evidenced hereby.
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default
the balance outstanding hereunder shall bear interest as provided in Section 2.4
of the Credit Agreement. Further, in the event the payment of all sums due
hereunder is accelerated under the terms of the Credit Agreement, this Note and
all other indebtedness owing to the Lender under the Credit Documents shall
become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
In the event this Note is not paid when due at any stated or
accelerated maturity, the Borrower agrees to pay, in addition to the principal
and interest, all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees;
provided that such attorneys' fees shall be based on the actual amount of time
expended in connection with such matters at the usual hourly rates of such
attorneys, notwithstanding the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 6-21.2.
All borrowings evidenced by this Note and all payments and prepayments
of the principal hereof and interest hereon and the respective dates thereof
shall be endorsed by the holder hereof on a schedule attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference, or on a continuation thereof which shall be
attached hereto and made a part hereof; provided, however, that any failure to
endorse such information on such schedule or continuation thereof shall not in
any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to make payments of principal
and interest in accordance with the terms of this Note.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Note to be duly
executed by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above
written.
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
Schedule 2.3(d)
FORM OF SWINGLINE NOTE
July 17, 2001
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY, a South Carolina
corporation (the "Borrower"), hereby promises to pay to the order of BANK OF
AMERICA, N.A., its successors and registered assigns (the "Swingline Lender"),
at the office of Bank of America, N.A., as Agent (the "Agent"), at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇ (or at such other place or places as
the holder hereof may designate) at the times set forth in the Credit Agreement
dated as of the date hereof among the Borrower, the Swingline Lender and other
Lenders and the Agent (as it may be amended, modified, extended or restated from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement"; all capitalized terms not otherwise
defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement), but
in no event later than the Termination Date, in Dollars and in immediately
available funds, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Swingline Loans
made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement,
and to pay interest from the date hereof on the unpaid principal amount hereof,
in like money, at said office, on the dates and at the rates selected in
accordance with Section 2.3(c) of the Credit Agreement .
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
the balance outstanding hereunder shall bear interest as provided in Section 2.4
of the Credit Agreement. Further, in the event the payment of all sums due
hereunder is accelerated under the terms of the Credit Agreement, this Note, and
all other indebtedness of the Borrower to the Swingline Lender shall become
immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of
any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
In the event this Note is not paid when due at any stated or
accelerated maturity, the Borrower agrees to pay, in addition to the principal
and interest, all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
All borrowings evidenced by this Note and all payments and prepayments
of the principal hereof and interest hereon and the respective dates thereof
shall be endorsed by the holder hereof on a schedule attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference, or on a continuation thereof which shall be
attached hereto and made a part hereof; provided, however, that any failure to
endorse such information on such schedule or continuation thereof shall not in
any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower to make payments of principal
and interest in accordance with the terms of this Note.
This Note and the Loans evidenced hereby may be transferred in whole or
in part only by registration of such transfer on the Register maintained by or
on behalf of the Borrower as provided in Section 8.2 of the Credit Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has caused this Note to be duly
executed by its duly authorized officer as of the day and year first above
written.
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
Schedule 2.5
FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION OR EXTENSION
Bank of America, N.A.
Agency Administrative Services
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY (the "Borrower"), refers to the
Credit Agreement dated as of July 17, 2001 (as amended and modified from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Borrower, the Lenders and Bank of
America, N.A., as Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.
The Borrower hereby gives notice1 pursuant to Section 2.5 of the Credit
Agreement that it requests an extension or conversion of a Committed Loan
outstanding under the Credit Agreement, and in connection herewith sets forth
below the terms on which such extension or conversion is requested to be made:
(A) Date of Extension or Conversion
(which, with regard to Eurodollar
Loans, is the last day of the
the applicable Interest Period) _______________________
(B) Principal Amount of
Extension or Conversion2 _______________________
(C) Interest rate basis3 _______________________
(D) Interest Period and the
last day thereof4 _______________________
_______________________
1 This Notice of Extension/Conversion (or telephone notice promptly confirmed in
writing) must be delivered to the Agent prior to 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco,
California time) on the Business Day of, in the case of the conversion of a
Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan, and on the third Business Day prior to,
in the case of the extension of a Eurodollar Loan as, or conversion of a Base
Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the date of the proposed extension or
conversion.
2 A minimum of $5,000,000 and increments of $2,000,000.
3 Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans available.
4 Interest Periods of one, two, three and six months' duration for Eurodollar
Loans.
In accordance with the requirements of Section 3.2, the Borrower hereby
reaffirms the representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement
as provided in subsection (b) of such Section, and confirms that the matters
referenced in subsections (c) and (d) of such Section, are true and correct.
Very truly yours,
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
Schedule 2.12
FORM OF U.S. TAX COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement, dated as of July 17,
2001, as amended and modified from time to time thereafter, among Sonoco
Products Company, the Lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Agent
(the "Credit Agreement"). Pursuant to Section 2.12 of the Credit Agreement, the
undersigned hereby certifies that it is not a "bank" as such term is used in
Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
[NAME OF LENDER]
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
Schedule 3.1(c)
[Form of Legal Opinion]
July 17, 2001
To the Agent and Lenders party to the
Credit Agreement referred to below
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are general counsel to Sonoco Products Company, a South Carolina
corporation ("Sonoco"). As such we have been asked to give certain legal
opinions set forth herein in connection with the Credit Agreement (the "Credit
Agreement"), dated as of July 17, 2001 among Sonoco, the several lenders
identified on the signature pages thereto and such other lenders as may from
time to time become a party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Agent. Terms
used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the
Credit Agreement.
This opinion is given in accordance with the requirements of Section
3.1(c) of the Credit Agreement.
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have examined an executed
copy of the Credit Documents and originals or copies, certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records, agreements, documents
and other instruments, and such certificates or comparable documents of public
officials and of officers and representatives of Sonoco, and have made such
inquiries of such officers and representatives, as we have deemed relevant and
necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter set forth.
In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures
(other than signatures of officers of Sonoco), the authenticity of all documents
(other than the Credit Documents) submitted to us as originals, the conformity
to original documents of documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic
copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents.
Based on the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications stated herein,
we are of the opinion that:
1. Sonoco (i) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of South Carolina, (ii) is duly
qualified and in good standing as a foreign corporation and authorized to do
business in all other jurisdictions wherein the nature of its business or
property makes such qualification necessary, except where its failure so to
qualify would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has the corporate
power and authority to own its real properties and its material personal
properties and to carry on its business as now conducted.
2. Sonoco has the corporate power and authority and the legal right to
make, execute, deliver and perform the terms and provisions of each of the
Credit Documents and to borrow and accept extensions of credit thereunder, and
has duly taken or caused to be taken all necessary corporate action to authorize
the execution, delivery and performance by it of each such Credit Document.
3. Neither the execution and delivery of the Credit Documents, nor the
consummation of the transactions contemplated therein, nor performance of and
compliance with the terms and provisions thereof by Sonoco will (a) violate or
conflict with any provision of its articles of incorporation or bylaws, (b)
violate, contravene or materially conflict with any law, regulation (including,
without limitation, Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X), order, writ,
judgment, injunction, decree or permit applicable to it, (c) violate, contravene
or materially conflict with contractual provisions of, or cause an event of
default under, any indenture, loan agreement, mortgage, deed of trust, contract
or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it may be
bound, the violation of which could have or might be reasonably expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect, or (d) result in or require the creation of any Lien
upon or with respect to its properties.
4. No approval, consent or authorization of, or any other action by, or
filing or registration with, any governmental department, agency or
instrumentality or other third party, is necessary for the execution or delivery
by Sonoco of the Credit Documents or for the performance by it of any of the
terms or conditions thereof.
5. Each of the Credit Documents has been duly executed and delivered by
Sonoco.
6. Each of the Credit Documents constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of Sonoco enforceable against it in accordance with its respective
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement
of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether
enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
7. To the best of our knowledge,
(i) there are no actions, suits or proceedings pending or
threatened against or affecting Sonoco or any Subsidiary in any court or
arbitration or before or by any governmental department, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, which reasonably could be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(ii) neither Sonoco nor any Subsidiary is in violation of any
judgment, order, writ, injunction, decree or award or in violation of
any rule or regulation of any court or binding arbitration or
governmental department, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign,
the violation of which would have a Material Adverse Effect.
The opinions expressed in paragraph 2 above are based upon the
assumption for purposes of such opinions and without independent analysis that
notwithstanding the respective choice of law clauses in the Credit Documents,
the governing law with respect to each of the Credit Documents is identical in
all relevant respects to the law of the State of South Carolina. Insofar as such
opinion relates to the enforceability of any instrument, such enforceability is
subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws affecting
the enforcement of creditors' rights generally whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). The enforceability of the
remedies provided under the Credit Agreement may also be limited by applicable
laws which may affect the remedies provided therein but which do not in my
opinion affect the validity of the Credit Agreement or make such remedies
inadequate for the practical realization of the benefits intended to be
provided.
I do not express any opinion as to matters governed by any law other
than the Federal laws of the United States of America and the laws of the State
of South Carolina. Further, I express no opinion as to the enforceability of the
choice of law provisions contained in any of the Credit Documents.
This opinion is rendered solely for your benefit in connection with the
transactions described above. This opinion may not be used or relied upon by any
other person, and may not be disclosed, quoted, filed with a governmental agency
or otherwise referred to without my prior written consent except to your bank
examiners, auditors and counsel and to prospective transferees of your interests
under the Credit Documents and their professional advisers, or as required by
law or pursuant to legal process.
Very truly yours,
Schedule 4.12
Existing Liens
Liens Securing Indebtedness of
Money Borrowed and Priority Claims of the Company
and its Subsidiaries
Lease-Purchase Agreements Outstanding
Lessor Collateral 07/01/01
------ ---------- --------
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ and Buildings and land $ 480,518
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇ North ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Indiana
c/o First National Bank plant
P. ▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Energy Loan
Utility
Alliant Energy Recycling Equipment $ 275,746
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Industrial Revenue Bonds
Trustee
Chase Manhattan Trust Co. Land and facilities - $l,900,000
One Oxford Center Oil City Pennsylvania
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇. ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Pennsylvania Industrial ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 634,280
Development Authority Centre County, Pennsylvania
P. O. Box 884 with all improvements
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
First Union National Bank Property, Plant and equip- $5,620,000
of Georgia ment - Fulton, New York plant
P. O. Box 1211 of Engraph, Inc.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Industrial Revenue Bonds Outstanding
Trustee Collateral 07/01/01
------- ---------- --------
Bank of New York Property, Plant and equipment $35,130,000
Corporate Trust Div Darlington County, SC
Towermarc Plaza
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Bank of New York Property, Plant and equipment $35,000,000
Corporate Trust Div Darlington County, SC
Towermarc Plaza
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
AmSouth Bank Property, Plant and Equipment $ 2,712,700
P. O. Box 11426 ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Industrial Park
Birmingham, AL 35202 Sumter County, AL
Schedule 5.1(c)
Form of Officer's Compliance Certificate
For the fiscal quarter ended _________________________, 20__.
I, ______________________, [Title] of SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY (the
"Borrower") hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, with
respect to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of July 17, 2001 (as amended
and modified from time to time, the "Credit Facility"; all of the defined terms
in the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference) among the
Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Agent:
a. The company-prepared financial statements which accompany this
certificate are true and correct in all material respects and
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, subject to
changes resulting from audit and normal year-end audit
adjustments;
b. Since ___________ (the date of the last similar certification,
or, if none, the Closing Date) no Default or Event of Default has
occurred under the Credit Agreement; and
c. Attached hereto as Schedule I are calculations (calculated as of
the date of the financial statements which accompany this
certificate) demonstrating compliance by the Borrower with
Section 5.10 of the Credit Agreement.
This ______ day of _________________, 20__.
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
By________________________________________
Name_____________________________________
Title____________________________________
Schedule I
to
Officer's Compliance Certificate
Fiscal Quarter Ending: __________, 20___.
A. Minimum Book Net Worth
(i) Minimum Book Net Worth as of Closing Date $677,500,000
(ii) 25% of the Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' cumulative net
income for each fiscal quarter (commencing with the fiscal
quarter ending September 30, 2001), computed on
a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP $____________________
(iii) Aggregate cumulative amount of all payments made by the
Borrower on and after July 18, 2001 for the redemption,
retirement or other repurchase of any shares of the capital
stock of the Borrower so long as the Borrower's Long-Term Debt
is rated A- or higher by S&P and A3 or higher by ▇▇▇▇▇'▇ at
the time of such payment and for the period ending upon the
earlier of forty-five (45) days after such payment or the date
of
delivery of this certificate $____________________
(iv) Line A(i) plus Line A(ii) minus Line A(iii) $____________________
B. Actual Book Net Worth
(i) Book Net Worth as of the last day of such fiscal quarter $____________________
Minimum Allowed:
As of the last day of the fiscal quarter indicated above, Line B(i) shall be
greater than or equal to Line A(iv). The Borrower is in compliance with the
foregoing minimum allowed Book Net Worth: yes ___ no___
Schedule 5.12(b)
Existing Indebtedness
as of 07/01/01
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY DEBT 07/01/01
ALL AMOUNTS IN 000'S OF USD
Commercial paper 272,000
7.0% debentures due November 2004 149,950
6.75% debentures due November 2010 99,861
5.875% debentures due November 2003 99,840
9.2% debentures due August 2021 41,305
6.125% IRBs due June 2025 34,568
6.0% IRBs due April 2026 34,218
Foreign denominated debt 39,602
Other notes 20,104
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Debt 791,448
Less current portion and short-term notes 40,454
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt 750,994
Schedule 8.2(b)
Form of Assignment and Acceptance
THIS ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE dated as of ________, 20__ is entered
into between ________________ ("Assignor") and ____________________
("Assignee").
Reference is made to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 17, 2001, as
amended and modified from time to time thereafter (the "Credit Agreement") among
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY, the Lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as
Agent. Terms defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same
meanings.
1. The Assignor hereby sells and assigns, without recourse, to the
Assignee, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes, without recourse, from
the Assignor, effective as of the Effective Date set forth below, the interests
set forth below (the "Assigned Interest") in the Assignor's rights and
obligations under the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, the
interests set forth below in the Commitments of the Assignor on the effective
date of the assignment designated below (the "Effective Date") and the Committed
Loans owing to the Assignor which are outstanding on the Effective Date,
together with unpaid interest accrued on the assigned Loans to the Effective
Date and the amount, if any, set forth below of the fees accrued to the
Effective Date for the account of the Assignor. Each of the Assignor and the
Assignee hereby makes and agrees to be bound by all the representations,
warranties and agreements set forth in Section 8.2(b) of the Credit Agreement, a
copy of which has been received by each such party. From and after the Effective
Date (i) the Assignee, if it is not already a Lender under the Credit Agreement,
shall be a party to and be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and,
to the extent of the interests assigned by this Assignment and Acceptance, have
the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and (ii) the Assignor shall,
to the extent of the interests assigned by this Assignment and Acceptance,
relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Credit
Agreement.
2. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of
North Carolina.
3. Terms of Assignment
(a) Date of Assignment:
(b) Legal Name of Assignor:
(c) Legal Name of Assignee:
(d) Effective Date of Assignment:
(e) Commitment Percentage Assigned
(expressed as a percentage of
the Total Committed Amount and
set forth to at least 8 decimals) %
(f) Commitment Percentage of
Assignor after Assignment
(set forth to at least 8 decimals) %
(g) Total Committed Loans outstanding
as of Effective Date $_____________
(h) Principal Amount of Committed
Loans assigned on Effective
Date (the amount set forth
in (g) multiplied by the
percentage set forth in (e)) $_____________
The terms set forth above are hereby agreed to:
__________________________, as Assignor
By_____________________________________________
Name___________________________________________
Title__________________________________________
__________________________, as Assignee
By_____________________________________________
Name___________________________________________
Title__________________________________________
CONSENTED TO:
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Agent
By_____________________________________________
Name___________________________________________
Title__________________________________________
SONOCO PRODUCTS COMPANY
By_____________________________________________
Name___________________________________________
Title__________________________________________