EXECUTION COPY
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U.S. $105,000,000
CREDIT AGREEMENT
DATED AS OF APRIL 21, 1998
AMONG
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.,
as Borrower,
THE LENDERS LISTED HEREIN,
as Lenders,
DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC.,
as Syndication Agent,
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent,
and
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
as Documentation Agent
ARRANGED BY:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, LUFKIN & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES CORPORATION
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_______________________________
CREDIT AGREEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS................................................... 3
1.1 Certain Defined Terms......................................... 3
1.2 Accounting Terms; Utilization of GAAP for Purposes of
Calculations Under Agreement................................. 38
1.3 Other Definitional Provisions and Rules of Construction....... 39
SECTION 2. AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS.................... 40
2.1 Commitments; Making of Loans; Notes........................... 40
2.2 Interest on the Loans......................................... 47
2.3 Fees.......................................................... 53
2.4 Repayments, Prepayments and Reductions in Revolving Loan
Commitments; General Provisions Regarding Payments........... 54
2.5 Use of Proceeds............................................... 68
2.6 Special Provisions Governing Eurodollar Rate Loans............ 69
2.7 Increased Costs; Taxes; Capital Adequacy...................... 72
2.8 Obligation of Lenders and Issuing Lenders to Mitigate......... 77
2.9 Replacement of Lender......................................... 77
SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT............................................. 79
3.1 Issuance of Letters of Credit and Lenders' Purchase of
Participations Therein....................................... 79
3.2 Letter of Credit Fees......................................... 85
3.3 Drawings and Reimbursement of Amounts Paid Under Letters
of Credit.................................................... 86
3.4 Obligations Absolute.......................................... 89
3.5 Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lenders' Duties............ 90
3.6 Increased Costs and Taxes Relating to Letters of Credit....... 91
3.7 Conflict among Documents...................................... 92
3.8 Issuing Affiliate............................................. 92
SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT..................... 92
4.1 Conditions to Term Loans and Initial Revolving Loans and
Swing Line Loans............................................. 93
4.2 Conditions to All Loans....................................... 102
4.3 Conditions to Letters of Credit............................... 103
(i)
PAGE
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4.4 Items to be Delivered After the Closing Date.................. 103
SECTION 5. COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...................... 104
5.1 Organization, Powers, Qualification, Good Standing,
Business and Subsidiaries.................................... 104
5.2 Authorization of Borrowing, etc............................... 105
5.3 Financial Condition........................................... 107
5.4 No Material Adverse Change; No Restricted Junior Payments..... 108
5.5 Title to Properties; Liens; Real Property..................... 108
5.6 Litigation; Adverse Facts..................................... 109
5.7 Payment of Taxes.............................................. 109
5.8 Performance of Agreements; Materially Adverse Agreements;
Material Contracts........................................... 110
5.9 Governmental Regulation....................................... 110
5.10 Securities Activities......................................... 110
5.11 Employee Benefit Plans........................................ 111
5.12 Certain Fees.................................................. 111
5.13 Environmental Protection...................................... 112
5.14 Employee Matters.............................................. 113
5.15 Solvency...................................................... 113
5.16 Matters Relating to Collateral................................ 113
5.17 Disclosure.................................................... 114
SECTION 6. COMPANY'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS............................... 115
6.1 Financial Statements and Other Reports........................ 115
6.2 Legal Existence, etc.......................................... 122
6.3 Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation................ 122
6.4 Maintenance of Properties; Insurance; Application of Net
Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds............................. 123
6.5 Inspection Rights............................................. 124
6.6 Compliance with Laws, etc..................................... 124
6.7 Company's Actions Regarding Hazardous Materials Activities,
Environmental Claims and Violations of Environmental Laws.... 124
6.8 Execution of Subsidiary Guaranty and Personal Property
Collateral Documents by Certain Subsidiaries and Future
Subsidiaries; IP Collateral.................................. 127
6.9 Conforming Leasehold Interests; Matters Relating to
Additional Real Property Collateral.......................... 128
6.10 Interest Rate Protection...................................... 131
6.11 Year 2000 Covenant............................................ 131
SECTION 7. COMPANY'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS.................................. 131
7.1 Indebtedness.................................................. 131
7.2 Liens and Related Matters..................................... 133
(ii)
PAGE
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7.3 Investments; Joint Ventures................................... 134
7.4 Contingent Obligations........................................ 135
7.5 Restricted Junior Payments.................................... 136
7.6 Financial Covenants........................................... 137
7.7 Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Asset Sales and
Acquisitions................................................. 141
7.8 Consolidated Capital Expenditures............................. 143
7.9 Restriction on Leases......................................... 144
7.10 Sales and Lease-Backs......................................... 144
7.11 Sale or Discount of Receivables............................... 145
7.12 Transactions with Stockholders and Affiliates................. 145
7.13 Disposal of Subsidiary Equity................................. 145
7.14 Conduct of Business........................................... 145
7.15 Amendments of Documents Relating to Subordinated Indebtedness,
Holdings Discount Debentures and Holdings Preferred Stock;
Amendment to Recapitalization Agreement...................... 146
7.16 Fiscal Year................................................... 147
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT............................................. 147
8.1 Failure to Make Payments When Due............................. 147
8.2 Default in Other Agreements................................... 147
8.3 Breach of Certain Covenants................................... 148
8.4 Breach of Representations and Warranty........................ 148
8.5 Other Defaults Under Loan Documents........................... 148
8.6 Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc.......... 148
8.7 Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc............ 149
8.8 Judgments and Attachments..................................... 149
8.9 Dissolution................................................... 149
8.10 Employee Benefit Plans........................................ 149
8.11 Change in Control............................................. 150
8.12 Invalidity of Guaranties; Failure of Security; Repudiation
of Obligations............................................... 150
8.13 Action Relating to Certain Subordinated Indebtedness of
Company and Holdings Discount Debentures..................... 151
8.14 Failure to consummate the transactions under the
Recapitalization Agreement................................... 151
SECTION 9. THE AGENTS.................................................... 152
9.1 Appointment................................................... 152
9.2 Powers and Duties; General Immunity........................... 154
9.3 Representations and Warranties; No Responsibility For
Appraisal of Credit-worthiness............................... 156
9.4 Right to Indemnity............................................ 156
9.5 Successor Agents and Swing Line Lender........................ 157
(iii)
PAGE
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9.6 Collateral Documents and Guaranties........................... 158
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS................................................. 159
10.1 Assignments and Participations in Loans and Letters of Credit. 159
10.2 Expenses...................................................... 162
10.3 Indemnity..................................................... 164
10.4 Set-Off; Security Interest in Deposit Accounts................ 165
10.5 Ratable Sharing............................................... 165
10.6 Amendments and Waivers........................................ 166
10.7 Independence of Covenants..................................... 168
10.8 Notices....................................................... 169
10.9 Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements........ 169
10.10 Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative......... 169
10.11 Marshalling; Payments Set Aside............................... 169
10.12 Severability.................................................. 170
10.13 Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders' Rights.... 170
10.14 Headings...................................................... 170
10.15 Applicable Law................................................ 170
10.16 Successors and Assigns........................................ 171
10.17 Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process................ 171
10.18 Waiver of Jury Trial.......................................... 172
10.19 Confidentiality............................................... 172
10.20 Counterparts; Effectiveness................................... 173
Signature pages............................................... S-1
(iv)
EXHIBITS
I. FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
II. FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
III. FORM OF NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT
IV. FORM OF TRANCHE A TERM NOTE
V. FORM OF TRANCHE B TERM NOTE
VI. FORM OF REVOLVING NOTE
VII. FORM OF SWING LINE NOTE
VIII. FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
IX. FORM OF OPINION OF COUNSEL TO COMPANY
X. FORM OF OPINION OF O'MELVENY & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
XI. FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
XII. FORM OF CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS
XIII. FORM OF COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XIV. FORM OF COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT
XV. FORM OF COMPANY COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT
XVI. FORM OF COMPANY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT
XVII. FORM OF COMPANY PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT
XVIII. FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY
XIX. FORM OF SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XX. FORM OF SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT
XXI. FORM OF SUBSIDIARY COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT
XXII. FORM OF SUBSIDIARY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT
XXIII. FORM OF SUBSIDIARY PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT
XXIV. FORM OF HOLDINGS PLEDGE AGREEMENT
XXV. FORM OF HOLDINGS GUARANTY
XXVI. FORM OF MORTGAGE
XXVII. FORM OF SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE
XXVIII. FORM OF OPINIONS OF LOCAL COUNSEL
XXIX. FORM OF COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
(v)
SCHEDULES
2.1 LENDERS' COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES
3.1 EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT
4.1C CLOSING DATE MORTGAGED PROPERTIES
5.1 SUBSIDIARIES OF COMPANY
5.5 REAL PROPERTY
5.6 LITIGATION
5.8 MATERIAL CONTRACTS
5.13 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
7.1 CERTAIN EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
7.2 CERTAIN EXISTING LIENS
7.3 CERTAIN EXISTING INVESTMENTS
7.4 CERTAIN EXISTING CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS
7.12 AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS
(vi)
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of April 21, 1998, and entered into by
and among DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., a Delaware corporation ("COMPANY"),
THE LENDERS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF (each individually referred to
herein as a "LENDER" and collectively as "LENDERS"), DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC.
("DLJ"), as syndication agent hereunder for Lenders (in such capacity,
"SYNDICATION AGENT"), and ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., as administrative agent for
Lenders (in such capacity, "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT"), and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SENIOR
FUNDING, INC., as documentation agent for Lenders (in such capacity,
"DOCUMENTATION AGENT").
R E C I T A L S
- - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, Diamond Brands Incorporated, a Minnesota corporation ("Holdings"),
proposes to effect a recapitalization (the "Recapitalization") by, among other
things, redeeming all of its issued and outstanding common stock, $0.01 par
value per share (the "Holdings Common Stock") (other than the Holdings Common
Stock having an implied value, based on the per share price of the repurchase of
Holdings Common Stock, of $15,000,000 (such shares of Holdings Common Stock not
being redeemed, the "Retained Shares")) for an aggregate redemption price not
exceeding $211,503,000 (subject to certain working capital and debt adjustments)
from its existing shareholders (the "Existing Shareholders");
WHEREAS, the Retained Shares will represent 22.5% of the outstanding shares
of Holdings Common Stock after giving effect to the full exercise of the
Holdings Warrants (all capitalized terms used otherwise not defined shall have
the meanings assigned to such terms in subsection 1.1) and will be continued to
be held by certain of the Existing Shareholders;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Recapitalization, Holdings established
Company prior to the Closing Date;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Recapitalization, Holdings proposes to (i)
issue $84,000,000 aggregate principal amount at maturity of 12 7/8% Senior
Discount Debentures due 2009 (the "Holdings Discount Debentures"), the aggregate
gross proceeds of which will be $45,105,480; and (ii) issue 12% Paid-in-Kind
Preferred Stock of Holdings par value $1,000 per share (the "Holdings Preferred
Stock"), with a mandatory redemption date of October 15, 2009, to ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇-
TPG Partners, L.P. and
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▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ I Parallel, L.P. (collectively, the "Principals") and other
investors for an aggregate purchase price equal to $47,000,000, together with
warrants to purchase shares of Holdings Common Stock ("Holdings Warrants");
WHEREAS, the shares of Holdings Common Stock issuable upon the full
exercise of the Holdings Warrants would represent 77.5% of the outstanding
shares of Holdings Common Stock after giving effect to such issuance;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Recapitalization, Holdings proposes to
contribute all of its assets and the gross proceeds of the issuance of the
Holdings Discount Debentures and the Holdings Preferred Stock to Company;
WHEREAS, in connection with the Recapitalization, Company proposes to issue
$100,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of 10 1/8% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2008 (the "Senior Subordinated Notes");
WHEREAS, in connection with the Recapitalization, Holdings expects that it
will repay substantially all of its and its Subsidiaries' funded debt
obligations existing immediately prior to the consummation of the
Recapitalization;
WHEREAS, upon the consummation of the Recapitalization, Holdings will own
all of the outstanding capital stock of Company and the Subsidiaries of Holdings
prior to the Closing Date will become direct Subsidiaries of Company (the
Recapitalization, the issuance of the Holdings Discount Debentures, the Holdings
Preferred Stock and the Senior Subordinated Notes and the repayment of the prior
Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries being the "Transactions");
WHEREAS, Lenders have agreed to extend certain credit facilities to
Company, the proceeds of which will be used by Company, together with the
proceeds of the sale of the Senior Subordinated Notes, the Holdings Discount
Debentures and the Holdings Preferred Stock to (i) cause the redemption of all
of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Holdings (other than Retained
Shares) for an aggregate redemption price not exceeding $211,503,000; (ii) to
cause the payment in full of all of the existing indebtedness of Holdings and
its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $49,497,000,
together with accrued interest and any prepayment penalties related thereto;
(iii) to pay the transaction costs in connection with the Transactions
(excluding those costs and expenses of the Existing Shareholders that will be
paid by Holdings but which will result in a decrease in the redemption price to
be paid to the Existing Shareholders by virtue of a working capital adjustment,
the "Transaction Costs") in an aggregate amount not exceeding $12,500,000; and
(iv) to provide for working capital and/or other general purposes of Company and
its Subsidiaries;
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WHEREAS, Company desires to secure all of the Obligations hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents by granting to Administrative Agent, on behalf of
Lenders, a first priority Lien on substantially all of its personal property and
its real property including a pledge of all of the capital stock of its Domestic
Subsidiaries and a pledge of 65% of the capital stock of its Foreign
Subsidiaries that are owned by Company or a Domestic Subsidiary;
WHEREAS, all of Company's Domestic Subsidiaries have agreed to guarantee
the Obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and each of the
Domestic Subsidiaries has agreed to secure its guaranty by granting to
Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders, a first priority Lien on
substantially all of its respective personal property and substantially all of
its respective real property including a pledge of all of the capital stock of
each of its Domestic Subsidiaries and 65% of the capital stock of each of its
Foreign Subsidiaries that is owned by Company or a Domestic Subsidiary; and
WHEREAS, Holdings has agreed to guarantee the Obligations hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents and Holdings has further agreed to secure its
guaranty by pledging to Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders all of the
capital stock of Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements,
provisions and covenants herein contained, Company, Lenders, Syndication Agent
and Administrative Agent agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.
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The following terms used in this Agreement shall have the following
meanings:
"ADJUSTED EURODOLLAR RATE" means, for any Interest Rate Determination Date
with respect to an Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per
annum obtained by dividing (i) the offered quotation to first class banks in the
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London interbank eurodollar market by Administrative Agent for U.S. dollar
deposits of amounts in same day funds comparable to the principal amount of the
Eurodollar Rate Loan of Administrative Agent for which the Adjusted Eurodollar
Rate is then being determined (which principal amount shall be deemed to be
$1,000,000 in the event Administrative Agent is not making, converting to or
continuing such a Eurodollar Rate Loan) with maturities comparable to such
Interest Period as of approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on such Interest
Rate Determination Date
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by (ii) a percentage equal to 100% minus the stated maximum rate of all reserve
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requirements (including any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other
reserves) applicable on such Interest Rate Determination Date to any member bank
of the Federal Reserve System in respect of "Eurocurrency liabilities" as
defined in Regulation D (or any successor category of liabilities under
Regulation D).
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
introduction to this Agreement and also means and includes any successor
Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to subsection 9.5A.
"AFFECTED LENDER" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 2.6C.
"AFFILIATE", as applied to any Person, means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, that
Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms "controlling", "controlled by" and "under common
control with"), as applied to any Person, means (i) the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or
by contract or otherwise, or (ii) the ownership of more than 10% of the voting
securities of that Person.
"AFFILIATED FUND" means, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that
invests in commercial loans, any other fund that invests in commercial loans and
is managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of
such investment advisor.
"AGENTS" means, collectively, the Syndication Agent and Administrative
Agent.
"AGREEMENT" means this Credit Agreement dated as of April 21, 1998, as it
may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"APPLICABLE COMMITMENT FEE MARGIN" has the meaning assigned to such term in
subsection 2.3A.
"ARRANGER" means ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities Corporation, as
arranger of the credit facilities described herein.
"ASSET SALE" means the sale by Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any
Person other than Company or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries of (i) any of
the equity ownership of any of Company's Subsidiaries (other than directors'
qualifying shares), (ii) substantially all of the assets of any division or
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line of business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) any other
assets (whether tangible or intangible) of Company or any of its Subsidiaries
(other than (a) inventory sold in the ordinary course of business, (b) Cash
Equivalents, (c) obsolete or surplus equipment sold for not in excess of
$2,000,000 in the aggregate for each Fiscal Year but only to the extent of any
Net Asset Sale Proceeds therefrom that are reinvested in any property, plant or
equipment of Company or its Subsidiary, and (d) any such other assets to the
extent that (i) the aggregate value of such assets sold in any single
transaction or related series of transactions is equal to $1,000,000 or less and
(ii) the aggregate value of such assets sold in any Fiscal Year is equal to
$2,000,000 or less).
"ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT" means an Assignment Agreement in substantially the
form of Exhibit XI annexed hereto.
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"BANKRUPTCY CODE" means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled
"Bankruptcy", as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.
"BASE RATE" means, at any time, the higher of (x) the Prime Rate or (y) the
rate which is 1/2 of 1% in excess of the Federal Funds Effective Rate.
"BASE RATE LOANS" means Loans bearing interest at rates determined by
reference to the Base Rate as provided in subsection 2.2A.
"BASE RATE MARGIN" has the meaning assigned to such term in subsection
2.2A(i)(a)(I).
"BUSINESS" means, at any time of determination, the business of Holdings
and its Subsidiaries as conducted immediately prior to the Closing Date. Upon
the consummation of the Transactions, Company and its Subsidiaries will engage
in the Business and other activities to the extent permitted under subsection
7.14.
"BUSINESS DAY" means for all purposes other than as covered by the
definition of Eurodollar Business Day, any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and
any day which is a legal holiday under the laws of New York, New York,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, San Francisco, California or is a day on which banking
institutions located in such state are authorized or required by law or other
governmental action to close.
"CAPITAL LEASE", as applied to any Person, means any lease of any property
(whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in conformity
with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that
Person.
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"CASH" means money, currency or a credit balance in a Deposit Account.
"CASH EQUIVALENTS" means, as at any date of determination, (i) marketable
securities (a) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as to interest
and principal by the United States Government or (b) issued by any agency of the
United States the obligations of which are backed by the full faith and credit
of the United States, in each case maturing within one year after such date;
(ii) marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of
America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public
instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within one year after such date
and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, the highest rating
obtainable from either Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Investors Service, Inc. ("MOODY'S"); (iii) commercial paper maturing no more
than one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of the
acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from
Moody's; (iv) certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances maturing within
one year after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any
commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
state thereof or the District of Columbia that (a) is at least "adequately
capitalized" (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking
regulator) and (b) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not
less than $100,000,000; and (v) shares of any money market mutual fund that (a)
has at least 95% of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments
referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above, (b) has net assets of not less than
$500,000,000, and (c) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or
Moody's.
"CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act (42 U.S.C. (S)(S) 9601 et seq.), as amended.
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"CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS" means a certificate substantially in the
form of Exhibit XII annexed hereto delivered by a Lender to Administrative Agent
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pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii).
"CLOSING DATE" means April 21, 1998.
"COLLATERAL" means, collectively, all of the real, personal and mixed
property (including capital stock) in which Liens are purported to be granted
pursuant to the Collateral Documents as security for the Obligations.
"COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS" means the Holdings Pledge Agreement, the Company
Copyright Security Agreement, the Company Pledge Agreement, the Company Security
Agreement, the Company Patent Security Agreement, the Company Trademark Security
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Agreement, the Subsidiary Pledge Agreements, the Subsidiary Security Agreements,
the Subsidiary Copyright Security Agreements, the Subsidiary Patent Security
Agreements, the Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreements, the Mortgages and all
other instruments or documents delivered by any Loan Party pursuant to this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in order to grant to Administrative
Agent, on behalf of Lenders, a Lien on any real, personal or mixed property of
that Loan Party as security for the Obligations.
"COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT" means any letter of credit payable on sight
or similar instrument issued for the purpose of providing the primary payment
mechanism in connection with the purchase of any materials, goods or services by
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of Company
or such Subsidiary.
"COMMITMENTS" means the commitments of Lenders to make Loans as set forth
in subsection 2.1A.
"COMPANY" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this
Agreement.
"COMPANY COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Company Copyright Security
Agreement executed and delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially
in the form of Exhibit XV annexed hereto, as such Company Copyright Security
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Agreement may thereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time.
"COMPANY PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Company Patent Security
Agreement executed and delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially
in the form of Exhibit XVII annexed hereto, as such Company Patent Security
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Agreement may thereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time.
"COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT" means the Company Pledge Agreement executed and
delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit
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XIII annexed hereto, as such Company Pledge Agreement may thereafter be amended,
----
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Company Security Agreement executed
and delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially in the form of
Exhibit XIV annexed hereto, as such Company Security Agreement may thereafter be
-----------
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"COMPANY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Company Trademark Security
Agreement executed and delivered by Company on the Closing Date, substantially
in the form of Exhibit XVI annexed hereto, as such Company Trademark Security
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Agreement
7
may thereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" means a certificate substantially in the form of
Exhibit VIII annexed hereto delivered to Administrative Agent and Lenders by
------------
Company pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv).
"CONFORMING LEASEHOLD INTEREST" means any Recorded Leasehold Interest as to
which the lessor has agreed in writing for the benefit of Administrative Agent
(which writing has been delivered to Administrative Agent), whether under the
terms of the applicable lease, under the terms of a Landlord Consent and
Estoppel, or otherwise, to the matters described in the definition of "Landlord
Consent and Estoppel," which interest, if a subleasehold or sub-subleasehold
interest, is not subject to any contrary restrictions contained in a superior
lease or sublease.
"CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" means, for any period, the sum of (i)
the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or other consideration
or accrued as a liability and including that portion of Capital Leases which is
capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries)
by Company and its Subsidiaries during that period that, in conformity with
GAAP, are included in "purchases of property, plant and equipment" or comparable
items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows of Company and its
Subsidiaries plus (ii) to the extent not covered by clause (i) of this
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definition, the aggregate of all expenditures by Company and its Subsidiaries
during that period to acquire (by purchase or otherwise) the business, property
or fixed assets of any Person, or the stock or other evidence of beneficial
ownership of any Person in accordance with the provisions of subsection 7.7(ii)
that, as a result of such acquisition, becomes a Subsidiary of Company.
"CONSOLIDATED CURRENT ASSETS" means, as at any date of determination, the
total assets of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis which may
properly be classified as current assets in conformity with GAAP, excluding Cash
and Cash Equivalents.
"CONSOLIDATED CURRENT LIABILITIES" means, as at any date of determination,
the total liabilities of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
which may properly be classified as current liabilities in conformity with GAAP,
excluding the current portion of any Indebtedness.
"CONSOLIDATED EBITDA" means, for any period, without duplication, the sum
of the amounts for such period of (i) Consolidated Net Income, (ii) Consolidated
Interest Expense (excluding any interest income received by Company and its
8
Subsidiaries to the extent included in Consolidated Net Income), (iii)
provisions for taxes based on income, (iv) total depreciation expense, (v) total
amortization expense (including, without limitation, non-cash financing fees,
goodwill, organization costs and expenses, inventory write-ups associated with
purchase accounting pursuant to ▇▇▇ ▇▇. ▇▇ or 17), and (vi) other non-cash items
reducing Consolidated Net Income less other non-cash items increasing
----
Consolidated Net Income, all of the foregoing as determined on a consolidated
basis for Company and its Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP.
"CONSOLIDATED EXCESS CASH FLOW" means, for any period, an amount (if
positive) equal to (i) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such
period of (a) Consolidated EBITDA and (b) the Consolidated Working Capital
Adjustment minus (ii) the sum, without duplication, of the amounts for such
-----
period of (a) mandatory and scheduled repayments of Consolidated Total Debt
(excluding repayments of Revolving Loans except to the extent the Revolving Loan
Commitments are permanently reduced in connection with such repayments), (b)
voluntary prepayments of Consolidated Total Debt permitted under this Agreement
to the extent such Consolidated Total Debt is permanently reduced in connection
with such repayments (excluding repayments of Revolving Loans except to the
extent the Revolving Loan Commitments are permanently reduced in connection with
such payments), (c) Consolidated Capital Expenditures paid in cash (without
duplication, net of any proceeds of any related debt or equity financings with
respect to such expenditures), (d) Consolidated Interest Expense, (e) the
payment of or provision for current taxes of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis, including those specified in the Tax Sharing Agreement, and
payable in cash with respect to such period, and (f) fees and expenses incurred
by Company relating to Hedge Agreements.
"CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGES" means, for any period, the sum (without
duplication) of the amounts for such period of (i) Consolidated Interest
Expense, (ii) Consolidated Capital Expenditures, (iii) scheduled principal
payments in respect of Consolidated Total Debt, and (iv) dividends made by
Company to Holdings permitted under subsection 7.5(ii) to allow Holdings to make
scheduled interest payments on the Holdings Discount Debentures after the fifth
anniversary of the Closing Date, all of the foregoing as determined on a
consolidated basis for Company and its Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP;
provided that for the purposes of calculating the Consolidated Fixed Charges in
--------
connection with the Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio in subsection 7.6A,
Consolidated Capital Expenditures shall be reduced by the amount of any
expenditures of Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any
Permitted Acquisition permitted under subsection 7.7(ii) to the extent that such
expenditures are made at the time of such acquisition and constitute
Consolidated Capital Expenditures and any and all
9
expenditures made in connection with such Permitted Acquisition thereafter shall
constitute Consolidated Capital Expenditures for the purposes of the foregoing.
"CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE" means, for any period, total interest
expense net of any interest income received by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (including that portion of interest expense attributable to Capital
Leases in accordance with GAAP and capitalized interest) of Company and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis with respect to all outstanding
Indebtedness of Company and its Subsidiaries, including all commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and
bankers' acceptance financing and net costs under Interest Rate Agreements, but
excluding, however, any amounts referred to in subsection 2.3 payable to
Arranger and Agents on or before the Closing Date.
"CONSOLIDATED LEVERAGE RATIO" means, for any period, the ratio of (a)
Consolidated Total Debt to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the consecutive four
Fiscal Quarters ending on the last day of any Fiscal Quarter; provided that for
--------
the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio under this Agreement for any
purpose, to the extent that during the period for which calculation is being
made, Company or any Subsidiary of Company has made a Permitted Acquisition
permitted under subsection 7.7(ii) or has disposed of any assets or operations
in an amount for any such transaction or series of related transactions
exceeding $5,000,000, (i) such calculation shall be made as if such Permitted
Acquisition or such disposition took place on the first day of such period on a
pro forma basis for the portion of such period prior to the date of such
--- -----
Permitted Acquisition or after the date of such disposition and on an actual
basis for the portion of such period after the date of such Permitted
Acquisition or before the date of such disposition, (ii) such calculations shall
be made after giving effect to the incurrence, assumption or repayment of any
Indebtedness made in connection with such acquisition or disposition, and (iii)
such calculation shall be made after giving retroactive effect to demonstrable
net cost eliminations or net cost savings arising by virtue of such Permitted
Acquisition (such as inflated employee owner compensation), which cost
eliminations and cost savings are demonstrated in the Officer's Certificate
required under subsection 7.7 and (A) are consistent with standards and
practices for pro forma presentation pursuant to Regulation S-X as promulgated
--- -----
by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are reviewed by Company's
independent accountants, or (B) are reasonably satisfactory to Requisite
Lenders. With respect to any such Permitted Acquisition, such pro forma
--- -----
calculations shall be based on the audited or reviewed financial results
delivered in compliance with clause (d)(3) of subsection 7.7(ii).
"CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, for any period, the net income (or loss)
of Company and its Subsidiaries on a
10
consolidated basis for such period taken as a single accounting period
determined in conformity with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded (i)
--------
the income (or loss) of any Person (other than a Subsidiary of Company) in which
any other Person (other than Company or any of its Subsidiaries) has a joint
interest, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions
actually paid to Company or any of its Subsidiaries by such Person during such
period, (ii) the income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it
becomes a Subsidiary of Company or is merged into or consolidated with Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person's assets are acquired by Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) the income of any Subsidiary of Company to the
extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by
that Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted by operation of the
terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order,
statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Subsidiary, (iv) any
after-tax gains or losses attributable to Asset Sales or returned surplus assets
of any Pension Plan, and (v) (to the extent not included in clauses (i) through
(iv) above) any net extraordinary gains or net non-cash extraordinary losses.
"CONSOLIDATED RENTAL PAYMENTS" means, for any period, the aggregate amount
of all rents paid or payable by Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis during that period under all Capital Leases and Operating Leases to which
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as lessee.
"CONSOLIDATED TOTAL DEBT" means, as at any date of determination, the
aggregate stated balance sheet amount of all Indebtedness of Company and its
Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"CONSOLIDATED WORKING CAPITAL" means, as at any date of determination, the
excess (or deficit) of Consolidated Current Assets over Consolidated Current
Liabilities.
"CONSOLIDATED WORKING CAPITAL ADJUSTMENT" means, for any period on a
consolidated basis, the amount (which may be a negative number) by which
Consolidated Working Capital as of the beginning of such period exceeds (or is
less than) Consolidated Working Capital as of the end of such period.
"CONTINGENT OBLIGATION", as applied to any Person, means any direct or
indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person (i) with respect to
any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another if the primary
purpose or intent thereof by the Person incurring the Contingent Obligation is
to provide assurance to the obligee of such obligation of another that such
obligation of another will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements
relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such obligation
will be
11
protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof, (ii) with
respect to any letter of credit issued for the account of that Person or as to
which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings, or (iii)
under Hedge Agreements. Contingent Obligations shall include (a) the direct or
indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with
recourse by such Person of the obligation of another, (b) the obligation to make
take-or-pay or similar payments if required regardless of non-performance by any
other party or parties to an agreement, and (c) any liability of such Person for
the obligation of another through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) (X) to
purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security
therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation
(whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital contributions
or otherwise) or (Y) to maintain the solvency or any balance sheet item, level
of income or financial condition of another if, in the case of any agreement
described under subclauses (X) or (Y) of this sentence, the primary purpose or
intent thereof is as described in the preceding sentence. The amount of any
Contingent Obligation shall be equal to the amount of the obligation so
guaranteed or otherwise supported or, if less, the amount to which such
Contingent Obligation is specifically limited.
"CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION", as applied to any Person, means any provision of
any Security issued by that Person or of any material indenture, mortgage, deed
of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument to which that
Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to which
it or any of its properties is subject.
"CURRENCY AGREEMENT" means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement, futures contract, option contract, synthetic cap or other similar
agreement or arrangement to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party.
"COMMODITY AGREEMENT" means any commodity swap agreement, futures contract,
option contract or other similar agreement or arrangement to which Company or
any of its Subsidiaries is a party.
"DEPOSIT ACCOUNT" means a demand, time, savings, passbook or like account
with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or like organization,
other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of deposit.
"DLJ" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to this
Agreement.
"DOLLARS" and the sign "$" mean the lawful money of the United States of
America.
12
"DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY" means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of the
United States or any state or territory thereof or the District of Columbia.
"ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEE" means (A) (i) a commercial bank organized under the
laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) a savings and loan
association or savings bank organized under the laws of the United States or any
state thereof; (iii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other
country or a political subdivision thereof; provided that such bank is acting
--------
through a branch or agency located in the United States; and (iv) any other
entity which is an "accredited investor" (as defined in Regulation D under the
Securities Act) which extends credit or buys loans as one of its businesses
including insurance companies, mutual funds and lease financing companies; and
(B) any Lender and any Affiliate of any Lender; provided that no Affiliate of
--------
Company shall be an Eligible Assignee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no direct
competitor of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries should be an Eligible Assignee
for purposes of this Agreement.
"EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" means any "employee benefit plan" as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or was maintained or contributed to by Company,
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.
"ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM" means any investigation, notice, notice of violation
(including, without limitation, any notice of violation of or non-compliance
with the terms of any permit, license, or other required approval from a
governmental agency or notice of a failure to obtain any such permit, license,
or other required approval), claim, action, suit, proceeding, demand, abatement
order or other order or directive (conditional or otherwise), by any
governmental authority or any other Person, arising (i) pursuant to or in
connection with any actual or alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (ii)
in connection with any Hazardous Materials or any actual or alleged Hazardous
Materials Activity, or (iii) in connection with any actual or alleged damage,
injury, threat or harm to health, safety, natural resources or the environment.
"ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any and all current or future statutes,
ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, judgments, Governmental Authorizations,
or any other requirements of governmental authorities relating to (i)
environmental matters, including those relating to any Hazardous Materials
Activity, (ii) the generation, use, storage, transportation or disposal of
Hazardous Materials, or (iii) occupational safety and health, industrial
hygiene, land use or the protection of human, plant or animal health or welfare,
in any manner applicable to Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Facility,
including CERCLA, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. (S) 1801
et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42
-- ---
13
U.S.C. (S) 6901 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. (S)
-- ---
1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 7401 et seq.), the Toxic
-- --- -- ---
Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. (S) 2601 et seq.), the Federal Insecticide,
-- ---
Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. (S)136 et seq.), the Occupational Safety
-- ---
and Health Act (29 U.S.C. (S) 651 et seq.), the Oil Pollution Act (33 U.S.C. (S)
-- ---
2701 et seq) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42
------
U.S.C. (S) 11001 et seq.)("EPCRA"), the Maine Toxics Use Reduction Act (38 Maine
-- ---
Rev'd Stat (S) 2303, et seq.), each as amended or supplemented, any analogous
------
present or future state or local statutes or laws, and any regulations
promulgated pursuant to any of the foregoing.
"EQUITY DISTRIBUTIONS" has the meaning assigned to such term in subsection
4.1.F(iii).
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.
"ERISA AFFILIATE" means, as applied to any Person, (i) any corporation
which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member;
(ii) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a
group of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section
414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member; and (iii)
any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m)
or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person, any corporation
described in clause (i) above or any trade or business described in clause (ii)
above is a member. Any former ERISA Affiliate of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of Company or
such Subsidiary within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period
such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of Company or such Subsidiary and with
respect to liabilities arising after such period for which Company or such
Subsidiary could be liable under the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA.
"ERISA EVENT" means (i) a "reportable event" within the meaning of Section
4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any Pension
Plan (excluding those for which the provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC has
been waived by regulation); (ii) the failure to meet the minimum funding
standard of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension
Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(d) of the Internal
Revenue Code) or the failure to make by its due date a required installment
under Section 412(m) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Pension
Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan;
(iii) the provision by the administrator of any Pension Plan pursuant to Section
4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of
14
intent to terminate such plan in a distress termination described in Section
4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the withdrawal by Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any
of their respective ERISA Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more
contributing sponsors or the termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in
liability pursuant to Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (v) the institution by the
PBGC of proceedings to terminate any Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any
event or condition which might constitute grounds under ERISA for the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan;
(vi) the imposition of liability on Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective ERISA Affiliates pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA
or by reason of the application of Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (vii) the
withdrawal of Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates in a complete or partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections
4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from any Multiemployer Plan if there is any potential
liability therefor, or the receipt by Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective ERISA Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it
is in reorganization or insolvency pursuant to Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or
that it intends to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of
ERISA; (viii) the occurrence of an act or omission which could give rise to the
imposition on Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates of fines, penalties, taxes or related charges under Chapter 43 of the
Internal Revenue Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i) or (l), or
Section 4071 of ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan which,
individually or in the aggregate, will have a reasonable possibility of giving
rise to a Material Adverse Effect; (ix) the assertion of a material claim (other
than routine claims for benefits) against any Employee Benefit Plan other than a
Multiemployer Plan or the assets thereof which could result in a claim against
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or against Company, any of its Subsidiaries
or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in connection with any Employee
Benefit Plan; (x) receipt from the Internal Revenue Service of notice of the
failure of any Pension Plan (or any other Employee Benefit Plan intended to be
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code) to qualify under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the failure of any trust forming
part of any Pension Plan to qualify for exemption from taxation under Section
501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code; or (xi) the imposition of a Lien pursuant
to Section 401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the Internal Revenue Code or pursuant to
ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan.
"EURODOLLAR BUSINESS DAY" means any day (i) excluding Saturday, Sunday and
any day that is a legal holiday under the laws of the State of California or is
a day on which banking institutions located in such State are authorized or
required by law, or other governmental action to close and (ii) on which
15
commercial banks are open for trading in Dollar deposits in the London interbank
eurodollar market.
"EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS" means Loans bearing interest at rates determined by
reference to the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate as provided in subsection 2.2A.
"EURODOLLAR RATE MARGIN" has the meaning assigned to such term in
subsection 2.2A(i)(a)(II).
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" means each of the events set forth in Section 8.
"EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from
time to time, and any successor statute.
"EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT" means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of
March 2, 1995 by and between Holdings and First Bank National Association, as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date.
"EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS" means all Indebtedness of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries outstanding under (i) the Existing Credit Agreement, (ii) Existing
IRB Loan Agreement, (iii) the Existing Tax Increment Financing Agreement and
(iv) Existing Smart E Bond Loan Agreement.
"EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT" has the meaning assigned to such term in
subsection 3.1B(v).
"EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
recitals to this Agreement.
"EXISTING IRB LOAN AGREEMENT" means that certain Loan Agreement dated as of
December 1, 1986, by and between Holdings and City of Cloquet, as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date.
"EXISTING SMART E BOND LOAN AGREEMENT" means that certain Loan Agreement
dated as of November 20, 1990, by and among ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Mfg., Key Bank of Maine,
Shawmut Bank and the Finance Authority of Maine, as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified prior to the Closing Date.
"EXISTING TAX INCREMENT FINANCING AGREEMENT" means that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of December 15, 1990 by and between Key Bank of Maine and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Mfg., as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the
Closing Date.
"FACILITIES" means any and all real property (including all buildings,
fixtures or other improvements located thereon) now, hereafter or heretofore
owned, leased, operated or used by
16
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective predecessors.
"FEDERAL FUNDS EFFECTIVE RATE" means, for any period, a fluctuating
interest rate equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of
the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any
day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such
transactions received by Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers
of recognized standing selected by Administrative Agent.
"FINANCIAL PLAN" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
6.1(xiii).
"FIRST PRIORITY" means, with respect to any Lien purported to be created in
any Collateral pursuant to any Collateral Document, that (i) such Lien has
priority over any other Lien on such Collateral (other than Permitted
Encumbrances and Liens permitted pursuant to subsection 7.2A) and (ii) such Lien
is the only Lien (other than Permitted Encumbrances and Liens permitted pursuant
to subsection 7.2A) to which such Collateral is subject.
"FISCAL QUARTER" means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.
"FISCAL YEAR" means the fiscal year of Holdings and its Subsidiaries ending
on December 31 of each calendar year.
"FLOOD HAZARD PROPERTY" means a Mortgaged Property located in an area
designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or
mud slide hazards.
"FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY" means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic
Subsidiary.
"▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ MFG." means ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Mfg. Co., Inc., a Maine corporation and (i)
prior to the Closing Date and the consummation of the Recapitalization, a direct
wholly-owned Subsidiary of Holdings, and (ii) upon the consummation of the
Recapitalization, a direct wholly-owned Subsidiary of Company.
"FUNDING AND PAYMENT OFFICE" means (i) the office of Administrative Agent
and Swing Line Lender located at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, or (ii) such other office of Administrative Agent and Swing
Line Lender as may from time to time hereafter be designated as such in a
written notice delivered by Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender to
Company and each Lender.
17
"FUNDING DATE" means the date of the funding of a Loan.
"GAAP" means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof set
forth in subsection 1.2, generally accepted accounting principles set forth in
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, in each case as the same are applicable to the circumstances as of
the date of determination.
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION" means any permit, license, authorization,
plan, directive, consent order or consent decree of or from any federal, state
or local governmental authority, agency or court.
"GUARANTIES" means the Holdings Guaranty and the Subsidiary Guaranty.
"HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means (i) any chemical, material or substance at any
time defined as or included in the definition of "hazardous substances",
"hazardous wastes", "hazardous materials", "extremely hazardous waste", acutely
hazardous waste", "radioactive waste", "biohazardous waste", "pollutant", "toxic
pollutant", "contaminant", "restricted hazardous waste", "infectious waste",
"toxic substances", or any other term or expression intended to define, list or
classify substances by reason of properties harmful to health, safety or the
indoor or outdoor environment (including harmful properties such as
ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, toxicity, reproductive
toxicity, "TCLP toxicity" or "EP toxicity" or words of similar import under any
applicable Environmental Laws); (ii) any oil, petroleum, petroleum fraction or
petroleum derived substance; (iii) any drilling fluids, produced waters and
other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of crude
oil, natural gas or geothermal resources; (iv) any flammable substances or
explosives; (v) any radioactive materials including radon; (vi) any asbestos-
containing or lead-containing materials; (vii) urea formaldehyde foam
insulation; (viii) electrical equipment which contains any oil or dielectric
fluid containing polychlorinated biphenyls; (ix) pesticides; (x) any underground
storage tank; (xi) any electromagnetic fields and (xii) any other chemical,
material or substance, exposure to which is prohibited, limited or regulated by
any governmental authority or which may or could pose a hazard to the health and
safety of the owners, occupants or any Persons in the vicinity of any Facility
or to the indoor or outdoor environment.
"HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITY" means any past, current, proposed or
threatened activity, event or occurrence involving any Hazardous Materials,
including the use, manufacture,
18
possession, storage, holding, presence, existence, location, Release, threatened
Release, discharge, placement, generation, transportation, processing,
construction, treatment, abatement, removal, remediation, disposal, disposition
or handling of any Hazardous Materials, and any corrective action or response
action with respect to any of the foregoing.
"HEDGE AGREEMENT" means an Interest Rate Agreement, a Currency Agreement or
a Commodity Agreement designed to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates,
currency values or commodity prices, respectively, entered into by Company or
any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and not for purposes
of speculation.
"HOLDINGS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this
Agreement.
"HOLDINGS CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION" means the Certificate of the Powers,
Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series A Cummulative Preferred
Stock, par value $.01 per share, of Holdings Preferred Stock, as in effect on
the Closing Date and as such Holdings Certificate of Designation may be amended
from time to time to the extent permitted under subsection 7.15.
"HOLDINGS COMMON STOCK" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
recitals to this Agreement.
"HOLDINGS GUARANTY" means the Holdings Guaranty executed and delivered by
Holdings on the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit XXV annexed
-----------
hereto, as such Holdings Guaranty may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.
"HOLDINGS DISCOUNT DEBENTURES" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
recitals to this Agreement and shall also include any notes evidencing such
Indebtedness incurred to refinance the Holdings Discount Debentures to the
extent permitted under subsection 7.1(viii).
"HOLDINGS DISCOUNT DEBENTURES INDENTURE" means the Indenture dated as of
April 21 between Holdings and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee,
in respect of the Holdings Discount Debentures, as in effect on the Closing Date
and as such Holdings Discount Debentures Indenture may be amended from time to
time to the extent permitted under subsection 7.15. "Holdings Discount
Debentures Indenture" shall also include any other indenture or agreement in
respect of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance the Holdings Discount
Debentures pursuant to subsection 7.1(viii).
19
"HOLDINGS DISCOUNT DEBENTURES MATERIAL " means the Confidential Offering
Memorandum dated April 15, 1998 relating to the Holdings Discount Debentures.
"HOLDINGS PLEDGE AGREEMENT" means the Pledge Agreement executed and
delivered by Holdings on the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit
-------
XXIV annexed hereto, as such Holdings Pledge Agreement may be amended,
----
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"HOLDINGS PREFERRED STOCK" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
recitals to this Agreement.
"HOLDINGS WARRANTS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals
to this Agreement.
"INDEBTEDNESS", as applied to any Person, means (i) all indebtedness for
borrowed money, (ii) that portion of obligations with respect to Capital Leases
that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in conformity with
GAAP, (iii) notes payable and drafts accepted representing extensions of credit
whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money, (iv) any obligation
owed for all or any part of the deferred purchase price of property or services
(excluding any such obligations incurred under ERISA), which purchase price is
(a) due more than six months from the date of incurrence of the obligation in
respect thereof or (b) evidenced by a note or similar written instrument, and
(v) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property or asset owned or held
by that Person regardless of whether the indebtedness secured thereby shall have
been assumed by that Person or is nonrecourse to the credit of that Person.
Obligations under Interest Rate Agreements, Currency Agreements and Commodity
Agreements constitute (X) in the case of Hedge Agreements, Contingent
Obligations, and (Y) in all other cases, Investments, and in neither case
constitute Indebtedness.
"INDEMNITEE" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 10.3.
"INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" means all patents, trademarks, tradenames,
copyrights, technology, know-how and processes used in or necessary for the
conduct of the business of Company and its Subsidiaries (as conducted on or
after the date hereof by Holdings and its Subsidiaries) that are material to the
condition (financial or otherwise), business or operations of Company and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
"INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" means (i) with respect to any Base Rate Loan, the
last day of each March, June, September and December of each year, commencing on
the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and (ii) with respect to
any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to
20
such Loan; provided that in the case of each Interest Period of longer than
--------
three months "Interest Payment Date" shall also include each date that is three
months, or a multiple thereof, after the commencement of such Interest Period.
"INTEREST PERIOD" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 2.2B.
"INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT" means any interest rate swap agreement, interest
rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or other similar agreement or
arrangement to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party.
"INTEREST RATE DETERMINATION DATE" means, with respect to any Interest
Period, the second Eurodollar Business Day prior to the first day of such
Interest Period.
"INTERNAL REVENUE CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
to the date hereof and from time to time hereafter, and any successor statute.
"INVENTORY" means, with respect to any Person as of any date of
determination, all goods, merchandise and other personal property which are then
held by such Person for sale or lease, including raw materials and work in
process.
"INVESTMENT" means (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other acquisition
by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial interest in, any
Securities of any other Person (other than a Person that, prior to such purchase
or acquisition, was a Subsidiary of Company), (ii) any direct or indirect
redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition for value, by any
Subsidiary of Company from any Person other than Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, of any equity Securities of such Subsidiary, (iii) any direct or
indirect loan, advance (other than advances to employees for moving,
entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in
the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution by Company or any of
its Subsidiaries to any other Person (other than to a wholly-owned Subsidiary of
Company (in the case of Company) or to Company (in the case of Subsidiaries of
Company)), including all indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other
Person that are not current assets or did not arise from sales to that other
Person in the ordinary course of business, or (iv) Interest Rate Agreements,
Currency Agreements or Commodity Agreements not constituting Hedge Agreements.
The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such Investment plus
----
the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for increases or
decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with respect to such
Investment.
"IP COLLATERAL" means, collectively, the Collateral under the Company
Copyright Security Agreement, the Company
21
Patent Security Agreement, the Company Trademark Security Agreement, the
Subsidiary Copyright Security Agreements, the Subsidiary Patent Security
Agreements, and the Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreements.
"IPO EVENT" means the public offering of Holdings Common Stock for an
aggregate offering price of no less than $25,000,000 in a single transaction.
"ISSUE" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, to issue or to extend
the expiry of, or to renew or increase the amount of, such Letter of Credit; and
the terms "ISSUED," "ISSUING" and "ISSUANCE" have corresponding meanings.
"ISSUING LENDER" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Revolving
Lender that agrees or is otherwise obligated to issue such Letter of Credit,
determined as provided in subsection 3.1B(ii).
"JOINT VENTURE" means a joint venture, partnership or other similar
arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership or other legal form; provided
--------
that in no event shall any corporate Subsidiary of any Person be considered to
be a Joint Venture to which such Person is a party.
"LANDLORD CONSENT AND ESTOPPEL" means, with respect to any Leasehold
Property, a letter, certificate or other instrument in writing from the lessor
under the related lease, reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to
Syndication Agent (on or prior to the Closing Date) or Administrative Agent
(after the Closing Date), pursuant to which such lessor agrees, for the benefit
of Administrative Agent, (i) that without any further consent of such lessor or
any further action on the part of the Loan Party holding such Leasehold
Property, such Leasehold Property may be encumbered pursuant to a Mortgage and
may be assigned to the purchaser at a foreclosure sale or in a transfer in lieu
of such a sale (and to a subsequent third party assignee if Administrative
Agent, any Lender, or an Affiliate of either so acquires such Leasehold
Property), (ii) that such lessor shall not terminate such lease as a result of a
default by such Loan Party thereunder without first giving Administrative Agent
notice of such default and at least 30 days (or, if such default cannot
reasonably be cured by Administrative Agent within such period, such longer
period as may reasonably be required) to cure such default, and (iii) to such
other matters relating to such Leasehold Property as Administrative Agent may
reasonably request.
"L/C AMENDMENT APPLICATION" means an application form for amendment of
outstanding standby and commercial letters of credit as shall at any time be in
use at the Issuing Lender, as the Issuing Lender shall request.
22
"L/C-RELATED DOCUMENTS" means the Letters of Credit, the Notice of Issuance
of Letter of Credit, the L/C Amendment Applications and any other document
relating to any Letter of Credit, including any of the Issuing Lender's standard
form documents for letter of credit issuances.
"LEASEHOLD PROPERTY" means any leasehold interest of any Loan Party as
lessee under any lease of real property located in the United States of America.
"LENDER" and "LENDERS" means the persons identified as "Lenders" and listed
on the signature pages of this Agreement, together with their successors and
permitted assigns pursuant to subsection 10.1, and the term "Lenders" shall
include Swing Line Lender unless the context otherwise requires.
"LETTER OF CREDIT" or "LETTERS OF CREDIT" means Commercial Letters of
Credit and Standby Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by Issuing Lenders
for the account of Company or any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Company pursuant to
subsection 3.1.
"LETTER OF CREDIT USAGE" means, as at any date of determination, the sum of
(i) the maximum aggregate amount which is or at any time thereafter may become
available for drawing under all Letters of Credit then outstanding plus (ii) the
----
aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by Issuing
Lenders and not theretofore reimbursed by Company (including any such
reimbursement out of the proceeds of Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection
3.3B).
"LIEN" means any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, security interest,
charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give
any security interest) and any option, trust or other preferential arrangement
having the practical effect of any of the foregoing.
"LOAN" or "LOANS" means one or more of the Tranche A Term Loans, Tranche B
Term Loans, Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans or any combination thereof.
"LOAN DOCUMENTS" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of Credit
(and any applications for, or reimbursement agreements or other documents or
certificates executed by Company in favor of an Issuing Lender relating to, the
Letters of Credit), the Guaranties and the Collateral Documents.
"LOAN PARTY" means each of Company, Holdings and any of Company's
Subsidiaries from time to time executing a Loan Document, and "LOAN PARTIES"
means all such Persons, collectively.
23
"MARGIN DETERMINATION CERTIFICATE" means an Officer's Certificate of
Company delivered pursuant to 6.1(iv) setting forth in reasonable detail the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the four-Fiscal Quarter period ending as of the
last day of the Fiscal Quarter during which such Officer's Certificate is
delivered.
"MARGIN STOCK" has the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation U of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as in effect from time to time.
"MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means (i) a material adverse effect on the
business, properties, financial condition, results of operation, assets,
prospects of the Business or the liabilities of Holdings and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole; provided that, in no event shall the foregoing apply with
--------
respect to any matter which would not reasonably be likely to result in a net
cost in excess of $5,000,000 following the Closing Date (excluding any cost
reflected in the Working Capital Adjustment (as such term is defined in the
Recapitalization Agreement)), or (ii) a material impairment of the operations of
the Business or the right and ability of any Loan Party to perform, or of
Administrative Agent or any Lender to enforce, the Obligations (other than any
such impairment resulting from Administrative Agent's or any such Lender's
actions or failure to act).
"MATERIAL CONTRACT" means any contract or other arrangement to which
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (other than the Loan Documents)
for which breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew could have a
Material Adverse Effect.
"MATERIAL LEASEHOLD PROPERTY" means a Leasehold Property reasonably
determined by Syndication Agent (on or prior to the Closing Date) or
Administrative Agent (after the Closing Date) to be of material value as
Collateral or of material importance to the operations of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
"MORTGAGE" means (i) a security instrument (whether designated as a deed of
trust or a mortgage or by any similar title) executed and delivered by any Loan
Party, substantially in the form of Exhibit XXVI annexed hereto or in such other
------------
form as may be approved by Syndication Agent (on or prior to the Closing Date)
or Administrative Agent (after the Closing Date) in its sole discretion, in each
case with such changes thereto as may be recommended by Administrative Agent's
local counsel based on local laws or customary local mortgage or deed of trust
practices, or (ii) at the option of Administrative Agent, in the case of an
Additional Mortgaged Property (as defined in subsection 6.9), an amendment to an
existing Mortgage, in form satisfactory to Administrative Agent, adding such
Additional Mortgaged Property to the Real Property Assets encumbered by such
24
existing Mortgage, in either case as such security instrument or amendment may
be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time. "MORTGAGES"
means all such instruments, including any Additional Mortgages (as defined in
subsection 6.9), collectively.
"MORTGAGED PROPERTY" means a Closing Date Mortgaged Property (as defined in
subsection 4.1C) or an Additional Mortgaged Property (as defined in subsection
6.9).
"MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means any Employee Benefit Plan which is a
"multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.
"NET ASSET SALE PROCEEDS" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, Cash
payments (including any Cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or
by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so
received) received from such Asset Sale, net of any bona fide direct costs or
expenses incurred in connection with such Asset Sale, including (i) income taxes
reasonably estimated to be actually payable within two years of the date of such
Asset Sale as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset
Sale, (ii) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty,
if any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that is secured
by a Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid
under the terms thereof, or by applicable law, as a result of such Asset Sale,
(iii) all distributions and other payments required to be and actually made to
minority interest holders in Subsidiaries of Company or Joint Ventures to which
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as a result of such Asset Sale,
and (iv) any amounts held in an escrow account as a reserve against any
liabilities of Company or its Subsidiaries associated with the asset disposed in
such Asset Sale.
"NET INSURANCE/CONDEMNATION PROCEEDS" means any Cash payments or proceeds
received by Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) under any business
interruption or casualty insurance policy in respect of a covered loss
thereunder or (ii) as a result of the taking of any assets of Company or any of
its Subsidiaries by any Person pursuant to the power of eminent domain,
condemnation or otherwise, or pursuant to a sale of any such assets to a
purchaser with such power under threat of such a taking, in each case net of any
actual and reasonable documented costs incurred by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with the adjustment or settlement of any claims of
Company or such Subsidiary in respect thereof.
"NOTES" means one or more of the Tranche A Term Notes, Tranche B Term
Notes, Revolving Notes or Swing Line Notes or any combination thereof.
25
"NOTICE OF BORROWING" means a notice substantially in the form of Exhibit I
---------
annexed hereto delivered by Company to Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 2.1B with respect to a proposed borrowing.
"NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION" means a notice substantially in the
form of Exhibit II annexed hereto delivered by Company to Administrative Agent
----------
pursuant to subsection 2.2D with respect to a proposed conversion or
continuation of the applicable basis for determining the interest rate with
respect to the Loans specified therein.
"NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT" means a notice substantially in
the form of Exhibit III annexed hereto delivered by Company to Administrative
-----------
Agent pursuant to subsection 3.1B(i) with respect to the proposed issuance of a
Letter of Credit.
"OBLIGATIONS" means all obligations of every nature of each Loan Party from
time to time owed to Arranger, Agents, Lenders or any of them under the Loan
Documents, whether for principal, interest, reimbursement of amounts drawn under
Letters of Credit, fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise.
"OFFICER'S CERTIFICATE" means, as applied to any corporation, a certificate
executed on behalf of such corporation by its president, its chief financial
officer (or if there is no chief financial officer, its chief accounting
officer) or any one of its executive vice presidents; provided that every
--------
Officer's Certificate with respect to the compliance with a condition precedent
to the making of any Loans hereunder shall include (i) a statement that the
officer or officers making or giving such Officer's Certificate have read such
condition and any definitions or other provisions contained in this Agreement
relating thereto, (ii) a statement that, in the opinion of the signers, they
have made or have caused to be made such examination or investigation as is
necessary to enable them to express an informed opinion as to whether or not
such condition has been complied with, and (iii) a statement as to whether, in
the opinion of the signers, such condition has been complied with.
"OPERATING LEASE" means, as applied to any Person, any lease (including
leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property
(whether real, personal or mixed) that is not a Capital Lease in accordance with
GAAP other than any such lease under which that Person is the lessor.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor
thereto.
"PENSION PLAN" means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer
Plan, which is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section
302 of ERISA.
26
"PERMITTED ACQUIRED INDEBTEDNESS" means the Indebtedness of any of
Company's Subsidiaries permitted under subsection 7.1(vii).
"PERMITTED ACQUISITION" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
7.7(ii).
"PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" means the following types of Liens (excluding any
such Lien imposed pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the Internal
Revenue Code or by ERISA, any such Lien relating to or imposed in connection
with any Environmental Claim, and any such Lien expressly prohibited by any
applicable terms of any of the Collateral Documents):
(i) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims the
payment of which is not, at the time, required by subsection 6.3;
(ii) statutory Liens of landlords, statutory Liens of banks and rights
of set-off, statutory Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, repairmen,
workmen and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law, in each case incurred
in the ordinary course of business (a) for amounts not yet overdue or (b) for
amounts that are overdue and that (in the case of any such amounts overdue for
a period in excess of 15 days) are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings, so long as (1) such reserves or other appropriate
provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made for any
such contested amounts, and (2) in the case of a Lien with respect to any
portion of the Collateral, such contest proceedings conclusively operate to
stay the sale of any portion of the Collateral on account of such Lien;
(iii) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types
of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory
obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts,
trade contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar
obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money), so
long as no foreclosure, sale or similar proceedings have been commenced with
respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof (unless such
foreclosure, sale or similar proceedings are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and such foreclosure, sale or similar proceedings have
been stayed as a result thereof);
(iv) any attachment or judgment Lien not constituting an Event of Default
under subsection 8.8;
27
(v) leases or subleases granted to third parties in accordance with any
applicable terms of the Collateral Documents and not interfering in any
material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or resulting in a material diminution
in the value of any material portion of the Collateral as security for the
Obligations;
(vi) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, and other
minor defects or irregularities in title, in each case which do not and will
not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the
business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or result in
a material diminution in the value of any material portion of the Collateral
as security for the Obligations;
(vii) any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any
lease permitted by subsection 7.9, (b) restriction or encumbrance that the
interest or title of such lessor or sublessor may be subject to, or (c)
subordination of the interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to
any restriction or encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (b), so
long as the holder of such restriction or encumbrance agrees to recognize the
rights of such lessee or sublessee under such lease;
(viii) Liens arising from filing UCC financing statements relating solely
to leases not prohibited by this Agreement;
(ix) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
importation of goods;
(x) any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any
governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any real
property;
(xi) Liens securing obligations (other than obligations representing
Indebtedness for borrowed money) under operating, reciprocal easement or
similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business of Company
and its Subsidiaries; and
(xii) licenses of patents, trademarks and other intellectual property
rights granted by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business and not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary conduct
of the business of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
"PERSON" means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited
partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited
liability partnerships, joint stock
28
companies, Joint Ventures, associations, companies, trusts, banks, trust
companies, land trusts, business trusts or other organizations, whether or not
legal entities, and governments (whether federal, state or local, domestic or
foreign, and including political subdivisions thereof) and agencies or other
administrative or regulatory bodies thereof.
"PLEDGED COLLATERAL" means, collectively, the "Pledged Collateral" as
defined in the Company Pledge Agreement, the Holdings Pledge Agreement and the
Subsidiary Pledge Agreements.
"POTENTIAL EVENT OF DEFAULT" means a condition or event that, after
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"PRIME RATE" means the rate that Administrative Agent announces from
time to time as its prime lending rate, as in effect from time to time. The
Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest or
best rate actually charged to any customer. ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A. or any other
Lender may make commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above
or below the Prime Rate.
"PRINCIPALS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to
this Agreement.
"PRO RATA SHARE" means (i) with respect to all payments, computations
and other matters relating to the Tranche A Term Loan Commitment or the Tranche
A Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Tranche A
--------
Term Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate Tranche A Term Loan
--
Exposure of all Lenders, (ii) with respect to all payments, computations and
other matters relating to the Tranche B Term Loan Commitment or the Tranche B
Term Loan of any Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the Tranche B
--------
Term Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate Tranche B Term Loan
--
Exposure of all Lenders, (iii) with respect to all payments, computations and
other matters relating to the Revolving Loan Commitment or the Revolving Loans
of any Lender or any Letters of Credit issued or participations therein
purchased by any Lender or any participations in any Swing Line Loans purchased
or deemed purchased by any Revolving Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing
--------
(x) the Revolving Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate Revolving
--
Loan Exposure of all Lenders, and (iv) for all other purposes with respect to
each Lender, the percentage obtained by dividing (x) the sum of the Tranche A
--------
Term Loan Exposure of that Lender plus the Tranche B Term Loan Exposure of that
----
Lender plus the Revolving Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the sum of the
---- --
aggregate Tranche A Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the aggregate Tranche
----
B Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus the aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure
----
of all Lenders, in any such case as the applicable percentage may be adjusted by
assignments permitted pursuant to
29
subsection 10.1. The initial Pro Rata Share of each Lender for purposes of each
of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the preceding sentence is set forth opposite
the name of that Lender in Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto.
------------
"PTO" means the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any
successor or substitute office in which filings are necessary or, in the opinion
of Administrative Agent, desirable in order to create or perfect Liens on any IP
Collateral.
"REAL PROPERTY ASSET" means, at any time of determination, any
interest then owned by any Loan Party in any real property.
"RECAPITALIZATION" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
recitals to this Agreement.
"RECAPITALIZATION AGREEMENT" means that certain recapitalization
agreement dated as of March 3, 1998 by and among the Principals, Holdings and
the equity holders set forth in Exhibit A thereto.
"RECORDED LEASEHOLD INTEREST" means a Leasehold Property with respect
to which a Record Document (as hereinafter defined) has been recorded in all
places necessary or desirable, in the reasonable judgment of Syndication Agent
(on or prior to the Closing Date) or Administrative Agent (after the Closing
Date), to give constructive notice of such Leasehold Property to third-party
purchasers and encumbrances of the affected real property. For purposes of this
definition, the term "RECORD DOCUMENT" means, with respect to any Leasehold
Property, (a) the lease evidencing such Leasehold Property or a memorandum
thereof, executed and acknowledged by the owner of the affected real property,
as lessor, or (b) if such Leasehold Property was acquired or subleased from the
holder of a Recorded Leasehold Interest, the applicable assignment or sublease
document, executed and acknowledged by such holder, in each case in form
sufficient to give such constructive notice upon recordation and otherwise in
form reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.
"REFUNDED SWING LINE LOANS" has the meaning assigned to that term in
subsection 2.1A(iv).
"REGULATION D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.
"REIMBURSEMENT DATE" has the meaning assigned to that term in
subsection 3.3B.
"RELATED PARTIES" with respect to any Principal means (i) any
controlling stockholder or a majority of (or more) owned
30
Subsidiary of such Principal or, in the case of an individual, any spouse or
immediate family member of such Principal, or (ii) any trust, corporation,
partnership or other entity, the beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, owners
or Persons beneficially holding a majority (or more) controlling interest of
which consist of such Principal and/or such other Persons referred to in the
immediately preceding clause (i). Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, each of SKC GenPar LLC, TPG Advisors II, Inc. and their respective
Affiliates shall be deemed to be Related Parties of the Principals.
"RELEASE" means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping,
pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping,
leaching or migration of Hazardous Materials into the indoor or outdoor
environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or
other closed receptacles containing any Hazardous Materials), including the
movement of any Hazardous Materials through the air, soil, sediment, surface
water or groundwater.
"REPLACED LENDER" has the meaning assigned to such term in subsection
2.9.
"REPLACEMENT EVENT" has the meaning assigned to such term in
subsection 2.9.
"REPLACEMENT LENDER" has the meaning assigned to such term in
subsection 2.9.
"REQUISITE LENDERS" means Lenders having or holding at least 51% of
the sum of (i) the aggregate Tranche A Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus
----
(ii) the aggregate Tranche B Term Loan Exposure of all Lenders plus (iii) the
----
aggregate Revolving Loan Exposure of all Lenders.
"RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENT" means (i) any distribution, direct or
indirect, on account of any class of stock of Company now or hereafter
outstanding, except a distribution payable solely in shares of that class of
stock payable solely to holders of that class, (ii) any redemption, retirement,
sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct
or indirect, of any class of stock of Company now or hereafter outstanding,
(iii) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding
warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any class of stock of
Company now or hereafter outstanding, and (iv) any payment or prepayment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or redemption, purchase,
retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or legal defeasance), sinking
fund or similar payment with respect to, any Subordinated Indebtedness that is
not approved by Syndication Agent (on or prior to the Closing Date) or
Administrative Agent (after the Closing Date) and Requisite Lenders.
31
"RETAINED SHARES" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
recitals to this Agreement.
"REVOLVING LENDER" means a Lender having a Revolving Loan Commitment.
"REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT" means the commitment of a Lender to make
Revolving Loans to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iii), and "REVOLVING LOAN
COMMITMENTS" means such commitments of all Lenders in the aggregate.
"REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENT TERMINATION DATE" means March 31, 2004.
"REVOLVING LOAN EXPOSURE" means, with respect to any Revolving Lender
as of any date of determination (i) prior to the termination of the Revolving
Loan Commitments, that Revolving Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment and (ii)
after the termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments, the sum of (a) the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans of that Revolving
Lender plus (b) in the event that Revolving Lender is an Issuing Lender, the
----
aggregate Letter of Credit Usage in respect of all Letters of Credit issued by
that Revolving Lender (in each case net of any participations purchased by other
Revolving Lenders in such Letters of Credit or any unreimbursed drawings
thereunder) plus (c) the aggregate amount of all participations purchased by
----
that Revolving Lender in any outstanding Letters of Credit or any unreimbursed
drawings under any Letters of Credit plus (d) in the case of Swing Line Lender,
----
the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Swing Line Loans (net of any
participations therein purchased by other Revolving Lenders) plus (e) the
----
aggregate amount of all participations purchased by that Revolving Lender in any
outstanding Swing Line Loans.
"REVOLVING LOANS" means the Loans made by Revolving Lenders to Company
pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iii).
"REVOLVING NOTES" means (i) the promissory notes of Company issued
pursuant to subsection 2.1D(iii) on the Closing Date and (ii) any promissory
notes issued by Company pursuant to the last sentence of subsection 10.1B(i) in
connection with assignments of the Revolving Loan Commitments and Revolving
Loans of any Revolving Lenders, in each case substantially in the form of
Exhibit VI annexed hereto, as they may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
----------
modified from time to time.
"SECURITIES" means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting
trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-
sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes,
or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible,
subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as
32
"securities" or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in
temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any
right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.
"SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time, and any successor statute.
"SENIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE" means the Indenture dated April 21
between Company and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee, in respect
of the Senior Subordinated Notes, as in effect on the Closing Date and as such
indenture may be amended from time to time to the extent permitted under
subsection 7.15.
"SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTE MATERIAL" means the Confidential Offering
Memorandum dated April 15, 1998 relating to the Senior Subordinated Notes.
"SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES" has the meaning assigned to such term in
the recitals to this Agreement.
"SKC" has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals to this
Agreement.
"SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE" means an Officer's Certificate substantially
in the form of Exhibit XXVII annexed hereto.
-------------
"SOLVENT" means, with respect to any Person, that as of the date of
determination both (A) (i) the then fair saleable value of the property of such
Person is (y) greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent
liabilities) of such Person and (z) not less than the amount that will be
required to pay the probable liabilities on such Person's then existing debts as
they become absolute and matured considering all financing alternatives and
potential asset sales reasonably available to such Person; (ii) such Person's
capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business or any
contemplated or undertaken transaction; and (iii) such Person does not intend to
incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe) that it will incur, debts
beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due; and (B) such Person is
"solvent" within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable
laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances. For purposes of this
definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed
as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at
such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an
actual or matured liability (after giving effect to any limitation contained
therein).
"STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT" means any standby letter of credit or
similar instrument issued for the purpose of supporting
33
(i) Indebtedness of Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of industrial
revenue or development bonds or financings, (ii) workers' compensation
liabilities of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) the obligations of
third party insurers of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) obligations
with respect to Capital Leases or Operating Leases of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, and (v) performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in any case if required by law or
governmental rule or regulation or in accordance with custom and practice in the
industry; provided that Standby Letters of Credit may not be issued for the
--------
purpose of supporting (a) trade payables or (b) any Indebtedness constituting
"antecedent debt" (as that term is used in Section 547 of the Bankruptcy Code).
"STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT" means the Stockholders' Agreement dated as
of the Closing Date by and among Holdings, the Principals, certain Related
Parties and the holders of the Retained Shares.
"SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS" means Indebtedness of Company (i)
represented by the Senior Subordinated Notes and (ii) any other Indebtedness
subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations pursuant to documentation
containing maturities, amortization schedules, covenants, defaults, remedies,
subordination provisions and other material terms in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Syndication Agent (on or prior to the Closing Date)
or Administrative Agent (after the Closing Date) and Requisite Lenders.
"SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other
business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of
stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of
any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether
directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions)
having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination
thereof.
"SUBSIDIARY COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Subsidiary
Copyright Security Agreement executed and delivered by an existing Subsidiary
Guarantor on the Closing Date or executed and delivered by any additional
Subsidiary Guarantor from time to time thereafter in accordance with subsection
6.8, in each case substantially in the form attached as Exhibit XXI annexed
-----------
hereto, as such Subsidiary Copyright Security Agreement may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and "SUBSIDIARY COPYRIGHT
SECURITY AGREEMENTS" means all such Subsidiary Copyright Security Agreements,
collectively.
34
"SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR" means any Subsidiary of Company that executes
and delivers a counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty on the Closing Date or
from time to time thereafter pursuant to subsection 6.8.
"SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY" means the Subsidiary Guaranty executed and
delivered by existing Subsidiaries of Company on the Closing Date and to be
executed and delivered by additional Subsidiaries of Company from time to time
thereafter in accordance with subsection 6.8, substantially in the form of
Exhibit XVIII annexed hereto, as such Subsidiary Guaranty may hereafter be
-------------
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"SUBSIDIARY PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Subsidiary Patent
Security Agreement executed and delivered by an existing Subsidiary Guarantor on
the Closing Date or executed and delivered by any additional Subsidiary
Guarantor from time to time thereafter in accordance with subsection 6.8, in
each case substantially in the forms attached as Exhibit XXIII annexed hereto,
-------------
as such Subsidiary Patent Security Agreement may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, and "SUBSIDIARY PATENT SECURITY
AGREEMENTS" means all such Subsidiary Patent Security Agreements, collectively.
"SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENT" means each Subsidiary Pledge Agreement
executed and delivered by an existing Subsidiary Guarantor on the Closing Date
or executed and delivered by any additional Subsidiary Guarantor from time to
time thereafter in accordance with subsection 6.8, in each case substantially in
the form of Exhibit XVIII annexed hereto, as such Subsidiary Pledge Agreement
-------------
may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and
"SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE AGREEMENTS" means all such Subsidiary Pledge Agreements,
collectively.
"SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT" means each Subsidiary Security
Agreement executed and delivered by an existing Subsidiary Guarantor on the
Closing Date or executed and delivered by any additional Subsidiary Guarantor
from time to time thereafter in accordance with subsection 6.8, in each case
substantially in the form of Exhibit XIX annexed hereto, as such Subsidiary
-----------
Security Agreement may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time, and "SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENTS" means all such Subsidiary Security
Agreements, collectively.
"SUBSIDIARY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT" means the Subsidiary
Trademark Security Agreement executed and delivered by an existing Subsidiary
Guarantor on the Closing Date or executed and delivered by any additional
Subsidiary Guarantor from time to time thereafter in accordance with subsection
6.8, in each case substantially in the forms attached as Exhibit XXII annexed
------------
hereto, as such Subsidiary Trademark Security Agreement may be
35
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, and "SUBSIDIARY
TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENTS" means all such Subsidiary Trademark Security
Agreements, collectively.
"SUPPLEMENTAL COLLATERAL AGENT" has the meaning assigned to that term
in subsection 9.1B.
"SWING LINE LENDER" means Administrative Agent, or any Person serving
as a successor Administrative Agent hereunder, in its capacity as Swing Line
Lender hereunder.
"SWING LINE LOAN COMMITMENT" means the commitment of Swing Line Lender
to make Swing Line Loans to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iv).
"SWING LINE LOANS" means the Loans made by Swing Line Lender to
Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iv).
"SWING LINE NOTE" means (i) the promissory note of Company issued
pursuant to subsection 2.1D(iv) on the Closing Date and (ii) any promissory note
issued by Company to any successor Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender
pursuant to the last sentence of subsection 9.5B, in each case substantially in
the form of Exhibit VII annexed hereto, as it may be amended, supplemented or
-----------
otherwise modified from time to time.
"SYNDICATION AGENT" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
introduction to this Agreement.
"TAX" or "TAXES" means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty,
charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature and whatever called, by
whomsoever, on whomsoever and wherever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or
assessed; provided that "TAX ON THE OVERALL NET INCOME OR FRANCHISE" of a Person
--------
shall be construed as a reference to a tax imposed by the jurisdiction in which
that Person is organized or in which that Person's principal office (and/or, in
the case of a Lender, its lending office) is located or in which that Person
(and/or, in the case of a Lender, its lending office) is deemed to be doing
business on all or part of the net income, profits or gains (whether worldwide,
or only insofar as such income, profits or gains are considered to arise in or
to relate to a particular jurisdiction, or otherwise) of that Person (and/or, in
the case of a Lender, its lending office).
"TAX SHARING AGREEMENT" means the Tax Sharing Agreement dated April
21, 1998 between Company and Holdings, in the form entered into on the Closing
Date.
"TERM LOANS" means, collectively, the Tranche A Term Loans and the
Tranche B Term Loans.
36
"TITLE COMPANY" means one or more title insurance companies selected
by Company and reasonably satisfactory to Syndication Agent (on or prior to the
Closing Date) or Administrative Agent (after the Closing Date).
"TOTAL UTILIZATION OF REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS" means, as at any
date of determination, the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all
outstanding Revolving Loans (other than Revolving Loans made, but not yet
applied, for the purpose of repaying any Refunded Swing Line Loans or
reimbursing the applicable Issuing Lender for any amount drawn under any Letter
of Credit) plus (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swing
----
Line Loans plus (iii) the Letter of Credit Usage.
----
"TRANCHE A TERM LOAN COMMITMENT" means the commitment of a Lender to
make a Tranche A Term Loan to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i), and
"TRANCHE A TERM LOAN COMMITMENTS" means such commitments of all Lenders in the
aggregate.
"TRANCHE A TERM LOAN EXPOSURE" means, with respect to any Tranche A
Term Loan Lender as of any date of determination (i) prior to the funding of the
Tranche A Term Loans, that Lender's Tranche A Term Loan Commitment and (ii)
after the funding of the Tranche A Term Loans, the outstanding principal amount
of the Tranche A Term Loan of that Lender.
"TRANCHE A TERM LOAN LENDER" means any Lender who holds a Tranche A
Term Loan Commitment, or who has made a Tranche A Term Loan hereunder and any
assignee of such Lender pursuant to subsection 10.1B.
"TRANCHE A TERM LOANS" means the Tranche A Term Loans made by Tranche
A Term Loan Lenders to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i).
"TRANCHE A TERM NOTES" means (i) the promissory notes of Company
issued pursuant to subsection 2.1D(i) on the Closing Date and (ii) any
promissory notes issued by Company pursuant to the last sentence of subsection
10.1B(i) in connection with assignments of the Tranche A Term Loan Commitments
or Tranche A Term Loans of any Tranche A Term Loan Lenders, in each case
substantially in the form of Exhibit IV annexed hereto, as they may be amended,
----------
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"TRANCHE B TERM LOAN COMMITMENT" means the commitment of a Lender to
make a Tranche B Term Loan to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(i), and
"TRANCHE B TERM LOAN COMMITMENTS" means such commitments of all Lenders in the
aggregate.
"TRANCHE B TERM LOAN EXPOSURE" means, with respect to any Tranche B
Term Loan Lender as of any date of determination
37
(i) prior to the funding of the Tranche B Term Loans, that Lender's Tranche B
Term Loan Commitment and (ii) after the funding of the Tranche B Term Loans, the
outstanding principal amount of the Tranche B Term Loan of that Lender.
"TRANCHE B TERM LOAN LENDER" means any Lender who holds a Tranche B
Term Loan Commitment or who has made a Tranche B Term Loan hereunder, and any
assignee of such Lender pursuant to subsection 10.1B.
"TRANCHE B TERM LOANS" means the Tranche B Term Loans made by Tranche
B Term Loan Lenders to Company pursuant to subsection 2.1A(ii).
"TRANCHE B TERM NOTES" means (i) the promissory notes of Company
issued pursuant to subsection 2.1D(ii) on the Closing Date and (ii) any
promissory notes issued by Company pursuant to the last sentence of subsection
10.1B(i) in connection with assignments of the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments
or Tranche B Term Loans of any Tranche B Term Loan Lenders, in each case
substantially in the form of Exhibit V annexed hereto, as they may be amended,
---------
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
"TRANSACTION COSTS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the
recitals to this Agreement.
"TRANSACTIONS" has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals
to this Agreement.
"UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code (or any similar or equivalent
legislation) as in effect in any applicable jurisdiction.
1.2 ACCOUNTING TERMS; UTILIZATION OF GAAP FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------
UNDER AGREEMENT.
---------------
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all
accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned
to them in conformity with GAAP. Financial statements and other information
required to be delivered by Company to Lenders pursuant to clauses (i), (ii),
(iii) and (xiii) of subsection 6.1 shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as
in effect at the time of such preparation (and delivered together with the
reconciliation statements provided for in subsection 6.1(v)). Calculations in
connection with the definitions, covenants and other provisions of this
Agreement shall utilize (i) accounting principles and policies in conformity
with those used to prepare the financial statements referred to in subsection
5.3, or (ii) if any amendments to the provisions set forth in Sections 1, 6 and
7 are made pursuant to negotiations conducted by operation of the following
sentence, accounting principles and policies in effect at the time of the
38
effectiveness of such amendments. If any changes in accounting principles from
those used in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in
subsection 5.3 hereafter occasioned by the promulgation of rules, regulations,
pronouncements or opinions by or required by the Financial Accounting Standards
Board or the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (or successors
thereto or agencies with similar functions) result in a change in the method of
calculation of financial covenants, standards or terms found in Sections 1, 6
and 7 hereof, the parties hereto agree to enter into good faith negotiations in
order to amend such provisions so as to equitably reflect such changes with the
desired result that the criteria for evaluating Holdings', Company's and each of
its Subsidiaries' financial conditions shall be the same after such changes as
if such changes had not been made. During the period of such negotiations, but
in no event for a period longer than 60 days after the effectiveness of any such
change, Company shall not be required to deliver the additional financial
statements required pursuant to subsection 6.1(v). After the earlier of (i) the
effectiveness of any amendments to the provisions of Sections 1, 6, and 7
resulting from such negotiations or (ii) 60 days following the effectiveness of
any such change, Company shall, if requested by Requisite Lenders, deliver the
additional financial statements required pursuant to subsection 6.1(v) with
respect to such changes.
1.3 OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
-------------------------------------------------------
A. Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise
requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference.
B. References to "Sections" and "subsections" shall be to Sections and
subsections, respectively, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically
provided.
C. The use in any of the Loan Documents of the word "include" or
"including", when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be
construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or
matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or
matters, whether or not nonlimiting language (such as "without limitation" or
"but not limited to" or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto,
but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall
within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.
39
SECTION 2. AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS
2.1 COMMITMENTS; MAKING OF LOANS; NOTES.
-----------------------------------
A. COMMITMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of Company herein set
forth, each Tranche A Term Loan Lender hereby severally agrees to make the
Tranche A Term Loans described in subsection 2.1A(i), each Tranche B Term Loan
Lender hereby severally agrees to make the Tranche B Term Loans described in
subsection 2.1A(ii), each Revolving Lender hereby severally agrees to make the
Revolving Loans described in subsection 2.1A(iii) and Swing Line Lender hereby
agrees to make the Swing Line Loans described in subsection 2.1A(iv).
(i) Tranche A Term Loans. Each Tranche A Term Loan Lender severally
--------------------
agrees to lend to Company on the Closing Date an amount not exceeding its
Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount of the Tranche A Term Loan
Commitments to be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5A. The
amount of each Tranche A Term Loan Lender's Tranche A Term Loan Commitment
is set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto and the
------------
aggregate amount of the Tranche A Term Loan Commitments is $30,000,000;
provided that the Tranche A Term Loan Commitments of the Tranche A Term
--------
Loan Lenders shall be adjusted to give effect to any assignments of the
Tranche A Term Loan Commitments pursuant to subsection 10.1B. Each Tranche
A Term Loan Lender's Term Loan Commitment shall expire immediately and
without further action on the Closing Date if the Tranche A Term Loans are
not made on or before that date. Company may make only one borrowing under
the Tranche A Term Loan Commitments. Amounts borrowed under this
subsection 2.1A(i) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be
reborrowed.
(ii) Tranche B Term Loans. Each Tranche B Term Loan Lender severally
--------------------
agrees to lend to Company on the Closing Date an amount not exceeding its
Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount of the Tranche B Term Loan
Commitments to be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5A. The
amount of each Tranche B Term Loan Lender's Tranche B Term Loan Commitment
is set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.1 annexed hereto and the
------------
aggregate amount of the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments is $50,000,000;
provided that the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments of Tranche B Term Loan
--------
Lenders shall be adjusted to give effect to any assignments of the Tranche
B Term Loan Commitments pursuant to subsection 10.1B. Each Tranche B Term
Loan Lender's Tranche B Term Loan Commitment shall expire immediately and
without further action on the Closing Date, if the Tranche B Term Loans are
not made on or before that date. Company may make only one borrowing under
the Tranche B Term Loan Commitments. Amounts borrowed under this
40
subsection 2.1A(ii) and subsequently repaid or prepaid may not be
reborrowed.
(iii) Revolving Loans. Each Revolving Lender severally agrees,
---------------
subject to the limitations set forth below with respect to the maximum
amount of Revolving Loans permitted to be outstanding from time to time, to
lend to Company from time to time during the period from the Closing Date
to but excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date an
aggregate amount not exceeding its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount
of the Revolving Loan Commitments to be used for the purposes identified in
subsections 2.5A and 2.5B. The original amount of each Revolving Lender's
Revolving Loan Commitment is set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.1
------------
annexed hereto and the aggregate original amount of the Revolving Loan
Commitments is $25,000,000; provided that the Revolving Loan Commitments of
--------
the Revolving Lenders shall be adjusted to give effect to any assignments
of the Revolving Loan Commitments pursuant to subsection 10.1B; and
provided, further that the amount of the Revolving Loan Commitments shall
-------- -------
be reduced from time to time by the amount of any reductions thereto made
pursuant to subsections 2.4B(ii) and 2.4B(iii). Each Revolving Lender's
Revolving Loan Commitment shall expire on the Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date and all Revolving Loans and all other amounts owed
hereunder with respect to the Revolving Loans and the Revolving Loan
Commitments shall be paid in full no later than that date; provided that
--------
each Revolving Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment shall expire immediately
and without further action on the Closing Date, if the Tranche A Term
Loans, the Tranche B Term Loans and the initial Revolving Loans are not
made on or before that date. Amounts borrowed under this subsection
2.1A(iii) may be repaid and reborrowed to but excluding the Revolving Loan
Commitment Termination Date.
Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding
in no event shall the total Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments at
any time exceed the Revolving Loan Commitments then in effect.
(iv) Swing Line Loans. Swing Line Lender hereby agrees, subject to
----------------
the limitations set forth below with respect to the maximum amount of Swing
Line Loans permitted to be outstanding from time to time, to make a portion
of the Revolving Loan Commitments available to Company from time to time
during the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the Revolving Loan
Commitment Termination Date by making Swing Line Loans to Company in an
aggregate amount not exceeding the amount of the Swing Line Loan Commitment
to be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5B, notwithstanding
the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when aggregated with Swing Line
Lender's outstanding Revolving
41
Loans and Swing Line Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Usage
then in effect, may exceed Swing Line Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment.
The original amount of the Swing Line Loan Commitment is $5,000,000;
provided that any reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitments made pursuant
--------
to subsection 2.4B(ii) or 2.4B(iii) which reduces the aggregate Revolving
Loan Commitments to an amount less than the then current amount of the
Swing Line Loan Commitment shall result in an automatic corresponding
reduction of the Swing Line Loan Commitment to the amount of the Revolving
Loan Commitments, as so reduced, without any further action on the part of
Company, Administrative Agent or Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Loan
Commitment shall expire on the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date
and all Swing Line Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect
to the Swing Line Loans shall be paid in full no later than that date;
provided that the Swing Line Loan Commitment shall expire immediately and
--------
without further action on the Closing Date, if the Tranche A Term Loans and
the Tranche B Term Loans are not made on or before that date. Amounts
borrowed under this subsection 2.1A(iv) may be repaid and reborrowed to but
excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date.
Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Swing Line Loans and the Swing Line Loan Commitment shall be subject to
the limitation that in no event shall the Total Utilization of Revolving
Loan Commitments at any time exceed the Revolving Loan Commitments then in
effect.
With respect to any Swing Line Loans which have not been voluntarily
prepaid by Company pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i)(a), Swing Line Lender
may, at any time in its sole and absolute discretion, deliver to
Administrative Agent (with a copy to Company), no later than 9:00 A.M. (San
Francisco time) on the first Business Day in advance of the proposed
Funding Date, a notice (which shall be deemed to be a Notice of Borrowing
given by Company) requesting Revolving Lenders to make Revolving Loans that
are Base Rate Loans on such Funding Date in an amount equal to the amount
of such Swing Line Loans (the "REFUNDED SWING LINE LOANS") outstanding on
the date such notice is given which Swing Line Lender requests Revolving
Lenders to prepay. Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, (i) the proceeds of such Revolving Loans made by Revolving
Lenders other than Swing Line Lender shall be immediately delivered by
Administrative Agent to Swing Line Lender (and not to Company) and applied
to repay a corresponding portion of the Refunded Swing Line Loans and (ii)
on the day such Revolving Loans are made, Swing Line Lender's Pro Rata
Share of the Refunded Swing Line Loans shall be deemed to be paid with the
proceeds of a Revolving Loan made by Swing Line
42
Lender, and such portion of the Swing Line Loans deemed to be so paid shall
no longer be outstanding as Swing Line Loans and shall no longer be due
under the Swing Line Note of Swing Line Lender (if any) but shall instead
constitute part of Swing Line Lender's outstanding Revolving Loans and
shall be due under the Revolving Note (if any) of Swing Line Lender.
Company hereby authorizes Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender to
charge Company's accounts with Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender
(up to the amount available in each such account) in order to immediately
pay Swing Line Lender the amount of the Refunded Swing Line Loans to the
extent the proceeds of such Revolving Loans made by Revolving Lenders,
including the Revolving Loan deemed to be made by Swing Line Lender, are
not sufficient to repay in full the Refunded Swing Line Loans. If any
portion of any such amount paid (or deemed to be paid) to Swing Line Lender
should be recovered by or on behalf of Company from Swing Line Lender in
bankruptcy, by assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise, the
loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all Revolving
Lenders in the manner contemplated by subsection 10.5.
If for any reason (a) Revolving Loans are not made upon the request of
Swing Line Lender as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph in an
amount sufficient to repay any amounts owed to Swing Line Lender in respect
of any outstanding Swing Line Loans or (b) the Revolving Loan Commitments
are terminated at a time when any Swing Line Loans are outstanding, each
Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby agrees to, have purchased a
participation in such outstanding Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to
its Pro Rata Share (calculated, in the case of the foregoing clause (b),
immediately prior to such termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments) of
the unpaid amount of such Swing Line Loans together with accrued interest
thereon. Upon one Business Day's notice from Swing Line Lender, each
Revolving Lender shall deliver to Swing Line Lender an amount equal to its
respective participation in same day funds at the Funding and Payment
Office. In order to further evidence such participation (and without
prejudice to the effectiveness of the participation provisions set forth
above), each Revolving Lender agrees to enter into a separate participation
agreement at the request of Swing Line Lender in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Swing Line Lender and the other Revolving
Lenders. In the event any Revolving Lender fails to make available to
Swing Line Lender the amount of such Revolving Lender's participation as
provided in this paragraph, Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover
such amount on demand from such Revolving Lender together with interest
thereon at the rate customarily used by Swing Line Lender for the
correction of errors among banks for three Business Days and thereafter at
43
the Base Rate. In the event Swing Line Lender receives a payment of any
amount in which other Revolving Lenders have purchased participations as
provided in this paragraph, Swing Line Lender shall promptly distribute to
each such other Revolving Lender its Pro Rata Share of such payment.
Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each
Revolving Lender's obligation to make Revolving Loans for the purpose of
repaying any Refunded Swing Line Loans pursuant to the second preceding
paragraph and each Revolving Lender's obligation to purchase a
participation in any unpaid Swing Line Loans pursuant to the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be
affected by any circumstance, including (a) any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Lender may have
against Swing Line Lender, Company or any other Person for any reason
whatsoever; (b) the occurrence or continuation of an Event of Default or a
Potential Event of Default; (c) any adverse change in the business,
operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of Company or any of its Subsidiaries; (d) any breach of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document by any party thereto; or (e) any other
circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any
of the foregoing; provided that such obligations of each Revolving Lender
--------
are subject to the condition that (X) Swing Line Lender believed in good
faith that all conditions under Section 4 to the making of the applicable
Refunded Swing Line Loans or other unpaid Swing Line Loans, as the case may
be, were satisfied at the time such Refunded Swing Line Loans or unpaid
Swing Line Loans were made or (Y) the satisfaction of any such condition
not satisfied had been waived in accordance with subsection 10.6 prior to
or at the time such Refunded Swing Line Loans or other unpaid Swing Line
Loans were made. For the purposes of the immediately preceding proviso,
the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to rely on the representations made
by Company in the applicable Notice of Borrowing for the related Swing Line
Loans unless notified to the contrary by Company or Requisite Lenders prior
to the funding of such Swing Line Loans.
B. BORROWING MECHANICS. Tranche A Term Loans, Tranche B Term Loans or
Revolving Loans made on any Funding Date (other than Revolving Loans made
pursuant to a request by Swing Line Lender pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iv) for
the purpose of repaying any Refunded Swing Line Loans or Revolving Loans made
pursuant to subsection 3.3B for the purpose of reimbursing any Issuing Lender
for the amount of a drawing under a Letter of Credit issued by it) shall be in
an aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and multiples of $100,000 in excess of
that amount. Swing Line Loans made on any Funding Date shall be in an aggregate
minimum amount of $250,000 and multiples of $50,000 in
44
excess of that amount. Whenever Company desires that Lenders make Term Loans or
Revolving Loans it shall deliver to Administrative Agent a Notice of Borrowing
no later than 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco time) at least three Eurodollar Business
Days in advance of the proposed Funding Date (in the case of a Eurodollar Rate
Loan) or at least one Business Day in advance of the proposed Funding Date (in
the case of a Base Rate Loan). Whenever Company desires that Swing Line Lender
make a Swing Line Loan, it shall deliver to Administrative Agent a Notice of
Borrowing no later than 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco time) on the proposed Funding
Date. The Notice of Borrowing shall specify (i) the proposed Funding Date
(which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount and type of Loans requested,
(iii) in the case of Swing Line Loans and any Loans made on the Closing Date,
that such Loans shall be Base Rate Loans, (iv) in the case of Revolving Loans
not made on the Closing Date, whether such Loans shall be Base Rate Loans or
Eurodollar Rate Loans, and (v) in the case of any Loans requested to be made as
Eurodollar Rate Loans, the initial Interest Period requested therefor. Term
Loans and Revolving Loans may be continued as or converted into Base Rate Loans
and Eurodollar Rate Loans in the manner provided in subsection 2.2D. In lieu of
delivering the above-described Notice of Borrowing, Company may give
Administrative Agent telephonic notice by the required time of any proposed
borrowing under this subsection 2.1B; provided that such notice shall be
--------
promptly confirmed in writing by delivery of a Notice of Borrowing to
Administrative Agent on or before the applicable Funding Date.
Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability
to Company in acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that
Administrative Agent believes in good faith to have been given by a duly
authorized officer or other person authorized to borrow on behalf of Company,
and upon funding of Loans by Lenders in accordance with this Agreement pursuant
to any such telephonic notice Company shall have effected Loans hereunder.
Company shall notify Administrative Agent prior to the funding of any
Loans in the event that any of the matters to which Company is required to
certify in the applicable Notice of Borrowing is no longer true and correct as
of the applicable Funding Date, and the acceptance by Company of the proceeds of
any Loans shall constitute a re-certification by Company, as of the applicable
Funding Date, as to the matters to which Company is required to certify in the
applicable Notice of Borrowing.
Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2.6B, 2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of Borrowing for a Eurodollar Rate Loan (or telephonic notice in lieu
thereof) shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate
Determination Date, and Company shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance
therewith.
45
C. DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. All Term Loans and Revolving Loans under this
Agreement shall be made by Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their
respective Pro Rata Shares, it being understood that no Lender shall be
responsible for any default by any other Lender in that other Lender's
obligation to make a Loan requested hereunder nor shall the Commitment of any
Lender to make the particular type of Loan requested be increased or decreased
as a result of a default by any other Lender in that other Lender's obligation
to make a Loan requested hereunder. Promptly after receipt by Administrative
Agent of a Notice of Borrowing pursuant to subsection 2.1B (or telephonic notice
in lieu thereof), Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender or Swing Line
Lender, as the case may be, of the proposed borrowing. Each Lender shall make
the amount of its Loan available to Administrative Agent not later than 12:00
Noon (San Francisco time) on the applicable Funding Date, and Swing Line Lender
shall make the amount of its Swing Line Loan available to Administrative Agent
not later than 2:00 P.M.(San Francisco time) on the applicable Funding Date, in
each case in same day funds in Dollars, at the Funding and Payment Office.
Except as provided in subsection 2.1A(iv) or subsection 3.3B with respect to
Revolving Loans used to repay Refunded Swing Line Loans or to reimburse any
Issuing Lender for the amount of a drawing under a Letter of Credit issued by
it, upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent specified in
subsections 4.1 (in the case of Loans made on the Closing Date) and 4.2 (in the
case of all Loans), Administrative Agent shall make the proceeds of such Loans
available to Company on the applicable Funding Date by causing an amount of same
day funds in Dollars equal to the proceeds of all such Loans received by
Administrative Agent from Lenders or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, to
be credited to the account of Company at the Funding and Payment Office.
Unless Administrative Agent shall have been notified by any Lender
prior to the Funding Date for any Loans that such Lender does not intend to make
available to Administrative Agent the amount of such Lender's Loan requested on
such Funding Date, Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made
such amount available to Administrative Agent on such Funding Date and
Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, but shall not be obligated to,
make available to Company a corresponding amount on such Funding Date. If such
corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Administrative Agent by
such Lender, Administrative Agent shall be entitled to recover such
corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with interest thereon,
for each day from such Funding Date until the date such amount is paid to
Administrative Agent, at the rate customarily used by Administrative Agent for
the correction of errors among banks for three Business Days and thereafter at
the Base Rate. If such Lender does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith
upon Administrative Agent's demand therefor, Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify Company and Company
46
shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to Administrative Agent together
with interest thereon, for each day from such Funding Date until the date such
amount is paid to Administrative Agent, at the rate payable under this Agreement
for Base Rate Loans. Nothing in this subsection 2.1C shall be deemed to relieve
any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder or to
prejudice any rights that Company may have against any Lender as a result of any
default by such Lender hereunder.
D. NOTE OPTION. If so requested by any Lender by written notice to
Company (with a copy to Administrative Agent) at least two Business Days prior
to the Closing Date or at any time thereafter, Company shall execute and deliver
to such Lender (and/or, if so specified in such notice, any Person who is an
assignee of such Lender pursuant to subsection 10.1 hereof) on the Closing Date
(or, if such notice is delivered after the Closing Date, within three Business
Days of Company's receipt of such notice) a promissory note or promissory notes
to evidence such Lender's Tranche A Term Loans, Tranche B Term Loans, Revolving
Loans or Swing Line Loans, substantially in the form of Exhibit IV, Exhibit V,
---------- ---------
Exhibit VI or Exhibit VII hereto, respectively.
---------- -----------
2.2 INTEREST ON THE LOANS.
---------------------
A. RATE OF INTEREST. Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.6 and
2.7, each Term Loan and each Revolving Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid
principal amount thereof from the date made through maturity (whether by
acceleration or otherwise) at a rate determined by reference to the Base Rate or
the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.7, each
Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from
the date made through maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate
determined by reference to the Base Rate. The applicable basis for determining
the rate of interest with respect to any Term Loan or any Revolving Loan shall
be selected by Company initially at the time a Notice of Borrowing is given (or
telephonic notice followed by a Notice of Borrowing) with respect to such Loan
pursuant to subsection 2.1B, and the basis for determining the interest rate
with respect to any Term Loan or any Revolving Loan may be changed from time to
time pursuant to subsection 2.2D. If on any day a Term Loan or Revolving Loan
is outstanding with respect to which notice has not been delivered to
Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms of this Agreement specifying
the applicable basis for determining the rate of interest, then for that day
that Loan shall bear interest determined by reference to the Base Rate.
(i) (a) Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.2E and 2.7, the
Tranche A Term Loans and the Revolving Loans shall bear interest through
maturity as follows:
47
(I) if a Base Rate Loan, then at the sum of the Base Rate
plus the base rate margin (the "BASE RATE MARGIN") set forth in the
----
table below opposite the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the four-
Fiscal Quarter period for which the applicable Margin Determination
Certificate has been delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv);
(II) if a Eurodollar Rate Loan, then at the sum of the
Adjusted Eurodollar Rate plus the Eurodollar rate margin (the
----
"EURODOLLAR RATE MARGIN") set forth in the table below opposite the
Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the four-Fiscal Quarter period for
which the applicable Margin Determination Certificate has been
delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv):
Applicable
Eurodollar Applicable
Rate Base
Consolidated Leverage Ratio Margin Rate Margin
----------------------------- ------------ ------------
Greater than or
equal to 5.00:1.00 2.00% 1.00%
Greater than or
equal to 4.25:1.00
but less than 5.00:1.00 1.75% 0.75%
Greater than or
equal to 3.00:1.00
but less than 4.25:1.00 1.50% 0.50%
Less than 3.00:1.00 1.25% 0.25%
provided that, for the first six months after the Closing Date, the applicable
--------
Eurodollar Rate Margin for Tranche A Term Loans and Revolving Loans shall be
2.00% per annum and the applicable Base Rate Margin for Tranche A Term Loans and
Revolving Loans shall be 1.00% per annum.
(b) Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.2E and 2.7, the
Tranche B Term Loans shall bear interest through maturity as follows:
(I) if a Base Rate Loan, then at the sum of the Base Rate
plus the Base Rate Margin set forth in the table below opposite the
----
Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the four-Fiscal Quarter period for
which the applicable Margin Determination Certificate has been
delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv); or
48
(II) if a Eurodollar Rate Loan, then at the sum of the
Adjusted Eurodollar Rate plus the Eurodollar Rate Margin set forth in
----
the table below opposite the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the four-
Fiscal Quarter period for which the applicable Margin Determination
Certificate has been delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv):
Applicable
Eurodollar Applicable
Rate Base
Consolidated Leverage Ratio Margin Rate Margin
--------------------------- ------------ -------------
Greater than or
equal to 4.50:1.00 2.25% 1.25%
Less than 4.50:1.00 2.00% 1.00%
provided that, for the first six months after the Closing Date, the applicable
--------
Eurodollar Rate Margin for Tranche B Term Loans shall be 2.25% per annum and the
applicable Base Rate Margin for Tranche B Term Loans shall be 1.25% per annum.
Upon receipt of the Margin Determination Certificate by Administrative Agent
delivered by Company pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv), the Applicable Base Rate
Margin and the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin shall automatically be adjusted
in accordance with such Margin Determination Certificate, such adjustment to
become effective on the next succeeding Business Day following the receipt by
Administrative Agent of such Margin Determination Certificate; provided that for
--------
the period commencing on the Business Day following the sixth month anniversary
of the Closing Date, the Applicable Base Rate Margin and the Applicable
Eurodollar Rate Margin shall be such percentage as determined using the
information set forth in the most recent Margin Determination Certificate
received by Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv); and provided
--------
further that, if at any time a Margin Determination Certificate is not delivered
-------
at the time required pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv), from the time such Margin
Determination Certificate was required to be delivered until delivery of such
Margin Determination Certificate, such applicable margins shall be the maximum
percentage amount for the relevant Loan set forth above; and provided still
-------- -----
further that the change in the Applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin as provided
-------
above shall not be applied retroactively to any Eurodollar Rate Loans within any
Interest Period.
(ii) Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.2E and 2.7, the Swing
Line Loans shall bear interest through maturity at the sum of the Base Rate
plus the Applicable Base Rate Margin for Revolving Loans minus a rate equal
---- -----
to
49
the Commitment Fee percentage then in effect as determined pursuant to
subsection 2.3A.
B. INTEREST PERIODS. In connection with each Eurodollar Rate Loan,
Company may, pursuant to the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, as the case may be, select an interest period (each an
"INTEREST PERIOD") to be applicable to such Loan, which Interest Period shall
be, at Company's option, either a one, two, three or six month period; provided
--------
that:
(i) the initial Interest Period for any Eurodollar Rate Loan shall
commence on the Funding Date in respect of such Loan, in the case of a Loan
initially made as a Eurodollar Rate Loan, or on the date specified in the
applicable Notice of Conversion/Continuation, in the case of a Loan
converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan;
(ii) in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods
applicable to a Eurodollar Rate Loan continued as such pursuant to a Notice
of Conversion/Continuation, each successive Interest Period shall commence
on the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;
(iii) if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is
not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next
succeeding Business Day; provided that, if any Interest Period would
--------
otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the
month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such
Interest Period shall expire on the next preceding Business Day;
(iv) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a
calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding
day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall,
subject to clause (v) of this subsection 2.2B, end on the last Business Day
of a calendar month;
(v) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the Tranche A
Term Loans shall extend beyond March 31, 2005, no Interest Period with
respect to any portion of the Tranche B Term Loans shall extend beyond
March 31, 2006 and no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the
Revolving Loans shall extend beyond the Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date;
(vi) no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the Tranche
A Term Loans or the Tranche B Term Loans shall extend beyond a date on
which Company is required to make a scheduled payment of principal of the
Tranche A Term Loans or the Tranche B Term Loans, as the case may be,
unless the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of Tranche A Term
50
Loans or Tranche B Term Loans, as the case may be, that are Base Rate Loans
plus (b) the aggregate principal amount of Tranche A Term Loans or Tranche
----
B Term Loans, as the case may be, that are Eurodollar Rate Loans with
Interest Periods expiring on or before such date equals or exceeds the
principal amount required to be paid on the Tranche A Term Loans or Tranche
B Term Loans, as the case may be, on such date;
(vii) there shall be no more than 10 Interest Periods outstanding at
any time; and
(viii) in the event Company fails to specify an Interest Period for
any Eurodollar Rate Loan in the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, Company shall be deemed to have selected an
Interest Period of one month.
C. INTEREST PAYMENTS. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.2E,
interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on and to each Interest
Payment Date applicable to that Loan, upon any prepayment of that Loan (to the
extent accrued on the amount being prepaid) and at maturity (including final
maturity and the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date); provided that in
--------
the event any Swing Line Loans or any Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans
are prepaid pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i)(a), interest accrued on such Swing
Line Loans or Revolving Loans through the date of such prepayment shall be
payable on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date applicable to Base Rate
Loans (or, if earlier, at final maturity).
D. CONVERSION OR CONTINUATION. Subject to the provisions of subsection
2.6, Company shall have the option (i) to convert at any time all or any part of
its outstanding Tranche A Term Loans, Tranche B Term Loans or Revolving Loans
equal to $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount
from Loans bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to one basis to
Loans bearing interest at a rate determined by reference to an alternative basis
or (ii) upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to a Eurodollar
Rate Loan, to continue all or any portion of such Loan equal to $500,000 and
integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount as a Eurodollar Rate
Loan; provided, however, that a Eurodollar Rate Loan may only be converted into
--------- -------
a Base Rate Loan on the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable
thereto.
Company shall deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation to
Administrative Agent no later than 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco time) at least one
Business Day in advance of the proposed conversion date (in the case of a
conversion to a Base Rate Loan) and at least three Eurodollar Business Days in
advance of the proposed conversion/continuation date (in the case of a
conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan). A
51
Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall specify (i) the proposed
conversion/continuation date (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount
and type of the Loan to be converted/continued, (iii) the nature of the proposed
conversion/continuation, (iv) in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation
of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the requested Interest Period, and (v) in the case
of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Rate Loan, that no
Potential Event of Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.
In lieu of delivering the above-described Notice of Conversion/Continuation,
Company may give Administrative Agent telephonic notice by the required time of
any proposed conversion/continuation under this subsection 2.2D; provided that
--------
such notice shall be promptly confirmed in writing by delivery of a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation to Administrative Agent on or before the proposed
conversion/continuation date. Upon receipt of written or telephonic notice of
any proposed conversion/continuation under this subsection 2.2D, Administrative
Agent shall promptly transmit such notice by telefacsimile or telephone to each
Lender.
Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability
to Company in acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that
Administrative Agent believes in good faith to have been given by a duly
authorized officer or other person authorized to act on behalf of Company, and
upon conversion or continuation of the applicable basis for determining the
interest rate with respect to any Loans in accordance with this Agreement
pursuant to any such telephonic notice Company shall have effected a conversion
or continuation, as the case may be, hereunder.
Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2.6B, 2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of Conversion/Continuation for conversion to, or continuation of, a
Eurodollar Rate Loan (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable
on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and Company shall be
bound to effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.
E. DEFAULT RATE. Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any
Event of Default, the outstanding principal amount of all Loans and, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, any interest payments thereon not paid when
due and any fees and other amounts then due and payable hereunder, shall there-
after bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under
the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable bankruptcy laws) payable upon demand at
a rate that is 2% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable
under this Agreement with respect to the applicable Loans (or, in the case of
any such fees and other amounts, at a rate which is 2% per annum in excess of
the interest rate otherwise payable under this Agreement for Base Rate Loans
that are Tranche B Term Loans); provided that, in the case of Eurodollar Rate
--------
Loans, upon the expiration of the Interest Period in effect at the time any such
52
increase in interest rate is effective such Eurodollar Rate Loans shall
thereupon become Base Rate Loans and shall thereafter bear interest payable upon
demand at a rate which is 2% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise
payable under this Agreement for Base Rate Loans. Payment or acceptance of the
increased rates of interest provided for in this subsection 2.2E is not a
permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any
Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of any
Agent or any Lender.
F. COMPUTATION OF INTEREST. Interest on the Loans shall be computed (i)
in the case of Base Rate Loans, on the basis of a 365-day or 366-day year, as
the case may be, and (ii) in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, on the basis of
a 360-day year, in each case for the actual number of days elapsed in the period
during which it accrues. In computing interest on any Loan, the date of the
making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest Period applicable to such
Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted from a Eurodollar Rate
Loan, the date of conversion of such Eurodollar Rate Loan to such Base Rate
Loan, as the case may be, shall be included, and the date of payment of such
Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or,
with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the
date of conversion of such Base Rate Loan to such Eurodollar Rate Loan, as the
case may be, shall be excluded; provided that if a Loan is repaid on the same
--------
day on which it is made, one day's interest shall be paid on that Loan.
2.3 FEES.
----
A. COMMITMENT FEES. Company agrees to pay to Administrative Agent, for
distribution to each Revolving Lender in proportion to that Lender's Pro Rata
Share, commitment fees for the period from and including the Closing Date to and
excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date equal to the average of
the daily excess of the Revolving Loan Commitments over the aggregate principal
amount of outstanding Revolving Loans (but not including any outstanding Swing
Line Loans) multiplied by the applicable commitment fee percentage (the
-------------
"APPLICABLE COMMITMENT FEE PERCENTAGE") set forth in the table below opposite
the Consolidated Leverage Ratio for the four-Fiscal Quarter period for which the
applicable Margin Determination Certificate has been delivered pursuant to
subsection 6.1(iv), such commitment fees to be calculated on the basis of a 360-
day year and the actual number of days elapsed and to be payable quarterly in
arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December of each
year, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on
the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date.
53
Applicable
Commitment
Fee
Consolidated Leverage Ratio Percentage
--------------------------- ------------
Greater than or 3.50:1.00 0.500%
equal to
Less than 3.50:1.00 0.375%
Upon delivery of the Margin Determination Certificate by Company to
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv), the Applicable Commitment
Fee Percentage shall automatically be adjusted in accordance with such Margin
Determination Certificate, such adjustment to become effective on the next
succeeding Business Day following the receipt by Administrative Agent of such
Margin Determination Certificate; provided that for the period commencing on the
--------
Closing Date and ending on the date of delivery of the first Margin
Determination Certificate by Company to Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 6.1(iv), the Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage shall be such
percentage as determined using the information set forth in the Margin
Determination Certificate received by Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 4.1Q; and provided further that, if at any time a Margin
-------- -------
Determination Certificate is not delivered at the time required pursuant to
subsection 6.1(iv), from the time such Margin Determination Certificate was
required to be delivered until delivery of such Margin Determination
Certificate, such percentage shall be 0.50%.
B. OTHER FEES. Company agrees to pay to Arranger and Agents such other
fees in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between Company,
Agents and Arranger.
2.4 REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS AND REDUCTIONS IN REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS;
---------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING PAYMENTS.
-------------------------------------
A. SCHEDULED PAYMENTS OF TRANCHE A TERM LOANS AND TRANCHE B TERM LOANS.
(i) Scheduled Payments of Tranche A Term Loans. Company shall make
------------------------------------------
principal payments on the Tranche A Term Loans in installments on the dates
and in the amounts set forth below:
54
Scheduled Repayment
Date of Term Loans
---- ---------------------
June 30, 1999 $ 750,000
September 30, 1999 $ 750,000
December 31, 1999 $ 750,000
March 31, 2000 $ 750,000
June 30, 2000 $1,125,000
September 30, 2000 $1,125,000
December 31, 2000 $1,125,000
March 31, 2001 $1,125,000
June 30, 2001 $1,125,000
September 30, 2001 $1,125,000
December 31, 2001 $1,125,000
March 31, 2002 $1,125,000
June 30, 2002 $1,500,000
September 30, 2002 $1,500,000
December 31, 2002 $1,500,000
March 31, 2003 $1,500,000
June 30, 2003 $1,500,000
September 30, 2003 $1,500,000
December 31, 2003 $1,500,000
March 31, 2004 $1,500,000
June 30, 2004 $1,500,000
September 30, 2004 $1,500,000
December 31, 2004 $1,500,000
March 31, 2005 $1,500,000
Total $30,000,000
; provided that the scheduled installments of principal of the Tranche A
--------
Term Loans set forth above shall be reduced in connection with any
voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Tranche A Term Loans in
accordance with subsection 2.4B(iv); and provided, further that the Tranche
-------- -------
A Term Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to the
Tranche A Term Loans shall be paid in full no later than March 31, 2005,
and the final installment payable by Company in respect of the Tranche A
Term Loans on such date shall be in an amount, if such amount is different
from that specified above, sufficient to repay all amounts owing by Company
under this Agreement with respect to the Tranche A Term Loans.
(ii) Scheduled Payments of Tranche B Term Loans. Company shall make
------------------------------------------
principal payments on the Tranche B Term
55
Loans in installments on the dates and in the amounts set forth below:
Scheduled Repayment
Date of Tranche B Term Loans
------ ---------------------------------
June 30, 1998 $ 125,000
September 30, 1998 $ 125,000
December 31, 1998 $ 125,000
March 31, 1999 $ 125,000
June 30, 1999 $ 125,000
September 30, 1999 $ 125,000
December 31, 1990 $ 125,000
March 31, 2000 $ 125,000
June 30, 2000 $ 125,000
September 30, 2000 $ 125,000
December 31, 2000 $ 125,000
March 31, 2001 $ 125,000
June 30, 2001 $ 125,000
September 30, 2001 $ 125,000
December 31, 2001 $ 125,000
March 31, 2002 $ 125,000
June 30, 2002 $ 125,000
September 30, 2002 $ 125,000
December 31, 2002 $ 125,000
March 31, 2003 $ 125,000
June 30, 2003 $ 125,000
September 30, 2003 $ 125,000
December 31, 2003 $ 125,000
March 31, 2004 $ 125,000
June 30, 2004 $ 125,000
September 30, 2004 $ 125,000
December 31, 2004 $ 125,000
March 31, 2005 $ 125,000
June 30, 2005 $11,625,000
September 30, 2005 $11,625,000
December 31, 2005 $11,625,000
March 31, 2006 $11,625,000
Total $50,000,000
; provided that the scheduled installments of principal of the Tranche B
--------
Term Loans set forth above shall be reduced in connection with any
voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Tranche B Term Loans in
accordance with
56
subsection 2.4B(iv); and provided, further that the Tranche B Term Loans
-------- -------
and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect to the Tranche B Term
Loans shall be paid in full no later than March 31, 2006, and the final
installment payable by Company in respect of the Tranche B Term Loans on
such date shall be in an amount, if such amount is different from that
specified above, sufficient to repay all amounts owing by Company under
this Agreement with respect to the Tranche B Term Loans.
B. PREPAYMENTS AND UNSCHEDULED REDUCTIONS IN REVOLVING LOAN COMMITMENTS.
(i) Voluntary Prepayments.
---------------------
(a) Company may, upon written or telephonic notice to
Administrative Agent on or prior to 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco time) on the
date of prepayment, which notice, if telephonic, shall be promptly
confirmed in writing, at any time and from time to time prepay any Swing
Line Loan on any Business Day in whole or in part in an aggregate minimum
amount of $250,000 and multiples of $50,000 in excess of that amount.
Company may, upon not less than one Business Day's prior written or
telephonic notice, in the case of Base Rate Loans, and three Business Days'
prior written or telephonic notice, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans,
in each case given to Administrative Agent by 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco
time) on the date required and, if given by telephone, promptly confirmed
in writing to Administrative Agent (which original written or telephonic
notice Administrative Agent will promptly transmit by telefacsimile or
telephone to each Lender), at any time and from time to time prepay any
Term Loans or Revolving Loans on any Business Day in whole or in part in an
aggregate minimum amount of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in
excess of that amount; provided, however, that a Eurodollar Rate Loan may
-------- -------
only be prepaid on the expiration of the Interest Period applicable thereto
unless Company complies with subsection 2.6D with respect to any breakage
costs resulting from such prepayment being made on a date prior to the
expiration of the applicable Interest Period. Notice of prepayment having
been given as aforesaid, the principal amount of the Loans specified in
such notice shall become due and payable on the prepayment date specified
therein. Any such voluntary prepayment shall be applied as specified in
subsection 2.4B(iv).
(b) In the event Company is entitled to replace a non-consenting
Lender pursuant to subsection 10.6B, Company shall have the right, upon
five Business Days' written notice to Administrative Agent (which notice
Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders), to
prepay all Loans, together with accrued and unpaid interest,
57
fees and other amounts owing to such Lender in accordance with subsection
10.6B so long as (1) in the case of the prepayment of the Revolving Loans
of any Lender pursuant to this subsection 2.4B(i)(b), the Revolving Loan
Commitment of such Lender is terminated concurrently with such prepayment
pursuant to subsection 2.4B(ii)(b) (at which time Schedule 2.1 shall be
------------
deemed modified to reflect the changed Revolving Loan Commitments), and (2)
in the case of the prepayment of the Loans of any Lender, the consents
required by subsection 10.6B in connection with the prepayment pursuant to
this subsection 2.4B(i)(b) shall have been obtained, and at such time, such
Lender shall no longer constitute a "Lender" for purposes of this
Agreement, except with respect to indemnifications under this Agreement
(including, without limitation, subsections 2.6D, 2.7, 3.6, 10.2, 10.3 and
10.5) and any obligations or liabilities of such Lender to Holdings or any
of its Subsidiaries under this Agreement while it was a Lender, which shall
survive as to such Lender.
(ii) Voluntary Reductions of Revolving Loan Commitments.
--------------------------------------------------
(a) Company may, upon not less than three Business Days' prior
written or telephonic notice confirmed in writing to Administrative Agent
(which original written or telephonic notice Administrative Agent will
promptly transmit by telefacsimile or telephone to each Revolving Lender),
at any time and from time to time terminate in whole or permanently reduce
in part, without premium or penalty, the Revolving Loan Commitments in an
amount up to the amount by which the Revolving Loan Commitments exceed the
Total Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments at the time of such
proposed termination or reduction; provided that any such partial reduction
--------
of the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be in an aggregate minimum amount
of $500,000 and integral multiples of $100,000 in excess of that amount.
Company's notice to Administrative Agent shall designate the date (which
shall be a Business Day) of such termination or reduction and the amount of
any partial reduction, and such termination or reduction of the Revolving
Loan Commitments shall be effective on the date specified in Company's
notice and shall reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment of each Revolving
Lender proportionately to its Pro Rata Share.
(b) In the event Company is entitled to replace a non-consenting
Lender pursuant to subsection 10.6B, Company shall have the right, upon
five Business Days' written notice to Administrative Agent (which notice
Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Lenders), to
terminate the entire Revolving Loan Commitment of such Lender, so long as
(1) all Loans, together with accrued and
58
unpaid interest, fees and other amounts owing to such Lender are repaid,
including without limitation amounts owing to such Lender pursuant to
subsection 2.6D pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i)(b) concurrently with the
effectiveness of such termination (at which time Schedule 2.1 shall be
------------
deemed modified to reflect such changed amounts) and (2) the consents
required by subsection 10.6B in connection with the prepayment pursuant to
subsection 2.4B(i)(b) shall have been obtained, and at such time, such
Lender shall no longer constitute a "Lender" for purposes of this
Agreement, except with respect to indemnifications under this Agreement
(including, without limitation, subsections 2.6D, 2.7, 3.6, 10.2, 10.3 and
10.5) and any obligations or liabilities of such Lender to Holdings or any
of its Subsidiaries under this Agreement while it was a Lender, which shall
survive as to such Lender.
(iii) Mandatory Prepayments and Mandatory Reductions of Revolving
-----------------------------------------------------------
Loan Commitments. The Loans shall be prepaid and/or the Revolving Loan
----------------
Commitments shall be permanently reduced in the amounts and under the
circumstances set forth below, all such prepayments and/or reductions to be
applied as set forth below or as more specifically provided in subsection
2.4B(iv):
(a) Prepayments and Reductions From Net Asset Sale Proceeds.
-------------------------------------------------------
Company shall prepay the Loans and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments
shall be permanently reduced in an aggregate amount equal to any Net
Asset Sale Proceeds received by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in
respect of any Asset Sale no later than the 271st day following the
date thereof; provided that so long as no Event of Default or
--------
Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, any
Net Asset Sale Proceeds to the extent that such Net Asset Sale
Proceeds are reinvested in the same or similar assets or other assets
useful in the Business of Company or its Subsidiaries having a
comparable value, within 270 days of such sale need not be applied to
the mandatory prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this subsection
2.4B(iii)(a).
(b) Prepayments and Reductions from Net Insurance/Condemnation
----------------------------------------------------------
Proceeds. No later than the first Business Day following the date of
--------
receipt by Administrative Agent or by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries of any Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds, Company shall
prepay the Loans and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments shall be
permanently reduced in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such
Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds; provided, however, that no such
prepayment shall be required to the extent (i) under the terms of any
lease or other agreement
59
existing on the date hereof such Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds
are required to be used to replace, rebuild or repair the asset so
damaged, destroyed or taken or (ii) Company determines to utilize such
Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds to replace, rebuild or repair the
asset damaged, destroyed or taken, and in each case referred to in
clauses (i) and (ii) above, Company so utilizes such Net
Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds within 18 months of the receipt
thereof.
(c) Prepayment and Reductions Due to Reversion of Surplus Assets
------------------------------------------------------------
of Pension Plans. On the date of return to Company or any of its
----------------
Subsidiaries of any surplus assets of any pension plan of Company or
any of its Subsidiaries, Company shall repay the Loans and/or the
Revolving Loan Commitments shall be permanently reduced in an
aggregate amount (such amount being the "NET PENSION PROCEEDS") equal
to 100% of such returned surplus assets, net of transaction costs and
expenses incurred in obtaining such return, including incremental
taxes payable as a result thereof.
(d) Prepayments and Reductions Due to Issuance of Debt or Equity
------------------------------------------------------------
Securities. On the date of receipt by Holdings, Company or any of its
----------
Subsidiaries of the Cash proceeds (any such cash proceeds, net of
under writing discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and
expenses associated therewith, including reasonable legal and
accounting fees and expenses, being "NET SECURITIES PROCEEDS"), from
the issuance of debt or equity Securities of Holdings, Company or any
of its Subsidiaries after the Closing Date (other than the issuance of
debt Securities by Holdings permitted under subsection 7.1(viii)),
Company shall prepay the Loans and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments
shall be permanently reduced in an aggregate amount equal to 100% (in
case of debt Securities) or 50% (in case of equity Securities) of such
Net Securities Proceeds; provided that the Net Securities Proceeds
--------
received from the issuance of equity Securities of Holdings (including
Holdings Common Stock) for the purposes of financing (in whole or in
part) any Permitted Acquisition need not be applied to the mandatory
prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this subsection 2.4B(iii)(d); and
provided further that none of the Net Securities Proceeds from the
-------- -------
issuance of equity Securities needs to be applied to the mandatory
prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this subsection 2.4B(iii)(d) if,
after giving effect to such issuance and all other transactions
contemplated in connection therewith, the Consolidated Leverage Ratio
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the most
60
recent Fiscal Quarter for which a Compliance Certificate has been
delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1(iv) is less than 4.00:1.00.
(e) Prepayments and Reductions from Consolidated Excess Cash
--------------------------------------------------------
Flow. In the event that there shall be Consolidated Excess Cash Flow
----
for any Fiscal Year (commencing with the Fiscal Year beginning January
1, 1998), Company shall, no later than 105 days after the end of such
Fiscal Year, prepay the Loans and/or the Revolving Loan Commitments
shall be permanently reduced in an aggregate amount equal to 50% of
such Consolidated Excess Cash Flow.
(f) Calculations of Net Proceeds Amounts; Additional Prepayments
------------------------------------------------------------
and Reductions Based on Subsequent Calculations. Concurrently with
-----------------------------------------------
any prepayment of the Loans and/or reduction of the Revolving Loan
Commitments pursuant to subsections 2.4B(iii)(a)-(e), Company shall
deliver to Administrative Agent an Officer's Certificate demonstrating
the calculation of the amount (the "NET PROCEEDS AMOUNT") of the
applicable Net Asset Sale Proceeds, Net Insurance/Condemnation
Proceeds, Net Pension Proceeds, Net Securities Proceeds, or the
applicable Consolidated Excess Cash Flow, as the case may be, that
gave rise to such prepayment and/or reduction. In the event that
Company shall subsequently determine that (i) the actual Net Proceeds
Amount was greater than the amount set forth in such Officer's
Certificate, Company shall promptly make an additional prepayment of
the Loans (and/or, if applicable, the Revolving Loan Commitments shall
be permanently reduced) in an amount equal to the amount of such
excess, and Company shall concurrently therewith deliver to
Administrative Agent an Officer's Certificate demonstrating the
derivation of the additional Net Proceeds Amount resulting in such
excess, or (ii) the actual Net Proceeds Amount was less than the
amount set forth in such Officer's Certificate, Company may deliver to
Administrative Agent, within 60 days of the date of related prepayment
and/or reduction, a new Officer's Certificate setting forth the Net
Proceeds Amount actually received by Company and its Subsidiaries and
requesting that an amount equal to the excess of the original Net
Proceeds Amount over the Net Proceeds Amount actually received by
Company and its Subsidiaries (the "Overpaid Amount") be applied to the
immediately succeeding mandatory or scheduled prepayment of the Loans
pursuant to subsection 2.4A or 2.4B(iii) hereunder. Upon the receipt
of such Officer's Certificate, Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify the Lenders to such effect
61
and on the date of the immediately succeeding mandatory or scheduled
payment of the Loans pursuant to subsection 2.4A or 2.4B(iii), as the
case may be, only an amount equal to the amount otherwise due under
the applicable subsection minus the Overpaid Amount shall become due
-----
and payable under such subsection.
(g) Prepayments Due to Reductions or Restrictions of Revolving
----------------------------------------------------------
Loan Commitments. Company shall from time to time prepay first the
---------------- -----
Swing Line Loans and second the Revolving Loans to the extent
------
necessary so that the Total Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments
shall not at any time exceed the Revolving Loan Commitments then in
effect.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated herein, upon the
receipt by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Asset Sale
Proceeds in an aggregate cumulative amount exceeding $5,000,000
(excluding such amounts which have been applied to (x) prepay the
Loans under subsection 2.4B(iii)(a) or (y) reinvest in same, similar
or useful assets within 270 days of the related Asset Sale as provided
in subsection 2.4B(iii)(a)), Company shall, or shall cause such
Subsidiary to, deposit such excess amount on the date of receipt
thereof in an interest bearing account in the name of Company
designated by Administrative Agent (which account may be at
Administrative Agent) (such account being the "Asset Sale Proceeds
Account") to be held by Administrative Agent for the benefit of
Lenders (each such deposit being an "Asset Sale Deposit"). From time
to time but in any event within 270 days of the deposit of each Asset
Sale Deposit to the Asset Sale Proceeds Account pursuant to the
immediately preceding sentence, Company may request Administrative
Agent to deliver all or a portion of such Asset Sale Deposit to
Company or its Subsidiaries for reinvestment as provided in subsection
2.4B(iii)(a); provided that Company and its Subsidiaries shall
--------
reinvest such funds in accordance with subsection 2.4B(iii)(a). On
the 271st day following the date of deposit of each Asset Sale
Deposit, Administrative Agent shall withdraw from the Asset Sale
Proceeds Account an amount equal to such Asset Sale Deposit minus the
portion of such Asset Sale Deposit (if any) used by Company to
reinvest in same, similar or useful assets as provided above and apply
such amount for the prepayment of the Loans and the permanent
reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitments pursuant to subsection
2.4B(iii)(a). Any and all interest earned in respect of such account
shall be for the account of Company and be forwarded by
62
Administrative Agent to Company on the last day of every calendar
quarter.
Similarly, notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated
herein, upon the receipt by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any
Net Insurance/Condemnation Proceeds in an aggregate cumulative amount
exceeding $5,000,000 (excluding such amounts which have been applied
to (x) prepay the Loans under subsection 2.4B(iii)(b) or (y) replace,
rebuild or repair the related asset as provided in subsection
2.4B(iii)(b)), Company shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to,
deposit such excess amount on the date of receipt thereof in an
interest bearing account in the name of Company designated by
Administrative Agent (which account may be at Administrative Agent)
(such account being the "Condemnation/Insurance Proceeds Account") to
be held by Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders (each such
deposit being an "Condemnation/Insurance Deposit"). From time to time
but in any event within 18 months of the deposit of each
Condemnation/Insurance Deposit to the Condemnation/Insurance Proceeds
Account pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, Company may
request Administrative Agent to deliver all or a portion of such
Condemnation/Insurance Deposit to Company or its Subsidiaries for
application as provided in subsection 2.4B(iii)(b); provided that
--------
Company and its Subsidiaries shall apply such funds in accordance with
subsection 2.4B(iii)(b). On the first day of the 19th month following
the date of deposit of each Condemnation/Insurance Deposit,
Administrative Agent shall withdraw from the Condemnation/Insurance
Proceeds Account an amount equal to such Condemnation/Insurance
Deposit minus the portion of such Condemnation/Insurance Deposit (if
any) used by Company to replace, rebuild or repair the related asset
and apply such amount for the prepayment of the Loans and the
permanent reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitments pursuant to
subsection 2.4B(iii)(b). Any and all interest earned in respect of
such account shall be for the account of Company and be forwarded by
Administrative Agent to Company on the last day of every calendar
quarter.
If, following the receipt by Company or any of its Subsidiaries
of Net Proceeds Amount, Company is required to apply or cause to be
applied any portion of such Net Proceeds Amount to prepay any
Subordinated Indebtedness, then, notwithstanding anything contained in
this subsection 2.4B(iii), Company shall prepay the Loans and/or
reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment in the order set forth in this
subsection 2.4B(iii) so as
63
to eliminate any obligation to prepay such Subordinated Indebtedness.
(iv) Application of Prepayments.
--------------------------
(a) Application of Voluntary Prepayments by Type of Loans and
---------------------------------------------------------
Order of Maturity. Any voluntary prepayments pursuant to subsection
-----------------
2.4B(i)(a) shall be applied as specified by Company in the applicable
notice of prepayment; provided that in the event Company fails to
--------
specify the Loans to which any such prepayment shall be applied, such
prepayment shall be applied first to repay outstanding Swing Line
-----
Loans to the full extent thereof, second to repay outstanding
------
Revolving Loans to the full extent thereof and third to repay
-----
outstanding Term Loans to the full extent thereof. Any voluntary
prepayments of the Term Loans pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i)(a) shall
be applied to prepay the Tranche A Term Loans and the Tranche B Term
Loans on a pro rata basis (in accordance with the respective
outstanding principal amounts thereof) and to reduce the scheduled
installments of principal of the Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche B
Term Loans set forth in subsection 2.4A(i) and 2.4A(ii) in forward
order of maturity for the first four quarterly scheduled payments to
occur following such voluntary prepayment; provided that no voluntary
--------
prepayments may be applied to reduce the scheduled installments of
principal of the Tranche A Term Loans or the Tranche B Term Loans with
respect to any quarterly period beyond the fourth quarterly period
following such voluntary prepayment; and thereafter to reduce the
scheduled installments of principal of the Tranche A Term Loans and
Tranche B Term Loans set forth in subsection 2.4A(i) and 2.4A(ii) on a
pro rata basis;
(b) Application of Mandatory Prepayments by Type of Loans. Any
-----------------------------------------------------
amount (the "APPLIED AMOUNT") required to be applied as a mandatory
prepayment of the Loans and/or a reduction of the Revolving Loan
Commitments pursuant to subsections 2.4B(iii)(a)-(g) shall be applied
first to prepay the Term Loans to the full extent thereof, second, to
----- ------
the extent of any remaining portion of the Applied Amount, to prepay
the Swing Line Loans to the full extent thereof and to permanently
reduce the Revolving Loan Commitments by the amount of such
prepayment, third, to the extent of any remaining portion of the
-----
Applied Amount, to prepay the Revolving Loans to the full extent
thereof and to further permanently reduce the Revolving Loan
Commitments by the amount of such prepayment, fourth, to the extent of
any remaining portion of the Applied Amount, to provide cash
collateral for any outstanding Letters of Credit
64
to the full extent of the outstanding stated amounts thereof and to
further permanently reduce the Revolving Loan Commitments by the
amount of such cash collateral and, fifth, to the extent of any
-----
remaining portion of the Applied Amount, to further permanently reduce
the Revolving Loan Commitments to the full extent thereof.
(c) Application of Mandatory Prepayments of Term Loans to Tranche
-------------------------------------------------------------
A Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loans and the Scheduled Installments
--------------------------------------------------------------------
of Principal Thereof. Any mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans
--------------------
pursuant to subsection 2.4B(iii) shall be applied to prepay the
Tranche A Term Loans and the Tranche B Term Loans on a pro rata basis
(in accordance with the respective outstanding principal amounts
thereof) and to reduce the scheduled installments of principal of the
Tranche A Term Loans and Tranche B Term Loans set forth in subsection
2.4A(i) and 2.4A(ii) on a pro rata basis. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in the case of any mandatory prepayment of the Tranche B
Term Loans, Company may elect to offer the Tranche B Term Loan Lenders
the option to waive the right to receive the amount of such mandatory
prepayment of the Tranche B Term Loans. If any Lender or Lenders
elect to waive the right to receive the amount of such mandatory
prepayment, 50% of the amount that otherwise would have been applied
to mandatorily prepay the Tranche B Term Loans of such Lender or
Lenders shall be applied instead to the further prepayment of the
Tranche A Term Loans to the extent any are then outstanding and the
remaining amount shall be retained by Company.
(d) Application of Prepayments to Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar
------------------------------------------------------------
Rate Loans. Considering Tranche A Term Loans, Tranche B Term Loans
----------
and Revolving Loans being prepaid separately, any prepayment thereof
shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans to the full extent thereof
before application to Eurodollar Rate Loans, in each case in a manner
which minimizes the amount of any payments required to be made by
Company pursuant to subsection 2.6D.
C. GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING PAYMENTS.
(i) Manner and Time of Payment. All payments by Company of principal,
--------------------------
interest, fees and other Obligations hereunder and under the Notes (if any)
shall be made in Dollars in same day funds, without defense, setoff or
counterclaim, free of any restriction or condition, and delivered to
Administrative Agent not later than 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco time) on the
date due at the Funding and Payment Office for the account of Lenders;
funds received by Administrative Agent after that time on such due date
shall
65
be deemed to have been paid by Company on the next succeeding Business
Day. Company hereby authorizes Administrative Agent to charge its accounts
with Administrative Agent in order to cause timely payment to be made to
Administrative Agent of all principal, interest, fees and expenses due
hereunder (subject to sufficient funds being available in its accounts for
that purpose).
(ii) Application of Payments to Principal and Interest. Except as
-------------------------------------------------
provided in subsection 2.2C, all payments in respect of the principal
amount of any Loan shall include payment of accrued interest on the
principal amount being repaid or prepaid, and all such payments (and, in
any event, any payments in respect of any Loan on a date when interest is
due and payable with respect to such Loan) shall be applied to the payment
of interest before application to principal.
(iii) Apportionment of Payments. Aggregate principal and interest
-------------------------
payments in respect of Term Loans and Revolving Loans shall be apportioned
among all outstanding Loans to which such payments relate, in each case
proportionately to Lenders' respective Pro Rata Shares. Administrative
Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender, at its primary address set
forth below its name on the appropriate signature page hereof or at such
other address as such Lender may request, its Pro Rata Share of all such
payments received by Administrative Agent and the commitment fees of such
Lender when received by Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 2.3.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection 2.4C(iii), if,
pursuant to the provisions of subsection 2.6C, any Notice of
Conversion/Continuation is withdrawn as to any Affected Lender or if any
Affected Lender makes Base Rate Loans in lieu of its Pro Rata Share of any
Eurodollar Rate Loans, Administrative Agent shall give effect thereto in
apportioning payments received thereafter.
(iv) Payments on Business Days. Whenever any payment to be made
-------------------------
hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day,
such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such
extension of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of
interest hereunder or of the commitment fees hereunder, as the case may be.
(v) Notation of Payment. Each Lender agrees that before disposing
-------------------
of any Note held by it, or any part thereof (other than by granting
participations therein), that Lender will comply with the terms of this
Agreement and will make a notation thereon of all Loans evidenced by that
Note and all principal payments previously made thereon and of the date to
which interest thereon has been paid; provided that the
--------
66
failure to make (or any error in the making of) a notation of any Loan made
under such Note shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of
Company hereunder or under such Note with respect to any Loan or any
payments of principal or interest on such Note.
D. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS OF COLLATERAL AND PAYMENTS UNDER GUARANTIES
(i) Application of Proceeds of Collateral. Except as provided in
-------------------------------------
subsection 2.4B(iii)(a) with respect to prepayments from Net Asset Sale
Proceeds, all proceeds received by Administrative Agent in respect of any
sale of, collection from, or other realization upon all or any part of the
Collateral under any Collateral Document may, in the discretion of
Administrative Agent, be held by Administrative Agent as Collateral for,
and/or (then or at any time thereafter) applied in full or in part by
Administrative Agent against, the applicable Secured Obligations (as
defined in such Collateral Document) in the following order of priority:
(a) To the payment of all costs and expenses of such sale,
collection or other realization, including compensation to
Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and all other
expenses, liabilities and advances made or incurred by Administrative
Agent in connection therewith, in each case to the extent payable
under this Agreement or the Collateral Documents, and all amounts for
which Administrative Agent is entitled to indemnification under such
Collateral Document and all advances made by Administrative Agent
thereunder for the account of the applicable Loan Party, and to the
payment of all costs and expenses paid or incurred by Administrative
Agent in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy under
such Collateral Document, all in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and such Collateral Document;
(b) thereafter, to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to
the payment of all other Secured Obligations for the ratable benefit
of the holders thereof;
(c) thereafter, to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to
the payment of cash collateral for Letters of Credit for the ratable
benefit of the Issuing Lenders thereof and holders of participations
therein; and
(d) thereafter, to the extent of any excess of such proceeds, to
the payment to or upon the order of
67
such Loan Party or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive
the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
(ii) Application of Payments Under Guaranties. All payments received
----------------------------------------
by Administrative Agent under any of the Guaranties shall be applied
promptly from time to time by Administrative Agent in the following order
of priority:
(a) to the payment of all costs and expenses of any collection
or other realization under the Guaranties, including compensation to
Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and all expenses,
liabilities and advances made or incurred by Administrative Agent in
connection therewith, in each case to the extent payable under this
Agreement or the Collateral Documents, all in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement and such Guaranty;
(b) thereafter, to the extent of any excess of such payments,
to the payment of all other Guarantied Obligations (as defined in such
Guaranty) for the ratable benefit of the holders thereof;
(c) thereafter, to the extent of any excess of such payments,
to the payment of cash collateral for Letters of Credit for the
ratable benefit of the Issuing Lenders thereof and holders of
participations therein; and
(d) thereafter, to the extent of any excess of such payments,
to the payment to Holdings or to the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor
or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a
court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
2.5 USE OF PROCEEDS.
---------------
A. TERM LOANS. The proceeds of the Term Loans, together with (i) the
proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes in an aggregate
principal amount not exceeding $100,000,000, (ii) the proceeds from the issuance
of the Holdings Discount Debentures in an aggregate principal amount not
exceeding $45,105,480, (iii) the proceeds from the issuance of the Holdings
Preferred Stock in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $47,000,000 and
(iv) the proceeds of the Revolving Loans in an aggregate principal amount not
exceeding $7,000,000 shall be applied by Holdings or Company, as appropriate,
(a) to redeem all of the issued and outstanding Holdings Common Stock (other
than the Retained Shares) from the Existing Shareholders for an aggregate
redemption price not exceeding $211,503,000, (b) to pay in full all of the
Existing Indebtedness in an aggregate
68
principal amount not exceeding $49,497,000, together with accrued interest and
any prepayment penalties incurred in connection therewith, and (c) to pay the
Transaction Costs in an aggregate amount not exceeding $12,500,000.
B. REVOLVING LOANS; SWING LINE LOANS. The proceeds of the Revolving
Loans and any Swing Line Loans shall be applied by Company for working capital
requirements and general corporate purposes.
C. MARGIN REGULATIONS. No portion of the proceeds of any borrowing under
this Agreement shall be used by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any manner
that might cause the borrowing or the application of such proceeds to violate
Regulation T, Regulation U or Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board or to violate the
Exchange Act, in each case as in effect on the date or dates of such borrowing
and such use of proceeds.
2.6 SPECIAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS.
--------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
the following provisions shall govern with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans as
to the matters covered:
A. DETERMINATION OF APPLICABLE INTEREST RATE. As soon as practicable
after 11:00 A.M. (London time) on each Interest Rate Determination Date,
Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest
error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that
shall apply to the Eurodollar Rate Loans for which an interest rate is then
being determined for the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give
notice thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Company and
each Lender.
B. INABILITY TO DETERMINE APPLICABLE INTEREST RATE. In the event that
Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final
and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto), on any Interest Rate
Determination Date with respect to any Eurodollar Rate Loans, that by reason of
circumstances affecting the London interbank eurodollar market adequate and
fair means do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate applicable to such
Loans on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate,
Administrative Agent shall on such date give notice (by telefacsimile or by
telephone confirmed in writing) to Company and each Lender of such
determination, whereupon (i) no Loans may be made as, or converted to,
Eurodollar Rate Loans until such time as Administrative Agent notifies Company
and Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist
and (ii) any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation given by
Company with respect to the Loans in respect of which such determination was
made shall be deemed to be rescinded by
69
Company, and Company shall not incur any cost under subsection 2.6D with respect
to such rescinded Loan.
C. ILLEGALITY OR IMPRACTICABILITY OF EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS. In the event
that on any date any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall be
final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto but shall be made only
after consultation with Company and Administrative Agent) that the making,
maintaining or continuation of its Eurodollar Rate Loans (i) has become unlawful
as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any law, treaty,
governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (or would conflict with any
such treaty, governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order not having the
force of law even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful)
or (ii) has become impracticable, or would cause such Lender material hardship,
as a result of contingencies occurring after the date of this Agreement which
materially and adversely affect the London interbank eurodollar market or the
position of such Lender in that market, then, and in any such event, such Lender
shall be an "AFFECTED LENDER" and it shall on that day give notice (by
telefacsimile or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Company and
Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice Administrative Agent
shall promptly transmit to each other Lender). Thereafter (a) the obligation of
the Affected Lender to make Loans as, or to convert Loans to, Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall be suspended until such notice shall be withdrawn by the Affected
Lender, (b) to the extent such determination by the Affected Lender relates to a
Eurodollar Rate Loan then being requested by Company pursuant to a Notice of
Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the Affected Lender shall make
such Loan as (or convert such Loan to, as the case may be) a Base Rate Loan, (c)
the Affected Lender's obligation to maintain its outstanding Eurodollar Rate
Loans (the "AFFECTED LOANS") shall be terminated at the earlier to occur of the
expiration of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the Affected
Loans or when required by law; provided that Affected Lender shall not be
--------
entitled to any compensation under subsection 2.6D if the Affected Loans have
been terminated prior to the end of the related Interest Period, and (d) the
Affected Loans shall automatically convert into Base Rate Loans on the date of
such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a determination
by an Affected Lender as described above relates to a Eurodollar Rate Loan then
being requested by Company pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, Company shall have the option, subject to the
provisions of subsection 2.6D, to rescind such Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation as to all Lenders by giving notice (by telefacsimile or
by telephone confirmed in writing) to Administrative Agent of such rescission on
the date on which the Affected Lender gives notice of its determination as
described above (which notice of rescission Administrative Agent shall promptly
transmit to each other Lender). Except as provided in
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the immediately preceding sentence, nothing in this subsection 2.6C shall affect
the obligation of any Lender other than an Affected Lender to make or maintain
Loans as, or to convert Loans to, Eurodollar Rate Loans in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.
D. COMPENSATION FOR BREAKAGE OR NON-COMMENCEMENT OF INTEREST PERIODS.
Company shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by that Lender (which
request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting such
amounts), for all reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including any
interest paid by that Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry
its Eurodollar Rate Loans and any loss, expense or liability sustained by that
Lender in connection with the liquidation or re-employment of such funds) which
that Lender may sustain: (i) if for any reason (other than a default by that
Lender or any rescinded borrowing under subsection 2.6B or 2.6C) a borrowing of
any Eurodollar Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Notice
of Borrowing or a telephonic request for borrowing, or a conversion to or
continuation of any Eurodollar Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified
therefor in a Notice of Conversion/Continuation or a telephonic request for
conversion or continuation, (ii) if any prepayment (including any prepayment
pursuant to subsection 2.4B(i)(a)) or other principal payment or any conversion
of any of its Eurodollar Rate Loans occurs on a date prior to the last day of an
Interest Period applicable to that Loan, (iii) if any prepayment of any of its
Eurodollar Rate Loans is not made on any date specified in a notice of
prepayment given by Company, or (iv) as a consequence of any other default by
Company in the repayment of its Eurodollar Rate Loans when required by the terms
of this Agreement.
E. BOOKING OF EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS. Any Lender may make, carry or
transfer Eurodollar Rate Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch
offices or the office of an Affiliate of that Lender.
F. ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING FUNDING OF EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS. Calculation
of all amounts payable to a Lender under this subsection 2.6 and under
subsection 2.7A shall be made as though that Lender had actually funded each of
its relevant Eurodollar Rate Loans through the purchase of a Eurodollar deposit
bearing interest at the rate obtained pursuant to clause (i) of the definition
of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate in an amount equal to the amount of such Eurodollar
Rate Loan and having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest Period and
through the transfer of such Eurodollar deposit from an offshore office of that
Lender to a domestic office of that Lender in the United States of America;
provided, however, that each Lender may fund each of its Eurodollar Rate Loans
-------- -------
in any manner it sees fit and the foregoing assumptions shall be utilized only
for the purposes
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of calculating amounts payable under this subsection 2.6 and under subsection
2.7A.
G. EURODOLLAR RATE LOANS AFTER DEFAULT. After the occurrence of and
during the continuation of a Potential Event of Default or an Event of Default,
(i) Company may not elect to have a Loan be made or maintained as, or converted
to, a Eurodollar Rate Loan after the expiration of any Interest Period then in
effect for that Loan and (ii) subject to the provisions of subsection 2.6D, any
Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation given by Company with
respect to a requested borrowing or conversion/continuation that has not yet
occurred shall be deemed to be rescinded by Company.
2.7 INCREASED COSTS; TAXES; CAPITAL ADEQUACY.
----------------------------------------
A. COMPENSATION FOR INCREASED COSTS AND TAXES. Subject to the provisions
of subsection 2.7B (which shall be controlling with respect to the matters
covered thereby), in the event that any Lender shall determine (which
determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding
upon all parties hereto) that any law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation
or order, or any change therein or in the interpretation, administration or
application thereof (including the introduction of any new law, treaty or
governmental rule, regulation or order), or any determination of a court or
governmental authority, in each case that becomes effective after the date
hereof, or compliance by such Lender with any guideline, request or directive
issued or made after the date hereof by any central bank or other governmental
or quasi-governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law):
(i) subjects such Lender (or its applicable lending office) to any
additional Tax (other than any Tax on the overall net income of such
Lender) with respect to this Agreement or any of its obligations hereunder
or any payments to such Lender (or its applicable lending office) of
principal, interest, fees or any other amount payable hereunder;
(ii) imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including any
marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserve), special
deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement against
assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of,
or advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, or any other
acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender (other than any such
reserve or other requirements with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans that
are reflected in the definition of Adjusted Eurodollar Rate); or
(iii) imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax
matter) on or affecting such Lender (or its
72
applicable lending office) or its obligations hereunder or the London
interbank eurodollar market;
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of
agreeing to make, making or maintaining Loans hereunder or to reduce any amount
received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable lending office) with
respect thereto; then, in any such case, Company shall promptly pay to such
Lender, upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence, such
additional amount or amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a
different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its
sole discretion shall determine) as may be necessary to compensate such Lender
for any such increased cost or reduction in amounts received or receivable
hereunder. Such Lender shall deliver to Company (with a copy to Administrative
Agent) a written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for
calculating the additional amounts owed to such Lender under this subsection
2.7A, which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto
absent manifest error. Such Lender agrees to provide any such request within
180 days of becoming aware of such costs and to use averaging and attribution
methods which are reasonable.
B. WITHHOLDING OF TAXES.
(i) Payments to Be Free and Clear. All sums payable by Company under
-----------------------------
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall (except to the extent
required by law) be paid free and clear of, and without any deduction or
withholding on account of, any Tax (other than a Tax on the overall net
income or franchise of any Lender or any Lending Office) imposed, levied,
collected, withheld or assessed by or within the United States of America
or any political subdivision in or of the United States of America or any
other jurisdiction from or to which a payment is made by or on behalf of
Company or by any federation or organization of which the United States of
America or any such jurisdiction is a member at the time of payment.
(ii) Grossing-up of Payments. If Company or any other Person is
-----------------------
required by law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any such
Tax from any sum paid or payable by Company to Administrative Agent or any
Lender under any of the Loan Documents:
(a) Company shall notify Administrative Agent of any such
requirement or any change in any such requirement promptly after
Company becomes aware of it;
(b) Company shall pay any such Tax before the date on which
penalties attach thereto, such payment to be made (if the liability to
pay is imposed on Company)
73
for its own account or (if that liability is imposed on Administrative
Agent or such Lender, as the case may be) on behalf of and in the name
of Administrative Agent or such Lender;
(c) the sum payable by Company in respect of which the relevant
deduction, withholding or payment is required shall be increased to
the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of that
deduction, withholding or payment, Administrative Agent or such
Lender, as the case may be, receives on the due date a net sum equal
to what it would have received had no such deduction, withholding or
payment been required or made; and
(d) within 30 days after paying any sum from which it is
required by law to make any deduction or withholding, and within 30
days after the due date of payment of any Tax which it is required by
clause (b) above to pay, Company shall deliver to Administrative Agent
evidence reasonably satisfactory to the other affected parties of such
deduction, withholding or payment and of the remittance thereof to the
relevant taxing or other authority;
provided that no such additional amount shall be required to be paid to any
--------
Lender under clause (c) above except to the extent that any change after
the date hereof (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages
hereof) or after the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to which
such Lender became a Lender (in the case of each other Lender) in any such
requirement for a deduction, withholding or payment as is mentioned therein
shall result in an increase in the rate of such deduction, withholding or
payment from that in effect at the date of this Agreement or at the date of
such Assignment Agreement, as the case may be, in respect of payments to
such Lender. If any Lender receives a refund of any Taxes for a which
payment has been made pursuant to this subsection 2.7 which, in the
reasonable good faith judgment of such Lender, is allocable to such payment
made under subsection 2.7, the amount of such refund shall be paid to
Company to the extent payment has been made in full as and when required
pursuant to this subsection 2.7.
(iii) Evidence of Exemption from U.S. Withholding Tax.
-----------------------------------------------
(a) Each Lender that is organized under the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the United States or any state or other
political subdivision thereof (for purposes of this subsection
2.7B(iii), a "NON-US LENDER") shall deliver to Administrative Agent
for transmission to Company, on or prior to the Closing Date (in the
case of each Lender listed on the
74
signature pages hereof) or on or prior to the date of the Assignment
Agreement pursuant to which it becomes a Lender (in the case of each
other Lender), and at such other times as may be necessary in the
determination of Company or Administrative Agent (each in the
reasonable exercise of its discretion), (1) two original copies of
Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224 (or any successor forms),
properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, together with any
other certificate or statement of exemption required under the
Internal Revenue Code or the regulations issued thereunder to
establish that such Lender is not subject to deduction or withholding
of United States federal income tax with respect to any payments to
such Lender of principal, interest, fees or other amounts payable
under any of the Loan Documents or (2) if such Lender is not a "bank"
or other Person described in Section 881(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code and cannot deliver either Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or
4224 pursuant to clause (1) above, a Certificate re Non-Bank Status
together with two original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8
(or any successor form), properly completed and duly executed by such
Lender, together with any other certificate or statement of exemption
required under the Internal Revenue Code or the regulations issued
thereunder to establish that such Lender is not subject to deduction
or withholding of United States federal income tax with respect to any
payments to such Lender of interest payable under any of the Loan
Documents.
(b) Each Lender required to deliver any forms, certificates or
other evidence with respect to United States federal income tax
withholding matters pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a) hereby agrees,
from time to time after the initial delivery by such Lender of such
forms, certificates or other evidence, whenever a lapse in time or
change in circumstances renders such forms, certificates or other
evidence obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, that such
Lender shall promptly (1) deliver to Administrative Agent for
transmission to Company two new original copies of Internal Revenue
Service Form 1001 or 4224, or a Certificate re Non-Bank Status and two
original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8, as the case may
be, properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, together with
any other certificate or statement of exemption required in order to
confirm or establish that such Lender is not subject to deduction or
withholding of United States federal income tax with respect to
payments to such Lender under the Loan Documents or (2) notify
Administrative Agent and
75
Company of its inability to deliver any such forms, certificates or
other evidence.
(c) Company shall not be required to pay any additional amount
to any Non-US Lender under clause (c) of subsection 2.7B(ii) if such
Lender shall have failed to satisfy the requirements of clause (a) or
(b) (1) of this subsection 2.7B(iii); provided that if such Lender
--------
shall have satisfied the requirements of subsection 2.7B(iii)(a) on
the Closing Date (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature
pages hereof) or on the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to
which it became a Lender (in the case of each other Lender), nothing
in this subsection 2.7B(iii)(c) shall relieve Company of its
obligation to pay any additional amounts pursuant to clause (c) of
subsection 2.7B(ii) in the event that, as a result of any change in
any applicable law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order,
or any change in the interpretation, administration or application
thereof, such Lender is no longer properly entitled to deliver forms,
certificates or other evidence at a subsequent date establishing the
fact that such Lender is not subject to withholding as described in
subsection 2.7B(iii)(a).
C. CAPITAL ADEQUACY ADJUSTMENT. If any Lender shall have determined that
the adoption, effectiveness, phase-in or applicability after the date hereof of
any law, rule or regulation (or any provision thereof) regarding capital
adequacy, or any change therein or in the interpretation or administration
thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged
with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender
(or its applicable lending office) with any guideline, request or directive
regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such
governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the
effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any
corporation controlling such Lender as a consequence of, or with reference to,
such Lender's Loans or Commitments or Letters of Credit or participations
therein or other obligations hereunder with respect to the Loans or the Letters
of Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such controlling
corporation could have achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, phase-in,
applicability, change or compliance (taking into consideration the policies of
such Lender or such controlling corporation with regard to capital adequacy),
then from time to time, within five Business Days after receipt by Company from
such Lender of the statement referred to in the next sentence, Company shall pay
to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender
or such controlling corporation on an after-tax basis for such reduction. Such
Lender shall deliver to Company (with a copy to Administrative Agent) a written
statement, setting forth in
76
reasonable detail the basis of the calculation of such additional amounts, which
statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto absent
manifest error. Such Lender agrees to provide any such request within 180 days
of becoming aware of such costs and to use averaging and attribution methods
which are reasonable.
2.8 OBLIGATION OF LENDERS AND ISSUING LENDERS TO MITIGATE.
-----------------------------------------------------
Each Lender and Issuing Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable
after the officer of such Lender or Issuing Lender responsible for administering
the Loans or Letters of Credit of such Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may
be, becomes aware of the occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition
that would cause such Lender to become an Affected Lender or that would entitle
such Lender or Issuing Lender to receive payments under subsection 2.7 or
subsection 3.6, it will, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal
policies of such Lender or Issuing Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory
restrictions, use reasonable efforts (i) to make, issue, fund or maintain the
Commitments of such Lender or the affected Loans or Letters of Credit of such
Lender or Issuing Lender through another lending or letter of credit office of
such Lender or Issuing Lender, or (ii) take such other measures as such Lender
or Issuing Lender may deem reasonable, if as a result thereof the circumstances
which would cause such Lender to be an Affected Lender would cease to exist or
the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to be paid to such
Lender or Issuing Lender pursuant to subsection 2.7 or subsection 3.6 would be
materially reduced and if, as determined by such Lender or Issuing Lender in its
sole discretion, the making, issuing, funding or maintaining of such Commitments
or Loans or Letters of Credit through such other lending or letter of credit
office or in accordance with such other measures, as the case may be, would not
otherwise materially adversely affect such Commitments or Loans or Letters of
Credit or the interests of such Lender or Issuing Lender; provided that such
--------
Lender or Issuing Lender will not be obligated to utilize such other lending or
letter of credit office pursuant to this subsection 2.8 unless Company agrees to
pay all incremental expenses incurred by such Lender or Issuing Lender as a
result of utilizing such other lending or letter of credit office as described
in clause (i) above. A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses
payable by Company pursuant to this subsection 2.8 (setting forth in reasonable
detail the basis for requesting such amount) submitted by such Lender or Issuing
Lender to Company (with a copy to Administrative Agent) shall be conclusive
absent manifest error.
2.9 REPLACEMENT OF LENDER.
---------------------
Upon the occurrence of a Replacement Event, Company shall have the
right, prior to the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the event giving
rise to such right and if no
77
Potential Event of Default or Event of Default then exists, to replace such
Lender (a "REPLACED LENDER") with one or more Eligible Assignees (collectively,
the "REPLACEMENT LENDER") acceptable to Administrative Agent, provided that (i)
--------
at the time of any replacement pursuant to this subsection 2.9 the Replacement
Lender shall enter into one or more Assignment Agreements pursuant to subsection
10.1B (and with all fees payable pursuant to such subsection 10.1B to be paid by
the Replacement Lender) pursuant to which the Replacement Lender shall acquire
all of the outstanding Loans and Commitments of, and in each case participations
in Letters of Credit and Swing Line Loans by, the Replaced Lender and, in
connection therewith, shall pay to (x) the Replaced Lender in respect thereof an
amount equal to the sum of (A) an amount equal to the principal of, and all
accrued interest on, all outstanding Loans of the Replaced Lender, (B) an amount
equal to all unpaid drawings with respect to Letters of Credit that have been
funded by (and not reimbursed to) such Replaced Lender, together with all then
unpaid interest with respect thereto at such time and (C) an amount equal to all
accrued, but theretofore unpaid, fees owing to the Replaced Lender with respect
thereto, (y) the appropriate Issuing Lender an amount equal to such Replaced
Lender's Pro Rata Share of any unpaid drawings with respect to Letters of Credit
(which at such time remains an unpaid drawing) issued by it to the extent such
amount was not theretofore funded by such Replaced Lender, and (z) Swing Line
Lender an amount equal to such Replaced Lender's Pro Rata Share of any Refunded
Swing Line Loans to the extent such amount was not theretofore funded by such
Replaced Lender, and (ii) all obligations (including without limitation all such
amounts, if any, owing under subsection 2.6D) of Company owing to the Replaced
Lender (other than those specifically described in clause (i) 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. Upon the execution of the respective Assignment Agreements and the
acceptance thereof by Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 2.1D, the
payment of amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above and, if so
requested by the Replacement Lender, delivery to the Replacement Lender of the
appropriate Note or Notes executed by Company, the Replacement Lender shall
become a Lender hereunder and the Replaced Lender shall cease to constitute a
Lender hereunder except with respect to indemnification provisions under this
Agreement which by the terms of this Agreement survive the termination of this
Agreement, which indemnification provisions shall survive as to such Replaced
Lender, and any other obligations or liabilities to Holdings or its Subsidiaries
relating to such time in which Replaced Lender was a Lender. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained above, no Issuing Lender may be replaced
hereunder at any time while it has Letters of Credit outstanding hereunder
unless arrangements reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Lender (including
the furnishing of a Standby Letter of Credit in form and substance, and issued
by an issuer reasonably
78
satisfactory to such Issuing Lender or the furnishing of cash collateral in
amounts and pursuant to arrangements reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing
Lender) have been made with respect to such outstanding Letters of Credit.
For the purposes of the foregoing, a "Replacement Event" with respect
to a Lender means any one of the following: (i) Company receives a notice from
such Lender pursuant to subsection 2.6C, 2.7A or 3.6, (ii) failure of such
Lender to make the amount of its Loan available to Administrative Agent pursuant
to subsection 2.1C or (iii) such Lender refuses to consent to a proposed change,
waiver, discharge or termination with respect to this Agreement which has been
approved by the Requisite Lenders and all other conditions set forth in
subsection 10.6 have been satisfied for Company to replace such Lender.
Section 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT
3.1 ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT AND LENDERS' PURCHASE OF PARTICIPATIONS
---------------------------------------------------------------------
THEREIN.
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A. LETTERS OF CREDIT. In addition to Company requesting that Revolving
Lenders make Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iii) and that Swing
Line Lender make Swing Line Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A(iv), Company may
request, in accordance with the provisions of this subsection 3.1, from time to
time during the period from the Closing Date to but excluding the Revolving Loan
Commitment Termination Date, that one or more Revolving Lenders issue Letters of
Credit for the account of Company for the purposes specified in the definitions
of Commercial Letters of Credit and Standby Letters of Credit. Subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations
and warranties of Company herein set forth, any one or more Revolving Lenders
may, but (except as provided in subsection 3.1B(ii)) shall not be obligated to,
issue such Letters of Credit in accordance with the provisions of this
subsection 3.1; provided that Company shall not request that any Revolving
--------
Lender issue (and no Revolving Lender shall issue):
(i) any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance,
the Total Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments would exceed the
Revolving Loan Commitments then in effect;
(ii) any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance,
the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $10,000,000;
(iii) any Standby Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such
issuance, the Letter of Credit Usage in respect of all other Standby
Letters of Credit would exceed $5,000,000;
79
(iv) any Letter of Credit having an expiration date later than the
earlier of (a) the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date and (b) the
date which is one year from the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit;
provided that the immediately preceding clause (b) shall not prevent any
--------
Issuing Lender from agreeing that a Letter of Credit will automatically be
extended for one or more successive periods not to exceed one year each
unless such Issuing Lender elects not to extend for any such additional
period; and provided, further that such Issuing Lender shall elect not to
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extend such Letter of Credit if it has knowledge that an Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing (and has not been waived in accordance with
subsection 10.6) at the time such Issuing Lender must elect whether or not
to allow such extension;
(v) any Commercial Letter of Credit having an expiration date (a)
later than the earlier of (X) the date which is 30 days prior to the
Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date and (Y) the date which is 180
days from the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit or (b) that is
otherwise unacceptable to the applicable Issuing Lender in its reasonable
discretion; or
(vi) any Letter of Credit denominated in a currency other than
Dollars.
An Issuing Lender is under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if
at the time of request for such issuance:
(a) any order, judgment or decree of any governmental authority or
arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing
Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any requirement of law
applicable to the Issuing Lender or any directive (whether or not having
the force of law) from any governmental authority with jurisdiction over
the Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Lender
refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of
Credit in particular, or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender with respect
to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement
(for which the Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not
in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender any
unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing
Date and which the Issuing Lender in good ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ material to it;
(b) any requested Letter of Credit does not provide for drafts, or
is not otherwise in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Issuing
Lender, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit may violate any policies of
the Issuing Lender applicable to customers similar to Company
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and credits of a type similar to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement; or
(c) the requested Letter of Credit provides for payment thereunder
sooner than the Business Day following the presentation to the Issuing
Lender of the documentation required thereunder.
B. MECHANICS OF ISSUANCE.
(i) Notice of Issuance. Whenever Company desires the issuance of a
------------------
Letter of Credit, it shall deliver to Administrative Agent a Notice of
Issuance of Letter of Credit substantially in the form of Exhibit III
-----------
annexed hereto no later than 10:00 A.M. (San Francisco time) at least three
Business Days, or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Issuing
Lender in any particular instance, in advance of the proposed date of
issuance. The Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit shall specify (a) the
proposed date of issuance (which shall be a Business Day), (b) the face
amount of the Letter of Credit, (c) the expiration date of the Letter of
Credit, (d) the name and address of the beneficiary, and (e) either the
verbatim text of the proposed Letter of Credit or the proposed terms and
conditions thereof, including a precise description of any documents to be
presented by the beneficiary which, if presented by the beneficiary prior
to the expiration date of the Letter of Credit, would require the Issuing
Lender to make payment under the Letter of Credit; provided that the
--------
Issuing Lender, in its reasonable discretion, may require changes in the
text of the proposed Letter of Credit or any such documents; and provided,
--------
further that no Letter of Credit shall require payment against a conforming
-------
draft to be made thereunder on the same business day (under the laws of the
jurisdiction in which the office of the Issuing Lender to which such draft
is required to be presented is located) that such draft is presented if
such presentation is made after 12:00 Noon (in the time zone of such office
of the Issuing Lender) on such business day.
Company shall notify the applicable Issuing Lender (and
Administrative Agent, if Administrative Agent is not such Issuing Lender)
prior to the issuance of any Letter of Credit in the event that any of the
matters to which Company is required to certify in the applicable Notice of
Issuance of Letter of Credit is no longer true and correct as of the
proposed date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, and upon the issuance
of any Letter of Credit Company shall be deemed to have re-certified, as of
the date of such issuance, as to the matters to which Company is required
to certify in the applicable Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit.
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From time to time while a Letter of Credit is outstanding and before
the Revolving Commitment Termination Date, the Issuing Lender will, upon
the written request of Company received by the Issuing Lender (with a copy
sent by Company to Administrative Agent) at least three days (or such
shorter time as the Issuing Lender may agree in a particular instance in
its sole discretion) before the proposed date of amendment, amend any
Letter of Credit issued by it. Each such request for amendment of a Letter
of Credit shall be made by an original writing or by facsimile, confirmed
promptly in an original writing, made in the form of an L/C Amendment
Application and shall specify in form and detail reasonably satisfactory to
the Issuing Lender;
(a) the Letter of Credit to be amended;
(b) the proposed date of amendment of such Letter of Credit (which
shall be a Business Day);
(c) the nature of the proposed amendment; and
(d) such other matters as the Issuing Lender reasonably requires.
The Issuing Lender shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of
Credit if: (A) the Issuing Lender would have no obligation, or would be unable,
at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms
of this Agreement; or (B) the beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit does not
accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.
While a Letter of Credit is outstanding and before the Revolving Loan
Commitment Termination Date, upon the written request of Company received by the
Issuing Lender (with a copy sent by Company to Administrative Agent) at least
three days (or such shorter time as the Issuing Lender may agree in a particular
instance in its sole discretion) before the proposed date of notification of
renewal, the Issuing Lender shall be entitled to authorize the automatic renewal
of any Letter of Credit issued by it. Each such request for renewal of a Letter
of Credit shall be made by an original writing or by facsimile, confirmed
promptly in an original writing, in the form of an L/C Amendment Application,
and shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Issuing Lender:
(I) the Letter of Credit to be renewed;
(II) the proposed date of notification of renewal of such Letter of
Credit (which shall be a Business Day);
(III) the revised expiry date of such Letter of Credit; and
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(IV) such other matters as the Issuing Lender may require.
The Issuing Lender shall not renew any Letter of Credit if the Issuing
Lender would have no obligation at such time to issue, or be unable to issue, or
amend such Letter of Credit in its renewed form under the terms of this
Agreement. If any outstanding Letter of Credit shall provide that it shall be
automatically renewed unless the beneficiary thereof receives notice from the
Issuing Lender that such Letter of Credit shall not be renewed, and if at the
time of renewal the Issuing Lender would be entitled to authorize the automatic
renewal of such Letter of Credit in accordance with this subsection 3.1B upon
the request of Company, but the Issuing Lender has not received any L/C
Amendment Application or other written direction from Company with respect to
such renewal, the Issuing Lender shall nonetheless be permitted to allow such
Letter of Credit to renew, and accordingly, the Issuing Lender shall be deemed
to have received an L/C Amendment Application from Company requesting such
renewal.
The Issuing Lender may, at its election (or as required by
Administrative Agent at the direction of Revolving Lenders having or holding a
majority of the Revolving Loan Exposures of all Lenders), deliver any notices of
termination or other communications permitted under any Letter of Credit to any
Letter of Credit beneficiary or transferee, and take any other action permitted
under any Letter of Credit as is necessary or appropriate, at any time and from
time to time, in order to cause the expiry date of such Letter of Credit to be a
date not later than 15 days before the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination
Date.
(ii) Determination of Issuing Lender. Upon receipt by Administrative
-------------------------------
Agent of a Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit pursuant to subsection
3.1B(i) requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit, in the event
Administrative Agent elects to issue such Letter of Credit, Administrative
Agent shall promptly so notify Company, and Administrative Agent shall be
the Issuing Lender with respect thereto. In the event that Administrative
Agent, in its sole discretion, elects not to issue such Letter of Credit,
Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify Company, whereupon Company
may request any other Revolving Lender to issue such Letter of Credit by
delivering to such Revolving Lender a copy of the applicable Notice of
Issuance of Letter of Credit. Any Revolving Lender so requested to issue
such Letter of Credit shall promptly notify Company and Administrative
Agent whether or not, in its sole discretion, it has elected to issue such
Letter of Credit, and any such Lender which so elects to issue such Letter
of Credit shall be the Issuing Lender with respect thereto. In the event
that all other Revolving Lenders shall have declined to issue such Letter
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of Credit, notwithstanding the prior election of Administrative Agent not
to issue such Letter of Credit, Administrative Agent shall be obligated to
issue such Letter of Credit and shall be the Issuing Lender with respect
thereto, notwithstanding the fact that the Letter of Credit Usage with
respect to such Letter of Credit and with respect to all other Letters of
Credit issued by Administrative Agent, when aggregated with Administrative
Agent's outstanding Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans, may exceed
Administrative Agent's Revolving Loan Commitment then in effect.
(iii) Issuance of Letter of Credit. Upon satisfaction or waiver (in
----------------------------
accordance with subsection 10.6) of the conditions set forth in subsection
4.3, the Issuing Lender shall issue the requested Letter of Credit in
accordance with the Issuing Lender's standard operating procedures.
(iv) Notification to Revolving Lenders. Upon the issuance of any
---------------------------------
Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing Lender shall promptly notify
Administrative Agent and each other Revolving Lender of such issuance,
which notice shall be accompanied by a copy of such Letter of Credit.
Promptly after receipt of such notice (or, if Administrative Agent is the
Issuing Lender, together with such notice), Administrative Agent shall
notify each Revolving Lender of the amount of such Lender's respective
participation in such Letter of Credit, determined in accordance with
subsection 3.1C.
(v) Letters of Credit Outstanding Under Existing Credit Agreement.
-------------------------------------------------------------
The letters of credit issued pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement that
are outstanding on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 3.1 (the
"Existing Letters of Credit") shall be deemed Letters of Credit issued
pursuant hereto and the Issuing Lender shall be the Lender identified on
Schedule 3.1; provided that Company shall take any and all actions
--------
necessary to terminate all such Existing Letters of Credit and replace them
with new Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement within 30 days after
the Closing Date.
C. REVOLVING LENDERS' PURCHASE OF PARTICIPATIONS IN LETTERS OF CREDIT.
Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Revolving Lender
shall be deemed to, and hereby agrees to, have irrevocably purchased from the
Issuing Lender a participation in such Letter of Credit and any drawings honored
thereunder in an amount equal to such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
maximum amount which is or at any time may become available to be drawn
thereunder.
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3.2 LETTER OF CREDIT FEES.
---------------------
Company agrees to pay the following amounts with respect to Letters of
Credit issued hereunder:
(i) with respect to each Standby Letter of Credit, (a) a fronting
fee, payable directly to the applicable Issuing Lender for its own account,
equal to 0.2 5% per annum of the daily amount available to be drawn under
such Letter of Credit, such fronting fee to be payable in advance on the
fifteenth day of each March, June, September and December of each year for
the calendar quarterly period commencing on such date and (b) a letter of
credit fee, payable to Administrative Agent for the account of Revolving
Lenders (based upon their respective Pro Rata Shares), equal to (x) the
applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin set forth in subsection 2.2A hereof for
Revolving Loans multiplied by (y) the daily amount available from time to
----------
time to be drawn under such Letter of Credit, such letter of credit fee to
be payable in arrears on and to (but excluding) the last day of each March,
June, September and December of each year; and in any event each such
fronting fee or letter of credit fee to be computed on the basis of a 360-
day year for the actual number of days elapsed;
(ii) with respect to each Commercial Letter of Credit, (a) to the
applicable Issuing Lender, a fronting fee equal to 0.25% per annum of the
daily maximum amount available to be drawn under such Commercial Letter of
Credit, but in any event not less than $500 per year per Commercial Letter
of Credit and (b) to Administrative Agent for the account of Revolving
Lenders (based upon their Pro Rata Share), a letter of credit fee equal to
(x) the applicable Eurodollar Rate Margin set forth in subsection 2.2A
hereof for Revolving Loans multiplied by (y) the daily amount available
----------
from time to time to be drawn under such Letter of Credit, such letter of
credit fee to be payable in arrears on and to (but excluding) the last day
of each March, June, September and December of each year; and in any event
each such fronting fee or letter of credit fee to be computed on the basis
of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed; and
(iii) with respect to the issuance, amendment or transfer of each
Letter of Credit and each payment of a drawing made thereunder (without
duplication of the fees payable under clause (i) above), documentary and
processing charges payable directly to the applicable Issuing Lender for
its own account in accordance with such Issuing Lender's standard schedule
for such charges in effect at the time of such issuance, amendment,
transfer or payment, as the case may be.
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For purposes of calculating any fees payable under clause (i) of this subsection
3.2, the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit shall be
determined as of the close of business on any date of determination. Promptly
upon receipt by Administrative Agent of any amount described in clause (i)(b) of
this subsection 3.2, Administrative Agent shall distribute to each Revolving
Lender its Pro Rata Share of such amount.
3.3 DRAWINGS AND REIMBURSEMENT OF AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT.
------------------------------------------------------------------
A. RESPONSIBILITY OF ISSUING LENDER WITH RESPECT TO DRAWINGS. In
determining whether to honor any drawing under any Letter of Credit by the
beneficiary thereof, the Issuing Lender shall be responsible only to examine the
documents delivered under such Letter of Credit with reasonable care so as to
ascertain whether they appear on their face to be in accordance with the terms
and conditions of such Letter of Credit.
B. REIMBURSEMENT BY COMPANY OF AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT. In
the event an Issuing Lender has determined to honor a drawing under a Letter of
Credit issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall immediately notify Company and
Administrative Agent, and Company shall reimburse such Issuing Lender on or
before the Business Day immediately following the date on which such drawing is
honored (the "REIMBURSEMENT DATE") in an amount in Dollars and in same day funds
equal to the amount of such honored drawing; provided that, anything contained
--------
in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) unless Company shall have
notified Administrative Agent and such Issuing Lender prior to 10:00 A.M. (San
Francisco time) on the date such drawing is honored that Company intends to
reimburse such Issuing Lender for the amount of such honored drawing with funds
other than the proceeds of Revolving Loans, Company shall be deemed to have
given a timely Notice of Borrowing to Administrative Agent requesting Lenders to
make Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans on the Reimbursement Date in an
amount in Dollars equal to the amount of such honored drawing and (ii) subject
to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified in subsection 4.2B,
Revolving Lenders shall, on the Reimbursement Date, make Revolving Loans that
are Base Rate Loans in the amount of such honored drawing, the proceeds of which
shall be applied directly by Administrative Agent to reimburse such Issuing
Lender for the amount of such honored drawing; and provided, further that if for
-------- -------
any reason proceeds of Revolving Loans are not received by such Issuing Lender
on the Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to the amount of such honored
drawing, Company shall reimburse such Issuing Lender, on demand, in an amount in
same day funds equal to the excess of the amount of such honored drawing over
the aggregate amount of such Revolving Loans, if any, which are so received.
Nothing in this subsection 3.3B shall be deemed to relieve any Revolving Lender
from its obligation to make Revolving Loans on the terms and conditions set
forth in this
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Agreement, and Company shall retain any and all rights it may have against any
Revolving Lender resulting from the failure of such Lender to make such
Revolving Loans under this subsection 3.3B.
C. PAYMENT BY REVOLVING LENDERS OF UNREIMBURSED AMOUNTS PAID UNDER
LETTERS OF CREDIT.
(i) Payment by Revolving Lenders. In the event that Company shall
----------------------------
fail for any reason to reimburse any Issuing Lender as provided in
subsection 3.3B in an amount equal to the amount of any drawing honored by
such Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit issued by it, such Issuing
Lender shall promptly notify each other Revolving Lender of the
unreimbursed amount of such honored drawing and of such other Revolving
Lender's respective participation therein based on such Revolving Lender's
Pro Rata Share. Each Revolving Lender shall make available to such Issuing
Lender an amount equal to its respective participation, in Dollars and in
same day funds, at the office of such Issuing Lender specified in such
notice, not later than 12:00 Noon (San Francisco time) on the first
business day (under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such office of
such Issuing Lender is located) after the date notified by such Issuing
Lender. In the event that any Revolving Lender fails to make available to
such Issuing Lender on such business day the amount of such Revolving
Lender's participation in such Letter of Credit as provided in this
subsection 3.3C, such Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover such
amount on demand from such Revolving Lender together with interest thereon
at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for three Business Days and thereafter
at the Base Rate. Nothing in this subsection 3.3C shall be deemed to
prejudice the right of any Revolving Lender to recover from any Issuing
Lender any amounts made available by such Revolving Lender to such Issuing
Lender pursuant to this subsection 3.3C in the event that it is determined
by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that the payment
with respect to a Letter of Credit by such Issuing Lender in respect of
which payment was made by such Revolving Lender constituted gross
negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such Issuing Lender.
(ii) Distribution to Revolving Lenders of Reimbursements Received
------------------------------------------------------------
From Company. In the event any Issuing Lender shall have been reimbursed by
------------
other Revolving Lenders pursuant to subsection 3.3C(i) for all or any
portion of any drawing honored by such Issuing Lender under a Letter of
Credit issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall distribute to each other
Revolving Lender which has paid all amounts payable by it under subsection
3.3C(i) with respect to such honored drawing such other Revolving Lender's
Pro Rata Share of all payments subsequently received by such
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Issuing Lender from Company in reimbursement of such honored drawing when
such payments are received. Any such distribution shall be made to a
Revolving Lender at its primary address set forth below its name on the
appropriate signature page hereof or at such other address as such
Revolving Lender may request.
D. INTEREST ON AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT.
(i) Payment of Interest by Company. Company agrees to pay to each
------------------------------
Issuing Lender, with respect to drawings honored under any Letters of
Credit issued by it, interest on the amount paid by such Issuing Lender in
respect of each such honored drawing from the date such drawing is honored
to but excluding the date such amount is reimbursed by Company (including
any such reimbursement out of the proceeds of Revolving Loans pursuant to
subsection 3.3B) at a rate equal to (a) for the period from the date such
drawing is honored to but excluding the Reimbursement Date, the rate then
in effect under this Agreement with respect to Revolving Loans that are
Base Rate Loans and (b) thereafter, a rate which is 2% per annum in excess
of the rate of interest otherwise payable under this Agreement with respect
to Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans. Interest payable pursuant to
this subsection 3.3D(i) shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year
for the actual number of days elapsed in the period during which it accrues
and shall be payable on demand or, if no demand is made, on the date on
which the related drawing under a Letter of Credit is reimbursed in full.
(ii) Distribution of Interest Payments by Issuing Lender. Promptly
---------------------------------------------------
upon receipt by any Issuing Lender of any payment of interest pursuant to
subsection 3.3D(i) with respect to a drawing honored under a Letter of
Credit issued by it, (a) such Issuing Lender shall distribute to each other
Revolving Lender, out of the interest received by such Issuing Lender in
respect of the period from the date such drawing is honored to but
excluding the date on which such Issuing Lender is reimbursed for the
amount of such drawing (including any such reimbursement out of the
proceeds of Revolving Loans pursuant to subsection 3.3B), the amount that
such other Revolving Lender would have been entitled to receive in respect
of the letter of credit fee that would have been payable in respect of such
Letter of Credit for such period pursuant to subsection 3.2 if no drawing
had been honored under such Letter of Credit, and (b) in the event such
Issuing Lender shall have been reimbursed by other Revolving Lenders
pursuant to subsection 3.3C(i) for all or any portion of such honored
drawing, such Issuing Lender shall distribute to each other Revolving
Lender which has paid all amounts payable by it under subsection 3.3C(i)
with respect to such honored drawing such other Revolving Lender's Pro Rata
Share of any interest received by such
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Issuing Lender in respect of that portion of such honored drawing so
reimbursed by other Revolving Lenders for the period from the date on which
such Issuing Lender was so reimbursed by other Revolving Lenders to but
excluding the date on which such portion of such honored drawing is
reimbursed by Company. Any such distribution shall be made to a Revolving
Lender at its primary address set forth below its name on the appropriate
signature page hereof or at such other address as such Revolving Lender may
request.
3.4 OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE.
--------------------
The obligation of Company to reimburse each Issuing Lender for
drawings honored under the Letters of Credit issued by it and to repay any
Revolving Loans made by Revolving Lenders pursuant to subsection 3.3B and the
obligations of Revolving Lenders under subsection 3.3C(i) shall be unconditional
and irrevocable and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement under all circumstances including any of the following circumstances:
(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit;
(ii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right
which Company or any Revolving Lender may have at any time against a
beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons for
whom any such transferee may be acting), any Issuing Lender or other Lender
or any other Person or, in the case of a Lender, against Company, whether
in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated herein or
any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction between
Company or one of its Subsidiaries and the beneficiary for which any Letter
of Credit was procured);
(iii) any draft or other document presented under any Letter of
Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any
respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
(iv) payment by the applicable Issuing Lender under any Letter of
Credit against presentation of a draft or other document which does not
substantially comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;
(v) any adverse change in the business, operations, properties,
assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Company or any
of its Subsidiaries;
(vi) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any
party thereto; or
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(vii) the fact that an Event of Default or a Potential Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
3.5 INDEMNIFICATION; NATURE OF ISSUING LENDERS' DUTIES.
--------------------------------------------------
A. INDEMNIFICATION. In addition to amounts payable as provided in
subsection 3.6, Company hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save
harmless each Issuing Lender from and against any and all claims, demands,
liabilities, damages, losses and reasonable out-of-pocket costs, charges and
expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and
allocated costs of internal counsel) which such Issuing Lender may incur or be
subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (i) the issuance of any
Letter of Credit by such Issuing Lender, other than as a result of (a) the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Lender as determined by a final
judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction or (b) subject to the following
clause (ii), the wrongful dishonor by such Issuing Lender of a proper demand for
payment made under any Letter of Credit issued by it or (ii) the failure of such
Issuing Lender to honor a drawing under any such Letter of Credit as a result of
any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de
jure or de facto government or governmental authority (all such acts or
omissions herein called "GOVERNMENTAL ACTS").
B. NATURE OF ISSUING LENDERS' DUTIES. As between Company and any Issuing
Lender, Company assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the
Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender by, the respective beneficiaries
of such Letters of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of the
foregoing, such Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for: (i) the form,
validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document
submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of
any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all
respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) the
validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or
purporting to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or
benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to
be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) failure of the beneficiary of
any such Letter of Credit to comply fully with any conditions required in order
to draw upon such Letter of Credit; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or
delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph,
telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in
interpretation of technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or
otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under any such
Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the
beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under
such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond
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the control of such Issuing Lender, including any Governmental Acts, and none of
the above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of such Issuing
Lender's rights or powers hereunder.
In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific
provisions set forth in the first paragraph of this subsection 3.5B, any action
taken or omitted by any Issuing Lender under or in connection with the Letters
of Credit issued by it or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder,
if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put such Issuing Lender under any
resulting liability to Company.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection
3.5, Company shall retain any and all rights it may have against any Issuing
Lender for any liability arising out of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Issuing Lender, as determined by a final judgment of a court
of competent jurisdiction.
3.6 INCREASED COSTS AND TAXES RELATING TO LETTERS OF CREDIT.
-------------------------------------------------------
Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.7B (which shall be
controlling with respect to the matters covered thereby), in the event that any
Issuing Lender or Revolving Lender shall determine (which determination shall,
absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties
hereto) that any law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order, or any
change therein or in the interpretation, administration or application thereof
(including the introduction of any new law, treaty or governmental rule,
regulation or order), or any determination of a court or governmental authority,
in each case that becomes effective after the date hereof, or compliance by any
Issuing Lender or Revolving Lender with any guideline, request or directive
issued or made after the date hereof by any central bank or other governmental
or quasi-governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law):
(i) subjects such Issuing Lender or Revolving Lender (or its
applicable lending or letter of credit office) to any additional Tax (other
than any Tax on the overall net income of such Issuing Lender or Revolving
Lender) with respect to the issuing or maintaining of any Letters of Credit
or the purchasing or maintaining of any participations therein or any other
obligations under this Section 3, whether directly or by such being imposed
on or suffered by any particular Issuing Lender;
(ii) imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including any
marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserve), special
deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC
91
insurance or similar requirement in respect of any Letters of Credit issued
by any Issuing Lender or participations therein purchased by any Revolving
Lender; or
(iii) imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax
matter) on or affecting such Issuing Lender or Revolving Lender (or its
applicable lending or letter of credit office) regarding this Section 3 or
any Letter of Credit or any participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Issuing
Lender or Revolving Lender of agreeing to issue, issuing or maintaining any
Letter of Credit or agreeing to purchase, purchasing or maintaining any
participation therein or to reduce any amount received or receivable by such
Issuing Lender or Revolving Lender (or its applicable lending or letter of
credit office) with respect thereto; then, in any case, Company shall promptly
pay to such Issuing Lender or Revolving Lender, upon receipt of the statement
referred to in the next sentence, such additional amount or amounts as may be
necessary to compensate such Issuing Lender or Revolving Lender for any such
increased cost or reduction in amounts received or receivable hereunder. Such
Issuing Lender or Revolving Lender shall deliver to Company a written statement,
setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional
amounts owed to such Issuing Lender or Revolving Lender under this subsection
3.6, which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto
absent manifest error. Such Lender agrees to provide any such request within
180 days of becoming aware of such costs and to use averaging and attribution
methods which are reasonable.
3.7 CONFLICT AMONG DOCUMENTS.
------------------------
This Agreement shall control in the event of any conflict with any
L/C-Related Document.
3.8 ISSUING AFFILIATE.
-----------------
The Issuing Lender may perform any or all of its obligations under
this Agreement with respect to letters of Credit through one or more of its
Affiliates and, if it exercises such option, each reference to "Issuing Lender"
in this Agreement shall be deemed a reference to the Issuing Lender or such
Affiliate, as appropriate.
SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT
The obligations of Lenders to make Loans and the issuance of Letters
of Credit hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions.
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4.1 CONDITIONS TO TERM LOANS AND INITIAL REVOLVING LOANS AND SWING LINE
-------------------------------------------------------------------
LOANS.
-----
The obligations of Lenders to make the Term Loans and any Revolving
Loans and Swing Line Loans to be made on the Closing Date are, in addition to
the conditions precedent specified in subsection 4.2, subject to prior or
concurrent satisfaction (or waiver) of the following conditions:
A. LOAN PARTY DOCUMENTS. On or before the Closing Date, Company shall,
and shall cause each other Loan Party to, deliver to Lenders (or to Agents for
Lenders with sufficient originally executed copies, where appropriate, for each
Lender and counsel to the Agents) the following with respect to Company or such
Loan Party, as the case may be, each, unless otherwise noted, dated the Closing
Date:
(i) Certified copies of the Certificate or Articles of
Incorporation of such Person, together with a good standing certificate
from the Secretary of State of its jurisdiction of incorporation and each
other state in which such Person is qualified as a foreign corporation to
do business and, to the extent generally available, a certificate or other
evidence of good standing as to payment of any applicable franchise or
similar taxes from the appropriate taxing authority of each of such
jurisdictions, each dated a recent date prior to the Closing Date;
(ii) Copies of the Bylaws of such Person, certified as of the
Closing Date by such Person's corporate secretary or an assistant
secretary;
(iii) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of such Person approving
and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
Documents to which it is a party, certified as of the Closing Date by the
corporate secretary or an assistant secretary of such Person as being in
full force and effect without modification or amendment;
(iv) Signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such
Person executing the Loan Documents to which it is a party;
(v) Executed originals of the Loan Documents to which such Person
is a party; and
(vi) The Notes to be issued by Company (if so requested in
accordance with subsection 2.1D), drawn to the order of each requesting
Lender with appropriate insertions; and
(vii) Such other documents as Agents may reasonably request.
93
B. NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Since December 31, 1997, there has not
occurred any event or a series of events which could reasonably be expected to
have (i) a material adverse effect (in the sole opinion of Arranger and
Syndication Agent) on the business, properties, financial condition, results of
operation, assets, prospects of the Business for the twelve consecutive monthly
period following the consummation of the Transactions or the liabilities of
Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; provided that for purposes of
--------
determining whether or not this condition has been satisfied, there shall be
excluded from the basis of such determination any matter not reasonably likely
to result in a net cost in excess of $5,000,000 following the Closing Date
(excluding any cost reflected in the Working Capital Adjustment (as such term is
defined in the Recapitalization Agreement)) or (ii) a material impairment of the
operations of the Business or the right and ability of Company to borrow under
this Agreement.
C. MORTGAGES; MORTGAGE POLICIES; ETC. Syndication Agent shall have
received from Company and each applicable Subsidiary Guarantor:
(i) Mortgages. Fully executed and notarized Mortgages in proper
---------
form for recording in all appropriate places in all applicable
jurisdictions, encumbering each Real Property Asset listed in Schedule 4.1C
-------------
annexed hereto (each a "CLOSING DATE MORTGAGED PROPERTY" and, collectively,
the "CLOSING DATE MORTGAGED PROPERTIES");
(ii) Opinions of Local Counsel. An opinion of counsel (which
-------------------------
counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Agents) in each state in which
a Closing Date Mortgaged Property is located with respect to the
enforceability of the form(s) of Mortgages to be recorded in such state and
such other matters as Agents may reasonably request, in each case in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agents dated as of the Closing
Date and setting forth substantially the matters in the opinion attached
hereto as Exhibit XXIV and as to such other matters as Agents may
------------
reasonably require;
(iii) Title Insurance. As determined by Syndication Agent in its
---------------
sole discretion, (a) unconditional commitments for mortgagee title
insurance policies (the "CLOSING DATE MORTGAGE POLICIES") issued by the
Title Company with respect to the Closing Date Mortgaged Properties in
amounts not less than the respective amounts designated therein with
respect to any particular Closing Date Mortgaged Properties, insuring
Administrative Agent that the applicable Mortgages create valid and
enforceable First Priority mortgage Liens on the respective Closing Date
Mortgaged Properties encumbered thereby, subject only to a standard survey
exception, and such other exceptions approved by Agents, which Closing Date
Mortgage Policies (1) shall include a
94
lenders aggregation endorsement, an endorsement for future advances under
this Agreement and for any other matters reasonably requested by
Syndication Agent and (2) shall provide for affirmative insurance and such
reinsurance as Agents may reasonably request, all of the foregoing in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Syndication Agent; and (b)
evidence reasonably satisfactory to Syndication Agent that such Loan Party
has (i) delivered to the Title Company all certificates and affidavits
required by the Title Company in connection with the issuance of the
Closing Date Mortgage Policies and (ii) paid to the Title Company or to the
appropriate governmental authorities all expenses and premiums of the Title
Company in connection with the issuance of the Closing Date Mortgage
Policies and all recording and stamp taxes (including mortgage recording
and intangible taxes) payable in connection with recording the Mortgages in
the appropriate real estate records;
(iv) Title Reports. With respect to each Closing Date Mortgaged
-------------
Property, a title report issued by the Title Company with respect thereto,
dated not more than 30 days prior to the Closing Date and satisfactory in
form and substance to Syndication Agent;
(v) Copies of Documents Relating to Title Exceptions. Copies of all
------------------------------------------------
recorded documents listed as exceptions to title or otherwise referred to
in the Closing Date Mortgage Policies or in the title reports delivered
pursuant to subsection 4.1C(iv) as may be requested by Syndication Agent;
(vi) Matters Relating to Flood Hazard Properties. (a) Evidence,
-------------------------------------------
which may be in the form of a letter from an insurance broker or a
municipal engineer, as to whether (1) any Closing Date Mortgaged Property
is a Flood Hazard Property and (2) the community in which any such Flood
Hazard Property is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance
Program, (b) if there are any such Flood Hazard Properties, such Loan
Party's written acknowledgement of receipt of written notification from
Administrative Agent (1) as to the existence of each such Flood Hazard
Property and (2) as to whether the community in which each such Flood
Hazard Property is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance
Program, and (c) in the event any such Flood Hazard Property is located in
a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program,
evidence that Company has obtained flood insurance in respect of such Flood
Hazard Property to the extent required under the applicable regulations of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and
(vii) Environmental Indemnity. If requested by Syndication Agent, an
-----------------------
environmental indemnity agreement,
95
satisfactory in form and substance to Agents and their counsel, with
respect to the indemnification of Agents and Lenders for any liabilities
that may be imposed on or incurred by any of them as a result of any
Hazardous Materials Activity.
D. SECURITY INTERESTS IN PERSONAL AND MIXED PROPERTY. To the extent not
otherwise satisfied pursuant to subsection 4.1C, Syndication Agent shall have
received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that Company, Holdings and
Subsidiary Guarantors, as applicable, shall have taken or caused to be taken all
such necessary actions, executed and delivered or caused to be executed and
delivered all such agreements, documents and instruments, and made or caused to
be made all such filings and recordings (other than the filing or recording of
items described in clauses (iii), (iv) and (v) below) that may be necessary or,
in the reasonable opinion of Syndication Agent, desirable in order to create in
favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, a valid and (upon
such filing and recording) perfected First Priority security interest in the
entire personal and mixed property Collateral. Such actions shall include the
following:
(i) Schedules to Collateral Documents. Delivery to Syndication
---------------------------------
Agent of accurate and complete schedules to all of the applicable
Collateral Documents;
(ii) Stock Certificates and Instruments. Delivery to Administrative
----------------------------------
Agent of (a) certificates (which certificates shall be accompanied by
irrevocable undated stock powers, duly endorsed in blank and otherwise
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Syndication Agent)
representing all capital stock pledged pursuant to the Company Pledge
Agreement, the Holdings Pledge Agreement and the Subsidiary Pledge
Agreements and (b) all promissory notes or other instruments (duly
endorsed, where appropriate, in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Agents)
evidencing any Collateral;
(iii) Lien Searches and UCC Termination Statements. Subject to the
--------------------------------------------
provisions of subsection 4.4, delivery to Syndication Agent of (a) the
results of a recent search, by a Person satisfactory to Syndication Agent,
of all effective UCC financing statements and fixture filings and all
judgment and tax lien filings which may have been made with respect to any
personal or mixed property of any Loan Party, together with copies of all
such filings disclosed by such search, and (b) UCC termination statements
duly executed by all applicable Persons for filing in all applicable
jurisdictions as may be necessary to terminate any effective UCC financing
statements or fixture filings disclosed in such search (other than any such
financing statements or
96
fixture filings in respect of Liens permitted to remain outstanding
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement);
(iv) UCC Financing Statements and Fixture Filings. Delivery to
--------------------------------------------
Syndication Agent of UCC financing statements and, where appropriate,
fixture filings, duly executed by each applicable Loan Party with respect
to all personal and mixed property Collateral of such Loan Party, for
filing in all jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of
Syndication Agent, necessary to perfect the security interests created in
such Collateral pursuant to the Collateral Documents;
(v) PTO Cover Sheets, Etc. Delivery to Syndication Agent of all
---------------------
cover sheets or other documents or instruments required to be filed with
the PTO in order to create or perfect Liens in respect of any IP
Collateral;
(vi) Opinions of Local Counsel. Delivery to Agents of an opinion of
-------------------------
counsel (which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to Syndication
Agent) under the laws of each jurisdiction in which any Loan Party or any
personal or mixed property Collateral is located with respect to the
creation and perfection of the security interests in favor of
Administrative Agent in such Collateral and such other matters governed by
the laws of such jurisdiction regarding such security interests as Agents
may reasonably request, in each case in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Agents dated as of the Closing Date and setting forth
substantially the matters in the form of opinion annexed hereto as Exhibit
-------
XXIV and as to such other matters as Agents may reasonably require.
----
(vii) Officer's Certificate from Holdings. Delivery to Agents of an
-----------------------------------
Officer's Certificate of Holdings stating that after the consummation of
the Transactions, it will not own any assets other than the capital stock
of Company.
E. EVIDENCE OF INSURANCE. Syndication Agent shall have received a
certificate from Company's insurance broker or other evidence reasonably
satisfactory to it that all insurance required to be maintained pursuant to
subsection 6.4 is in full force and effect and that Administrative Agent on
behalf of Lenders has been named as additional insured and/or loss payee
thereunder to the extent required under subsection 6.4.
F. DEBT AND EQUITY CAPITALIZATION OF HOLDINGS AND COMPANY.
(i) Redemption of Holdings Common Stock. On or prior to the Closing Date,
-----------------------------------
(a) Holdings shall have obtained the requisite approval of the Existing
Shareholders regarding the Recapitalization Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby and (b) Holdings shall have redeemed all of the issued
97
and outstanding Holdings Common Stock (other than the Retained Shares) from the
Existing Shareholders for an aggregate redemption price not exceeding
$211,503,000. Subsequent to the redemption of the Holdings Common Stock as
described above, the Existing Shareholders shall own the Retained Shares
representing 22.5% of the outstanding shares of Holdings Common Stock (after
giving effect to the full exercise of the Holdings Warrants). The redemption of
the Holdings Common Stock shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to Syndication Agent and Arranger.
(ii) Issuance of Holdings Preferred Stock. On or prior to the Closing
------------------------------------
Date, Holdings shall have issued the Holdings Preferred Stock and Holdings
Warrants and shall have received at least $47,000,000 in gross cash proceeds
therefrom. The terms and conditions of the Holdings Preferred Stock in the
Holdings Certificate of Designation shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to Syndication Agent and Arranger; provided that in any event the
--------
Holdings Preferred Stock shall not become subject to any mandatory redemption
prior to the final redemption date thereof; and provided further that the
-------- -------
Holdings Preferred Stock shall not provide or require for any cash distributions
by way of dividends or otherwise prior to the tenth anniversary of the Closing
Date. On or prior to the Closing Date, Principals and investment funds directly
managed by SKC shall have purchased from Holdings, for an aggregate purchase
price of $47,000,000, shares of Holdings Preferred Stock, together with the
Holdings Warrants. On the Closing Date, the shares of Holdings Common Stock
issuable upon the full exercise of the Holdings Warrants shall represent 77.5%
of the outstanding shares of Holdings Common Stock after giving effect to such
issuance.
(iii) Issuance of Holdings Discount Debentures. On or prior to the Closing
----------------------------------------
Date, Holdings shall have issued the Holdings Discount Debentures and shall have
received at least $45,105,480 in gross proceeds therefrom (such gross cash
proceeds, together with the gross cash proceeds of the Holdings Preferred Stock,
the "EQUITY CONTRIBUTIONS"). The terms and conditions of the Holdings Discount
Debentures shall be substantially as described in the Holdings Discount
Debentures Material and shall be satisfactory in form and substance to
Syndication Agent and Arranger; provided that in any event the Holdings Discount
--------
Debentures shall be unsecured and shall not mature or provide for or require any
payments of accrued interest thereon or accreted value thereof prior to the
fifth anniversary of the Closing Date. Company shall have delivered to Agents a
fully executed or conformed copy of the Holdings Discount Debentures Indenture
and a copy of the Holdings Discount Debentures Material.
(iv) Issuance of Senior Subordinated Notes. On or prior to the Closing
-------------------------------------
Date, Company shall have issued the Senior Subordinated Notes and shall have
received at least $100,000,000 in gross proceeds therefrom. The terms and
conditions of the
98
Senior Subordinated Notes shall be substantially as described in the Senior
Subordinated Notes Material and shall be in form and substance satisfactory to
Syndication Agent and Arranger; provided that in any event the Senior
--------
Subordinated Notes shall be unsecured and shall not mature or provide for any
scheduled principal payments prior to the tenth anniversary of the Closing Date;
and provided further that the negative covenants and default provisions shall be
-------- -------
less restrictive than those contained in this Agreement. Company shall have
delivered to Administrative Agent a fully executed or conformed copy of the
Senior Subordinated Notes Indenture and a copy of the Senior Subordinated Notes
Material.
(v) Capital Contribution to Company. On or prior to the Closing Date, as
-------------------------------
capital contributions to Company, Holdings shall (a) transfer all of its assets
to Company and (b) provide cash to Company in an amount equal to the Equity
Contributions in exchange for the Holdings Preferred Stock. On the Closing
Date, Holdings shall own 100% of all issued and outstanding capital stock of
Company. Agents shall have received an Officer's Certificate of Holdings
stating that after giving effect to the transactions described in this
subsection 4.1F(v), Holdings will own no assets other than the capital stock of
Company.
(vi) Repayment of Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement and
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Existing IRB Loan Agreement. On or prior to the Closing Date, Holdings shall
---------------------------
have (a) repaid in full all Indebtedness outstanding under the Existing Credit
Agreement and the Existing IRB Loan Agreement (the aggregate principal amount of
all such Indebtedness not to exceed $45,091,767.60), including accrued interest
and any prepayment penalties related thereto, (b) terminated any commitments to
lend or make other extensions of credit thereunder, (c) delivered to Syndication
Agent all documents or instruments necessary to release all Liens securing such
Indebtedness or other obligations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries thereunder,
and (d) made arrangements reasonably satisfactory to Syndication Agent and
Arranger with respect to the cancellation of any letters of credit outstanding
thereunder or the issuance of Letters of Credit to support the obligations of
Holdings and its Subsidiaries with respect thereto.
(vii) Repayment of Indebtedness under the Existing Tax Increment Financing
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreement and Existing Smart E Bonds Loan Agreement. On or prior to the Closing
---------------------------------------------------
Date, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Mfg. shall have (a) repaid in full all Indebtedness outstanding
under the Existing Tax Increment Financing Agreement and the Existing Smart E
Bonds Loan Agreement (the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness
not to exceed $770,951.11), including accrued interest and any prepayment
penalties related thereto, and (b) delivered to Administrative Agent all
documents or instruments necessary to release all Liens securing such
Indebtedness or other obligations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries thereunder.
99
G. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; PRO FORMA BALANCE SHEET. On or before the
Closing Date, the Lenders shall have received from Holdings (i) audited
financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for Fiscal Years 1995,
1996 and 1997, consisting of balance sheets and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for such Fiscal
Years, (ii) if available, unaudited financial statements of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries as at March 31, 1998, consisting of a balance sheet and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
the three-month period ending on such date, all in reasonable detail and
certified by the chief financial officer of Holdings that they fairly represent
the financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the dates
indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the
period indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end
adjustments, and (iii) pro forma consolidated balance sheets of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries and Company and its Subsidiaries as at the Closing Date, prepared
in accordance with GAAP and giving effect to the consummation of the
Transactions and the other transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and
reflecting the legal and capital structure as agreed to by Syndication Agent and
Arranger, which pro forma financial statements shall be in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Lenders.
H. TRANSACTION COSTS. Transaction Costs shall not exceed $12,500,000.
I. OPINIONS OF COUNSEL TO LOAN PARTIES. Agents, Lenders and counsel to
the Agents shall have received (i) originally executed copies of one or more
favorable written opinions of (A) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Will & ▇▇▇▇▇, special counsel for
Loan Parties, (B) ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇ P.L.L.P., Minnesota counsel for Holdings,
(C) Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P., Kansas counsel for Empire Candle, Inc., and (D)
Bernstein, Shur, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Maine counsel for ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc., in each case
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Agents and Arranger and their
counsel, dated as of the Closing Date and setting forth substantially the
matters in the opinions designated in Exhibit IX annexed hereto, as appropriate,
----------
and as to such other matters as Agents and Arranger acting on behalf of Lenders
may reasonably request and (ii) evidence satisfactory to Syndication Agent and
Arranger that Company has requested such counsel to deliver such opinions to
Lenders.
J. OPINIONS OF SYNDICATION AGENT'S COUNSEL. Lenders shall have received
originally executed copies of one or more favorable written opinions of
O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, counsel to Syndication Agent, dated as of the Closing
Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit X annexed hereto and as to such other
---------
matters as Syndication Agent acting on behalf of Lenders may reasonably request.
100
K. OPINIONS OF COUNSEL DELIVERED UNDER RELATED AGREEMENTS. Agents and
their counsel shall have received copies of each of the opinions of counsel
delivered on behalf of or to any Loan Party under or in respect of the Holdings
Discount Debentures Indenture, Holdings Preferred Stock and Senior Subordinated
Indenture, together with a letter from each such counsel authorizing Agents and
Lenders to rely upon such opinion to the same extent as though it were addressed
to Agents and Lenders.
L. FEES. Company shall have paid to Administrative Agent and Arranger
the fees payable on the Closing Date referred to in subsection 2.3.
M. SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE. Company shall have delivered to Arranger and
Agents a Solvency Certificate dated the Closing Date.
N. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Arranger and Syndication Agent shall have
received reports and other information in form, scope and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Arranger and Syndication Agent regarding environmental matters
related to the Facilities.
O. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS. Company
shall have delivered to Agents an Officer's Certificate, in form and substance
satisfactory to Syndication Agent, to the effect that the representations and
warranties in Section 5 hereof are true, correct and complete in all material
respects on and as of the Closing Date to the same extent as though made on and
as of that date (or, to the extent such representations and warranties
specifically relate to an earlier date, that such representations and warranties
were true, correct and complete in all material respects on and as of such
earlier date) and that Company shall have performed in all material respects all
agreements and satisfied all conditions which this Agreement provides shall be
performed or satisfied by it on or before the Closing Date except as otherwise
disclosed to and agreed to in writing by Syndication Agent.
P. NECESSARY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS AND CONSENTS; EXPIRATION OF
WAITING PERIODS, ETC. Holdings and Company shall have obtained all Governmental
Authorizations and all consents of other Persons, in each case that are
necessary or advisable in connection with the Transactions and all other
transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents and each of the foregoing shall
be in full force and effect, in each case other than those the failure to obtain
or maintain which, either individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All applicable waiting periods
shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent
authority which would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose material adverse
conditions on all transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents. No action,
request for stay, petition for review or rehearing, reconsideration, or appeal
with
101
respect to any of the foregoing shall be pending, and the time for any
applicable agency to take action to set aside its consent on its own motion
shall have expired.
Q. MARGIN DETERMINATION CERTIFICATE. Company shall have delivered to
Arranger and Agents a Margin Determination Certificate demonstrating in
reasonable detail the Consolidated Leverage Ratios for the four consecutive
Fiscal Quarters ending on the last day of most recently ended Fiscal Quarter.
R. LITIGATION. There shall exist no pending or threatened in writing
material litigation, proceedings or investigations which (i) would contest the
consummation of the Transactions or (ii) would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
4.2 CONDITIONS TO ALL LOANS.
-----------------------
The obligations of Lenders to make Loans on each Funding Date are
subject to the following further conditions precedent:
A. Administrative Agent shall have received before that Funding
Date, in accordance with the provisions of subsection 2.1B, an originally
executed Notice of Borrowing, in each case signed by the chief executive
officer, the chief financial officer or the treasurer of Company or by any
executive officer of Company designated by any of the above-described officers
on behalf of Company in a writing delivered to Administrative Agent.
B. As of that Funding Date:
(i) The representations and warranties contained herein and in the
other Loan Documents shall be true, correct and complete in all material
respects on and as of that Funding Date to the same extent as though made
on and as of that date, except to the extent such representations and
warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such
representations and warranties shall have been true, correct and complete
in all material respects on and as of such earlier date;
(ii) No event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
from the consummation of the borrowing contemplated by such Notice of
Borrowing that would constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Event of
Default;
(iii) Each Loan Party shall have performed in all material respects
all agreements and satisfied in all material respects all conditions which
this Agreement
102
provides shall be performed or satisfied by it on or before that Funding
Date;
(iv) No order, judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or
governmental authority shall purport to enjoin or restrain any Lender from
making the Loans to be made by it on that Funding Date; and
(v) The making of the Loans requested on such Funding Date shall not
violate any applicable law including Regulation T, Regulation U or
Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
4.3 CONDITIONS TO LETTERS OF CREDIT.
-------------------------------
The issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder (whether or not the
applicable Issuing Lender is obligated to issue such Letter of Credit) is
subject to the following conditions precedent:
A. On or before the date of issuance of the initial Letter of Credit
pursuant to this Agreement, the initial Loans shall have been made.
B. On or before the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit,
Administrative Agent shall have received, in accordance with the provisions of
subsection 3.1B(i), an originally executed Notice of Issuance of Letter of
Credit, in each case signed by the chief executive officer, the chief financial
officer or the treasurer of Company or by any executive officer of Company
designated by any of the above-described officers on behalf of Company in a
writing delivered to Administrative Agent, together with all other information
specified in subsection 3.1B(i) and such other documents or information as the
applicable Issuing Lender may reasonably require in connection with the issuance
of such Letter of Credit.
C. On the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, all conditions
precedent described in subsection 4.2B shall be satisfied to the same extent as
if the issuance of such Letter of Credit were the making of a Loan and the date
of issuance of such Letter of Credit were a Funding Date.
4.4 ITEMS TO BE DELIVERED AFTER THE CLOSING DATE.
--------------------------------------------
Company, Agents and Lenders recognize that it may be impractical for
Company to deliver certain of the items listed in subsection 4.1D(iii) on the
Closing Date. Company, Agents and Lenders agree, to the extent that any of such
items are not so delivered on the Closing Date with the consent of Syndication
Agent, Company shall deliver such items within 30 days of the Closing Date. In
addition, Company agrees (i) to use all reasonable efforts to deliver a Mortgage
on Leasehold Property
103
located in Kansas City, Kansas, which, due to inability of Company to obtain the
Landlord Consent and Estoppel with respect to such Mortgage, cannot be delivered
on the Closing Date; and (ii) within 30 days following the Closing Date, either
to deliver (A) such Mortgage and the applicable items specified in subsection
4.1C that are required to be delivered in connection with a Mortgage, each in
form and substance satisfactory to Syndication Agent, in which case such
Mortgage shall be deemed a Closing Date Mortgage, (B) a written notice to
Syndication Agent, indicating that it is impractical to deliver such Mortgage
and other items by such 30th day and that Company intends to deliver such
Mortgage and other items on a specified future date (which shall not be later
than the 90th day following the Closing Date), in which case such Mortgage and
other items shall be delivered on or prior to such date or (C) a written notice
to Syndication Agent indicating that, having used all reasonable efforts,
Company is unable to deliver such Mortgage and such other items. If Company is
not able to deliver the Mortgage on the Leasehold Property located in Kansas
City, Kansas, and Company has provided the written notice referred to in clause
(C) to Administrative Agent, then, within 15 days of the date of such notice,
Company shall cause to be filed a Memorandum of Negative Pledge with respect to
such Leasehold Property with the appropriate county recorder's office.
SECTION 5. COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
In order to induce Lenders and the Agents to enter into this Agreement
and to make the Loans, to induce Issuing Lenders to issue Letters of Credit and
to induce other Lenders to purchase participations therein, Company represents
and warrants to each Lender and the Agents, on the date of this Agreement, on
each Funding Date and on the date of issuance of each Letter of Credit, that the
following statements are true, correct and complete:
5.1 ORGANIZATION, POWERS, QUALIFICATION, GOOD STANDING, BUSINESS AND
----------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSIDIARIES.
------------
A. ORGANIZATION AND POWERS. Each Loan Party is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its
jurisdiction of incorporation as specified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto. Each
------------
Loan Party has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate
its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry
out the transactions contemplated thereby.
B. QUALIFICATION AND GOOD STANDING. Each Loan Party is qualified to do
business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located
and wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except in
jurisdictions
104
where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing has not had and would
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
C. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS. Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged only in
the businesses permitted to be engaged in pursuant to subsection 7.14.
D. SUBSIDIARIES. All of the Subsidiaries of Company are identified in
Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto, as said Schedule 5.1 may be supplemented from time
------------ ------------
to time pursuant to the provisions of subsection 6.1(xvi). The capital stock of
each of the Subsidiaries of Company identified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto
------------
(as so supplemented) is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and none of such capital stock constitutes Margin Stock. Each of
the Subsidiaries of Company identified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto (as so
------------
supplemented) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation set
forth therein, has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and
operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as
proposed to be conducted, and is qualified to do business and in good standing
in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and wherever necessary to
carry out its business and operations, in each case except where failure to be
so qualified or in good standing or a lack of such corporate power and authority
has not had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect. Schedule 5.1 annexed
------------
hereto (as so supplemented) correctly sets forth the ownership interest of
Company and each of its Subsidiaries in each of the Subsidiaries of Company
identified therein. Holdings owns all of the capital stock of Company and no
other asset, other than the leasehold interests described in subsection 7.14.
5.2 AUTHORIZATION OF BORROWING, ETC.
--------------------------------
A. AUTHORIZATION OF BORROWING. The execution, delivery and performance
of the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary actions on the
part of each Loan Party that is a party thereto.
B. NO CONFLICT. The execution, delivery and performance by Loan Parties
of the Loan Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by
the Loan Documents do not and will not (i) violate any provision of any law or
any governmental rule or regulation applicable to Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries, the Certificate or the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
Holdings, Company or any of Company's Subsidiaries or any order, judgment or
decree of any court or other agency of government binding on Holdings, Company
or any of Company's Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or
constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any
Contractual Obligation of Holdings, Company or any of its Subsidiaries, which
105
conflict, breach or default would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, (iii) result in or require the creation or imposition of any
Lien upon any of the properties or assets of Holdings, Company or any of
Company's Subsidiaries (other than any Liens created under any of the Loan
Documents in favor of Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders), or (iv)
require any approval of or consent of any Person under any Contractual
Obligation of Holdings, Company or any of Company's Subsidiaries, except for
such approvals or consents which will be obtained on or before the Closing Date
and disclosed in writing to Lenders, or the failure to so obtain would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
C. GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS. The execution, delivery and performance by
Loan Parties of the Loan Documents and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not require any registration
with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any
federal, state or other governmental authority or regulatory body which, if not
obtained, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
D. BINDING OBLIGATION. Each of the Loan Documents has been duly executed
and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto and is the legally
valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan
Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to
or limiting creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles relating to
enforceability.
E. VALID ISSUANCE OF HOLDINGS COMMON STOCK, HOLDINGS PREFERRED STOCK,
HOLDINGS DISCOUNT DEBENTURES AND THE SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES.
(i)(A) Holdings Common Stock. As of the Closing Date, there are 16,112,500
---------------------
shares of issued and outstanding Holdings Common Stock. Such shares of Holdings
Common Stock have been duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
Except as provided in the Holdings Certificate of Designation, the Holdings
Warrants or the Stockholders' Agreement, no stockholder of Holdings has or will
have any preemptive rights to subscribe for any additional equity Securities of
Holdings. Any issuance and sale of Holdings Common Stock, upon such issuance
and sale, will either (a) have been registered or qualified under applicable
federal and state securities laws or (b) be exempt therefrom.
(B) Holdings Preferred Stock. As of the Closing Date, there are 47,000
------------------------
shares of issued and outstanding Holdings Preferred Stock. Such shares of
Holdings Preferred Stock have been duly and validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. Except as provided in the Holdings Certificate of Designation,
the Holdings Warrants or the Stockholders' Agreement, no
106
stockholder of Holdings has or will have any preemptive rights to subscribe for
any additional equity Securities of Holdings. Any issuance and sale of Holdings
Preferred Stock, upon such issuance and sale, will either (a) have been
registered and qualified under applicable federal and state securities laws or
(b) be exempt therefrom.
(C) Holdings Discount Debentures. Holdings has the corporate power
----------------------------
and authority to issue the Holdings Discount Debentures. The Holdings Discount
Debentures, when issued and paid for, will be the legally valid and binding
obligations of Holdings, enforceable against Holdings in accordance with their
terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally
or by equitable principles relating to enforceability. The Holdings Discount
Debentures, when issued and sold, will either (a) have been registered or
qualified under applicable federal and state securities laws or (b) be exempt
therefrom.
(ii) The Senior Subordinated Notes. Company has the corporate power and
-----------------------------
authority to issue the Senior Subordinated Notes. The Senior Subordinated
Notes, when issued and paid for, will be the legally valid and binding
obligations of Company, enforceable against Company in accordance with their
terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors' rights generally
or by equitable principles relating to enforceability. The subordination
provisions of the Senior Subordinated Notes will be enforceable against the
holders thereof in accordance with their terms (except as may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to
or limiting creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles relating to
enforceability) and the Loans and all other monetary Obligations hereunder are
and will be within the definitions of "Bank Indebtedness", "Senior Indebtedness"
and "Designated Senior Indebtedness" included in such provisions. The Senior
Subordinated Notes, when issued and sold, will either (a) have been registered
or qualified under applicable federal and state securities laws or (b) be exempt
therefrom.
5.3 FINANCIAL CONDITION.
-------------------
Company has heretofore delivered to Lenders, at Lenders' request, the
following financial statements and information: (i) the audited consolidated
balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1995, December
31, 1996 and December 31, 1997 and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Holdings and its Subsidiaries
for the Fiscal Years then ended and (ii) the unaudited consolidated balance
sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of March 31, 1998 and the related
unaudited
107
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows of
Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the three months then ended. All such
statements were prepared in conformity with GAAP and fairly present, in all
material respects, the financial position (on a consolidated basis) of the
entities described in such financial statements as at the respective dates
thereof and the results of operations and cash flows (on a consolidated basis)
of the entities described therein for each of the periods then ended, subject,
in the case of any such unaudited financial statements, to changes resulting
from normal year-end adjustments. Company does not (and will not following the
funding of the initial Loans) have any Contingent Obligation, contingent
liability or liability for taxes, long-term lease or unusual forward or long-
term commitment that is not reflected in the foregoing financial statements or
the notes thereto and which in any such case would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.4 NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE; NO RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENTS.
---------------------------------------------------------
Since December 31, 1997, no event or change has occurred that has
caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect. Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has directly or indirectly
declared, ordered, paid or made, or set apart any sum or property for, any
Restricted Junior Payment or agreed to do so except as permitted by subsection
7.5.
5.5 TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LIENS; REAL PROPERTY.
-----------------------------------------
A. TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LIENS. Company and its Subsidiaries have (i)
good, sufficient and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in real
property), (ii) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of leasehold interests
in real or personal property), or (iii) good title to (in the case of all other
personal property), all of their respective properties and assets reflected in
the financial statements referred to in subsection 5.3 or in the most recent
financial statements delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1, in each case except
for assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements in the
ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted under subsection 7.7.
Except as permitted by this Agreement, all such properties and assets are free
and clear of Liens.
B. REAL PROPERTY. As of the Closing Date, Schedule 5.5 annexed hereto
------------
contains a true, accurate and complete list of (i) all real property owned by
Company or any Subsidiary and (ii) all leases, subleases or assignments of
leases (together with all amendments, modifications, supplements, renewals or
extensions of any thereof) affecting each Real Property Asset of any Loan Party,
regardless of whether such Loan Party is the landlord or tenant (whether
directly or as an assignee or
108
successor in interest) under such lease, sublease or assignment. Except as
specified in Schedule 5.5 annexed hereto, each agreement listed in clause (ii)
------------
of the immediately preceding sentence is in full force and effect and Company
does not have knowledge of any default that has occurred and is continuing
thereunder, and each such agreement constitutes the legally valid and binding
obligation of each applicable Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan Party in
accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting
creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles.
5.6 LITIGATION; ADVERSE FACTS.
-------------------------
Except as set forth in Schedule 5.6 annexed hereto, there are no
------------
actions, suits, proceedings, arbitrations or governmental investigations
(whether or not purportedly on behalf of Company or any of its Subsidiaries) at
law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state, municipal or other
governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality,
domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Claims) that are pending or, to
the knowledge of any officer of Company, threatened in writing against or
affecting Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any
of its Subsidiaries and that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries (i) is in violation of any applicable laws (including
Environmental Laws) that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) is subject to or in
default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules
or regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal or other
governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality,
domestic or foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
5.7 PAYMENT OF TAXES.
----------------
Except to the extent permitted by subsection 6.3, all tax returns and
reports of Holdings and its Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them
have been timely filed, and all taxes shown on such tax returns to be due and
payable and all assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon Holdings
and its Subsidiaries and upon their respective properties, assets, income,
businesses and franchises which are due and payable have been paid when due and
payable. Company knows of no proposed tax assessment against Holdings or any of
its Subsidiaries which is not being actively contested by Holdings or such
Subsidiary in good faith and by appropriate proceedings; provided that such
--------
reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in
conformity with GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.
109
5.8 PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS; MATERIALLY ADVERSE AGREEMENTS; MATERIAL
------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACTS.
---------
A. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in the
performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or
conditions contained in any of its Contractual Obligations, and no condition
exists that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would
constitute such a default, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of
such default or defaults, if any, would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
B. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or is
otherwise subject to any agreements or instruments or any charter or other
internal restrictions which, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
C. Schedule 5.8 contains a true, correct and complete list of all the
------------
Material Contracts in effect on the Closing Date. Except as described on
Schedule 5.8, all such Material Contracts are in full force and effect and no
------------
material defaults currently exist thereunder.
5.9 GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION.
-----------------------
Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation
under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the
Interstate Commerce Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other
federal or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur
Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations
unenforceable.
5.10 SECURITIES ACTIVITIES.
---------------------
A. Neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally,
or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.
B. Following application of the proceeds of each Loan, not more than 25%
of the value of the assets (either of Company only or of Company and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of subsection
7.2 or 7.7 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or
instrument, between Company and any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender,
relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of subsection 8.2, will be Margin
Stock.
110
5.11 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
----------------------
A. Holdings, each of its Subsidiaries and each of their respective ERISA
Affiliates are in material compliance with all applicable provisions and
requirements of ERISA and the regulations and published interpretations
thereunder with respect to each Employee Benefit Plan, and have performed all
their material obligations under each Employee Benefit Plan. Each Employee
Benefit Plan which is intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code is so qualified.
B. No ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur.
C. Except to the extent required under Section 4980B of the Internal
Revenue Code or as provided pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement, no
Employee Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits (through the purchase
of insurance or otherwise) for any retired or former employee of Company, any of
its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.
D. As of the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the amount
of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA),
individually or in the aggregate for all Pension Plans (excluding for purposes
of such computation any Pension Plans with respect to which assets exceed
benefit liabilities), does not exceed $500,000.
E. As of the most recent valuation date for each Multiemployer Plan for
which the actuarial report is available, the potential liability of Holdings,
its Subsidiaries and their respective ERISA Affiliates for a complete withdrawal
from such Multiemployer Plan (within the meaning of Section 4203 of ERISA), when
aggregated with such potential liability for a complete withdrawal from all
Multiemployer Plans, based on information available pursuant to Section 4221(e)
of ERISA, does not exceed $500,000.
5.12 CERTAIN FEES.
------------
No broker's fee or commission will be payable with respect to this
Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and Company hereby
indemnifies Lenders against, and agrees that it will hold Lenders harmless from,
any claim, demand or liability for any such broker's fees alleged to have been
incurred in connection herewith or therewith and any expenses (including
reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel) arising in connection
with any such claim, demand or liability.
111
5.13 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
------------------------
Except as set forth in Schedule 5.13 annexed hereto:
-------------
(i) neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of their
respective Facilities or operations are subject to any outstanding written
order, consent decree, settlement agreement, indemnity agreement or similar
agreement allocating responsibility or liability to Company, with any
Person relating to (a) any Environmental Law, (b) any Environmental Claim,
or (c) any Hazardous Materials Activity, except any of the foregoing which
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(ii) neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
letter or request for information under Section 104 of CERCLA (42 U.S.C.
(S) 9604) or any comparable state law, nor has Holdings nor any of its
Subsidiaries been notified that it is or may be a potentially responsible
party for remediation of any site under such laws;
(iii) there are and, to Company's knowledge, have been no conditions,
occurrences, or Hazardous Materials Activities which would reasonably be
expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against Holdings or
any of its Subsidiaries, which Environmental Claim, if adversely
determined, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(iv) neither Holdings nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to Company's
knowledge, any predecessor of Company or any of its Subsidiaries has filed
any notice under any Environmental Law indicating past or present treatment
of Hazardous Materials at any Facility, and none of Holdings' or any of its
Subsidiaries' operations involves the transportation, treatment, storage or
disposal of hazardous waste, as defined under 40 C.F.R. Parts 260-270 or
any state equivalent which would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect;
(v) to the knowledge of Holdings and Subsidiaries, no off-site waste
disposal facility used by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, or by any
predecessor of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, has been the subject of
an investigation into its compliance with Environmental Laws, or the
subject of a claim that it is non-compliant with Environmental Laws, or
that remediation is required at such off-site waste disposal facility which
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;
(vi) compliance with all current or reasonably foreseeable future
requirements pursuant to or under Environmental Laws would not,
individually or in the
112
aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Notwithstanding anything in this subsection 5.13 to the contrary, no
event or condition has occurred or is occurring with respect to Holdings or any
of its Subsidiaries relating to any Environmental Law, any Release of Hazardous
Materials, or any Hazardous Materials Activity, including any matter disclosed
on Schedule 5.13 annexed hereto, which individually or in the aggregate has had
-------------
or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.14 EMPLOYEE MATTERS.
----------------
There is no strike or work stoppage in existence or threatened
involving Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.15 SOLVENCY.
--------
Each Loan Party is and, upon the incurrence of any Obligations by such
Loan Party on any date on which this representation is made, will be, Solvent.
5.16 MATTERS RELATING TO COLLATERAL.
------------------------------
A. CREATION, PERFECTION AND PRIORITY OF LIENS. The execution and
delivery of the Collateral Documents by Loan Parties, together with (i) the
actions taken on or prior to the date hereof pursuant to subsections 4.1C, 4.1D,
6.8 and 6.9 and (ii) the delivery to Administrative Agent of any Pledged
Collateral not delivered to Administrative Agent at the time of execution and
delivery of the applicable Collateral Document (all of which Pledged Collateral
has been so delivered) are, assuming continuous possession of such Pledged
Collateral by Administrative Agent or any Supplemental Collateral Agent, if any,
effective to create in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders,
as security for the respective Secured Obligations (as defined in the applicable
Collateral Document in respect of any Collateral), a valid and perfected First
Priority Lien on all of the Collateral, and all filings and other actions
necessary to perfect and maintain the perfection and First Priority status of
such Liens have been duly made or taken and remain in full force and effect,
other than the filing of any UCC financing statements delivered to
Administrative Agent for filing (but not yet filed), the periodic filing of UCC
continuation statements in respect of UCC financing statements filed by or on
behalf of Administrative Agent and the filing of certain UCC termination
statements relating to the Liens under Existing Indebtedness (which have been
delivered to Administrative Agent and which will be promptly filed after the
Closing Date).
113
B. GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS. No authorization, approval or other
action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or
regulatory body is required for either (i) the pledge or grant by any Loan Party
of the Liens purported to be created in favor of Administrative Agent pursuant
to any of the Collateral Documents or (ii) the exercise by Administrative Agent
of any rights or remedies in respect of any Collateral (whether specifically
granted or created pursuant to any of the Collateral Documents or created or
provided for by applicable law), except for filings or recordings contemplated
by subsection 5.16A and except as may be required, in connection with the
disposition of any Pledged Collateral, by laws generally affecting the offering
and sale of securities.
C. ABSENCE OF THIRD-PARTY FILINGS. Except such as may have been filed in
favor of Administrative Agent as contemplated by subsection 5.16A, (i) no
effective UCC financing statement, fixture filing or other instrument similar in
effect covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in any filing or
recording office and (ii) no effective filing covering all or any part of the IP
Collateral is on file in the PTO, in each case other than those UCC financing
statements relating to Existing Indebtedness which will be terminated upon the
filing of the UCC termination statements delivered to Syndication Agent pursuant
to subsections 4.1F(vi) and (vii) with the appropriate filing offices.
D. MARGIN REGULATIONS. The pledge of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to
the Collateral Documents does not violate Regulation T, U or X of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
E. INFORMATION REGARDING COLLATERAL. All information supplied to either
Agent by or on behalf of any Loan Party with respect to any of the Collateral
(in each case taken as a whole with respect to any particular Collateral) is
accurate and complete in all material respects.
5.17 DISCLOSURE.
----------
No representation or warranty of any Loan Party contained in any Loan
Document or in any other document, certificate or written statement furnished to
Lenders by or on behalf of Company or any of its Subsidiaries for use in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement contains any
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact (known to
Company, in the case of any document not furnished by it) necessary in order to
make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances in which the same were made. Any projections and pro forma
financial information contained in such materials are based upon good faith
estimates and assumptions believed by Company to be reasonable at the time made,
it being recognized by Lenders that such projec-
114
tions as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual results
during the period or periods covered by any such projections may differ from the
projected results. There are no facts known (or which should upon the
reasonable exercise of diligence be known) to Company (other than matters of a
general economic nature) that, individually or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and that have not
been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates and statements
furnished to Lenders for use in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby.
SECTION 6. COMPANY'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Company covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the Commitments
hereunder shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all of the Loans
and other Obligations and the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of
Credit, unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written consent,
Company shall perform, and shall cause Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries to
perform, all covenants in this Section 6.
6.1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER REPORTS.
--------------------------------------
Company will maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain,
a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with sound
business practices to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity
with GAAP. Company will deliver to Administrative Agent for distribution to
Lenders:
(i) Monthly Financials: as soon as available and in any event within
------------------
30 days after the end of each month ending after the Closing Date, the
consolidated statements of operations of Company and its Subsidiaries for
such month and for the period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal
Year to the end of such month, setting forth in each case in comparative
form the corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the
previous Fiscal Year, to the extent prepared on a monthly basis, all in
reasonable detail and certified by the chief financial officer, chief
accounting officer or controller of Company that they fairly present, in
all material respects, the financial condition of Company and its
Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for the periods indicated, subject to changes
resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments; provided that such
--------
consolidated statements of operations shall be prepared in a manner
consistent with the Company's internal procedures as they exist on the
Closing Date and current practice in all material respects and that such
consolidated statements of operations shall provide the required
information separately for each product group (as such groups are
determined by
115
Company from time to time; provided that to the extent any such product
--------
group is changed in any material respect, Company shall promptly provide an
explanation therefor to Administrative Agent); provided further that the
-------- -------
requirement set forth in this clause (i) of this subsection 6.1 shall cease
and no longer be of any force or effect on the date of delivery of the
Margin Determination Certificate pursuant to clause (iv) of this subsection
6.1 which shows that the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 4.5:1.00;
(ii) Quarterly Financials: as soon as available and in any event
--------------------
within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, (a) the consolidated
balance sheets of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and of Company and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows
of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and of Company and its Subsidiaries for
such Fiscal Quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then
current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in
each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the
corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding
figures from the Financial Plan for the current Fiscal Year, all in
reasonable detail and certified by the chief financial officer of Holdings
or Company, as the case may be, that they fairly present, in all material
respects, the financial condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and
Company and its Subsidiaries, as the case may be, as at the dates indicated
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods
indicated, subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end
adjustments, and (b) a narrative report describing the operations of
Company and its Subsidiaries in the form prepared for presentation to
senior management for such Fiscal Quarter and for the period from the
beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal
Quarter; provided that if Company delivers an Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
--------
for such Fiscal Quarter as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission to Administrative Agent within 60 days after the end of such
Fiscal Quarter, such Form 10-Q shall satisfy all requirements of clause (b)
of this subsection 6.1(ii);
(iii) Year-End Financials: as soon as available and in any event
-------------------
within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, (a) the consolidated
balance sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and of Company and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated
statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows of Holdings
and its Subsidiaries and of Company and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal
Year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding
figures for the previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the
116
Financial Plan for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements,
all in reasonable detail and certified by the chief financial officer,
chief accounting officer or controller of Holdings or Company, as the case
may be, that they fairly present, in all material respects, the financial
condition of Holdings and its Subsidiaries or Company and its Subsidiaries,
as the case may be, as at the dates indicated and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, (b) a narrative
report describing the operations of Company and its Subsidiaries in the
form prepared for presentation to senior management for such Fiscal Year;
provided that if Company delivers an Annual Report on Form 10-K for such
--------
Fiscal Quarter as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to
Administrative Agent within 105 days after the end of such Fiscal Quarter,
such Form 10-K shall satisfy all requirements of clause (b) of this
subsection 6.1(iii); and (c) in the case of such consolidated financial
statements, a report thereon of ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LLP or other independent
certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by
Company and satisfactory to Administrative Agent, which report shall be
unqualified, shall express no doubts about the ability of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries and Company and its Subsidiaries to continue as a going
concern, and shall state that such consolidated financial statements fairly
present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Holdings and its Subsidiaries and Company and its Subsidiaries as at the
dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows
for the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis
consistent with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such
financial statements) and that the examination by such accountants in
connection with such consolidated financial statements has been made in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards;
(iv) Officer's, Margin Determination and Compliance Certificates:
-----------------------------------------------------------
together with each delivery of financial statements of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries and of Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to subdivisions
(ii) and (iii) above, (a) an Officer's Certificate of Company stating that
the signers have reviewed the terms of this Agreement and have made, or
caused to be made under their supervision, a review in reasonable detail of
the transactions and condition of Company and its Subsidiaries during the
accounting period covered by such financial statements and that such review
has not disclosed the existence during or at the end of such accounting
period, and that the signers do not have knowledge of the existence as at
the date of such Officer's Certificate, of any condition or event that
constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default, or, if any
such condition or event existed or exists, specifying the nature and period
of existence
117
thereof and what action Company has taken, is taking and proposes to take
with respect thereto; (b) a Margin Determination Certificate demonstrating
in reasonable detail the Consolidated Leverage Ratios for the four
consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on the day of the accounting period
covered by such financial statements; and (c) a Compliance Certificate
demonstrating in reasonable detail compliance during and at the end of the
applicable accounting periods with the restrictions contained in Section 7,
in each case to the extent compliance with such restrictions is required to
be tested at the end of the applicable accounting period;
(v) Reconciliation Statements: if, (A) as a result of any change in
-------------------------
accounting principles and policies from those used in the preparation of
the audited financial statements referred to in subsection 5.3, the
consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries or
Company and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to subdivisions (ii), (iii)
or (xiii) of this subsection 6.1 will differ in any material respect from
the consolidated financial statements that would have been delivered
pursuant to such subdivisions had no such change in accounting principles
and policies been made and (B) Requisite Lenders so request, then (a)
together with the first delivery of financial statements pursuant to
subdivision (ii), (iii) or (xiii) of this subsection 6.1 following such
change, consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries
and Company and its Subsidiaries for (y) the current Fiscal Year to the
effective date of such change and (z) the two full Fiscal Years immediately
preceding the Fiscal Year in which such change is made, in each case
prepared on a pro forma basis as if such change had been in effect during
such periods, and (b) together with each delivery of financial statements
pursuant to subdivision (ii), (iii) or (xiii) of this subsection 6.1
following such change, a written statement of the chief accounting officer
or chief financial officer of Holdings or Company, as the case may be,
setting forth the differences (including any differences that would affect
any calculations relating to the financial covenants set forth in
subsection 7.6) which would have resulted if such financial statements had
been prepared without giving effect to such change;
(vi) Accountants' Certification: together with each delivery of
--------------------------
consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries and
Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to subdivision (iii) above, a written
statement by the independent certified public accountants giving the report
thereon (a) stating that their audit examination has included a review of
the terms of subsections 7.5, 7.6, 7.8 and 7.9 of this Agreement as they
relate to accounting matters, (b) stating whether, in connection with their
audit examination, any condition or event that constitutes an
118
Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has come to their attention
and, if such a condition or event has come to their attention, specifying
the nature and period of existence thereof; provided that such accountants
--------
shall not be liable by reason of any failure to obtain knowledge of any
such Event of Default or Potential Event of Default that would not be
disclosed in the course of their audit examination, and (c) stating that
based on their audit examination nothing has come to their attention that
causes them to believe either or both that the information contained in the
certificates delivered therewith pursuant to subdivision (iv) above is not
correct or that the matters set forth in the Compliance Certificates
delivered therewith pursuant to clause (c) of subdivision (iv) above for
the applicable Fiscal Year are not stated in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement;
(vii) Accountants' Reports: promptly upon receipt thereof (unless
--------------------
restricted by applicable professional standards), copies of all reports
submitted to Holdings or Company by independent certified public
accountants in connection with each annual, interim or special audit of the
financial statements of Holdings and its Subsidiaries or Company and its
Subsidiaries, as the case may be, made by such accountants, including any
comment letter submitted by such accountants to management in connection
with their annual audit;
(viii) SEC Filings and Press Releases: promptly upon their becoming
------------------------------
available, copies of (a) all financial statements, reports, notices and
proxy statements sent or made available generally by Holdings to its
security holders or by any Subsidiary of Holdings to its security holders
other than Holdings or another Subsidiary of Holdings, (b) all regular and
periodic reports and all registration statements (other than on Form S-8 or
a similar form) and prospectuses, if any, filed by Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries with any securities exchange or with the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any governmental or private regulatory authority,
and (c) all press releases and other statements made available generally by
Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to the public concerning material
developments in the business of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries;
(ix) Events of Default, etc.: promptly upon any officer of Company
-----------------------
obtaining knowledge (a) of any condition or event that constitutes an Event
of Default or Potential Event of Default, or becoming aware that any Lender
has given any notice (other than to Administrative Agent) or taken any
other action with respect to a claimed Event of Default or Potential Event
of Default, (b) that any Person has given any notice to Holdings or any of
its Subsidiaries
119
or taken any other action with respect to a claimed default or event or
condition of the type referred to in subsection 8.2, (c) of any condition
or event that would be required to be disclosed in a current report filed
by Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K (Items
1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of such Form as in effect on the date hereof) if Company
were required to file such reports under the Exchange Act, or (d) of the
occurrence of any event or change that has caused or evidences, either in
any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, an Officer's
Certificate specifying the nature and period of existence of such
condition, event or change, or specifying the notice given or action taken
by any such Person and the nature of such claimed Event of Default,
Potential Event of Default, default, event or condition, and what action
Company has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto;
(x) Litigation or Other Proceedings: (a) promptly upon any executive
-------------------------------
officer of Company obtaining actual knowledge of (X) the institution of, or
non-frivolous threat of, any action, suit, proceeding (whether
administrative, judicial or otherwise), governmental investigation or
arbitration against or affecting Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries or any
property of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (collectively,
"PROCEEDINGS") not previously disclosed in writing by Company to Lenders or
(Y) any material development in any Proceeding that, in any case:
(1) if adversely determined, would reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect; or
(2) seeks to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or
to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the
transactions contemplated hereby;
written notice thereof together with such other information as may be
reasonably available to Company to enable Lenders and their respective
counsel to evaluate such matters; and (b) within twenty days after the end
of each Fiscal Quarter, a schedule of all Proceedings involving an alleged
liability of, or claims against or affecting, Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries equal to or greater than $1,000,000, and promptly after
request by Administrative Agent such other information as may be reasonably
requested by Administrative Agent to enable Administrative Agent and its
counsel to evaluate any of such Proceedings;
(xi) ERISA Events: promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence of
------------
or forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event, a written notice specifying
the nature thereof, what action Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective ERISA Affiliates has taken, is taking or proposes to take
120
with respect thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the
Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect
thereto;
(xii) ERISA Notices: with reasonable promptness, copies of (a) all
-------------
notices received by Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an
ERISA Event; and (b) copies of such other documents or governmental reports
or filings relating to any Employee Benefit Plan as Administrative Agent
shall reasonably request;
(xiii) Financial Plans: as soon as practicable and in any event no
---------------
later than ten days after the beginning of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated
plan and financial forecast for such Fiscal Year and the next four
succeeding Fiscal Years (the "FINANCIAL PLAN" for such Fiscal Years),
including (a) a forecasted consolidated balance sheet and forecasted
consolidated statements of operations and cash flows of Company and its
Subsidiaries for each such Fiscal Year, together with pro forma financial
--- -----
covenant calculations for each such Fiscal Year determined in a manner
consistent with financial covenant calculations shown in a Compliance
Certificate and an explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts
are based; provided that such forecasted consolidated balance sheet,
--------
statements of operations and cash flows (1) shall be prepared in a manner
consistent with Company's internal procedures as they exist on the Closing
Date and past practice and (2) shall contain information separately for
each product line, and (b) such other information and projections as any
Lender may reasonably request;
(xiv) Insurance: as soon as practicable and in any event by March 1
---------
of each year, a report in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative
Agent outlining all material insurance coverage maintained as of the date
of such report by Company and its Subsidiaries and all material insurance
coverage planned to be maintained by Company and its Subsidiaries in the
twelve months ending on the next succeeding March 1;
(xv) Board of Directors: with reasonable promptness, written
------------------
notice of any change in the Board of Directors of Company or of Holdings;
(xvi) New Subsidiaries: promptly upon any Person becoming a
----------------
Subsidiary of Holdings or of Company, a written notice setting forth with
respect to such Person (a) the date on which such Person became a
Subsidiary of Company and (b) all of the data required to be set forth in
Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto with respect to all Subsidiaries of Company (it
------------
being understood that such written notice shall be
121
deemed to supplement Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto for all purposes of this
------------
Agreement);
(xvii) Material Contracts: promptly, and in any event within ten
------------------
Business Days after any Material Contract of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is terminated or amended in a manner that is materially
adverse to Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, or any new
Material Contract is entered into, a written statement describing such
event with copies of such material amendments or new contracts, and an
explanation of any actions being taken with respect thereto;
(xviii) UCC Search Report: As promptly as practicable after the date
-----------------
of delivery to Administrative Agent of any UCC financing statement executed
by any Loan Party pursuant to subsection 4.1D(iv) or 6.8A, copies of
completed UCC searches evidencing the proper filing, recording and indexing
of all such UCC financing statement and listing all other effective
financing statements that name such Loan Party as debtor, together with
copies of all such other financing statements not previously delivered to
Administrative Agent by or on behalf of Company or such Loan Party;
(xix) Other Information: with reasonable promptness, such other
-----------------
information and data with respect to Company or any of its Subsidiaries as
from time to time may be reasonably requested by any Lender.
6.2 LEGAL EXISTENCE, ETC.
---------------------
Except as permitted under subsection 7.7, Company will, and will cause
each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full
force and effect its legal existence and all rights and franchises material to
its business; provided, however that neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
-------- -------
shall be required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of
Directors of Company or such Subsidiary shall determine that the preservation
thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of Company or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous
in any material respect to Company or such Subsidiary, taken as a whole, or
Lenders.
6.3 PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS; TAX CONSOLIDATION.
----------------------------------------------
A. Company will, and will cause each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries to,
pay all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it or any
of its properties or assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses or
franchises before any penalty accrues thereon, and all claims (including claims
for labor, services, materials and supplies)
122
for sums that have become due and payable and that by law have or may become a
Lien upon any of its properties or assets, prior to the time when any penalty or
fine shall be incurred with respect thereto; provided that no such charge or
--------
claim need be paid if it is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently conducted, so long as (1) such
reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required in
conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor and (2) in the case of a
charge or claim which has or may become a Lien against any of the Collateral,
such contest proceedings conclusively operate to stay the sale of any portion of
the Collateral to satisfy such charge or claim.
B. Company will not, nor will it permit any of Holdings or its
Subsidiaries to, file or consent to the filing of any consolidated income tax
return with any Person (other than Holdings, Company or any of its
Subsidiaries).
6.4 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES; INSURANCE; APPLICATION OF NET
--------------------------------------------------------
INSURANCE/CONDEMNATION PROCEEDS.
-------------------------------
A. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. Company will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair, working
order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, all material properties
used or useful in the business of Company and its Subsidiaries (including all
Intellectual Property) and from time to time will make or cause to be made all
appropriate repairs, renewals and replacements thereof.
B. INSURANCE. Company will maintain or cause to be maintained, with
financially sound and reputable insurers, such public liability insurance, third
party property damage insurance, business interruption insurance and casualty
insurance with respect to liabilities, losses or damage in respect of the
assets, properties and businesses of Company and its Subsidiaries as may
customarily be carried or maintained under similar circumstances by corporations
of established reputation engaged in similar businesses, in each case in such
amounts (giving effect to self-insurance), with such deductibles, covering such
risks and otherwise on such terms and conditions as shall be customary for
corporations similarly situated in the industry. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, Company will maintain or cause to be maintained (i)
flood insurance with respect to each Flood Hazard Property that is located in a
community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, in each
case in compliance with any applicable regulations of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System, and (ii) replacement value casualty insurance on the
Collateral under such policies of insurance, with such insurance companies, in
such amounts, with such deductibles, and covering such risks as are at all times
satisfactory to Administrative Agents in its commercially reasonable judgment.
Each such policy
123
of insurance shall (a) name Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders as
an additional insured thereunder as its interests may appear and (b) in the case
of each business interruption and casualty insurance policy, contain a loss
payable clause or endorsement, satisfactory in form and substance to
Administrative Agent, that names Administrative Agent for the benefit of Lenders
as the loss payee thereunder for any covered loss in excess of $1,000,000 and
provides for at least 30 days prior written notice to Administrative Agent of
any modification or cancellation of such policy.
6.5 INSPECTION RIGHTS.
-----------------
Company shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any
authorized representatives designated by Administrative Agent to visit and
inspect any of the properties of Company or of any of its Subsidiaries, to
inspect, copy and take extracts from its and their financial and accounting
records, and to discuss its and their affairs, finances and accounts with its
and their officers and independent public accountants (provided that Company
may, if it so chooses, be present at or participate in any such discussion), all
upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times during normal business
hours; provided that Administrative Agent shall conduct not more than one
--------
physical audit in any one Fiscal Year; and provided further, that upon the
-------- -------
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, Administrative
Agent may engage in any number of physical audits which Administrative Agent
reasonably deems necessary.
6.6 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, ETC.
--------------------------
Company shall comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and all
other Persons on or occupying any Facilities to comply, with the requirements of
all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of any governmental authority
(including all Environmental Laws), noncompliance with which would reasonably be
expected to cause, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
6.7 COMPANY'S ACTIONS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITIES,
-----------------------------------------------------------
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.
---------------------------------------------------------
A. ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE.
Company will deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders:
(i) Environmental Audits and Reports. As soon as practicable
--------------------------------
following receipt thereof, copies of all environmental audits,
investigations, analyses and reports of any kind or character, whether
prepared by personnel of
124
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by independent consultants,
governmental authorities or any other Persons, with respect to
environmental matters at any Facility which would reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect;
(ii) Notice of Certain Releases, Remedial Actions, Etc. Promptly
--------------------------------------------------
upon the occurrence thereof, written notice describing in reasonable detail
(a) any Release required to be reported to any federal, state or local
governmental or regulatory agency under CERCLA or EPCRA which would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) any remedial
action taken by Company or any other Person in response to (1) any
Hazardous Materials Activities the existence of Environmental Claims which
would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect, or (2) any Environmental Claims that, individually
or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, and (c) Company's discovery of any occurrence or condition
on any real property adjoining or in the vicinity of any Facility that
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(iii) Written Communications Regarding Environmental Claims,
------------------------------------------------------
Releases, Etc. As soon as practicable following the sending or receipt
--------------
thereof by Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a copy of any and all
written communications with respect to (a) any Environmental Claims that,
individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, (b) any Release required to be reported to any
federal, state or local governmental or regulatory agency which would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) any
request for information from any governmental agency that suggests such
agency is investigating whether Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be
potentially responsible for any Hazardous Materials Activity which would
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(iv) Notice of Certain Proposed Actions Having Environmental Impact.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Prompt written notice describing in reasonable detail (a) any proposed
acquisition of stock, assets, or property by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to (1) expose Company or any
of its Subsidiaries to, or result in, Environmental Claims that could
reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect or (2) affect the ability of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries to maintain in full force and effect all Governmental
Authorizations required under any Environmental Laws for their respective
operations the failure to so maintain would reasonably be expected to have
a Material
125
Adverse Effect and (b) any proposed action to be taken by Company or any of
its Subsidiaries to modify current operations in a manner that would
reasonably be expected to subject Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any
additional obligations or requirements under any Environmental Laws which
would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(v) Other Information. With reasonable promptness, such other
-----------------
documents and information as from time to time may be reasonably requested
by Administrative Agent or Requisite Lenders in relation to any matters
disclosed pursuant to this subsection 6.7.
B. COMPANY'S ACTIONS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITIES,
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.
(i) Remedial Actions Relating to Hazardous Materials Activities.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Company shall promptly undertake, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
promptly to undertake, any and all investigations, studies, sampling,
testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other response actions
necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or ▇▇▇▇▇ any Hazardous Materials
Activity on, under or about any Facility that is in violation of any
Environmental Laws or that presents a material risk of giving rise to an
Environmental Claim to the extent required by law and the failure to take
such action would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
In the event Company or any of its Subsidiaries undertakes any such action
with respect to any Hazardous Materials, Company or such Subsidiary shall
conduct and complete such action in compliance with all applicable
Environmental Laws and in accordance with the policies, orders and
directives of all federal, state and local governmental authorities except
when, and only to the extent that, Company's or such Subsidiary's liability
with respect to such Hazardous Materials Activity is being contested in
good faith by Company or such Subsidiary.
(ii) Actions with Respect to Environmental Claims and Violations of
--------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Laws. Company shall promptly take, and shall cause each of
------------------
its Subsidiaries promptly to take, any and all actions necessary to (a)
cure any violation of applicable Environmental Laws by Company or its
Subsidiaries if the failure to cure such violation would not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) make an appropriate
response to any Environmental Claim against Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and discharge any obligations it may have to any Person
thereunder.
126
(iii) Actions Relating to Landfills. Company shall promptly
-----------------------------
undertake, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to undertake, any and all
sampling, testing, maintenance, investigation, or other actions related to
any landfill or other disposal site at any Facility that is required by (i)
any applicable statute or regulation; and (ii) order or directive from or
agreement with any federal, state or local governmental or regulatory
agency.
6.8 EXECUTION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AND PERSONAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL
-----------------------------------------------------------------
DOCUMENTS BY CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES AND FUTURE SUBSIDIARIES; IP
-------------------------------------------------------------
COLLATERAL.
----------
A. EXECUTION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY AND PERSONAL PROPERTY COLLATERAL
DOCUMENTS. In the event that any Person becomes a Subsidiary of Company after
the date hereof, Company will promptly notify Administrative Agent of that fact
and cause such Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent a
counterpart of the Subsidiary Guaranty and a Subsidiary Pledge Agreement and a
Subsidiary Security Agreement and to take all such further actions and execute
all such further documents and instruments (including actions, documents and
instruments comparable to those described in subsection 4.1D) as may be
necessary or, in the opinion of Administrative Agent, desirable to create in
favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of Lenders, a valid and perfected
First Priority Lien (subject to Permitted Encumbrances) on all of the personal
and mixed property assets of such Subsidiary described in the applicable forms
of Collateral Documents.
B. SUBSIDIARY CHARTER DOCUMENTS, LEGAL OPINIONS, ETC. Company shall
deliver to Administrative Agent, together with such Loan Documents, (i)
certified copies of such Subsidiary's Certificate or Articles of Incorporation,
together with a good standing certificate from the Secretary of State of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation and each other state in which such Person is
qualified as a foreign corporation to do business and, to the extent generally
available, a certificate or other evidence of good standing as to payment of any
applicable franchise or similar taxes from the appropriate taxing authority of
each of such jurisdictions, each to be dated a recent date prior to their
delivery to Administrative Agent, (ii) a copy of such Subsidiary's Bylaws
certified by its secretary or an assistant secretary as of a recent date prior
to their delivery to Administrative Agent, (iii) a certificate executed by the
secretary or an assistant secretary of such Subsidiary as to (a) the fact that
the attached resolutions of the Board of Directors of such Subsidiary approving
and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of such Loan Documents
are in full force and effect and have not been modified or amended and (b) the
incumbency and signatures of the officers of such Subsidiary executing such Loan
Documents, and (iv) a favorable
127
opinion of counsel to such Subsidiary, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Administrative Agent and its counsel, as to (a) the due
organization and good standing of such Subsidiary, (b) the due authorization,
execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of such Loan Documents, (c) the
enforceability of such Loan Documents against such Subsidiary, (d) such other
matters (including matters relating to the creation and perfection of Liens in
any Collateral pursuant to such Loan Documents) as Administrative Agent may
reasonably request, all of the foregoing to be satisfactory in form and
substance to Administrative Agent and its counsel.
C. IP COLLATERAL. If any Subsidiary becomes an owner of any Intellectual
Property, Company shall cause such Subsidiary to promptly execute and deliver to
Administrative Agent a copyright security agreement or a trademark security
agreement, or such other security agreement as Administrative Agent shall deem
appropriate and take such further action and execute such further documents and
instruments as may be necessary, or in the opinion of Administrative Agent,
desirable to create in favor of Administrative Agent, for the benefit of
Lenders, a valid and perfected First Priority Lien on such Intellectual
Property.
6.9 CONFORMING LEASEHOLD INTERESTS; MATTERS RELATING TO ADDITIONAL REAL
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY COLLATERAL.
-------------------
A. CONFORMING LEASEHOLD INTERESTS. If Company or any of its Subsidiaries
acquires any Leasehold Property, Company shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary
to, cause such Leasehold Property to be a Conforming Leasehold Interest.
B. ADDITIONAL MORTGAGES, ETC. From and after the Closing Date, in the
event that (i) Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor acquires any fee interest in
real property or any Material Leasehold Property or (ii) at the time any Person
becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Person owns or holds any fee interest in
real property or any Material Leasehold Property, in either case excluding any
such Real Property Asset the encumbrancing of which requires the consent of any
applicable lessor or (in the case of clause (ii) above) then-existing senior
lienholder, where Company and its Subsidiaries are unable to obtain such
lessor's or senior lienholder's consent (any such non-excluded Real Property
Asset described in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii) being an "ADDITIONAL
MORTGAGED PROPERTY"), Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor shall deliver to
Administrative Agent, as soon as practicable after such Person acquires such
Additional Mortgaged Property or becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may
be, the following:
(i) Additional Mortgage. A fully executed and notarized Mortgage (an
-------------------
"ADDITIONAL MORTGAGE"), duly recorded in all appropriate places in all
applicable jurisdictions,
128
encumbering the interest of such Loan Party in such Additional Mortgaged
Property;
(ii) Opinions of Counsel. (a) A favorable opinion of counsel to
-------------------
such Loan Party, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent
and its counsel, as to the due authorization, execution and delivery by
such Loan Party of such Additional Mortgage and such other matters as
Administrative Agent may reasonably request, and (b) if required by
Administrative Agent, an opinion of counsel (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent) in the state in which such
Additional Mortgaged Property is located with respect to the enforceability
of the form of Additional Mortgage recorded in such state and such other
matters (including any matters governed by the laws of such state regarding
personal property security interests in respect of any Collateral) as
Administrative Agent may reasonably request, in each case in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent;
(iii) Landlord Consent and Estoppel; Recorded Leasehold Interest. In
----------------------------------------------------------
the case of an Additional Mortgaged Property consisting of a Leasehold
Property, (a) a Landlord Consent and Estoppel, unless Company or such
Subsidiary is unable to obtain the Landlord Consent and Estoppel after
using commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the same and (b) evidence
that such Leasehold Property is a Recorded Leasehold Interest;
(iv) Title Insurance. (a) If required by Administrative Agent, an
---------------
ALTA mortgagee title insurance policy or an unconditional commitment
therefor (an "ADDITIONAL MORTGAGE POLICY") issued by the Title Company with
respect to such Additional Mortgaged Property, in an amount satisfactory to
Administrative Agent, insuring fee simple title to, or a valid leasehold
interest in, such Additional Mortgaged Property vested in such Loan Party
and assuring Administrative Agent that such Additional Mortgage creates a
valid and enforceable First Priority mortgage Lien on such Additional
Mortgaged Property, subject only to a standard survey exception, which
Additional Mortgage Policy (1) shall include an endorsement for mechanics'
liens, for future advances under this Agreement and for any other matters
reasonably requested by Administrative Agent and (2) shall provide for
affirmative insurance and such reinsurance as Administrative Agent may
reasonably request, all of the foregoing in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to Administrative Agent; and (b) evidence satisfactory to
Administrative Agent that such Loan Party has (i) delivered to the Title
Company all certificates and affidavits required by the Title Company in
connection with the issuance of the Additional Mortgage Policy and (ii)
paid to
129
the Title Company or to the appropriate governmental authorities all
expenses and premiums of the Title Company in connection with the issuance
of the Additional Mortgage Policy and all recording and stamp taxes
(including mortgage recording and intangible taxes) payable in connection
with recording the Additional Mortgage in the appropriate real estate
records;
(v) Title Report. If no Additional Mortgage Policy is required
------------
with respect to such Additional Mortgaged Property, a title report issued
by the Title Company with respect thereto, dated not more than 30 days
prior to the date such Additional Mortgage is to be recorded and
satisfactory in form and substance to Administrative Agent;
(vi) Copies of Documents Relating to Title Exceptions. Copies of
------------------------------------------------
all recorded documents listed as exceptions to title or otherwise referred
to in the Additional Mortgage Policy or title report delivered pursuant to
clause (iv) or (v) above as may be requested by Administrative Agent; and
(vii) Matters Relating to Flood Hazard Properties. (a) Evidence,
-------------------------------------------
which may be in the form of a letter from an insurance broker or a
municipal engineer, as to (1) whether such Additional Mortgaged Property is
a Flood Hazard Property and (2) if so, whether the community in which such
Flood Hazard Property is located is participating in the National Flood
Insurance Program, (b) if such Additional Mortgaged Property is a Flood
Hazard Property, such Loan Party's written acknowledgement of receipt of
written notification from Administrative Agent (1) that such Additional
Mortgaged Property is a Flood Hazard Property and (2) as to whether the
community in which such Flood Hazard Property is located is participating
in the National Flood Insurance Program, and (c) in the event such
Additional Mortgaged Property is a Flood Hazard Property that is located in
a community that participates in the National Flood Insurance Program,
evidence that Company has obtained flood insurance in respect of such Flood
Hazard Property to the extent required under the applicable regulations of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
(viii) Environmental Audit. If required by Administrative Agent,
-------------------
reports and other information, in form, scope and substance satisfactory to
Administrative Agent concerning any environmental hazards or liabilities to
which Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be subject with respect to
such Additional Mortgaged Property. After consultation with Company,
Administrative Agent may request for, and Company shall deliver, such
reports and other information that are prepared by environmental
consultants satisfactory to Administrative Agent.
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6.10 INTEREST RATE PROTECTION.
------------------------
Within 90 days after the Closing Date and continuing for a period of
two years, Company shall at all times maintain in effect one or more Interest
Rate Agreements with respect to the Loans, in an aggregate notional principal
amount of not less than 25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans
outstanding from time to time, which Interest Rate Agreements shall have the
effect of establishing a maximum interest rate to the satisfaction of
Administrative Agent per annum with respect to such notional principal amount,
each such Interest Rate Agreement to be in form and substance satisfactory to
Administrative Agent and with a term of not less than two years.
6.11 YEAR 2000 COVENANT.
------------------
Company shall perform all acts reasonably necessary to ensure that
Company and its Subsidiaries become Year 2000 Compliant. Such acts shall
include, without limitation, performing a comprehensive review and assessment of
all of Company's systems (including the interface of those systems with the
systems of material suppliers, vendors and customers) and adopting a detailed
plan, with itemized budget, for the remediation, monitoring and testing of such
systems. As used in this subsection 6.11, "Year 2000 Compliant" shall mean, in
regard to Company and its Subsidiaries, that all software, hardware, firmware,
equipment, goods or systems utilized by Company and its Subsidiaries, the
failure of which would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
will properly perform date sensitive functions before, during and after the year
2000. Company shall, promptly upon request, provide to Administrative Agent
such certifications or other reasonable evidence of Company's compliance with
the terms of this paragraph as Administrative Agent may from time to time
reasonably require.
SECTION 7. COMPANY'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Company covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the Commitments
hereunder shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all of the Loans
and other Obligations and the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of
Credit, unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written consent,
Company shall perform, and shall cause Holdings and each of its Subsidiaries to
perform, all covenants in this Section 7.
7.1 INDEBTEDNESS.
------------
Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or guaranty, or otherwise become
or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any Indebtedness,
except:
131
(i) Company may become and remain liable with respect to the
Obligations;
(ii) Holdings and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
respect to Contingent Obligations permitted by subsection 7.4 and, upon any
matured obligations actually arising pursuant thereto, the Indebtedness
corresponding to the Contingent Obligations so extinguished;
(iii) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
respect to Indebtedness in respect of Capital Leases in an aggregate amount
not exceeding $5,000,000; provided that such Capital Leases are permitted
--------
under the terms of subsections 7.6, 7.8 and 7.9;
(iv) Company may become and remain liable with respect to
Indebtedness to any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries, and any wholly-owned
Subsidiary of Company may become and remain liable with respect to
Indebtedness to Company or any other wholly-owned Subsidiary of Company;
provided that (a) all such intercompany Indebtedness shall be evidenced by
--------
promissory notes, (b) all such intercompany Indebtedness owed by Company to
any of its Subsidiaries shall be subordinated in right of payment to the
payment in full of the Obligations pursuant to the terms of the applicable
promissory notes or an intercompany subordination agreement, and (c) any
payment by any Subsidiary of Company under any guaranty of the Obligations
shall result in a pro tanto reduction of the amount of any intercompany
--- -----
Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to Company or to any of its
Subsidiaries for whose benefit such payment is made;
(v) Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, may remain liable
with respect to Indebtedness described in Schedule 7.1 annexed hereto;
------------
(vi) Company may become and remain liable with respect to
Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Subordinated Notes;
(vii) Subsidiaries of Company acquired after the Closing Date, the
acquisition of which is permitted under the provisions of subsection
7.7(ii), may remain liable with respect to Indebtedness existing
immediately prior to the time any such entity became a Subsidiary of
Company in an aggregate amount for all such Subsidiaries not to exceed
$17,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that (i) no Event of Default
--------
or a Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
shall be caused thereby, and (ii) such Indebtedness is not incurred in
contemplation of such acquisition;
132
(viii) Holdings may become and remain liable with respect to
Indebtedness evidenced by the Holdings Discount Debentures and any
Indebtedness incurred to refinance such Indebtedness; provided that after
--------
giving effect to such refinancing Indebtedness and the repayment of the
corresponding Indebtedness with the proceeds thereof, (a) the aggregate
offering price of the refinancing Indebtedness shall not be greater than
the aggregate accreted value of such refinanced Indebtedness immediately
prior to such refinancing; (b) the weighted average life to maturity of
such refinancing Indebtedness shall be no shorter than the Indebtedness
being refinanced; (c) the interest rate applicable to such refinancing
Indebtedness shall not be higher than the interest rate applicable to the
Indebtedness being refinanced or such refinancing Indebtedness shall not
provide for a cash current-pay feature earlier than the scheduled interest
payment with respect to the Indebtedness being refinanced, and (d) such
refinancing Indebtedness shall not be secured by any property of Holdings;
and
(ix) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
respect to other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to
exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding.
7.2 LIENS AND RELATED MATTERS.
-------------------------
A. PROHIBITION ON LIENS. Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any kind
(including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts
receivable) of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or file or permit the
filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other
similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property, asset, income or
profits under the Uniform Commercial Code of any State or under any similar
recording or notice statute, except:
(i) Permitted Encumbrances;
(ii) Liens granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents;
(iii) Liens described in Schedule 7.2 annexed hereto;
------------
(iv) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under subsection 7.1(vii),
which Liens are existing prior to the time the entity which incurred such
Indebtedness became a Subsidiary of Company; provided that such Liens were
--------
not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, the acquisition of
such Subsidiary and such Liens extend to or
133
cover only the property and assets of such entity which were covered by
such Liens and which were owned by such entity, in each case at the time
such entity became a Subsidiary of Company; and
(v) Other Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to
exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding.
B. EQUITABLE LIEN IN FAVOR OF LENDERS. If Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries shall create or assume any Lien upon any of its properties or
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Liens excepted by
the provisions of subsection 7.2A, it shall make or cause to be made effective
provision whereby the Obligations will be secured by such Lien equally and
ratably with any and all other Indebtedness secured thereby as long as any such
Indebtedness shall be so secured; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing,
--------
this covenant shall not be construed as a consent by Requisite Lenders to the
creation or assumption of any such Lien not permitted by the provisions of
subsection 7.2A.
C. NO FURTHER NEGATIVE PLEDGES. Except with respect to specific property
encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness or to be sold pursuant
to an executed agreement with respect to an Asset Sale, neither Holdings nor any
of its Subsidiaries shall enter into any agreement (other than an agreement
prohibiting only the creation of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness)
prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any of its properties or
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.
D. NO RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARY DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMPANY OR OTHER
SUBSIDIARIES. Except as provided herein, Holdings will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or
become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the
ability of any such Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other
distributions on any of such Subsidiary's capital stock owned by Company or any
other Subsidiary of Holdings, (ii) repay or prepay any Indebtedness owed by such
Subsidiary to Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings, (iii) make loans or
advances to Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings, or (iv) transfer any
of its property or assets to Holdings or any other Subsidiary of Holdings.
7.3 INVESTMENTS; JOINT VENTURES.
---------------------------
Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, make or own any Investment in any Person, including any
Joint Venture, except:
(i) Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments in Cash
Equivalents;
134
(ii) Company and its Subsidiaries may make intercompany loans to the
extent permitted under subsection 7.1(iv);
(iii) Company and its Subsidiaries may make Consolidated Capital
Expenditures permitted by subsections 7.6, 7.8 and 7.9;
(iv) Company and its Subsidiaries may continue to own the
Investments owned by them and described in Schedule 7.3 annexed hereto;
------------
(v) Company and its wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiaries may make and
own Investments in Persons that, as a result of such Investments, become
additional wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiaries, and Company may make and own
Investments in Persons that, as a result of such Investments, become
additional direct wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiaries, in each case to the
extent such Investments are permitted under subsection 7.7(ii); and
(vi) Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own other Investments
in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $8,000,000.
7.4 CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS.
----------------------
Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, create or become or remain liable with respect to any
Contingent Obligation, except:
(i) Holdings may become and remain liable with respect to
Contingent Obligations in respect of the Holdings Guaranty and Subsidiaries
of Company may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
Obligations in respect of the Subsidiary Guaranty;
(ii) Company may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit and Company and its
Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
Obligations in respect of other letters of credit in an aggregate amount at
any time not to exceed $5,000,000;
(iii) Company may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
Obligations under Hedge Agreements entered into by Company with respect to
Obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Hedge
Agreement required under subsection 6.10;
(iv) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
respect to Contingent Obligations under guarantees in the ordinary course
of business of the obligations of suppliers, customers, franchisees and
135
licensees of Company and its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to
exceed at any time $5,000,000;
(v) Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
respect to Contingent Obligations in respect of any Indebtedness of Company
or any of its Subsidiaries permitted by subsection 7.1; and
(vi) Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, may remain liable
with respect to Contingent Obligations described in Schedule 7.4 annexed
------------
hereto.
7.5 RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENTS.
--------------------------
Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, declare, order, pay, make or set apart any sum for any
Restricted Junior Payment; provided that any Subsidiary may pay dividends or
--------
make other distributions to Company; and provided further that, so long as no
-------- -------
Event of Default or Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing or shall be caused thereby, (i) Company may make dividend payments to
Holdings on or immediately prior to April 15, 2003 for the sole purpose of
allowing Holdings to make a one-time partial redemption of the Holdings Discount
Debentures in accordance with the terms of and to the extent required by the
Holdings Discount Debentures Indenture in effect as of the Closing Date in an
aggregate amount not exceeding the amount required thereunder; provided that for
--------
such dividend payment to be permitted to be made to Holdings by Company,
immediately after giving effect to such payment, (I) the excess of the Revolving
Loan Commitments over the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving
Loans shall be at least $10,000,000 and (II) Company delivers an Officer's
Certificate demonstrating that the pro forma Consolidated Leverage Ratio after
--- -----
taking into account the proposed payment under subsection 7.5(i) is equal to or
less than 3.0:1.00; (ii) Company may make dividend payments to Holdings for the
purpose of allowing Holdings to make the scheduled interest payments on the
Holdings Discount Debentures accruing after April 15, 2003 in accordance with
the terms of and to the extent required by the Holdings Discount Debentures
Indenture if Company delivers an Officer's Certificate demonstrating pro forma
--- -----
compliance with subsection 7.6, with the assumption that the dividends permitted
pursuant to this subsection 7.5(ii) were made at the beginning of the fiscal
period for which the calculations are being made and such distributions are
included in Consolidated Fixed Charges, for purposes of calculation pursuant to
subsection 7.6A; (iii) Company may make payments of regularly scheduled interest
in respect of the Senior Subordinated Notes in accordance with the terms of and
to the extent required by the Senior Subordinated Indenture; (iv) Company may
make cash dividends to Holdings for the sole purposes of allowing Holdings to
pay for its general operating expenses, franchise tax obligations, accounting,
legal,
136
corporate reporting and administrative expenses incurred in the ordinary course
of its business in an amount not to exceed $250,000 in the aggregate in any
Fiscal Year; and (v) Company may make cash dividends to Holdings for the sole
purpose of allowing Holdings to pay income taxes of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated based as contemplated by the Tax Sharing
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this subsection 7.5,
Company may make dividend payments to Holdings (A) on the Closing Date as
necessary to consummate the Transactions and (B) after the Closing Date to
satisfy payment of the working capital adjustment required by the
Recapitalization Agreement in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000.
7.6 FINANCIAL COVENANTS.
-------------------
With respect to the calculation of the financial covenants contained in
this subsection 7.6, to the extent that during the period for which compliance
is being determined, Company or any Subsidiary of Company has made a Permitted
Acquisition permitted under subsection 7.7(ii) or has disposed of any assets or
operations in an amount for any such transaction or series of related
transactions exceeding 5,000,000, (i) such calculations shall be made as if such
Permitted Acquisition or such disposition took place on the first day of such
period on a pro forma basis for the portion of such period prior to the date of
--- -----
such Permitted Acquisition or after the date of such disposition and on an
actual basis for the portion of such period after the date of such Permitted
Acquisition or before the date of such disposition, (ii) such calculations shall
be made after giving effect to the incurrence, assumption or repayment of any
Indebtedness made in connection with such acquisition or disposition and (iii)
such calculation shall be made after giving retroactive effect to demonstrable
net cost eliminations or net cost savings arising by virtue of such Permitted
Acquisition (such as inflated employee owner compensation), which cost
eliminations and cost savings are (A) consistent with standards and practices
for pro forma presentation pursuant to Regulation S-X as promulgated by the
--- -----
Securities and Exchange Commission and are reviewed by Company's independent
accountants or (B) are demonstrated in the Officer's Certificate required under
subsection 7.7 and are reasonably satisfactory to Requisite Lenders. With
respect to any such Permitted Acquisition, such pro forma calculations shall be
--- -----
based on the audited or reviewed financial results delivered in compliance with
clause (d)(3) of subsection 7.7(ii).
A. MINIMUM FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. Company shall not permit the
ratio of (i)(A) Consolidated EBITDA for the consecutive four-Fiscal Quarter
period ending June 30, 1998, September 30, 1998, and December 31, 1998,
respectively, to (B) Consolidated Fixed Charges multiplied by (a) for the Fiscal
---------- --
Quarter ending June 30, 1998, 4.0, (b) for the two-Fiscal Quarter period ending
September 30, 1998, 2.0 and (c) for the three-
137
Fiscal Quarter period ending December 31, 1998, 1.33, (x) for the Fiscal Quarter
ending June 30, 1998, to be less than 1.2:1.00, (y) for the two-Fiscal Quarter
period ending September 30, 1998, to be less than 1.2:1.00, and (z) for the
three-Fiscal Quarter period ending December 31, 1998, to be less than 1.2:1.00,
and (ii)(A) Consolidated EBITDA to (B) Consolidated Fixed Charges for any
consecutive four-Fiscal Quarter period ending on the dates set forth below to be
less than the correlative ratio indicated:
MINIMUM FIXED
FISCAL QUARTER ENDING DATE CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO
-----------------------------------------------------------------
March 31, 1999 1.2:1.0
June 30, 1999 1.2:1.0
September 30, 1999 1.2:1.0
December 31, 1999 1.2:1.0
March 31, 2000 1.2:1.0
June 30, 2000 1.2:1.0
September 30, 2000 1.2:1.0
December 31, 2000 1.2:1.0
March 31, 2001 1.2:1.0
June 30, 2001 1.3:1.0
September 30, 2001 1.3:1.0
December 31, 2001 1.3:1.0
March 31, 2002 1.3:1.0
June 30, 2002 1.4:1.0
September 30, 2002 1.4:1.0
December 31, 2002 1.4:1.0
March 31, 2003 1.3:1.0
June 30, 2003 1.3:1.0
September 30, 2003 1.3:1.0
December 31, 2003 1.2:1.0
March 31, 2004 1.2:1.0
June 30, 2004 1.2:1.0
September 30, 2004 1.2:1.0
December 31, 2004 1.2:1.0
March 31, 2005 0.5:1.0
June 30, 2005 0.5:1.0
September 30, 2005 0.5:1.0
December 31, 2005 0.5:1.0
March 31, 2006 0.5:1.0
138
B. MAXIMUM LEVERAGE RATIO. Company shall not permit the Consolidated
Leverage Ratio at any time during any of the periods set forth below to exceed
the correlative ratio indicated:
PERIOD MAXIMUM LEVERAGE RATIO
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
June 30, 1998 6.6:1.0
September 30, 1998 6.6:1.0
December 31, 1998 6.6:1.0
March 31, 1999 6.5:1.0
June 30, 1999 6.5:1.0
September 30, 1999 6.3:1.0
December 31, 1999 6.2:1.0
March 31, 2000 6.0:1.0
June 30, 2000 5.9:1.0
September 30, 2000 5.7:1.0
December 31, 2000 5.6:1.0
March 31, 2001 5.4:1.0
June 30, 2001 5.3:1.0
September 30, 2001 5.1:1.0
December 31, 2001 5.0:1.0
March 31, 2002 4.9:1.0
June 30, 2002 4.7:1.0
September 30, 2002 4.6:1.0
December 31, 2002 4.5:1.0
March 31, 2003 4.4:1.0
June 30, 2003 4.3:1.0
September 30, 2003 4.2:1.0
December 31, 2003 4.1:1.0
March 31, 2004 4.0:1.0
June 30, 2004 4.0:1.0
September 30, 2004 4.0:1.0
December 31, 2004 4.0:1.0
March 31, 2005 4.0:1.0
June 30, 2005 4.0:1.0
September 30, 2005 4.0:1.0
December 31, 2005 4.0:1.0
March 31, 2006 4.0:1.0
C. INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO. Company shall not permit the ratio of (i)(A)
Consolidated EBITDA for the consecutive four-Fiscal Quarter period ending June
30, 1998, September 30, 1998, and December 31, 1998, respectively, to (B)
Consolidated Interest Expense multiplied by (a) for the Fiscal Quarter ending
---------- --
June 30,
139
1998, 4.0, (b) for the two-Fiscal Quarter period ending September 30, 1998, 2.0
and (c) for the three-Fiscal Quarter period ending December 31, 1998, 1.33, (x)
for the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 1998, to be less than 1.5:1.00, (y) for
the two-Fiscal Quarter period ending September 30, 1998, to be less than
1.5:1.00, and (z) for the three-Fiscal Quarter period ending December 31, 1998,
to be less than 1.5:1.00, and (ii)(A) Consolidated EBITDA to (B) Consolidated
Interest Expense for any consecutive four-Fiscal Quarter period ending on the
dates set forth below to be less than the correlative ratio indicated:
140
MINIMUM INTEREST
FISCAL QUARTER ENDING DATE EXPENSE RATIO
----------------------------------------------------- -------------
March 31, 1999 1.60:1.0
June 30, 1999 1.60:1.0
September 30, 1999 1.70:1.0
December 31, 1999 1.70:1.0
March 31, 2000 1.70:1.0
June 30, 2000 1.80:1.0
September 30, 2000 1.80:1.0
December 31, 2000 1.90:1.0
March 31, 2001 1.90:1.0
June 30, 2001 2.00:1.0
September 30, 2001 2.00:1.0
December 31, 2001 2.10:1.0
March 31, 2002 2.20:1.0
June 30, 2002 2.20:1.0
September 30, 2002 2.30:1.0
December 31, 2002 2.40:1.0
March 31, 2003 2.50:1.0
June 30, 2003 2.60:1.0
September 30, 2003 2.70:1.0
December 31, 2003 2.75:1.0
March 31, 2004 2.75:1.0
June 30, 2004 2.75:1.0
September 30, 2004 2.75:1.0
December 31, 2004 2.75:1.0
March 31, 2005 2.75:1.0
June 30, 2005 2.75:1.0
September 30, 2005 2.75:1.0
December 31, 2005 2.75:1.0
March 31, 2006 2.75:1.0
7.7 RESTRICTION ON FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES; ASSET SALES AND ACQUISITIONS.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
alter the corporate, capital or legal structure of Holdings or Company or any of
Company's Subsidiaries, or enter into any transaction of merger or
consolidation, or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any
liquidation or dissolution), or convey, sell, lease or sub-lease (as lessor or
sublessor), transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction
141
or a series of transactions, all or any part of its business, property or
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or acquire by purchase or
otherwise all or substantially all the business, property or fixed assets of, or
stock or other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or any division
or line of business of any Person, except:
(i) any Subsidiary of Company may be merged with or into Company or
any wholly-owned Subsidiary Guarantor, or be liquidated, wound up or
dissolved, or all or any part of its business, property or assets may be
conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one
transaction or a series of transactions, to Company or any wholly-owned
Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that, in the case of such a merger, Company
--------
or such wholly-owned Subsidiary Guarantor shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation;
(ii) Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries may acquire all or
substantially all the business, property or fixed assets of, or stock or
other evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person, or any division or
line of business of any Person, in the Business or a business incidental or
related thereto (collectively, "PERMITTED ACQUISITION"); provided that (a)
--------
such Person becomes a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Company, or such business,
property or other assets are acquired by Company or a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of Company, and any such wholly-owned Subsidiary which is a
Foreign Subsidiary shall be a direct Subsidiary of Company; (b) the
aggregate consideration paid by Company or any of its Subsidiaries does not
exceed (1) for any single Permitted Acquisition, an amount equal to
$25,000,000 consisting of cash consideration, Indebtedness and other
liabilities incurred or assumed plus an equal or lesser amount equal to the
----
aggregate amount received by Company as cash capital contributions from
Holdings after the Closing Date to finance such transaction and/or equity
issued as consideration in such transaction, and (2) for all such Permitted
Acquisitions during the term of this Agreement, $75,000,000 consisting of
cash consideration, Indebtedness and other liabilities incurred or assumed
plus an equal or lesser amount equal to the aggregate amount received by
----
Company as cash capital contributions from Holdings after the Closing Date
and/or equity issued as consideration in such transactions; (c)
concurrently with the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, Company
shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, comply with the requirements of
subsections 6.8 and 6.9 with respect to such Permitted Acquisitions; and
(d) prior to the consummation of such Permitted Acquisition, Company shall
deliver to Administrative Agent an Officer's Certificate (1) certifying
that no Potential Event of Default or Event of Default under this Agreement
or under the Senior Subordinated Notes shall
142
then exist or shall occur as a result of such Permitted Acquisition, (2)
demonstrating that after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition and to
all Indebtedness to be incurred or assumed or repaid in connection with or
as consideration for such Permitted Acquisition, that Company is in pro
---
forma compliance with the financial covenants referred to in subsection 7.6
-----
for the four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period ending immediately prior to
the date of the proposed Permitted Acquisition and that, giving effect to
such Permitted Acquisition, Company is in compliance with the clause (b) of
this subsection 7.7(ii) on a cumulative basis for all Permitted
Acquisitions, and (3) delivering a copy, prepared in conformity with GAAP,
of (i) financial statements of the Person or business so acquired for the
immediately preceding four consecutive Fiscal Quarter period corresponding
to the calculation period for the financial covenants in the immediately
preceding clause, and (ii) audited or reviewed financial statements of the
Person or business so acquired for the fiscal year ended within such
period;
(iii) Company and its Subsidiaries may dispose of obsolete, worn out
or surplus property in the ordinary course of business;
(iv) Company and its Subsidiaries may sell or otherwise dispose of
assets in transactions that do not constitute Asset Sales; provided that
--------
the consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at least
equal to the fair market value thereof; and
(v) Company and its Subsidiaries may make Asset Sales of assets
having a fair market value not in excess of $3,000,000 in any Fiscal Year;
provided that (x) the consideration received for such asset shall be in an
--------
amount at least equal to the fair market value thereof; (y) at least 75% of
the consideration received therefor is in the form of Cash (provided that
--------
any liabilities which are assumed by the transferee of such Assets pursuant
to a customary novation agreement that releases Company or such Subsidiary
from further liability, and any promissory notes received that are
converted into Cash, shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this
provision); and (z) the proceeds of such Asset Sales shall be applied as
required by subsection 2.4B(iii)(a).
7.8 CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.
---------------------------------
Holdings shall not, and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to make or
incur Consolidated Capital Expenditures in any Fiscal Year in an aggregate
amount exceeding the amount equal to the sum of (i) $5,000,000 plus (ii) the
----
amount of Net
143
Sale Proceeds received in such Fiscal Year not required to be prepaid under
subsection 2.4B(iii)(a); provided that such amount for any Fiscal Year shall be
--------
increased by an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the amount permitted for
the preceding Fiscal Year over the actual amount of Consolidated Capital
Expenditures for such previous Fiscal Year (but such increase shall not exceed
$2,500,000); provided, however, to the extent that any expenditures of Company
-------- -------
or any of its Subsidiaries constitute a Permitted Acquisition permitted under
subsection 7.7(ii), then for purposes of this subsection 7.8 such expenditures
made at the time of such acquisition shall not constitute or be deemed to be
Consolidated Capital Expenditures under this subsection 7.8 but any and all
expenditures made in connection with such Permitted Acquisition thereafter shall
constitute Consolidated Capital Expenditures under this subsection 7.8.
7.9 RESTRICTION ON LEASES.
---------------------
Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
become liable in any way, whether directly or by assignment or as a guarantor or
other surety, for the obligations of the lessee under any lease, whether an
Operating Lease or a Capital Lease (other than intercompany leases between
Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries); unless, immediately after giving
effect to the incurrence of liability with respect to such lease, the
Consolidated Rental Payments at the time in effect during the then current
Fiscal Year shall not exceed $3,000,000.
7.10 SALES AND LEASE-BACKS.
---------------------
Holdings shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or
other surety with respect to any lease, whether an Operating Lease or a Capital
Lease, of any property (whether real, personal or mixed), whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, (i) which Company or any of its Subsidiaries has sold or
transferred or is to sell or transfer to any other Person (other than Company or
any of its Subsidiaries) or (ii) which Company or any of its Subsidiaries
intends to use for substantially the same purpose as any other property which
has been or is to be sold or transferred by Company or any of its Subsidiaries
to any Person (other than Company or any of its Subsidiaries) in connection with
such lease; provided that Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain
--------
liable as lessee, guarantor or other surety with respect to any such lease with
respect to any such lease if and to the extent that Company or any of its
Subsidiaries would be permitted to enter into, and remain liable under, such
lease to the extent that the transaction would be permitted under subsection
7.1, assuming the sale and lease back transaction constituted Indebtedness in a
principal amount equal to the gross proceeds of the sale.
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7.11 SALE OR DISCOUNT OF RECEIVABLES.
-------------------------------
Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, sell with recourse, or discount or otherwise sell for
less than the face value thereof, any of its notes or accounts receivable.
7.12 TRANSACTIONS WITH STOCKHOLDERS AND AFFILIATES.
---------------------------------------------
Except for the transactions described on Schedule 7.12, Company shall
-------------
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly,
enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale,
lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service) with any
Affiliate of Company, on terms that are less favorable to Company or that
Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those that might be obtained at the time
from Persons who are not such an Affiliate; provided that the foregoing
--------
restriction shall not apply to (i) any transaction between Company and any of
its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or between any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or
(ii) reasonable and customary fees paid to members of the Boards of Directors of
Company and its Subsidiaries.
7.13 DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARY EQUITY.
-----------------------------
Except for any sale of 100% of the capital stock or other equity
Securities of any of its Subsidiaries in compliance with subsection 7.7(i),
Company shall not:
(i) directly or indirectly sell, assign, pledge or otherwise
encumber or dispose of any shares of capital stock or other equity
Securities of any of its Subsidiaries, except to qualify directors if
required by applicable law; or
(ii) permit any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly to sell,
assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any shares of capital
stock or other equity Securities of any of its Subsidiaries (including such
Subsidiary), except to Company, another Subsidiary of Company, or to
qualify directors if required by applicable law.
7.14 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.
-------------------
From and after the Closing Date, Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than (i) the
Business and similar or related businesses and (ii) such other lines of business
as may be consented to by Requisite Lenders (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed). From and after the Closing Date, Holdings
shall not engage in any business other than owning the capital stock of Company
and entering into and performing its
145
obligations under and in accordance with the Loan Documents and the Holdings
Discount Debenture Indenture, and shall not own any assets other than the
capital stock of Company; provided that Holdings may retain leasehold interests
with respect to certain items of personal property pursuant to leases identified
as items 1 and 10 on Schedule 5.8 until the consent of the lessor is obtained to
------------
transfer such interests and related leases to Company; provided, further, that
--------
Company agrees to use all reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of such
leasehold interests and leases to it as soon as practicable.
7.15 AMENDMENTS OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS,
--------------------------------------------------------------
HOLDINGS DISCOUNT DEBENTURES AND HOLDINGS PREFERRED STOCK; AMENDMENT
--------------------------------------------------------------------
TO RECAPITALIZATION AGREEMENT.
-----------------------------
A. Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
amend or otherwise change the terms of any Subordinated Indebtedness, any of the
guaranties entered into by any Loan Party in connection with any Subordinated
Indebtedness or make any payment consistent with an amendment thereof or change
thereto, if the effect of such amendment or change is to increase the interest
rate on such Subordinated Indebtedness, change (to earlier dates) any dates upon
which payments of principal or interest are due thereon, change any event of
default or condition to an event of default with respect thereto (other than to
eliminate any such event of default or increase any grace period related
thereto), change the redemption, prepayment or defeasance provisions thereof,
change the subordination provisions thereof (or of any guaranty thereof), or
change any collateral therefor (other than to release such collateral), or if
the effect of such amendment or change, together with all other amendments or
changes made, is to increase materially the obligations of the obligor
thereunder or invalidity to confer any additional rights on the holders of such
Subordinated Indebtedness (or a trustee or other representative on their behalf)
which, in any such case, would be materially adverse to any Loan Party or
Lenders. Company shall not amend, waive or change any of its rights under or
otherwise change the terms of the Tax Sharing Agreement or the Tax Sharing
Agreement dated April 21, 1998, by and among Company and its Subsidiaries, in
each case as in effect on the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of
the Requisite Lenders, if such amendment, waiver or change would increase
materially the obligations of Company or confer additional rights on any other
party under any such agreement that would be materially adverse to Company.
B. Holdings shall not amend, waive any of its rights under, or otherwise
change the terms of any of the Recapitalization Agreement, Holdings Discount
Debentures, Holdings Discount Debentures Indenture, Holdings Preferred Stock,
the Tax Sharing Agreement and Holdings Certificate of Designation, in each case
as in effect on the Closing Date,
146
without the prior written consent of the Requisite Lenders, if such amendment,
waiver or change would increase materially the obligations of Holdings or confer
additional rights on any other party to any such agreement which, in any such
case, would be materially adverse to Holdings.
7.16 FISCAL YEAR
-----------
Company shall not change its Fiscal Year-end from December 31 of each
calendar year.
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT
If any of the following conditions or events ("Events of Default")
shall occur:
8.1 FAILURE TO MAKE PAYMENTS WHEN DUE.
---------------------------------
Failure by Company to pay any installment of principal of any Loan
when due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, by notice of voluntary
prepayment, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise; failure by Company to pay when
due any amount payable to an Issuing Lender in reimbursement of any drawing
under a Letter of Credit; or failure by Company to pay any interest on any Loan
or any fee or any other amount due under this Agreement within five days after
the date due; or
8.2 DEFAULT IN OTHER AGREEMENTS.
---------------------------
(i) Failure of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries to pay when due
any principal of or interest on or any other amount payable in respect of one or
more items of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness referred to in subsection
8.1) or Contingent Obligations in either an individual or an aggregate principal
amount of $7,500,000 or more, in each case beyond the end of any grace period
provided therefor; or (ii) breach or default by Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries with respect to any other material term of (a) one or more items of
Indebtedness or Contingent Obligations in the individual or aggregate principal
amounts referred to in clause (i) above or (b) any loan agreement, mortgage,
indenture or other agreement relating to such item(s) of Indebtedness or
Contingent Obligation(s), if the effect of such breach or default is to cause,
or to permit the holder or holders of that Indebtedness or Contingent
Obligation(s) (or a trustee on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, that
Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s) to become or be declared due and
payable prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity of any underlying
obligation, as the case may be (upon the giving or receiving of notice, lapse of
time, both, or otherwise); or
147
8.3 BREACH OF CERTAIN COVENANTS.
---------------------------
Failure of Company to perform or comply with any term or condition
contained in subsection 2.5 or 6.2 or Section 7 of this Agreement; or
8.4 BREACH OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTY.
--------------------------------------
Any representation, warranty, certification or other statement made by
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any Loan Document or in any statement or
certificate at any time given by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in writing
pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall be false
in any material respect on the date as of which made; or
8.5 OTHER DEFAULTS UNDER LOAN DOCUMENTS.
-----------------------------------
Any Loan Party shall default in the performance of or compliance with
any term contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, other
than any such term referred to in any other subsection of this Section 8, and
such default shall not have been remedied or waived within twenty days after the
earlier of (i) an executive officer of Company or such Loan Party obtaining
actual knowledge of such default or (ii) receipt by Company and such Loan Party
of notice from any Agent of such default; or
8.6 INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY; APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER, ETC.
-----------------------------------------------------
(i) A court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a
decree or order for relief in respect of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries in
an involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, which decree
or order is not stayed; or any other similar relief shall be granted under any
applicable federal or state law; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced
against Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code or under
any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in
effect; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for
the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian or
other officer having similar powers over Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, or
over all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered; or
there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver,
trustee or other custodian of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries for all or a
substantial part of its property; or a warrant of attachment, execution or
similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of the
property of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, and any such event described in
this subsection 8.6 shall continue for 60 days unless dismissed, bonded or
discharged; or
148
8.7 VOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY; APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER, ETC.
---------------------------------------------------
(i) Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall have an order for
relief entered with respect to it or commence a voluntary case under the
Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
law now or hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for
relief in an involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a
voluntary case, under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or
taking possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a
substantial part of its property; or Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries shall
make any assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii) Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing
its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due; or the Board of
Directors of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof)
shall adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of
the actions referred to in clause (i) above or this clause (ii); or
8.8 JUDGMENTS AND ATTACHMENTS.
-------------------------
Any money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process
involving either in any individual case or in the aggregate at any time an
amount in excess of $7,500,000 (in either case not adequately covered by
insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has
acknowledged coverage) shall be entered or filed against Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets and shall remain undischarged,
unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of 60 days (or in any event later
than five days prior to the date of any proposed sale thereunder); or
8.9 DISSOLUTION.
-----------
Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against Holdings or any
of its Subsidiaries decreeing the dissolution or split up of Holdings or that
Subsidiary and such order shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period in
excess of 30 days; or
8.10 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
----------------------
There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in
the aggregate results in or might reasonably be expected to result in liability
of Holdings, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates
in excess of $5,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; or there shall exist
an amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of
ERISA), individually or in the aggregate for all Pension Plans (excluding for
purposes of such
149
computation any Pension Plans with respect to which assets exceed benefit
liabilities), which exceeds $5,000,000; or
8.11 CHANGE IN CONTROL.
-----------------
(i) Prior to the IPO Event, (a) Principals and Related Parties
shall at any time fail to collectively and beneficially own and control and to
have economic ownership of, directly, or indirectly, at least 51% of all of the
issued and outstanding Holdings Common Stock on a fully diluted basis, or (b)
any "Change of Control" as such term is defined in the Senior Subordinated
Indenture has occurred and be continuing; and (ii) upon and after the IPO Event,
(a) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any
merger or consolidation) the result of which is that (A) any "person" (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a
person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all securities that
such person has the right to acquire, whether such rights is currently
exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent
condition), other than the Principals and their Related Parties, becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under
the Exchange Act, except that a person shall be deemed to have "beneficial
ownership" of all securities that such person has the right to acquire, whether
such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence
of a subsequent condition), directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the voting
stock of Company (measured by voting power rather than number of shares) and (B)
the Principals and their Related Parties beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the voting stock of Company
than such other "person," or (b) any "Change of Control" as such term is defined
in the Senior Subordinated Indenture has occurred and be continuing; or
8.12 INVALIDITY OF GUARANTIES; FAILURE OF SECURITY; REPUDIATION OF
-------------------------------------------------------------
OBLIGATIONS.
-----------
At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) any Guaranty
for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of all Obligations, shall
cease to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with its terms)
or shall be declared to be null and void, (ii) any Collateral Document shall
cease to be in full force and effect with respect to any material portion of the
Collateral (other than by reason of a release of Collateral thereunder in
accordance with the terms hereof or thereof, the satisfaction in full of the
Obligations or any other termination of such Collateral Document in accordance
with the terms hereof or thereof or as the result of the action or inaction of
Administrative Agent or the Lenders imposed thereunder) or shall be declared
null and void, or Administrative Agent shall not have or shall cease to have a
valid and perfected First Priority Lien in any Collateral purported to be
covered
150
thereby, in each case for any reason other than the failure of any Agent or any
Lender to take any action within its control, or (iii) any Loan Party shall
contest the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document in writing or deny
in writing that it has any further liability, including with respect to future
advances by Lenders, under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or
8.13 ACTION RELATING TO CERTAIN SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS OF COMPANY AND
-------------------------------------------------------------------
HOLDINGS DISCOUNT DEBENTURES.
----------------------------
Any holder of any Subordinated Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior
Subordinated Notes shall file an action seeking the rescission thereof or
damages or injunctive relief relating thereto; or any event shall occur which,
under the terms of the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture or the Holdings
Discount Debentures Indenture, as the case may be, shall require Holdings,
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or
offer to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire all or any portion of any such
Subordinated Indebtedness or the Holdings Discount Debentures; or Holdings or
any of its Subsidiaries shall for any other reason purchase, redeem or otherwise
acquire or offer to purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, or make any other
payments in respect of, all or any portion of any such Subordinated Indebtedness
or the Holdings Discount Debentures, except to the extent expressly permitted by
subsection 7.5;
8.14 FAILURE TO CONSUMMATE THE TRANSACTIONS UNDER THE RECAPITALIZATION
-----------------------------------------------------------------
AGREEMENT.
---------
Holdings shall have failed to consummate the transactions contemplated
under the Recapitalization Agreement;
THEN (i) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in subsection 8.6
or 8.7, each of (a) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued interest on the
Loans, (b) an amount equal to the maximum amount that may at any time be drawn
under all Letters of Credit then outstanding (whether or not any beneficiary
under any such Letter of Credit shall have presented, or shall be entitled at
such time to present, the drafts or other documents or certificates required to
draw under such Letter of Credit), and (c) all other Obligations shall
automatically become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand,
protest or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived by Company, and the obligation of each Lender to make any Loan, the
obligation of Administrative Agent to issue any Letter of Credit and the right
of any Lender to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder shall thereupon terminate,
and (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any other Event of
Default, Administrative Agent shall, upon the written request or with the
written consent of Requisite Lenders, by written notice to Company, declare all
or any portion of the amounts described
151
in clauses (a) through (c) above to be, and the same shall forthwith become,
immediately due and payable, and the obligation of each Lender to make any Loan,
the obligation of Administrative Agent to issue any Letter of Credit and the
right of any Lender to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder shall thereupon
terminate; provided that the foregoing shall not affect in any way the
--------
obligations of Revolving Lenders under subsection 3.3C(i) or the obligations of
Revolving Lenders to purchase participations in any unpaid Swing Line Loans as
provided in subsection 2.1A(iv).
Any amounts described in clause (b) above, when received by
Administrative Agent, shall be held by Administrative Agent pursuant to the
terms of the Collateral Agency Agreement and shall be applied as therein
provided.
Notwithstanding anything contained in the second preceding paragraph,
if at any time within 60 days after an acceleration of the Loans pursuant to
clause (ii) of such paragraph Company shall pay all arrears of interest and all
payments on account of principal which shall have become due otherwise than as a
result of such acceleration (with interest on principal and, to the extent
permitted by law, on overdue interest, at the rates specified in this Agreement)
and all Events of Default and Potential Events of Default (other than non-
payment of the principal of and accrued interest on the Loans, in each case
which is due and payable solely by virtue of acceleration) shall be remedied or
waived pursuant to subsection 10.6, then Requisite Lenders, by written notice to
Company, may at their option rescind and annul such acceleration and its
consequences; but such action shall not affect any subsequent Event of Default
or Potential Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. The
provisions of this paragraph are intended merely to bind Lenders to a decision
which may be made at the election of Requisite Lenders and are not intended,
directly or indirectly, to benefit Company, and such provisions shall not at any
time be construed so as to grant Company the right to require Lenders to rescind
or annul any acceleration hereunder or to preclude Administrative Agent or
Lenders from exercising any of the rights or remedies available to them under
any of the Loan Documents, even if the conditions set forth in this paragraph
are met.
SECTION 9. THE AGENTS
9.1 APPOINTMENT.
-----------
A. APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A. is hereby appointed
Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and each
Lender hereby authorizes Administrative Agent to act as its agent in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. DLJ is
152
hereby appointed Syndication Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents
and each Lender hereby authorizes Syndication Agent to act as its agent in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each
of Syndication Agent and Administrative Agent agrees to act upon the express
conditions contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as
applicable. The provisions of this Section 9 are solely for the benefit of each
of Syndication Agent and Administrative Agent, and Lenders and Company shall
have no rights as a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions thereof.
In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement, each of Syndication
Agent and Administrative Agent shall act solely as an agent of Lenders and does
not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation towards or
relationship of agency or trust with or for Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated in this Agreement, an
Agent (or any of its Affiliates) shall at all times be a Lender under this
Agreement, and at such time as such Agent (or such Affiliate) shall no longer be
a Lender under this Agreement, such Agent shall promptly resign pursuant to
subsection 9.5A hereof.
B. APPOINTMENT OF SUPPLEMENTAL COLLATERAL AGENTS. It is the purpose of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents that there shall be no violation of
any law of any jurisdiction denying or restricting the right of banking
corporations or associations to transact business as agent or trustee in such
jurisdiction. It is recognized that in case of litigation under this Agreement
or any of the other Loan Documents, and in particular in case of the enforcement
of any of the Loan Documents, or in case Administrative Agent deems that by
reason of any present or future law of any jurisdiction it may not exercise any
of the rights, powers or remedies granted herein or in any of the other Loan
Documents or take any other action which may be desirable or necessary in
connection therewith, it may be necessary that Administrative Agent appoint an
additional individual or institution as a separate trustee, co-trustee,
collateral agent or collateral co-agent (any such additional individual or
institution being referred to herein individually as a "SUPPLEMENTAL COLLATERAL
AGENT" and collectively as "SUPPLEMENTAL COLLATERAL AGENTS").
In the event that Administrative Agent appoints a Supplemental
Collateral Agent with respect to any Collateral, (i) each and every right,
power, privilege or duty expressed or intended by this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents to be exercised by or vested in or conveyed to
Administrative Agent with respect to such Collateral shall be exercisable by and
vest in such Supplemental Collateral Agent to the extent, and only to the
extent, necessary to enable such Supplemental Collateral Agent to exercise such
rights, powers and privileges with respect
153
to such Collateral and to perform such duties with respect to such Collateral,
and every covenant and obligation contained in the Loan Documents and necessary
to the exercise or performance thereof by such Supplemental Collateral Agent
shall run to and be enforceable by either Administrative Agent or such
Supplemental Collateral Agent, and (ii) the provisions of this Section 9 and of
subsections 10.2 and 10.3 that refer to Administrative Agent shall inure to the
benefit of such Supplemental Collateral Agent and all references therein to
Administrative Agent shall be deemed to be references to Administrative Agent
and/or such Supplemental Collateral Agent, as the context may require.
Should any instrument in writing from Company or any other Loan Party
be required by any Supplemental Collateral Agent so appointed by Administrative
Agent for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to him or it such
rights, powers, privileges and duties, Company shall, or shall cause such Loan
Party to, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all such instruments promptly
upon request by Administrative Agent. In case any Supplemental Collateral
Agent, or a successor thereto, shall die, become incapable of acting, resign or
be removed, all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of such Supplemental
Collateral Agent, to the extent permitted by law, shall vest in and be exercised
by Administrative Agent until the appointment of a new Supplemental Collateral
Agent.
9.2 POWERS AND DUTIES; GENERAL IMMUNITY.
-----------------------------------
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇; DUTIES SPECIFIED. Each Lender irrevocably authorizes each
Agent to take such action on such Lender's behalf and to exercise such powers,
rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as are
specifically delegated or granted to such Agent by the terms hereof and thereof,
together with such powers, rights and remedies as are reasonably incidental
thereto. Each Agent shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are
expressly specified in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Agent
may exercise such powers, rights and remedies and perform such duties by or
through its agents or employees. No Agent shall have, by reason of this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, a fiduciary relationship in
respect of any Lender; and nothing in this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to
impose upon any Agent any obligations in respect of this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein or therein.
B. NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR CERTAIN MATTERS. No Agent shall be responsible
to any Lender for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity,
enforceability, collectibility or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document or for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements
made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or in
154
any financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or any
other documents furnished or made by such Agent to Lenders or by or on behalf of
Company to such Agent or any Lender in connection with the Loan Documents and
the transactions contemplated thereby or for the financial condition or business
affairs of Company or any other Person liable for the payment of any
Obligations, nor shall such Agent be required to ascertain or inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants
or agreements contained in any of the Loan Documents or as to the use of the
proceeds of the Loans or the use of the Letters of Credit or as to the existence
or possible existence of any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default.
Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
Administrative Agent shall not have any liability arising from confirmations of
the amount of outstanding Loans or the Letter of Credit Usage or the component
amounts thereof.
C. EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS. Neither of the Agents nor any of their
respective officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable to Lenders
for any action taken or omitted by any such Agent under or in connection with
any of the Loan Documents except to the extent caused by such Agent's gross
negligence or willful misconduct. Each Agent shall be entitled to refrain from
any act or the taking of any action (including the failure to take an action) in
connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or from the
exercise of any power, discretion or authority vested in it hereunder or
thereunder unless and until such Agent shall have received instructions in
respect thereof from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required
to give such instructions under subsection 10.6) and, upon receipt of such
instructions from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders, as the case may be),
such Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed) refrain from
acting, or to exercise such power, discretion or authority, in accordance with
such instructions. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, (i)
each Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying,
upon any communication, instrument or document believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper person or persons, and
shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on opinions and
judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for Company and its Subsidiaries),
accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by it; and (ii) no
Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against any Agent as a result
of such Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting under this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the instructions
of Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to give such
instructions under subsection 10.6).
D. AGENTS ENTITLED TO ACT AS LENDER. The agency hereby created shall in
no way impair or affect any of the rights and
155
powers of, or impose any duties or obligations upon, any Agent in its individual
capacity as a Lender hereunder. With respect to its participation in the Loans
and the Letters of Credit, each Agent shall have the same rights and powers
hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not
performing the duties and functions delegated to it hereunder, and the term
"Lender" or "Lenders" or any similar term shall, unless the context clearly
otherwise indicates, include such Agent in its individual capacity. Any Agent
and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage
in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with Company
or any of its Affiliates as if it were not performing the duties specified
herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from Company for services in
connection with this Agreement and otherwise without having to account for the
same to Lenders.
9.3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPRAISAL OF
------------------------------------------------------------------
CREDITWORTHINESS.
----------------
Each Lender represents and warrants that it has made its own
independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company and
its Subsidiaries in connection with the making of the Loans and the issuance of
Letters of Credit hereunder and that it has made and shall continue to make its
own appraisal of the creditworthiness of Company and its Subsidiaries. No Agent
shall have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing
basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Lenders
or to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect
thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at
any time or times thereafter, and no Agent shall have any responsibility with
respect to the accuracy of or the completeness of any information provided to
Lenders.
9.4 RIGHT TO INDEMNITY.
------------------
Each Lender, in proportion to its Pro Rata Share, severally agrees to
indemnify each Agent, to the extent that such Agent shall not have been
reimbursed by Company, for and against any and all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses
(including counsel fees and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind or
nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such
Agent in exercising its powers, rights and remedies or performing its duties
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or otherwise in its capacity as
Administrative Agent or Syndication Agent, as the case may be, in any way
relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents;
provided that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities,
--------
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements resulting from any Agent's gross negligence or willful
misconduct. If any
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indemnity furnished to any Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of such
Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, such Agent may call for additional
indemnity and cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until
such additional indemnity is furnished.
9.5 SUCCESSOR AGENTS AND SWING LINE LENDER.
--------------------------------------
A. SUCCESSOR AGENTS. The Syndication Agent may resign at any time upon
ten Business Days' prior notice thereof to Company and Administrative Agent.
Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days' prior written
notice thereof to Syndication Agent, Lenders and Company, and Administrative
Agent may be removed at any time with or without cause by an instrument or
concurrent instruments in writing delivered to Company and Administrative Agent
and signed by Requisite Lenders. Upon any such notice of resignation of
Administrative Agent or any such removal of Administrative Agent, Requisite
Lenders shall have the right, upon five Business Days' notice to Company, to
appoint a successor Administrative Agent. If for any reason Requisite Lenders
cannot agree on a successor Administrative Agent, the resigning Administrative
Agent shall have the right to designate a successor Administrative Agent after
consulting with Company. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent that
successor Administrative Agent, shall thereupon succeed to and become vested
with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed
Administrative Agent and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. After any
retiring or removed Administrative Agent's or Syndication Agent's resignation
hereunder as Administrative Agent or Syndication Agent, as the case may be, the
provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken
or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent or Syndication
Agent, as the case may be, under this Agreement.
B. SUCCESSOR SWING LINE LENDER. Any resignation or removal of
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5A shall also constitute the
resignation or removal of ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A. or its successor as Swing Line
Lender, and any successor Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to subsection
9.5A shall, upon its acceptance of such appointment, become the successor Swing
Line Lender for all purposes hereunder. In such event (i) Company shall prepay
any outstanding Swing Line Loans made by the retiring or removed Administrative
Agent in its capacity as Swing Line Lender, (ii) upon such prepayment, the
retiring or removed Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender shall surrender
the Swing Line Note held by it to Company for cancellation, and (iii) Company
shall issue a new Swing Line Note to the successor Administrative Agent and
Swing Line Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit VII annexed hereto, in
-----------
the
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principal amount of the Swing Line Loan Commitment then in effect and with other
appropriate insertions.
9.6 COLLATERAL DOCUMENTS AND GUARANTIES.
-----------------------------------
Each Lender hereby further authorizes Administrative Agent, on behalf
of and for the benefit of Lenders, to enter into each Collateral Document as
secured party and to be the agent for and representative of Lenders under each
Guaranty, and each Lender agrees to be bound by the terms of each Collateral
Document and Guaranty; provided that Administrative Agent shall not (i) enter
--------
into or consent to any material amendment, modification, termination or waiver
of any provision contained in any Collateral Document or Guaranty or (ii)
release any Collateral (except as otherwise expressly permitted or required
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or the applicable Collateral Document),
in each case without the prior consent of Requisite Lenders (or, if required
pursuant to subsection 10.6, all Lenders); provided further, however, that,
-------- ------- -------
without further written consent or authorization from Lenders, Administrative
Agent may execute any documents or instruments necessary to (a) release any Lien
encumbering any item of Collateral that is the subject of a sale or other
disposition of assets permitted by this Agreement or to which Requisite Lenders
have otherwise consented, (b) release any Lien of the stock of any Subsidiary of
Company if all of the equity Securities of such Subsidiary is sold to any Person
(other than an Affiliate of Company) pursuant to a sale or other disposition
permitted hereunder (including pursuant to a merger of such Subsidiary where
such Subsidiary is the disappearing entity) or to which Requisite Lenders have
otherwise consented, or (c) release any Subsidiary Guarantor from the Subsidiary
Guaranty if all of the equity Securities of such Subsidiary Guarantor is sold to
any Person (other than an Affiliate of Company) pursuant to a sale or other
disposition permitted hereunder or to which Requisite Lenders have otherwise
consented. Anything contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary
notwithstanding, Company, each Agent and each Lender hereby agree that (X) no
Lender shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral
under any Collateral Document or to enforce any Guaranty, it being understood
and agreed that all rights and remedies under the Collateral Documents and the
Guaranties may be exercised solely by Administrative Agent for the benefit of
Lenders in accordance with the terms thereof, and (Y) in the event of a
foreclosure by Administrative Agent on any of the Collateral pursuant to a
public or private sale, any Agent or any Lender may be the purchaser of any or
all of such Collateral at any such sale and Administrative Agent, as agent for
and representative of Lenders (but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their
respective individual capacities unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise agree
in writing) shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement
or payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold
at any such public sale, to
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use and apply any of the Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase
price for any collateral payable by Administrative Agent at such sale.
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS IN LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.
-------------------------------------------------------------
A. GENERAL. Subject to subsection 10.1B, each Lender shall have the
right at any time to (i) sell, assign or transfer to any Eligible Assignee, or
(ii) sell participations to any Person in, all or any part of its Commitments or
any Loan or Loans made by it or its Letters of Credit or participations therein
or any other interest herein or in any other Obligations owed to it; provided
--------
that no such sale, assignment, transfer or participation shall, without the
consent of Company, require Company to file a registration statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or apply to qualify such sale, assignment,
transfer or participation under the securities laws of any state; provided,
--------
further that no such sale, assignment, transfer or participation of any Letter
-------
of Credit or any participation therein may be made separately from a sale,
assignment, transfer or participation of a corresponding interest in the
Revolving Loan Commitment and the Revolving Loans of the Revolving Lender
effecting such sale, assignment, transfer or participation; and provided,
--------
further that, anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the
-------
Swing Line Loan Commitment and the Swing Line Loans of Swing Line Lender may not
be sold, assigned or transferred as described in clause (i) above to any Person
other than a successor Administrative Agent and Swing Line Lender to the extent
contemplated by subsection 9.5. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection
10.1, no Lender shall, as between Company and such Lender, be relieved of any of
its obligations hereunder as a result of any sale, assignment or transfer of, or
any granting of participations in, all or any part of its Commitments or the
Loans, the Letters of Credit or participations therein, or the other Obligations
owed to such Lender.
B. ASSIGNMENTS.
(i) Amounts and Terms of Assignments. Each Commitment, Loan,
--------------------------------
Letter of Credit or participation therein, or other Obligation may (a) be
assigned in any amount to another Lender or any Agent, or to an Affiliate
or Affiliated Fund of the assigning Lender or another Lender or any Agent,
with the giving of notice to Company and Administrative Agent or (b) be
assigned in an aggregate amount of not less than $5,000,000 (or such lesser
amount as shall constitute the aggregate amount of the Commitments, Loans,
Letters of Credit and participations therein, and other Obligations of the
assigning Lender or as may be consented to by Company and Administrative
Agent) to any
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other Eligible Assignee (treating all Affiliated Funds as a single Eligible
Assignee and a single Lender) with the consent of Company (which consent
shall only be required so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing) and Administrative Agent (which consent of Company and
Administrative Agent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). To
the extent of any such assignment in accordance with either clause (a) or
(b) above, the assigning Lender shall be relieved of its obligations with
respect to its Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit or participations
therein, or other Obligations or the portion thereof so assigned. The
parties to each such assignment shall execute and deliver to Administrative
Agent, for its acceptance, an Assignment Agreement, together with a
processing fee of $2,500 (to be assessed only if the assignee is not a
Lender or Affiliate or Affiliated Fund of a Lender and otherwise at
Administrative Agent's discretion) and such forms, certificates or other
evidence, if any, with respect to United States federal income tax
withholding matters as the assignee under such Assignment Agreement may be
required to deliver to Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection
2.7B(iii)(a). Upon such execution, delivery and acceptance from and after
the effective date specified in such Assignment Agreement, (y) the assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and
obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment
Agreement, shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder and
(z) the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and
obligations hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment
Agreement, relinquish its rights (other than any rights which survive the
termination of this Agreement under subsection 10.9B) and be released from
its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment
Agreement covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be
a party hereto; provided that, anything contained in any of the Loan
--------
Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, if such Lender is the Issuing
Lender with respect to any outstanding Letters of Credit such Lender shall
continue to have all rights and obligations of an Issuing Lender with
respect to such Letters of Credit until the cancellation or expiration of
such Letters of Credit and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn
thereunder). The Commitments hereunder shall be modified to reflect the
Commitment of such assignee and any remaining Commitment of such assigning
Lender and, if any such assignment occurs after the issuance of the Notes
hereunder, if requested pursuant to subsection 2.1E, the assigning Lender
shall, upon the effectiveness of such assignment or as promptly thereafter
as practicable, surrender its applicable Notes to Administrative Agent for
cancellation, and thereupon new Notes shall be issued to the
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assignee and to the assigning Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit
-------
IV, Exhibit V, or Exhibit VI annexed hereto, as the case may be, with
-- --------- ----------
appropriate insertions, to reflect the new Commitments and/or outstanding
Term Loans, as the case may be, of the assignee and the assigning Lender.
(ii) Acceptance by Administrative Agent. Upon its receipt of an
----------------------------------
Assignment Agreement executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee
representing that it is an Eligible Assignee, together with the processing
fee referred to in subsection 10.1B(i) and any forms, certificates or other
evidence with respect to United States federal income tax withholding
matters that such assignee may be required to deliver to Administrative
Agent pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a), Administrative Agent shall, if
Administrative Agent and Company have consented to the assignment evidenced
thereby (in each case to the extent such consent is required pursuant to
subsection 10.1B(i)), (a) accept such Assignment Agreement by executing a
counterpart thereof as provided therein (which acceptance shall evidence
any required consent of Administrative Agent to such assignment) and (b)
give prompt notice thereof to Company. Administrative Agent shall maintain
a copy of each Assignment Agreement delivered to and accepted by it as
provided in this subsection 10.1B(ii).
C. PARTICIPATIONS. The holder of any participation, other than an
Affiliate of the Lender granting such participation, shall not be entitled to
require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except action
directly affecting (i) the extension of the scheduled final maturity date of any
Loan allocated to such participation or (ii) a reduction of the principal amount
of or the rate of interest payable on any Loan allocated to such participation,
and all amounts payable by Company hereunder shall be determined as if such
Lender had not sold such participation. Company and each Lender hereby
acknowledge and agree that, solely for purposes of subsections 2.6D, 2.7A,
2.7C, 3.6, 6.1, 10.4 and 10.5, (a) any participation will give rise to a direct
obligation of Company to the participant and (b) the participant shall be
considered to be a "Lender".
D. ASSIGNMENTS TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS; ASSIGNMENTS TO TRUSTEES. In
addition to the assignments and participations permitted under the foregoing
provisions of this subsection 10.1, (i) any Lender may assign and pledge all or
any portion of its Loans, the other Obligations owed to such Lender, and its
Notes to any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation
A of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any operating
circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank, (ii) any Lender that is an
investment fund that invests in bank loans may, without the consent of
Administrative Agent or Company, pledge all or any portion of its interest,
rights and obligations to any trustee or any other representative of holders
161
of obligations owed or securities issued by such investment fund as security for
such obligations or securities, and (iii) such assignment or pledge referred to
in clause (i) and (ii) above shall not be subject to the provisions of
subsection 10.1B above; provided that (x) no Lender shall, as between Company
--------
and such Lender, be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of
any such assignment and pledge and (y) in no event shall such Federal Reserve
Bank be considered to be a "Lender" or be entitled to require the assigning
Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder.
E. INFORMATION. Each Lender may furnish any information concerning
Company and its Subsidiaries in the possession of that Lender from time to time
to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and
participants), subject to subsection 10.19.
F. REPRESENTATIONS OF LENDERS. Each Lender listed on the signature pages
hereof hereby represents and warrants (i) that it is an Eligible Assignee
described in clause (A) of the definition thereof; (ii) that it has experience
and expertise in the making of loans such as the Loans; and (iii) that it will
make its Loans for its own account in the ordinary course of its business and
without a view to distribution of such Loans within the meaning of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other federal securities laws (it being
understood that, subject to the provisions of this subsection 10.1, the
disposition of such Loans or any interests therein shall at all times remain
within its exclusive control). Each Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant
to an Assignment Agreement shall be deemed to agree that the representations and
warranties of such Lender contained in Section 2(c) of such Assignment Agreement
are incorporated herein by this reference.
10.2 EXPENSES.
--------
Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
consummated, Company agrees to pay promptly (i) all the actual and reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses of preparation of the Loan Documents and any
consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto; (ii) all the costs
of furnishing all opinions by counsel for Company (including any opinions
requested by either Agent under this Agreement as to any legal matters arising
hereunder) and of Company's performance of and compliance with all agreements
and conditions on its part to be performed or complied with under this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents including with respect to confirming compliance
with environmental, insurance and solvency requirements; (iii) the reasonable
fees, expenses and disbursements of O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLP, counsel to Arranger
and Syndication Agent in connection with the negotiation, preparation and
execution of the Loan Documents, (iv) the reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of Administrative Agent in connection with the
162
development, preparation, delivery, administration and execution of, and any
amendment, supplement, waiver or modification to (in each case, whether or not
consummated), this Agreement, any Loan Document and any other documents prepared
in connection herewith or therewith, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby, including reasonable attorneys' fees (including
allocated costs of internal counsel) incurred by Administrative Agent with
respect thereto; provided, however, that the costs and expenses recoverable by
-------- -------
Administrative Agent under this clause (iv) with respect to administration of
the Loan Documents incurred on or prior to the Closing Date shall be limited to
reasonable attorneys' fees not exceeding $10,000 and reasonable out-of-pocket
costs and expenses, (v) all the actual costs and reasonable expenses (including
the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of any environmental or other
consultants, advisors and agents employed or retained by Administrative Agent or
its counsel) of obtaining and reviewing any environmental audits or reports
provided for under subsection 4.1N or 6.9B(viii), (vi) all the actual reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and reasonable expenses of creating and perfecting Liens in
favor of Administrative Agent on behalf of Lenders pursuant to any Collateral
Document, including filing and recording fees, expenses and taxes, stamp or
documentary taxes, search fees, title insurance premiums, and reasonable fees,
expenses and disbursements of counsel to Agents and of counsel providing any
opinions that Agents may request in respect of the Collateral Documents or the
Liens created pursuant thereto; (vii) the custody or preservation of any of the
Collateral; (viii) all other actual and reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred by Arranger or Agents in connection with the syndication of
the Commitments and any due diligence investigation performed by Agents and
Arranger, and the negotiation, preparation and execution of the Loan Documents
and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto and the
transactions contemplated thereby; and (ix) after the occurrence of an Event of
Default, all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees (including allocated costs of internal counsel) and costs of
settlement, incurred by Administrative Agent and Lenders in enforcing any
Obligations of or in collecting any payments due from any Loan Party hereunder
or under the other Loan Documents by reason of such Event of Default (including
in connection with the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon any
of the Collateral or the enforcement of the Guaranties or in connection with any
refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided under this
Agreement in the nature of a "work-out" or pursuant to any insolvency or
bankruptcy proceedings).
10.3 INDEMNITY.
---------
In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to subsection 10.2,
whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated,
Company agrees to defend (subject to
163
Indemnitees' selection of counsel), indemnify, pay and hold harmless Arranger,
Agents and Lenders and the officers, directors, trustees, employees, agents and
affiliates of Arranger, Agents and Lenders (collectively called the
"INDEMNITEES"), from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities (as
hereinafter defined); provided that Company shall not have any obligation to any
--------
Indemnitee hereunder with respect to any Indemnified Liabilities to the extent
such Indemnified Liabilities arise from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of that Indemnitee as determined by a final judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction.
As used herein, "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES" means, collectively, any and
all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource
damages), penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims (including Environmental
Claims), costs (including the reasonable out-of-pocket costs of any
investigation, study, sampling, testing, abatement, cleanup, removal,
remediation or other response action necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or
▇▇▇▇▇ any Hazardous Materials Activity), expenses and disbursements of any kind
or nature whatsoever (including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel
for Indemnitees in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial
proceeding commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such
Indemnitee shall be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any
reasonable fees or expenses incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this
indemnity), whether direct, indirect or consequential and whether based on any
federal, state or foreign laws, statutes, rules or regulations (including
securities and commercial laws, statutes, rules or regulations and Environmental
Laws), on common law or equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be
imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner
relating to or arising out of (i) this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or
the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including Lenders' agreement to
make the Loans hereunder or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof or
the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder or the use or intended use of any
thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Loan Documents (including any sale of,
collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral or the
enforcement of the Guaranties), (ii) the statements contained in the commitment
letter delivered by any Lender to Company with respect thereto, or (iii) any
Environmental Claim or any Hazardous Materials Activity relating to or arising
from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land
ownership, or practice of Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold
harmless set forth in this subsection 10.3 may be unenforceable in whole or in
part because they are violative of any law or public policy, Company shall
contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under
164
applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities
incurred by Indemnitees or any of them.
10.4 SET-OFF; SECURITY INTEREST IN DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS.
----------------------------------------------
In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable
law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and
continuance of any Event of Default each Lender is hereby authorized by Company
at any time or from time to time, without notice to Company or to any other
Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to
appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including
Indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured,
but not including trust accounts) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or
owing by that Lender to or for the credit or the account of Company against and
on account of the obligations and liabilities of Company to that Lender under
this Agreement, the Letters of Credit and participations therein and the other
Loan Documents, including all claims of any nature or description arising out of
or connected with this Agreement, the Letters of Credit and participations
therein or any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not (i) that
Lender shall have made any demand hereunder or (ii) the principal of or the
interest on the Loans or any amounts in respect of the Letters of Credit or any
other amounts due hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to
Section 8 and although said obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be
contingent or unmatured. Company hereby further grants to each Agent and each
Lender a security interest in all deposits and accounts maintained with such
Agent or such Lender as security for the Obligations. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no Lender shall exercise, or attempt to exercise, any right of set-
off, banker's lien or the like, against any deposit account or property of
Company or any Subsidiary of Company held or maintained by such Lender without
the prior written consent of Administrative Agent and Requisite Lenders.
10.5 RATABLE SHARING.
---------------
Lenders hereby agree among themselves that if any of them shall,
whether by voluntary payment (other than a voluntary prepayment of Loans made
and applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), by realization upon
security, through the exercise of any right of set-off or banker's lien, by
counterclaim or cross action or by the enforcement of any right under the Loan
Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash
collateral under the Bankruptcy Code, receive payment or reduction of a
proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, amounts payable in
respect of Letters of Credit, fees and other amounts then due and owing to that
Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (collectively, the "AGGREGATE
AMOUNTS DUE" to such Lender) which
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is greater than the proportion received by any other Lender in respect of the
Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Lender, then the Lender receiving such
proportionately greater payment shall (i) notify Administrative Agent and each
other Lender of the receipt of such payment and (ii) apply a portion of such
payment to purchase participations (which it shall be deemed to have purchased
from each seller of a participation simultaneously upon the receipt by such
seller of its portion of such payment) in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other
Lenders so that all such recoveries of Aggregate Amounts Due shall be shared by
all Lenders in proportion to the Aggregate Amounts Due to them; provided that if
--------
all or part of such proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing
Lender is thereafter recovered from such Lender upon the bankruptcy or
reorganization of Company or otherwise, those purchases shall be rescinded and
the purchase prices paid for such participations shall be returned to such
purchasing Lender ratably to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.
Company expressly consents to the foregoing arrangement and agrees that any
holder of a participation so purchased may exercise any and all rights of
banker's lien, set-off or counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing
by Company to that holder with respect thereto as fully as if that holder were
owed the amount of the participation held by that holder.
10.6 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.
----------------------
A. No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement or of the Notes, and no consent to any departure by
Company therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the written
concurrence of Requisite Lenders, the receipt of which shall be acknowledged in
writing by Administrative Agent; provided that any such amendment, modification,
--------
termination, waiver or consent which: increases the amount of any of the
Commitments or reduces or forgives the principal amount of any of the Loans;
changes in any manner the definition of "Pro Rata Share" or the definition of
"Requisite Lenders"; changes in any manner any provision of this Agreement
which, by its terms, expressly requires the approval or concurrence of all
Lenders; postpones the scheduled final maturity date or the date of any
scheduled installment of principal of any of the Loans; postpones the date on
which any interest or any fees are payable; decreases the interest rate borne by
any of the Loans (other than any waiver of any increase in the interest rate
applicable to any of the Loans pursuant to subsection 2.2E) or the amount of any
fees payable hereunder; increases the maximum duration of Interest Periods
permitted hereunder; reduces the amount or postpones the due date of any amount
payable in respect of, or extends the required expiration date of, any Letter of
Credit; changes in any manner the obligations of Lenders relating to the
purchase of participations in Letters of Credit; releases any Lien granted in
favor of Administrative Agent with respect to 25% or more in aggregate
166
fair market value of the Collateral, other than in accordance with the Loan
Documents; releases Holdings or any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations
under a Guaranty, other than in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents;
or changes in any manner the provisions contained in subsection 8.1, or this
subsection 10.6 shall be effective only if evidenced by a writing signed by or
on behalf of all Lenders with receipt acknowledged by Administrative Agent;
provided, further, that if any matter described in the foregoing proviso relates
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only to a Revolving Loan, the approval of all Revolving Lenders shall be
sufficient; if any matter described in the foregoing proviso relates only to a
Tranche A Term Loan, the approval of Tranche A Term Loan Lenders shall be
sufficient; if any matter described in the foregoing proviso relates only to a
Tranche B Term Loan, the approval of all Tranche B Term Loan Lenders shall be
sufficient; provided, still further that any amendment or modification of this
-------- ----- -------
Agreement which creates one or more additional tranches of term loans (without
increasing the Commitment of any Lender to make such additional term loans)
shall only require the consent of the Requisite Lenders. In addition, (i) any
amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any of the provisions
contained in Section 4 shall be effective only if evidenced by a writing signed
by or on behalf of Agents and Requisite Lenders (the receipt of which shall be
acknowledged in writing by Agents), (ii) no amendment, modification, termination
or waiver of any provision of any Note shall be effective without the written
concurrence of the Lender which is the holder of that Note, (iii) no amendment,
modification, termination or waiver of any provision of any Letter of Credit
shall be effective without the consent of the Issuing Lender of such Letter of
Credit and no amendment, modification, termination or waiver of Section 3 that
changes in any manner the rights and obligations of an Issuing Lender with
respect to an outstanding Letter of Credit shall be effective without the
consent of that Issuing Lender, (iv) no amendment, modification, termination or
waiver of subsection 2.1A(iv) or of any other provision of this Agreement
relating to the Swing Line Loan Commitment or the Swing Line Loans shall be
effective without the written concurrence of Swing Line Lender, and (v) no
amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of Section 9 or
of any other provision of this Agreement which, by its terms, expressly requires
the approval or concurrence of Agents shall be effective to limit the rights or
increase the obligation of either Agent without the written concurrence of such
Agent. Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the
concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers or
consents on behalf of that Lender. Any waiver or consent shall be effective only
in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given. No
notice to or demand on Company in any case shall entitle Company to any other or
further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. Any amendment,
modification, termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance with this
subsection 10.6 shall be binding upon each Lender at the time
167
outstanding, each future Lender and, if signed by Company, on Company.
B. If, in connection with any proposed amendment, modification,
termination or waiver to any of the provisions of this Agreement or the Notes as
contemplated by the first proviso of subsection 10.6A, the consent of the
Requisite Lenders is obtained but the consent of one or more of such other
Lenders whose consent is required is not obtained, then Company shall have the
right, so long as all non-consenting Lenders whose individual consent is
required are treated as described in either clause (i) or (ii) below, to either
(i) replace each such non-consenting Lender or Lenders with one or more
Replacement Lenders pursuant to subsection 2.9 so long as at the time of such
replacement, each such Replacement Lender consents to the proposed amendment,
modification, termination or waiver, or (ii) terminate such non-consenting
Lender's Commitments and repay in full its outstanding Loans in accordance with
subsections 2.4B(i)(b) and 2.4B(ii)(b); provided that unless the Commitments
--------
that are terminated and the Loans that are repaid pursuant to the preceding
clause (ii) are immediately replaced in full at such time through the addition
of new Lenders or the increase of the Commitments and/or outstanding Loans of
existing Lenders (who in each case must specifically consent thereto), then in
the case of any action pursuant to the preceding clause (ii), the Requisite
Lenders (determined before giving effect to the proposed action) shall
specifically consent thereto; provided further that Company shall not have the
-------- -------
right to terminate such non-consenting Lender's Commitment and repay in full its
outstanding Loans pursuant to clause (ii) of this subsection 10.6B if,
immediately after the termination of such Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment in
accordance with subsection 2.4B(ii)(b), the Revolving Loan Exposure of all
Lenders would exceed the Revolving Loan Commitments of all Lenders; provided
--------
still further that Company shall not have the right to replace a Lender solely
----- -------
as a result of the exercise of such Lender's rights (and the withholding of any
required consent by such Lender) pursuant to the second sentence of subsection
10.6A.
10.7 INDEPENDENCE OF COVENANTS.
-------------------------
All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a
particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the
fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within
the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of an Event
of Default or Potential Event of Default if such action is taken or condition
exists.
10.8 NOTICES.
-------
Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other
communication herein required or permitted to be
168
given shall be in writing and may be personally served, telexed or sent by
telefacsimile or United States mail or courier service and shall be deemed to
have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of
telefacsimile or telex, or three Business Days after depositing it in the United
States mail with postage prepaid and properly addressed; provided that notices
--------
to Agents shall not be effective until received. For the purposes hereof, the
address of each party hereto shall be as set forth under such party's name on
the signature pages hereof or (i) as to Company and Agents, such other address
as shall be designated by such Person in a written notice delivered to the other
parties hereto and (ii) as to each other party, such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice delivered to Administrative Agent.
10.9 SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.
------------------------------------------------------
A. All representations, warranties and agreements made herein shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans
and the issuance of the Letters of Credit hereunder.
B. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or implied by law to the
contrary, the agreements of Company set forth in subsections 2.6D, 2.7, 3.5A,
3.6, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in subsections
9.2C, 9.4 and 10.5 shall survive the payment of the Loans, the cancellation or
expiration of the Letters of Credit and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn
thereunder, and the termination of this Agreement.
10.10 FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.
-----------------------------------------------------
No failure or delay on the part of any Agent or any Lender in the
exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan
Document shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a
waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further
exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege. All rights and
remedies existing under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are
cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.
10.11 MARSHALLING; PAYMENTS SET ASIDE.
-------------------------------
None of Agents or Lenders shall be under any obligation to marshal any
assets in favor of Company or any other party or against or in payment of any or
all of the Obligations. To the extent that Company makes a payment or payments
to Administrative Agent or Lenders (or to Administrative Agent for the benefit
of Lenders), or any of Agents or Lenders enforce any security interests or
exercise their rights of setoff, and such payment or payments or the proceeds of
such enforcement or setoff or any
169
part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or
preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or
any other party under any bankruptcy law, any other state or federal law, common
law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation
or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and
remedies therefor or related thereto, shall be revived and continued in full
force and effect as if such payment or payments had not been made or such
enforcement or setoff had not occurred.
10.12 SEVERABILITY.
------------
In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement or the
Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or
obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
10.13 OBLIGATIONS SEVERAL; INDEPENDENT NATURE OF LENDERS' RIGHTS.
----------------------------------------------------------
The obligations of Lenders hereunder are several and no Lender shall
be responsible for the obligations or Commitments of any other Lender hereunder.
Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no action taken by
Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Lenders as a
partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. The
amounts payable at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and
independent debt, and each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce its
rights arising out of this Agreement and it shall not be necessary for any other
Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
10.14 HEADINGS.
--------
Section and subsection headings in this Agreement are included herein
for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this
Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.
10.15 APPLICABLE LAW.
--------------
THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE
GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS
OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.
170
10.16 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
----------------------
This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and the successors and assigns of Lenders (it being understood that
Lenders' rights of assignment are subject to subsection 10.1). Neither
Company's rights or obligations hereunder nor any interest therein may be
assigned or delegated by Company without the prior written consent of all
Lenders.
10.17 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.
----------------------------------------------
ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST COMPANY ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS
THEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION IN ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇. BY EXECUTING AND
DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, COMPANY, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS
PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY
(I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NONEXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;
(II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;
(III) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN
ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, TO COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION
10.8;
(IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS
SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER COMPANY IN ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND
BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;
(V) AGREES THAT LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY
OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST COMPANY IN
THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND
(VI) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSECTION 10.17 RELATING
TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402 OR
OTHERWISE.
10.18 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
--------------------
EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS
RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR
ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS
BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO
171
THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR THE LENDER/BORROWER RELATIONSHIP
THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-
encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any court and that
relate to the subject matter of this transaction, including contract claims,
tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other common law and statutory
claims. Each party hereto acknowledges that this waiver is a material
inducement to enter into a business relationship, that each has already relied
on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each will continue to
rely on this waiver in their related future dealings. Each party hereto further
warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel
and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following
consultation with legal counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT
MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN
WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SUBSECTION 10.18 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF
THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS
MADE HEREUNDER. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a
written consent to a trial by the court.
10.19 CONFIDENTIALITY.
---------------
Each Lender shall hold all non-public information obtained pursuant to
the requirements of this Agreement which has been identified as confidential by
Company in accordance with such Lender's customary procedures for handling
confidential information of this nature and in accordance with safe and sound
banking practices, it being understood and agreed by Company that in any event a
Lender may make disclosures to Affiliates and professional advisors of such
Lender or disclosures reasonably required by (a) any bona fide assignee,
transferee or participant in connection with the contemplated assignment or
transfer by such Lender of any Loans or any participations therein or (b) by any
direct or indirect contractual counterparties in swap agreements or such
contractual counterparties' professional advisors provided that such contractual
counterparty or professional advisor to such contractual counterparty agrees in
writing to keep such information confidential to the same extent required of the
Lenders hereunder, or disclosures required or requested by any governmental
agency or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process; provided that,
--------
unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order, each Lender
shall notify Company of any request by any governmental agency or representative
thereof (other than any such request in connection with any examination of the
financial condition of such Lender by such governmental agency) for disclosure
of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of such information; and
provided, further that in no event shall any Lender be obligated
-------- -------
172
or required to return any materials furnished by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.
10.20 COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS.
---------------------------
This Agreement and any amendments, waivers, consents or supplements
hereto or in connection herewith may be executed in any number of counterparts
and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may
be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single
counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a
counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt by Company and
Agents of written or telephonic notification of such execution and authorization
of delivery thereof.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
173
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.
COMPANY:
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By: _____________________________________
Title:
Notice Address:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
S-1
LENDERS:
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., individually and as
Administrative Agent
By: ________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________
Notice Address:
Capital Markets Group
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
S-2
DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC., individually and
as Syndication Agent
By: ________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________
Notice Address:
2121 Avenue of the Stars
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
With a copy to:
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇-▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,
individually and as Documentation Agent
By: ________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________
Notice Address:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
With a copy to:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
S-4
BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND SAVINGS
ASSOCIATION
By: ________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________
Notice Address:
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇-▇
BANQUE PARIBAS
By: ________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________
Notice Address:
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
S-6
BHF-BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
By: ________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________
By: ________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________
Notice Address:
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇., ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: L. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
With a copy to:
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
S-7
CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
By: ________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________
Notice Address:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: Olivier Tabouret
S-8
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
By: ________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________
Notice Address:
One First ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇-▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
S-9
U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: ________________________________________
Title: _____________________________________
Notice Address:
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
S-10
SCHEDULES
Schedules to the
Credit Agreement (the "Agreement")
Among
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., as Borrower
THE LENDERS LISTED THEREIN, as Lenders,
DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC., as Syndication Agent,
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
and
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as Documentation Agent
These are the Schedules referred to in the Agreement.
The schedule numbers herein set forth to the corresponding
schedule numbers in the Agreement. The inclusion of any item in a
section of this Agreement shall not constitute an admission that
a violation, right of termination, default, liability or other
obligation of any kind exists with respect to such item, but
rather is intended only to qualify certain rerpesentations and
warranties contained in the Agreement and to set forth other
information required by the Agreement. The headings with respect
to each item are included for convenience only, and are not a
party of the responses to requirements or a qualification of the
representations and warranties set forth in the Agreement.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the
meanings assigned to them in the Agreement.
Schedule 2.1
------------
LENDERS' COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES
----------------------------------------
================================================================================
Lender Revolving Pro Rata Tranche A Loan Pro Rata Share
------ --------- -------- -------------- --------------
Loan Shares (re: Commitment (re: Tranche A
---- ----------- ---------- ---------------
Commitment Revolving Loans)
---------- --------- ------
Loan
----
Commitment)
-----------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 2,272,727.27 9.090909% $ 2,727,272.73 9.090909%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US Bancorp $ 2,272,727.27 9.090909% $ 2,727,272.73 9.090909%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Banque Paribas $ 2,727,272.73 10.90909% $ 3,272,727.27 10.90909%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BHF Bank $ 2,727,272.73 10.90909% $ 3,272,727.27 10.90909%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank of America $ 2,727,272.73 10.90909% $ 3,272,727.27 10.90909%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Lyonnais $ 2,727,272.73 10.90909% $ 3,272,727.27 10.90909%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Chicago $ 2,727,272.73 10.90909% $ 3,272,727.27 10.90909%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo $ 3,409,090.91 13.63640% $ 4,090,909.09 13.63636%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DLJ $ 3,409,090.90 13.63636% $ 4,090,909.10 13.63640%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $25,000,000.0 100% $30,000,000.00 100%
-----
0
================================================================================
Tranche B Pro Rata Shares Pro Rata Total
--------- --------------- -------- -----
Loan (re: Tranche B Shares Commitment
---- -------------- ------- ----------
Commitment Loans)
---------- ------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ 0 0 4.7619047% $
5,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US Bancorp 0 0 4.7619047% $
5,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Banque Paribas 0 0 5.7142857% $
6,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BHF Bank 0 0 5.7142857% $
6,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bank of America 0 0 5.7142857% $
6,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Credit Lyonnais 0 0 5.7142857% $
6,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First Chicago 0 0 5.7142857% $
6,000,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo $ 40% 9.0476190% $
2,000,000.00 9,500,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DLJ $48,000,000.0 96% 52.8571429 $
0 % 55,500,000.00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL $50,000,000.0 100% 100% $105,000,000.
-----
0 00
================================================================================
SCHEDULE 3.1
EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT
Issuing Lender: U.S. Bank National Association (formerly known as
First Bank National Association)
Standby Letters of Credit:
=======================================================================
L/C Number Beneficiary Amount
---------- ----------- ------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
75760 Central Maine Power Company $75,861.56
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
75882 North River Insurance Company $690,000.00
=======================================================================
Commercial Letters of Credit:
=======================================================================
L/C Number Beneficiary Amount
---------- ----------- ------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ILCMMSP00677 Associated Merchandise, Inc. $56,062.95
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ILCMMSP00669 DAFU Group Go. Zhejiang $30,000.00
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MSP000571 Associated Merchansie, Inc. $53,343.15
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
MSP000563 D'▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Marketing Corp. $75,865.44
=======================================================================
Schedule 4.1C
Closing Date Mortgaged Properties
---------------------------------
Maine
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
The parties to this Credit Agreement agree that the Maine
real estate properties set forth above secure $5,906,250 of the
Obligations.
Minnesota
Diamond Brands
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
The parties to this Credit Agreement agree that the
Minnesota real estate properties set forth above secure
$2,312,500 of the Obligations.
Note
The properties set forth hereon are more particularly described
in the Mortgages to be delivered to the Agent pursuant to Section
4.1 of the Credit Agreement.
Schedule 5.1
Subsidiaries
------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corporation Stock Issued Percentage of Common
Stock Owned by Company
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc., a Maine 100 shares of Common 100%
corporation Stock
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Empire Candle, Inc., a 1,000 shares of Common 100%
Kansas corporation Stock
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schedule 5.5
Real Estate
-----------
Maine
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc.
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Minnesota
Diamond Brands
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Diamond Brands
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇; ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Kansas
Empire Candle, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Schedule 5.6
Litigation
----------
1. Consolidated Freightways Corporation has threatened to file
suit against Holdings for unpaid motor freight in an amount
totaling $100,043.07. Upon such a filing, Holdings has
contemplated counterclaiming in an amount totaling
$268,371. In addition, at least a portion of Consolidated
Freightways Corporation's claim may be barred by applicable
statutes of limitations.
2. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Brands Incorporated, Sixth
Judicial District, Carlton County, Minnesota. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, a
former employee, alleges she was fired in retaliation for
seeking workers' compensation benefits.
3. ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, a former employee of Holdings, has filed an OSHA
retaliation claim against Holdings based on his dismissal
following a safety infraction which caused an injury to
another employee.
4. Holdings and its Subsidiaries incur claims in the ordinary
course related to products sold. These claims are covered
by insurance.
5. Holdings and its Subsidiaries incur workers compensation
claims in the ordinary course. These claims are covered by
insurance.
6. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (the "MPCA") has
cited Holdings for exceeding the opacity limits of its air
permit during the second and fourth quarters of 1996 and the
first and second quarters of 1997 and for excessive downtime
of its emissions monitoring equipment during the second and
fourth quarters of 1995. On February 19, 1998, the MPCA
proposed a penalty to be assessed for the violations in the
amount of $22,137. Holdings is presently negotiating the
resolution of these alleged violations with the MPCA.
Holdings also received letters of warning from the MPCA for
emissions in excess of its permit limits during the fourth
quarter of 1993 and for other minor violations of its air
permit in 1994 and second quarter 1995. These violations
were resolved without further action by the MPCA.
Schedule 5.8
Material Contracts
------------------
1. Term Lease Master Agreement dated July 10, 1991 between
Holdings and IBM Credit Corporation, as supplemented and
amended.
2. Toyota Motor Credit Corporation Lease Agreement (Equipment)
dated January 20, 1995 between Empire Manufacturing Co.,
and Toyota Midamerica, Inc.
3. Memorandum of Agreement dated March 8, 1995 between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Inc. and Solon Manufacturing Company, as amended October 7,
1997.
4. Lease dated March 17, 1995 between Holdings and MEPC
American Properties Inc.
5. Memorandum of Agreement dated August 29, 1995 between
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc. and Penly Corporation of W. Paris, Maine, as
amended November 11, 1996.
6. Master Equipment Lease Agreement dated December 7, 1995
between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc. and KeyCorp Leasing Ltd.
7. Purchase Order Agreement dated January 1, 1996 between
Holdings and Crow Rope Company.
8. Agreement dated April 3, 1996 between Empire Manufacturing
Company and Libbey Glass, Inc.
9. Supply Proposal dated October 1, 1996 from Huntsman
Corporation to ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc.
10. Master Lease Agreement dated November 22, 1996 between
Holdings and Meridian Leasing Corporation.
11. U.S. Can Company Customer Supply Agreement dated September
19, 1996 between Empire Manufacturing Company and U.S. Can
Company.
12. Commercial and Industrial Lease Agreement dated June 23,
1997 between Empire Candle, Inc. and LNPJ, L.L.C. ("LNPJ").
Guaranty of Commercial and Industrial Lease Agreement dated
June 23, 1997 in favor of LNPJ.
13. Purchase Order Agreement between Holdings and D.D. Beans &
Sons Co., undated, unexecuted, as amended.
Note
----
Holdings' rights under the contracts described in items 1, 4, 7,
10 and 13 of this Schedule 5.8 will be transferred to the Company
concurrently with the closing of the Credit Agreement, subject to
possible contractual restrictions upon the assignment, transfer
etc. of Holdings' contractual rights.
Schedule 5.13
Environmental Matters
---------------------
All matters disclosed in any of the following documents:
1. Holdings (Cloquet).
A. Phase One Environmental Site Assessment dated February
28, 1995.
B. Phase I Environmental Assessment dated March 8, 1991.
▇. ▇▇▇ disposal area closure letter by Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency dated May 17, 1996.
D. Phase I Environmental Assessment dated February 3,
1998.
E. See item 6 of Schedule 5.6.
2. Empire Candle, Inc.
A. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment dated January 30,
1997 (Kansas City, Missouri).
B. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment dated January 31,
1997 (Kansas City, Kansas).
C. KDHE's Corrective Action Decision For Soil and Ground
Water Remediation dated February, 1996 (Draft).
3. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc.
A. Phase 1 - Environmental Compliance Audit dated August,
1992 (Wilton).
B. Phase 2 - Environmental Site Evaluation dated August,
1992 (Wilton).
C. Environmental Site Evaluation Update dated February,
1995 (Wilton).
D. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment/Environmental
Compliance Audit Update dated February 3, 1998 (Wilton
Plant, Wilton).
E. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment/Environmental
Compliance Audit Updated dated February 3, 1998
(Distribution Center, Wilton).
F. Phase I Environmental Site Evaluation /Evaluative
Compliance Audit dated August, ▇▇▇▇ (▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇).
G. Phase 2 Environmental Site Evaluation dated August,
1992 (East Wilton).
H. Environmental Site Evaluation Update dated February,
1995 (East Wilton).
I. Notice of Landfill Closure dated August 28, 1997 (East
Wilton).
J. October 1997 Closed Landfills Inspection dated November
11, 1997 (East Wilton and Strong).
K. Post-Closure Water Quality Monitoring Report dated
November 25, ▇▇▇▇ (▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇).
L. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment/Environmental
Compliance Audit Updated dated February 3, 1998 (East
Wilton).
M. Phase I Environmental Site Evaluation Compliance Audit
dated August, 1992 (Strong).
N. Phase 2 Environmental Site Evaluation dated August,
1992 (Strong).
O. Environmental Site Evaluation Update dated February,
1995 (Strong).
P. Letter Reported by Sevee & ▇▇▇▇▇ Engineers, Inc. dated
January 11, 1996 (Strong).
Q. Notice of Landfill Closure dated August 28, 1997
(Strong).
R. Post-Closure Water Quality Monitoring Reported dated
November 25, 1997 (Strong).
S. Phase I Environmental Site Assessment/Environmental
Compliance Audit Updated dated February 4, 1998
(strong).
T. Memorandum regarding review of Landfill Construction,
Maintenance and Monitoring Cost Estimates dated
February 24, 1995.
U. Revised Summary of Results Environmental Regulatory
Compliance Audits dated February 27, 1995.
V. Bark Pile Closure Plan dated February, 1994
(Mattawamkeag).
W. Closed Bark Pile Water Quality Monitoring Report dated
September 23, 1997 (Matawamkeag).
X. October 1997 Closed Landfill Inspection dated November
11, 1997 (Mattawamkeag).
▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ was alleged to have sent hazardous substances
to the Union Chemical, Superfund Site in South Hope,
Maine. Memorandum dated April, 1996, indicating that
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ contributed $21,598.68 toward the remediation
costs at the site.
Schedule 7.1
Indebtedness
------------
1. Any Indebtedness described in the financial statements
delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Credit
Agreement, except for the existing indebtedness of Holdings and
its Subsidiaries satisfied concurrently with the closing of the
Credit Agreement.
Schedule 7.2
Liens
-----
1. UCC-1 Financing Statements
--------------------------
MISSOURI
--------
Debtor Secured Party Filing #/Date
------ ------------- -------------
Empire Candle, Inc. Business Credit Leasing 2817224
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇/▇▇/▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Refco Investments, Inc. 2839882
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇. 10/10/97
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
MINNESOTA
---------
Debtor Secured Party Filing #/Date
------ ------------- -------------
Diamond Brands, Inc. IBM Credit Corp. 1630732 11/17/93
Debt C4E MS 222 1634479 12/06/93
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ 1758492 05/04/95
Stamford, CT 06904 1758494 05/04/95
Meridian Leasing Corp. 1917012
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇. #▇▇▇ ▇▇/▇▇/▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
IBM Credit Corp. 1960403 07/24/97
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇. 1963013 08/04/97
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
MAINE
-----
Debtor Secured Party Filing #/Date
------ ------------- -------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Inc. Keycorp Leasing, Ltd. 1950001154365
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇/▇▇/▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
2. [Copy list of encumbrances set forth on Closing Date
Mortgage Policies to be delivered to the Agent pursuant to
Section 4.1C(iii).]
Schedule 7.3
Investments
-----------
US Bank
Investment Services
▇.▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Money Market Account - ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ (there are currently no
funds in this account)
Schedule 7.4
Contingent Obligations
----------------------
1. Any Contingent Obligations set forth in the financial
statements delivered to the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.3
of the Credit Agreement, except for Contingent Obligations
terminated in connection with the satisfaction of the
existing indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries upon
the closing of the Credit Agreement.
Schedule 7.12
Affiliate Transactions
----------------------
1. Employment (Change of Control) Agreement dated November 1,
1997 between Holdings and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as amended on
February 27, 1998 to extend the term of the Agreement
through May 31, 1998.
2. Employment (Change of Control) Agreement dated November 1,
1997 between Holdings and ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, as amended on
February 27, 1998 to extend the terms of the Agreement
through May 31, 1998.
3. Employment (Change of Control) Agreement dated November 1,
1997 between Holdings and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as amended
on February 27, 1998 to extend the term of the Agreement
through May 31, 1998.
4. Employment Agreement dated February 28, 1997 between Empire
Candle, Inc. and ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇. Letter Agreement between
Holding and ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Crews providing for a bonus of
$300,000, payable 50% at closing and 50% six months after
closing.
5. Employment, Non-Competition and Confidentiality Agreement
dated May 26, 1992 between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Mfg. Co., now known as
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Inc., and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, as amended April 27,
1994. Letter Agreement between ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, providing for a bonus of $175,000, payable 50% at
closing and 50% one year after closing.
6. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated January 1, 1997
between Holdings and ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
7. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated January 1, 1997
between Holdings and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
8. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated January 1, 1997
between Holdings and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
9. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated January 1, 1997
between Holdings and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇.
10. Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated January 1, 1997
between Holdings and ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇.
11. Holdings 1997 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan.
12. Holdings has a bonus program pursuant to which officers
participate at a 30% plus level and mid-management at a
6-20% range. Bonuses are paid based on achievement of
annual target goals.
Note
----
The obligations and rights of Holdings under the agreements
described in this Schedule 7.12 will be transferred to the
Company concurrently with the closing of the Credit Agreement.
EXHIBIT I
[FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING]
NOTICE OF BORROWING
Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated
as of April [___], 1998, as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified to the date hereof (said Credit Agreement, as so
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, being the "Credit
Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined
herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., a Delaware corporation
("Company"), the financial institutions listed therein as Lenders
("Lenders"), DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent,
▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as Documentation Agent, this
represents Company's request to borrow as follows:
1. Date of borrowing: ________, _________
2. Amount of borrowing: $___________________
3. Lenders: |_| a. Lenders, in accordance with
their applicable Pro Rata shares
|_| b. Swing Line Lender
4. Type of Loans: |_| a. Tranche A Term Loans
|_| b. Tranche B Term Loans
|_| c. Revolving Loans
|_| d. Swing Line Loan
5. Interest rate option: |_| a. Base Rate Loan(s)
|_| b. Eurodollar Rate Loans with
an initial Interest Period of
____________ month(s)
The proceeds of such Loans are to be deposited in Company's
account at Administrative Agent.
The undersigned officer, to the best of his or
her knowledge, and Company certify that:
(i) The representations and warranties
contained in the Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents are true, correct and complete
in all material respects on and as of the date
hereof to the same extent as though made on and
as of the date hereof, except to the extent
such representations and warranties
specifically relate to an earlier date, in
which case such representations and warranties
were true, correct and complete in all material
respects on and as of such earlier date;
(ii) No event has occurred and is continuing or
would result from the consummation of the
borrowing contemplated hereby that would
constitute an Event of Default or a Potential
Event of Default;
(iii) Each Loan Party has performed in all
material respects all agreements and satisfied
all conditions which the Credit Agreement
provides shall be performed or satisfied by it
on or before the date hereof;
(iv) Each of the other conditions to funding
set forth in subsection 4.2B has been
satisfied; and
(v) After giving effect to the [Revolving/Swing
Line] Loans requested hereby, the Total
utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments does
not exceed the Revolving Loan Commitments.
DATED: ____________________ DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By: __________________________
Title: ________________________
EXHIBIT II
[FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION]
NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of
April [___], 1998, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
to the date hereof (said Credit Agreement, as so amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified, being the "Credit Agreement",
the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being
used herein as therein defined), by and among DIAMOND BRANDS
OPERATING CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), the
financial institutions listed therein as Lenders, DLJ Capital
Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as
Documentation Agent, this represents Company's request to convert
or continue Loans as follows:
1. Date of conversion/continuation: __________________, _______
2. Amount of Loans being converted/continued: $__________________
_
3. Type of Loans being |_| a. Tranche A Term Loans
converted/continued |_| b. Tranche B:Term Loans
|_| c. Revolving Loans
4. Nature of conversion/continuation:
|_| a. Conversion of Base Rate Loans to
Eurodollar Rate Loans
|_| b. Conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans
to Base Rate Loans
|_| c. Continuation of Eurodollar Rate
Loans as such
5. If Loans are being continued as or converted to
Eurodollar Rate Loans, the duration of the new Interest
Period that commences on the conversion/ continuation
date: |_______________ month(s)
In the case of a conversion to or continuation of
Eurodollar Rate Loans, the undersigned officer, to the best of
his or her knowledge, and Company certify that no Event of
Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing under the Credit Agreement.
DATED: _____________________ DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By: __________________________
Title: ________________________
EXHIBIT III
[FORM OF NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT]
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT
Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated
as of April [___], 1998, as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified to the date hereof (said Credit Agreement, as so
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, being the "Credit
Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined
herein being used herein as therein defined), by and among
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., a Delaware corporation, the
financial institutions listed therein as Lenders, DLJ Capital
Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as
Documentation Agent, this represents the Company's request that
[Administrative Agent/_________________] issue a
[Commercial/Standby] Letter of Credit on __________, ____ in the
face amount of _________________ with an expiration date of
____________, ____. The beneficiary of such proposed Letter of
Credit shall be ______________________________________________
and such Person's address is
_____________________________________. Attached hereto is [the
verbatim text of such proposed Letter of Credit] [a description
of the proposed terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit,
including a precise description of any documents to be presented
by the beneficiary which, if presented by the beneficiary prior
to the expiration date of such Letter of Credit, would require
the Issuing Lender to make payment under such Letter of Credit].
The undersigned officer, in his/her capacity as
an officer of Company and to the best of his/her knowledge, and
Company certify that:
(i) The representations and warranties
contained in the Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents are true, correct and complete
in all material respects on and as of the date
hereof to the same extent as though made on and
as of the date hereof, except to the extent
such representations and warranties
specifically relate to an earlier date, in
which case such representations and warranties
were true, correct and complete in all material
respects on and as of such earlier date;
(ii) No event has occurred and is continuing or
would result from the issuance of the Letter of
Credit contemplated hereby that would
constitute an Event of Default or a Potential
Event of Default;
(iii) Each Loan Party has performed in all
material respects all agreements and satisfied
all conditions which the Credit Agreement
provides shall be performed or satisfied by it
on or before the date hereof;
(iv) Each of the other conditions to the
issuance of the Letter of Credit contemplated
hereby described in subsection 4.3C has been
satisfied; and
(v) After giving effect to the issuance of the
Letter of Credit requested hereby, (a) the
Total Utilization of Revolving Loan Commitments
does not exceed the Revolving Loan Commitments
and (b) the Letter of Credit Usage does not
exceed $10,000,000.
DATED: ____________________ DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By: _________________________
Title: _______________________
EXHIBIT IV
[FORM OF TRANCHE A TERM NOTE]
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
PROMISSORY NOTE DUE APRIL [___], 2005
$_______________ 1
April [___], 1998
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING
CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), promises to pay to 2
("Payee") or its registered assigns the principal amount of 3
($___________) on April [___], 2005 in the installments referred
to below.
Company also promises to pay interest on the
unpaid principal amount hereof, from the date hereof until paid
in full, at the rates and at the times which shall be determined
in accordance with the provisions of that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of April [___], 1998 by and among Company, the
financial institutions listed therein as Lenders, DLJ Capital
Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as
Documentation Agent (said Credit Agreement, as it may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, being the
"Credit Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined).
Company shall make principal payments on this
Note in consecutive quarterly installments, commencing on
____________, 1999 and ending on ____________, 2005. Each such
installment shall be due on the date specified in the Credit
Agreement and in an amount determined in accordance with the
provisions thereof; provided that the last such installment shall
be in an amount sufficient to repay the entire unpaid principal
balance of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon.
This Note is one of Company's "Tranche A Term
Notes" in the aggregate principal amount of $30,000,000 and is
issued pursuant to and entitled to the benefits of the Credit
Agreement, to which reference is hereby made for a more complete
statement of the terms and conditions under which the Tranche A
Term Loan evidenced hereby was made and is to be repaid.
All payments of principal and interest in
respect of this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United
States of America in same day funds at the Funding and Payment
Office or at such other place as shall be designated in writing
for such purpose in accordance with the terms of the Credit
Agreement. Unless and until an Assignment Agreement
--------
1 Insert place of delivery of Note.
2 Insert Lender's name in capital letters.
3 Insert amount of Lender's Term Loan in words.
effecting the assignment or transfer of this Note shall have been
accepted by Administrative Agent as provided in subsection
10.1B(ii) of the Credit Agreement, Company and Administrative
Agent shall be entitled to deem and treat Payee as the owner and
holder of this Note and the Loan evidenced hereby. Payee hereby
agrees, by its acceptance hereof, that before disposing of this
Note or any part hereof it will make a notation hereon of all
principal payments previously made hereunder and of the date to
which interest hereon has been paid; provided, however, that the
failure to make a notation of any payment made on this Note shall
not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Company
hereunder with respect to payments of principal of or interest on
this Note.
Whenever any payment on this Note shall be
stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such
payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and
such extension of time shall be included in the computation of
the payment of interest on this Note.
This Note is subject to mandatory prepayment as
provided in subsection 2.4B(iii) of the Credit Agreement and to
prepayment at the option of Company as provided in subsection
2.4B(i) of the Credit Agreement.
THIS NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
COMPANY AND PAYEE HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the
unpaid balance of the principal amount of this Note, together
with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, may become, or may
be declared to be, due and payable in the manner, upon the
conditions and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.
The terms of this Note are subject to amendment
only in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is subject to restrictions on
transfer or assignment as provided in subsections 10.1 and 10.16
of the Credit Agreement.
No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and
no provision of this Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or
impair the obligations of Company, which are absolute and
unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note
at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency herein
prescribed.
Company promises to pay all reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, all as provided in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement,
incurred in the collection and enforcement of this Note. Company
and any endorsers of this Note hereby consent to renewals and
extensions of time at or after the
maturity hereof, without notice, and hereby waive diligence,
presentment, protest, demand and notice of every kind.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this
Note to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto
duly authorized as of the date and at the place first written
above.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By: __________________________
Title: ________________________
EXHIBIT V
[FORM OF TRANCHE B TERM NOTE]
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
PROMISSORY NOTE DUE APRIL [___], 2006
$_______________ 4
April [___], 1998
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING
CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), promises to pay to 5
("Payee") or its registered assigns the principal amount of 6
($_____________) on April [___], 2006 in the installments
referred to below.
Company also promises to pay interest on the
unpaid principal amount hereof, from the date hereof until paid
in full, at the rates and at the times which shall be determined
in accordance with the provisions of that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of April [___], 1998 by and among Company, the
financial institutions listed therein as Lenders, DLJ Capital
Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as
Documentation Agent (said Credit Agreement, as it may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, being the
"Credit Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined).
Company shall make principal payments on this
Note in consecutive quarterly installments, commencing on
____________, 1998 and ending on ____________, 2006. Each such
installment shall be due on the date specified in the Credit
Agreement and in an amount determined in accordance with the
provisions thereof; provided that the last such installment shall
be in an amount sufficient to repay the entire unpaid principal
balance of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid
interest thereon.
This Note is one of Company's "Tranche B Term
Notes" in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000 and is
issued pursuant to and entitled to the benefits of the Credit
Agreement, to which reference is hereby made for a more complete
statement of the terms and conditions under which the Term Loan
evidenced hereby was made and is to be repaid.
All payments of principal and interest in
respect of this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United
States of America in same day funds at the Funding and Payment
Office or at such other place as shall be designated in writing
for such purpose in accordance with the terms of the Credit
Agreement. Unless and until an Assignment Agreement
--------
4 Insert place of delivery of Note.
5 Insert Lender's name in capital letters.
6 Insert amount of Lender's Term Loan in words.
effecting the assignment or transfer of this Note shall have been
accepted by Administrative Agent as provided in subsection
10.1B(ii) of the Credit Agreement, Company and Administrative
Agent shall be entitled to deem and treat Payee as the owner and
holder of this Note and the Loan evidenced hereby. Payee hereby
agrees, by its acceptance hereof, that before disposing of this
Note or any part hereof it will make a notation hereon of all
principal payments previously made hereunder and of the date to
which interest hereon has been paid; provided, however, that the
failure to make a notation of any payment made on this Note shall
not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Company
hereunder with respect to payments of principal of or interest on
this Note.
Whenever any payment on this Note shall be
stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such
payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and
such extension of time shall be included in the computation of
the payment of interest on this Note.
This Note is subject to mandatory prepayment as
provided in subsection 2.4B(iii) of the Credit Agreement and to
prepayment at the option of Company as provided in subsection
2.4B(i) of the Credit Agreement.
THIS NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
COMPANY AND PAYEE HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the
unpaid balance of the principal amount of this Note, together
with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, may become, or may
be declared to be, due and payable in the manner, upon the
conditions and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.
The terms of this Note are subject to amendment
only in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is subject to restrictions on
transfer or assignment as provided in subsections 10.1 and 10.16
of the Credit Agreement.
No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and
no provision of this Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or
impair the obligations of Company, which are absolute and
unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note
at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency herein
prescribed.
Company promises to pay all reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, all as provided in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement,
incurred in the collection and enforcement of this Note. Company
and any endorsers of this Note hereby consent to renewals and
extensions of time at or after the
maturity hereof, without notice, and hereby waive diligence,
presentment, protest, demand and notice of every kind.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this
Note to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto
duly authorized as of the date and at the place first written
above.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By: __________________________
Title: ________________________
EXHIBIT VI
[FORM OF REVOLVING NOTE]
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
PROMISSORY NOTE DUE APRIL [___], 2004
7
$
8
April [___], 1998
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING
CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), promises to pay to 9
("Payee") or its registered assigns, on or before April [___],
2004, the lesser of (x) 10 ($[1]) and (y) the unpaid principal
amount of all advances made by Payee to Company as Revolving
Loans under the Credit Agreement referred to below.
Company also promises to pay interest on the
unpaid principal amount hereof, from the date hereof until paid
in full, at the rates and at the times which shall be determined
in accordance with the provisions of that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of April [___], 1998 by and among Company, the
financial institutions listed therein as Lenders, DLJ Capital
Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as
Documentation Agent (said Credit Agreement, as it may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, being the
"Credit Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined).
This Note is one of Company's "Revolving Notes"
in the aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000 and is issued
pursuant to and entitled to the benefits of the Credit Agreement,
to which reference is hereby made for a more complete statement
of the terms and conditions under which the Revolving Loans
evidenced hereby were made and are to be repaid.
All payments of principal and interest in
respect of this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United
States of America in same day funds at the Funding and Payment
Office or at such other place as shall be designated in writing
for such purpose in accordance with the terms of the Credit
Agreement. Unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting the
assignment or transfer of this Note shall have been accepted by
Administrative Agent as provided in subsection 10.1B(ii) of the
Credit Agreement, Company and Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to deem and treat Payee as the owner and holder of this
Note and the Loans evidenced hereby. Payee hereby agrees, by its
acceptance hereof, that before disposing of this Note or any part
hereof it will make a notation hereon of all principal
--------
7 Insert amount of Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment in numbers.
8 Insert place of delivery of Note.
9 Insert Lender's name in capital letters.
10 Insert amount of Lender's Revolving Loan Commitment in words.
payments previously made hereunder and of the date to which
interest hereon has been paid; provided, however, that the
failure to make a notation of any payment made on this Note shall
not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Company
hereunder with respect to payments of principal of or interest on
this Note.
Whenever any payment on this Note shall be
stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such
payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and
such extension of time shall be included in the computation of
the payment of interest on this Note.
This Note is subject to mandatory prepayment as
provided in subsection 2.4B(iii) of the Credit Agreement and to
prepayment at the option of Company as provided in subsection
2.4B(i) of the Credit Agreement.
THIS NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
COMPANY AND PAYEE HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the
unpaid balance of the principal amount of this Note, together
with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, may become, or may
be declared to be, due and payable in the manner, upon the
conditions and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.
The terms of this Note are subject to amendment
only in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is subject to restrictions on
transfer or assignment as provided in subsections 10.1 and 10.16
of the Credit Agreement.
No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and
no provision of this Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or
impair the obligations of Company, which are absolute and
unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note
at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency herein
prescribed.
Company promises to pay all reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, all as provided in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement,
incurred in the collection and enforcement of this Note. Company
and any endorsers of this Note hereby consent to renewals and
extensions of time at or after the maturity hereof, without
notice, and hereby waive diligence, presentment, protest, demand
and notice of every kind.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this
Note to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto
duly authorized as of the date and at the place first written
above.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By: __________________________
Title: ________________________
TRANSACTIONS
ON
REVOLVING NOTE
Outstanding
Type of Amount of Amount of Principal
Loan Made Loan Made Principal Paid Balance Notation
Date This Date This Date This Date This Date Made By
---- ---------- ------------- --------------- --------------- -------
EXHIBIT VII
[FORM OF SWING LINE NOTE]
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
PROMISSORY NOTE DUE APRIL [___], 2004
$5,000,000 Los Angeles, California
April [___], 1998
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING
CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), promises to pay to
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A. ("Payee"), on or before April [___], 2004,
the lesser of (x) FIVE MILLION AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($5,000,000.00)
and (y) the unpaid principal amount of all advances made by Payee
to Company as Swing Line Loans under the Credit Agreement
referred to below.
Company also promises to pay interest on the
unpaid principal amount hereof, from the date hereof until paid
in full, at the rates and at the times which shall be determined
in accordance with the provisions of that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of April [___], 1998 by and among Company, the
financial institutions listed therein as Lenders, DLJ Capital
Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as
Documentation Agent (said Credit Agreement, as it may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, being the
"Credit Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined).
This Note is Company's "Swing Line Note" and is
issued pursuant to and entitled to the benefits of the Credit
Agreement, to which reference is hereby made for a more complete
statement of the terms and conditions under which the Swing Line
Loans evidenced hereby were made and are to be repaid.
All payments of principal and interest in
respect of this Note shall be made in lawful money of the United
States of America in same day funds at the Funding and Payment
Office or at such other place as shall be designated in writing
for such purpose in accordance with the terms of the Credit
Agreement.
Whenever any payment on this Note shall be
stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such
payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and
such extension of time shall be included in the computation of
the payment of interest on this Note.
This Note is subject to mandatory prepayment as
provided in subsection 2.4B(iii) of the Credit Agreement and to
prepayment at the option of Company as provided in subsection
2.4B(i) of the Credit Agreement.
THIS NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
COMPANY AND PAYEE HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.
Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the
unpaid balance of the principal amount of this Note, together
with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, may become, or may
be declared to be, due and payable in the manner, upon the
conditions and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.
The terms of this Note are subject to amendment
only in the manner provided in the Credit Agreement.
This Note is subject to restrictions on
transfer or assignment as provided in subsections 10.1 and 10.16
of the Credit Agreement.
No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and
no provision of this Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or
impair the obligations of Company, which are absolute and
unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on this Note
at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency herein
prescribed.
Company promises to pay all reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, all as provided in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement,
incurred in the collection and enforcement of this Note. Company
and any endorsers of this Note hereby consent to renewals and
extensions of time at or after the maturity hereof, without
notice, and hereby waive diligence, presentment, protest, demand
and notice of every kind.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this
Note to be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto
duly authorized as of the date and at the place first written
above.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By: _________________________
Title: _______________________
TRANSACTIONS
ON
SWING LINE NOTE
Outstanding
Amount of Amount of Principal
Loan Made Principal Paid Balance Notation
Date This Date This Date This Date Made By
---- --------- --------- --------- -------
EXHIBIT VIII
[FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE]
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:
(1) We are the duly elected [Title] and [Title]
of DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., a Delaware
corporation ("Company");
(2) We have reviewed the terms of that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of April [___], 1998,
as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
to the date hereof (said Credit Agreement, as
so amended, supplemented or otherwise modified,
being the "Credit Agreement", the terms defined
therein and not otherwise defined in this
Certificate (including Attachment No. 1 annexed
hereto and made a part hereof) being used in
this Certificate as therein defined), by and
among Company, the financial institutions
listed therein as Lenders, DLJ Capital Funding,
Inc., as Syndication Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank,
N.A., as Administrative Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as Documentation
Agent and the terms of the other Loan
Documents, and we have made, or have caused to
be made under our supervision, a review in
reasonable detail of the transactions and
condition of Company and its Subsidiaries
during the accounting period covered by the
attached financial statements; and
(3) The examination described in paragraph (2)
above did not disclose, and we have no
knowledge of, the existence of any condition or
event which constitutes an Event of Default or
Potential Event of Default during or at the end
of the accounting period covered by the
attached financial statements or as of the date
of this Certificate[, except as set forth
below].
[Set forth [below] [in a separate attachment to
this Certificate] are all exceptions to paragraph (3) above
listing, in detail, the nature of the condition or event, the
period during which it has existed and the action which Company
has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect to each
such condition or event:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The foregoing certifications, together with the
computations set forth in Attachment No. 1 annexed hereto and
made a part hereof and the financial statements delivered with
this Certificate in support hereof, are made and delivered this
__________ day of _____________, ______ pursuant to subsection
6.1(iv) of the Credit Agreement.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By: __________________________
Title: ________________________
By: __________________________
Title: ________________________
ATTACHMENT NO. 1
TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
This Attachment No. 1 is attached to and made a
part of a Compliance Certificate dated as of ____________, ______
and pertains to the period from ____________, ______ to
____________, ______. Subsection references herein relate to
subsections of the Credit Agreement.
A. Indebtedness
1. Indebtedness in respect of Capital Leases permitted
under subsection 7.1(iii): $_____________
2. Maximum permitted under subsection 7.1(iii): $5,000,000
3. Indebtedness of Subsidiaries acquired after the
the Closing Date permitted under subsection 7.1(vii): $_____________
4. Maximum permitted under subsection 7.1(vii): $17,000,000
5. Indebtedness permitted under subsection 7.1(ix):
$_____________
6. Maximum permitted under subsection 7.1(ix): $10,000,000
B. Liens
1. Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under
subsection 7.2A(v): $_____________
2. Maximum permitted under subsection 7.2A(v): $ 1,000,000
C. Investments
1. Investments permitted under subsection 7.3(vi):
$_____________
2. Maximum permitted under subsection 7.3(vi): $ 8,000,000
D. Contingent Obligations
1. Contingent Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit
permitted under subsection 7.4(ii): $_____________
2. Contingent Obligations in respect of other letters of
credit permitted under subsection 7.4(ii): $_____________
3. Maximum permitted under subsection 7.4(ii) with respect
to other letters of credit: $ 5,000,000
4. Contingent Obligations under guarantees of obligations
of suppliers, customers, franchisees and licensees
permitted under subsection 7.4(iv): $_____________
5. Maximum permitted under subsection 7.4(iv): $ 5,000,000
E. Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio (for the four-Fiscal Quarter
period ending _____________, ______)
1. Consolidated Net Income: $_____________
2. Consolidated Interest Expense: $_____________
3. Interest income included in Consolidated Net Income:
$_____________
4. Provisions for taxes based on income: $_____________
5. Total depreciation expense: $_____________
6. Total amortization expense: $_____________
7. Other non-cash items reducing Consolidated Net Income:
$_____________
8. Other non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net
Income: $_____________
9. Consolidated EBITDA (1+2-3+4+5+6+7-8): $_____________
10. Interest Coverage Ratio (9):(2): ____:1.00
11. Minimum ratio required under subsection 7.6C: ____:1.00
F. Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (for the four-Fiscal
Quarter period ending _____________, ______)
1. Consolidated EBITDA (E.9 above): $_____________
2. Consolidated Interest Expense (E.2 above):
$_____________
3. Consolidated Capital Expenditures: $_____________
4. Scheduled principal payments in respect of Consolidated
Total Debt: $_____________
5. Dividends made by Company to Holdings permitted under
subsection 7.5(ii): $_____________
6. Expenditures made at the time of the transaction
constituting Consolidated Capital Expenditures in
connections with any Permitted Acquisition permitted
under subsection 7.7(ii): $_____________
7. Consolidated Fixed Charges (2+3+4+5-6): $_____________
8. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (1):(7): ____:1.00
9. Minimum ratio required under subsection 7.6A: ____:1.00
G. Maximum Leverage Ratio (for the four-Fiscal Quarter
period ending _____________, ______)
1. Consolidated EBITDA (E.9 above): $_____________
2. Consolidated Interest Expense (E.2 above): $_____________
3. Consolidated Leverage Ratio (1):(2): ____:1.00
4. Maximum ratio permitted under subsection 7.6B: ____:1.00
H. Fundamental Changes
1. Cash consideration, Indebtedness and other liabilities
incurred or assumed in connection with Permitted
Acquisitions closed during the Fiscal Quarter pursuant
to subsection 7.7(ii) $_____________
2. Maximum amount of cash consideration, Indebtedness and
other liabilities for any single Permitted
Acquisition: $ 25,000,000
3. Cash capital contributions to Company used in
connection with Permitted Acquisition plus value of
Holdings equity issued as consideration in Permitted
Acquisition: $_____________
4. Maximum permitted cash capital contributions or
Holdings equity (H.1 above): $_____________
5. Cumulative amount of cash consideration, Indebtedness
and other liabilities incurred or assumed in connection
with all Permitted Acquisitions under
subsection 7.7(ii): $_____________
6. Maximum cumulative amount of cash consideration,
Indebtedness and other liabilities for all Permitted
Acquisitions: $ 75,000,000
7. Cumulative capital contributions used in connection
with Permitted Acquisitions plus value of all Holdings
equity issued as consideration for Permitted
Acquisitions: $_____________
8. Maximum cumulative permitted cash capital contributions
or Holdings equity (H.5 above): $_____________
9. Aggregate fair market value of assets sold in any one
or more Asset Sales after Closing Date in one or more
transactions permitted under subsection 7.7(v): $_____________
10. Maximum permitted under subsection 7.7(v): $ 3,000,000
I. Consolidated Capital Expenditures
1. Consolidated Capital Expenditures for Fiscal
Year-to-date (excluding expenditures made in connection
with, and at time of, Permitted Acquisitions): $_____________
2. Net Sale Proceeds received in Fiscal Year-to-Date: $_____________
3. Amount of Net Sale Proceeds received in Fiscal Year
applied to mandatory prepayments: $_____________
4. Difference between Maximum Consolidated Capital
Expenditures for prior Fiscal Year and actual
Consolidated Capital Expenditures for prior Fiscal Year
(0 for Fiscal Years ending prior to the Closing Date
and not to exceed $2,500,000 in each Fiscal Year
thereafter): $_____________
5. Maximum amount of Consolidated Capital Expenditures
permitted under subsection 7.8 for Fiscal Year
($5,000,000+2-3+4): $_____________
J. Leases
1. Consolidated Rental Payments in
effect during current Fiscal Year: $_____________
2. Maximum permitted under subsection 7.9: $ 3,000,000
EXHIBIT IX
[FORM OF OPINION OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, WILL & ▇▇▇▇▇]
We have acted as counsel to [Name of Company],
a Delaware corporation ("Company"), in connection with that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of April [___], 1998 (the
"Credit Agreement") among Company, the financial institutions
listed therein as Lenders ("Lenders"), DLJ Capital Funding, Inc.,
as Syndication Agent ("Syndication Agent"), ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank,
N.A., as Administrative Agent ("Administrative Agent"), and
[__________________], as Documentation Agent ("Documentation
Agent"). This opinion is rendered to you in compliance with
subsection 4.1I of the Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used
herein without definition have the same meanings as in the Credit
Agreement.
The Credit Agreement, the Notes, the
Guaranties, the Security Documents and the Intellectual Property
Security Agreements are referred to collectively herein as the
"Loan Documents."
In our examination, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures other than those of the Loan
Parties, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals and the conformity to authentic original documents of
all documents submitted to us as copies. We have been furnished
with, and with your consent have relied upon, certificates of
officers of certain Loan Parties with respect to certain factual
matters. In addition, we have obtained and relied upon such
certificates and assurances from public officials as we have
deemed necessary.
We have made such legal and factual inquiries
for the purpose of rendering this opinion as we have deemed
necessary. We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject
transaction of only United States Federal law, the laws of the
State of New York and the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware (the "Delaware GCL"), and we express no opinion with
respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of
the laws of any other jurisdiction, or, in the case of Delaware,
any other laws, or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws
of any local agencies within any state. [Assume reliance
regarding local counsel opinions re: Minnesota, Maine and Kansas
law.]
On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance
thereon, and subject to the limitations, qualifications,
assumptions, exceptions and other matters set forth herein, we
are of the opinion that, as of the date hereof:
1. Borrower (i) is a duly incorporated and
validly existing corporation in good standing under the Delaware
GCL and (ii) has the corporate power and authority to own and
operate its property, to lease the property it operates as lessee
and to carry on its businesses as now conducted.
2. Each of the other Loan Parties (i) is duly
incorporated and validly existing corporation in good standing
under laws and statutes of their respective jurisdiction of
incorporation and (ii) has the corporate power and authority to
own and operate its property, to lease the property it operates
as lessee and to carry on its respective businesses as now
conducted.
3. Each of the Borrower and the other Loan
Parties has the corporate power and authority to execute and
deliver each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to
perform its respective obligations thereunder. Each of the
Borrower and the other Loan Parties has taken all necessary
corporate action to grant the security interests contemplated by
the Security Documents to which it is a party and to authorize
the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents to
which it is a party.
4. Each of the Borrower and the other Loan
Parties has duly executed and delivered each Loan Document to
which it is a party. Each Loan Document constitutes the legally
valid and binding obligation of the Loan Parties party thereto,
as applicable, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance
with its terms.
5. Neither the execution nor the delivery by
any Loan Party of any of the Loan Documents to which it is a
party, nor the performance by any Loan Party of its respective
obligations thereunder, nor the consummation of the transactions
provided for therein, violates any applicable provision of any
law, statute, rule or regulation to which any Loan Party or any
of its respective properties is subject of the United States of
America or the State of New York or any federal or New York state
governmental or regulatory body (including, without limitation,
Regulations T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System) or of the Delaware GCL (except with respect to
any state securities or "blue sky" laws, as to which we express
no opinion), which violation would have a material adverse effect
on (i) the business or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
Borrower and the other Loan Parties, in each case taken as a
whole, (ii) the validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents
or (iii) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, the
Syndication Agent and the Lenders thereunder. Neither the
execution nor the delivery by any Loan Party of any of the Loan
Documents to which it is a party, nor the performance by any Loan
Party of its respective obligations thereunder, nor the
consummation of the transactions provided for therein, violates
any provision of its Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.
6. No order, consent, approval, license,
authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or
registration with, or exemption by, any governmental or
regulatory authority pursuant to any law or regulation of the
United States of America or the State of New York or pursuant to
the Delaware GCL (except, in each case (i) as required to
perfect, or maintain the perfection of, security interests
created under the Security Documents or (ii) as have otherwise
been obtained or made) is required to be obtained or made by any
Loan Party in connection with any action to be taken pursuant to
any Loan Document by any Loan Party on or prior to the date
hereof.
7. To the best of our knowledge, no litigation,
investigation or proceeding of or before any arbitrator or
Governmental Authority is pending or threatened by or against any
Loan Party or against any of their respective properties or
revenues with respect to the Credit Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents.
8. The execution and delivery of the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which any Loan Party is
a party, the performance by each Loan Party of its respective
obligations thereunder, the consummation of the transactions
provided for therein, the compliance by such Loan Party with any
of the provisions thereof, the borrowings under the Credit
Agreement and the use of proceeds thereof, all as provided
therein, (a) will not, to the best of our knowledge, violate, or
constitute a default under, any Contractual Obligations of any
Loan Party and (b) will not, to the best of our knowledge, result
in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien on any of
its respective properties or revenues, except the security
interests created pursuant to the Security Documents.
9. No Loan Party is an "investment company"
within the meaning of, nor is any Loan Party subject to
regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
10. The capital stock of each of Loan Party
(other than Holdings) (collectively, the "Subsidiaries") listed
on Schedule IV annexed hereto has been duly authorized and
validly issued, is fully paid and nonassessable and constitutes
all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Subsidiaries, and such capital stock is owned of record by the
Persons designated on Schedule IV hereto. To the best of our
knowledge, there are no outstanding subscriptions, options,
warrants, calls, rights (including preemptive rights) or any
other agreement or commitment of any nature with respect to the
capital stock of the Subsidiaries.
11. The provisions of the Pledge Agreements are
effective to create valid security interests for the benefit of
the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders
in all of the rights of the Pledgors (as defined in the Pledge
Agreements) in the Pledged Shares and the proceeds (as such term
is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the
State of New York (the "NY UCC")) thereof. Assuming (a) the
repayment in full of all amounts owing under the Existing Credit
Agreement and the release of the liens created under the Existing
Loan Documents, (b) delivery to the Administrative Agent pursuant
to the respective Pledge Agreements of the certificates
representing the Pledged Shares referred to in each of the Pledge
Agreements, along with undated stock powers duly endorsed in
blank and (c) the Administrative Agent takes and continuously
holds the certificates representing the Pledged Shares in good
faith and without notice of any adverse claim, the security
interests created in favor of the Administrative Agent under each
of the Pledge Agreements in such Pledged Shares will constitute
valid and perfected security interests subject to no equal or
prior consensual security interest in favor of any other Person.
No filings or recordings are required in order to perfect the
security interests created under the Pledge Agreements in such
Pledged Shares.
12. The provisions of the Company Security
Agreement and the Subsidiary Security Agreements are effective to
create in favor of the Administrative Agent valid security
interests in the Collateral (as defined in each such agreement)
to the extent security interests in such Collateral may be
created under the NY UCC. The Financing Statements, upon their
proper filing in the Filing Offices, are sufficient in form to
perfect such security interests to the extent security interests
in such Collateral may be perfected by filing a financing
statement under the NY UCC.
[13. The obligations of the Borrower under the
Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents constitute "Senior
Indebtedness" and "Designated Senior Indebtedness" as such terms
are defined in the Senior Subordinated Indenture, and the
obligations of the Borrower under the Senior Subordinated Notes
are subordinated in right of payment to all amounts payable by
the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents
and under any refinancing of such amounts.] [Check Credit
Agreement]
This opinion is rendered only to the
Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent and the Lenders and
is solely for their benefit in connection with the above
transactions. This opinion may not be relied upon by the
Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent or the Lenders for
any other purpose, or relied upon by any other person, firm or
corporation for any purpose, without our prior written consent.
At your request, we hereby consent to reliance hereon by any
future participants or assigns of your interest in the Credit
Agreement.
Very truly yours,
SCHEDULE A
[INSERT NAMES OF LENDERS]
EXHIBIT X
[FORM OF OPINION OF O'MELVENY & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLP]
[O'M&M Letterhead]
April
[___]
1 9 9 8
[doc ID]
DLJ Capital Funding, Inc.
[Address
of Syndication Agent]
▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A.
[Address
of Administrative Agent]
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc.
[Address
of Documentation Agent]
and
The Lenders Party to the Credit
Agreement Referenced Below
Re: Loans to Diamond Brands Operating Corp.
---------------------------------------
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to DLJ Capital
Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent (in such capacity,
"Syndication Agent"), in connection with the preparation and
delivery of a Credit Agreement dated as of April [___], 1998
(the "Credit Agreement") among Diamond Brands Operating
Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), the financial
institutions listed therein as lenders, Syndication Agent,
▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as Documentation Agent and in
connection with the preparation and delivery of certain
related documents.
We have participated in various
conferences with representatives of Company, Holdings and
its Subsidiaries, Syndication Agent, Administrative Agent
and Documentation Agent, and conferences and telephone calls
with ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Will & ▇▇▇▇▇, counsel to
Company and with your representatives, during which the
Credit Agreement and related matters have been discussed,
and we have also participated in the meeting held on the
date hereof (the "Closing") incident to the funding of the
initial loans made under the Credit Agreement. We have
reviewed the forms of the Credit Agreement and the exhibits
thereto, including the forms of the promissory notes annexed
thereto (the "Notes"), and the opinions of ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Will &
▇▇▇▇▇ and [LOCAL COUNSEL] (collectively, the "Opinions") and
the officers' certificates and other documents delivered at
the Closing. We have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to
us as originals or copies and the due authority of all
persons executing the same, and we have relied as to factual
matters on the documents that we have reviewed.
Although we have not independently
considered all of the matters covered by the Opinions to the
extent necessary to enable us to express the conclusions
therein stated, we believe that the Credit Agreement and the
exhibits thereto are in substantially acceptable legal form
and that the Opinions and the officers' certificates and
other documents delivered in connection with the execution
and delivery of, and as conditions to the making of the
initial loans under, the Credit Agreement and the Notes are
substantially responsive to the requirements of the Credit
Agreement.
Respectfully submitted,
EXHIBIT XI
[FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT]
ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
This ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is
entered into by and between the parties designated as Assignor
("Assignor") and Assignee ("Assignee") above the signatures of
such parties on the Schedule of Terms attached hereto and hereby
made an integral part hereof (the "Schedule of Terms") and
relates to that certain Credit Agreement described in the
Schedule of Terms (said Credit Agreement, as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified to the date hereof and as it
may hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time, being the "Credit Agreement", the terms defined
therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as
therein defined).
IN CONSIDERATION of the agreements, provisions
and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree
as follows:
SECTION 1. Assignment and Assumption.
-------------------------
(a) Effective upon the Settlement Date
specified in Item 4 of the Schedule of Terms (the "Settlement
Date"), Assignor hereby sells and assigns to Assignee, without
recourse, representation or warranty (except as expressly set
forth herein), and Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from
Assignor, that percentage interest in all of Assignor's rights
and obligations as a Lender arising under the Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents with respect to Assignor's
Commitments and outstanding Loans, if any, which represents, as
of the Settlement Date, the percentage interest specified in Item
3 of the Schedule of Terms of all rights and obligations of
Lenders arising under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents with respect to the Commitments and any outstanding
Loans (the "Assigned Share"). Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the parties hereto hereby expressly acknowledge
and agree that any assignment of all or any portion of Assignor's
rights and obligations relating to Assignor's Revolving Loan
Commitment shall include (i) in the event Assignor is an Issuing
Lender with respect to any outstanding Letters of Credit (any
such Letters of Credit being "Assignor Letters of Credit"), the
sale to Assignee of a participation in the Assignor Letters of
Credit and any drawings thereunder as contemplated by subsection
3.1C of the Credit Agreement and (ii) the sale to Assignee of a
ratable portion of any participations previously purchased by
Assignor pursuant to said subsection 3.1C with respect to any
Letters of Credit other than the Assignor Letters of Credit.
(b) In consideration of the assignment
described above, Assignee hereby agrees to pay to Assignor, on
the Settlement Date, the principal amount of any outstanding
Loans included within the Assigned Share, such payment to be made
by wire transfer of
immediately available funds in accordance with the applicable
payment instructions set forth in Item 5 of the Schedule of
Terms.
(c) Assignor hereby represents and warrants
that Item 3 of the Schedule of Terms correctly sets forth the
amount of the Commitments, the outstanding Term Loans and the Pro
Rata Share corresponding to the Assigned Share.
(d) Assignor and Assignee hereby agree that,
upon giving effect to the assignment and assumption described
above, (i) Assignee shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and
shall have all of the rights and obligations under the Loan
Documents, and shall be deemed to have made all of the covenants
and agreements contained in the Loan Documents, arising out of or
otherwise related to the Assigned Share, and (ii) Assignor shall
be absolutely released from any of such obligations, covenants
and agreements assumed or made by Assignee in respect of the
Assigned Share. Assignee hereby acknowledges and agrees that the
agreement set forth in this Section 1(d) is expressly made for
the benefit of Company, Administrative Agent, Assignor and the
other Lenders and their respective successors and permitted
assigns.
(e) Assignor and Assignee hereby acknowledge
and confirm their understanding and intent that (i) this
Agreement shall effect the assignment by Assignor and the
assumption by Assignee of Assignor's rights and obligations with
respect to the Assigned Share, (ii) any other assignments by
Assignor of a portion of its rights and obligations with respect
to the Commitments and any outstanding Loans shall have no effect
on the Commitments, the outstanding Term Loans and the Pro Rata
Share corresponding to the Assigned Share as set forth in Item 3
of the Schedule of Terms or on the interest of Assignee in any
outstanding Revolving Loans corresponding thereto, and (iii) from
and after the Settlement Date, Administrative Agent shall make
all payments under the Credit Agreement in respect of the
Assigned Share (including all payments of principal and accrued
but unpaid interest and commitment fees with respect thereto) (A)
in the case of any such interest and fees that shall have accrued
prior to the Settlement Date, to Assignor, and (B) in all other
cases, to Assignee; provided that Assignor and Assignee shall
make payments directly to each other to the extent necessary to
effect any appropriate adjustments in any amounts distributed to
Assignor and/or Assignee by Administrative Agent under the Loan
Documents in respect of the Assigned Share in the event that, for
any reason whatsoever, the payment of consideration contemplated
by Section 1(b) occurs on a date other than the Settlement Date.
SECTION 2. Certain Representations, Warranties
and Agreements.
------------------------------------
(a) Assignor represents and warrants that it is
the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Share, free and
clear of any adverse claim.
(b) Assignor shall not be responsible to
Assignee for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity,
enforceability, collectibility or sufficiency of any of the Loan
Documents or for any representations, warranties, recitals or
statements made therein or made in any written or oral statements
or in any financial or other statements, instruments,
reports or certificates or any other documents furnished or made
by Assignor to Assignee or by or on behalf of Company or any of
its Subsidiaries to Assignor or Assignee in connection with the
Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby or for
the financial condition or business affairs of Company or any
other Person liable for the payment of any Obligations, nor shall
Assignor be required to ascertain or inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions,
provisions, covenants or agreements contained in any of the Loan
Documents or as to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or as to
the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or
Potential Event of Default.
(c) Assignee represents and warrants that it is
an Eligible Assignee; that it has experience and expertise in the
making of loans such as the Loans; that it has acquired the
Assigned Share for its own account in the ordinary course of its
business and without a view to distribution of the Loans within
the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other
federal securities laws (it being understood that, subject to the
provisions of subsection 10.1 of the Credit Agreement, the
disposition of the Assigned Share or any interests therein shall
at all times remain within its exclusive control); and that it
has received, reviewed and approved a copy of the Credit
Agreement (including all Exhibits and Schedules thereto).
(d) Assignee represents and warrants that it
has received from Assignor such financial information regarding
Company and its Subsidiaries as is available to Assignor and as
Assignee has requested, that it has made its own independent
investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company
and its Subsidiaries in connection with the assignment evidenced
by this Agreement, and that it has made and shall continue to
make its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of Company and its
Subsidiaries. Assignor shall have no duty or responsibility,
either initially or on a continuing basis, to make any such
investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Assignee or to
provide Assignee with any other credit or other information with
respect thereto, whether coming into its possession before the
making of the initial Loans or at any time or times thereafter,
and Assignor shall not have any responsibility with respect to
the accuracy of or the completeness of any information provided
to Assignee.
(e) Each of Assignor and Assignee represents
and warrants to the other party hereto that it has full power and
authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its
obligations hereunder in accordance with the provisions hereof,
that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by such party and that this Agreement constitutes a
legal, valid and binding obligation of such party, enforceable
against such party in accordance with its terms, except as
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and by general principles
of equity.
SECTION 3. Miscellaneous.
-------------
(a) Each of Assignor and Assignee hereby agrees
from time to time, upon request of the other such party hereto,
to take such additional actions and to execute and deliver such
additional documents and instruments as such other party may
reasonably
request to effect the transactions contemplated by,
and to carry out the intent of, this Agreement.
(b) Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof
may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except by an
instrument in writing signed by the party (including, if
applicable, any party required to evidence its consent to or
acceptance of this Agreement) against whom enforcement of such
change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.
(c) Unless otherwise specifically provided
herein, any notice or other communication herein required or
permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally
served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail or
courier service and shall be deemed to have been given when
delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of
telefacsimile or telex, or three Business Days after depositing
it in the United States mail with postage prepaid and properly
addressed. For the purposes hereof, the notice address of each of
Assignor and Assignee shall be as set forth on the Schedule of
Terms or, as to either such party, such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice delivered to the
other such party. In addition, the notice address of Assignee set
forth on the Schedule of Terms shall serve as the initial notice
address of Assignee for purposes of subsection 10.8 of the Credit
Agreement.
(d) In case any provision in or obligation
under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or
obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.
(e) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE
GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD
TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.
(f) This Agreement shall be binding upon, and
shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns.
(g) This Agreement may be executed in one or
more counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall
be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall
constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may
be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a
single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically
attached to the same document.
(h) This Agreement shall become effective upon
the date (the "Effective Date") upon which all of the following
conditions are satisfied: (i) the execution of a counterpart
hereof by each of Assignor and Assignee, (ii) the execution of a
counterpart
hereof by Company as evidence of its consent hereto
to the extent required under subsection 10.1B(i) of the Credit
Agreement, (iii) the receipt by Administrative Agent of the
processing and recordation fee referred to in subsection 10.1B(i)
of the Credit Agreement, (iv) in the event Assignee is a Non-US
Lender (as defined in subsection 2.7B(iii)(a) of the Credit
Agreement), the delivery by Assignee to Administrative Agent of
such forms, certificates or other evidence with respect to United
States federal income tax withholding matters as Assignee may be
required to deliver to Administrative Agent pursuant to said
subsection 2.7B(iii)(a), (v) the execution of a counterpart
hereof by Administrative Agent as evidence of its acceptance
hereof in accordance with subsection 10.1B(ii) of the Credit
Agreement and (vi) the receipt by Administrative Agent of
originals or telefacsimiles of the counterparts described above
and authorization of delivery thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized, such execution
being made as of the Effective Date in the applicable spaces
provided on the Schedule of Terms.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
SCHEDULE OF TERMS
1. Borrower: DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
2. Name and Date of Credit Agreement: Credit Agreement
dated as of April [___], 1998 by and among Diamond
Brands Operating Corp., the financial institutions
listed therein as Lenders, DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as
Syndication Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding,
Inc., as Documentation Agent.
3. Amounts:
Re: Tranche A Re: Tranche B Re: Revolving
Term Loans Term Loans Loans
(a) Aggregate Commitments of $________ $________ $________
all Lenders:
(b) Assigned Share/Pro Rata _____% _____% _____%
Share;
(c) Amount of Assigned Share $________ $________ $________
of Commitments:
(d) Amount of Assigned Share $________ $________
of Term Loans:
4. Settlement Date: ____________, 199_
5. Payment Instructions:
ASSIGNOR: ASSIGNEE:
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ___________________________
Attention: __________________ Attention: __________________
Reference: _________________ Reference: _________________
6. Notice Addresses:
ASSIGNOR: ASSIGNEE:
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
____________________________ ____________________________
7. Signatures:
__________
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR], [NAME OF ASSIGNEE],
as Assignor as Assignee
By:______________________ By:______________________
Title:___________________ Title:___________________
[Consented to in accordance with Accepted in accordance with subsection
subsection 10.1B(i) of the Credit 10.1B(ii) of the Credit Agreement
Agreement
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP. ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., as
Administrative Agent
By:_____________________ By:______________________
Title:__________________] Title:___________________
EXHIBIT XII
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS]
CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS
Reference is hereby made to that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of April [___], 1998 (said Credit Agreement,
as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified to the date
hereof, being the "Credit Agreement") by and among DIAMOND BRANDS
OPERATING CORP., a Delaware corporation, the financial
institutions listed therein as Lenders, DLJ Capital Funding,
Inc., as Syndication Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as
Documentation Agent. Pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii) of the
Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies that it is not
a "bank" or other Person described in Section 881(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
[NAME OF LENDER]
By: ____________________
Title: __________________
EXHIBIT XIII
[FORM OF COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT]
COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT
This COMPANY PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is
dated as of April 21, 1998 and entered into by and between
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Pledgor"
or "Company"), and ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., as administrative
agent for and representative of (in such capacity herein called
"Secured Party") the financial institutions ("Lenders") party to
the Credit Agreement referred to below and any Interest Rate
Exchangers (as hereinafter defined).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. Pledgor is the legal and beneficial owner of (i)
the shares of stock or other equity Securities (the "Pledged
Shares") described in Part A of Schedule I annexed hereto and
issued by the companies named therein and (ii) the indebtedness
(the "Pledged Debt") described in Part B of said Schedule I and
issued by the obligors named therein.
B. Secured Party and Lenders have entered into a
Credit Agreement dated as of April 21, 1998 (said Credit
Agreement, as it may hereafter be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, being the "Credit
Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined
herein being used herein as therein defined) with Company,
pursuant to which Lenders have made certain commitments, subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, to
extend certain credit facilities to Company.
C. Company may from time to time enter, or may from
time to time have entered, into one or more Interest Rate
Agreements (collectively, the "Lender Interest Rate Agreements")
with one or more Lenders (in such capacity, collectively,
"Interest Rate Exchangers").
D. It is a condition precedent to the initial
extensions of credit by Lenders under the Credit Agreement that
Pledgor shall have granted the security interests and undertaken
the obligations contemplated by this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and
in order to induce Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of
credit under the Credit Agreement and to induce Interest Rate
Exchangers to enter into Lender Interest Rate Agreements, and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy
of which are hereby acknowledged, Pledgor hereby agrees with
Secured Party as follows:
SECTION 1. Pledge of Security. Pledgor hereby pledges
and assigns to Secured Party, and hereby grants to Secured Party
a security interest in, all of Pledgor's right, title and
interest in and to the following (the "Pledged Collateral"):
(a) the Pledged Shares and the certificates
representing the Pledged Shares and any interest of Pledgor in
the entries on the books of any financial intermediary pertaining
to the Pledged Shares, and all dividends, cash, warrants, rights,
instruments and other property or proceeds from time to time
received, receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in
exchange for any or all of the Pledged Shares;
(b) the Pledged Debt and the instruments evidencing
the Pledged Debt, and all interest, cash, instruments and other
property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or
otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all
of the Pledged Debt;
(c) all additional shares of, and all securities
convertible into and warrants, options and other rights to
purchase or otherwise acquire, stock of any issuer of the Pledged
Shares from time to time acquired by Pledgor in any manner (which
shares shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged Shares), the
certificates or other instruments representing such additional
shares, securities, warrants, options or other rights and any
interest of Pledgor in the entries on the books of any financial
intermediary pertaining to such additional shares, and all
dividends, cash, warrants, rights, instruments and other property
or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such
additional shares, securities, warrants, options or other rights;
provided, however, that, Pledgor shall not be required to pledge
more than 66.6% of any class of capital stock of any direct or
indirect Subsidiary of Pledgor which is incorporated in a
jurisdiction other than the states of the United States and the
District of Columbia ("Foreign Subsidiary") hereunder;
(d) all additional indebtedness from time to time owed
to Pledgor by any obligor on the Pledged Debt and the instruments
evidencing such indebtedness, and all interest, cash, instruments
and other property or proceeds from time to time received,
receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange
for any or all of such indebtedness;
(e) all shares of, and all securities convertible into
and warrants, options and other rights to purchase or otherwise
acquire, stock of any Person that, after the date of this
Agreement, becomes, as a result of any occurrence, a direct
Subsidiary of Pledgor (which shares shall be deemed to be part of
the Pledged Shares), the certificates or other instruments
representing such shares, securities, warrants, options or other
rights and any interest of Pledgor in the entries on the books of
any financial intermediary pertaining to such shares, and all
dividends, cash, warrants, rights, instruments and other property
or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such
shares, securities, warrants, options or other rights; provided,
however, that Pledgor shall not be required to pledge more than
66.6% of any class of capital stock of any Foreign Subsidiary
hereunder;
(f) all indebtedness from time to time owed to Pledgor
by any Person that, after the date of this Agreement, becomes, as
a result of any occurrence, a direct or indirect Subsidiary of
Pledgor, and all interest, cash, instruments and other property
or proceeds from
time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in
respect of or in exchange for any or all of such indebtedness;
(g) to the extent not covered by clauses (a) through
(f) above, all proceeds of any or all of the foregoing Pledged
Collateral. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "proceeds"
includes whatever is receivable or received when Pledged
Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or
otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or
involuntary, and includes proceeds of any indemnity or guaranty
payable to Pledgor or Secured Party from time to time with
respect to any of the Pledged Collateral.
SECTION 2. Security for Obligations. This Agreement
secures, and the Pledged Collateral is collateral security for,
the prompt payment or performance in full when due, whether at
stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration,
acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of
amounts that would become due but for the operation of the
automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11
U.S.C. ss. 362(a)), of all obligations and liabilities of every
nature of Pledgor now or hereafter existing under or arising out
of or in connection with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents and all extensions or renewals thereof, whether for
principal, interest (including interest that, but for the filing
of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to Company, would accrue
on such obligations, whether or not a claim is allowed against
Company for such interest in the related bankruptcy proceeding),
reimbursement of amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, payments
for early termination of Lender Interest Rate Agreements, fees,
expenses, indemnities or otherwise, whether voluntary or
involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with
others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or
extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all or
any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to
the extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or
recovered directly or indirectly from Secured Party or any Lender
or Interest Rate Exchanger as a preference, fraudulent transfer
or otherwise (all such obligations and liabilities being the
"Underlying Debt"), and all obligations of every nature of
Pledgor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement (all such
obligations of Pledgor, together with the Underlying Debt, being
the "Secured Obligations").
SECTION 3. Delivery of Pledged Collateral. All
certificates or instruments representing or evidencing the
Pledged Collateral shall be delivered to and held by or on behalf
of Secured Party pursuant hereto and shall be in suitable form
for transfer by delivery or, as applicable, shall be accompanied
by Pledgor's endorsement, where necessary, or duly executed
instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all in form and
substance satisfactory to Secured Party. Upon the occurrence and
during the continuation of an Event of Default (as defined in the
Credit Agreement) or the occurrence of an Early Termination Date
(as defined in a Master Agreement or an Interest Rate Swap
Agreement or Interest Rate and Currency Exchange Agreement in the
form prepared by the International Swap and Derivatives
Association Inc. or a similar event under any similar swap
agreement) under any Lender Interest Rate Agreement (either such
occurrence being an "Event of Default" for purposes of this
Agreement), Secured Party shall have the right, without notice to
Pledgor, to transfer to or to register in the name of Secured
Party or any of its nominees any or all of the Pledged
Collateral, subject only to the revocable rights specified in
Section 7(a). In addition, upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default, Secured Party shall have the
right at any time to exchange certificates or instruments
representing or evidencing Pledged Collateral for certificates or
instruments of smaller or larger denominations.
SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties. Pledgor
represents and warrants as follows:
(a) Due Authorization, etc. of Pledged Collateral. All
of the Pledged Shares have been duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid and non-assessable. All of the Pledged
Debt has been duly authorized, authenticated or issued, and
delivered and is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
issuers thereof and is not in default.
(b) Description of Pledged Collateral. The Pledged
Shares constitute (i) all of the issued and outstanding shares of
stock or other equity Securities of each of the Subsidiaries of
Pledgor which are incorporated in a state of the United States or
in the District of Columbia, and (ii) 66.6% of the issued and
outstanding shares of stock or other equity Securities of each
Foreign Subsidiary of Pledgor, and there are no outstanding
warrants, options or other rights to purchase, or other
agreements outstanding with respect to, or property that is now
or hereafter convertible into, or that requires the issuance or
sale of, any Pledged Shares. The Pledged Debt constitutes all of
the issued and outstanding intercompany indebtedness evidenced by
a promissory note of the respective issuers thereof owing to
Pledgor.
(c) Ownership of Pledged Collateral. Pledgor is the
legal, record and beneficial owner of the Pledged Collateral free
and clear of any Lien except for the security interest created by
this Agreement.
(d) Governmental Authorizations. No authorization,
approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any
governmental authority or regulatory body is required for either
(i) the pledge by Pledgor of the Pledged Collateral pursuant to
this Agreement and the grant by Pledgor of the security interest
granted hereby, or (ii) the execution, delivery or performance of
this Agreement by Pledgor, or (iii) the exercise by Secured Party
of the voting or other rights, or the remedies in respect of the
Pledged Collateral, provided for in this Agreement (except as may
be required in connection with a disposition of Pledged
Collateral by laws affecting the offering and sale of securities
generally).
(e) Perfection. The pledge of the Pledged Collateral
pursuant to this Agreement creates a valid and perfected first
priority security interest in the Pledged Collateral, securing
the payment of the Secured Obligations; provided that Secured
Party retains physical possession of such Pledged Collateral.
(f) Margin Regulations. The pledge of the Pledged
Collateral pursuant to this Agreement does not violate Regulation
T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.
(g) Other Information. All information heretofore,
herein or hereafter supplied to Secured Party by or on behalf of
Pledgor with respect to the Pledged Collateral is accurate and
complete in all material respects.
SECTION 5. Transfers and Other Liens; Additional
Pledged Collateral; etc. Pledgor shall:
(a) not, except as expressly permitted by the Credit
Agreement, (i) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or
otherwise dispose of, or grant any option with respect to, any of
the Pledged Collateral, (ii) create or suffer to exist any Lien
upon or with respect to any of the Pledged Collateral, except for
the security interest under this Agreement and the Permitted
Encumbrances, or (iii) permit any issuer of Pledged Shares to
merge or consolidate unless all the outstanding capital stock or
other equity Security of the surviving or resulting corporation
is, upon such merger or consolidation, pledged hereunder and no
cash, securities or other property is distributed in respect of
the outstanding shares of any other constituent corporation;
provided that Pledgor shall not be required to pledge more than
66.6% of any class of capital stock of any Foreign Subsidiary;
provided, further, that in the event Pledgor makes an Asset Sale
permitted by the Credit Agreement and the assets subject to such
Asset Sale are Pledged Shares, Secured Party shall release the
Pledged Shares that are the subject of such Asset Sale to Pledgor
free and clear of the lien and security interest under this
Agreement concurrently with the consummation of such Asset Sale;
provided, further that, as a condition precedent to such release,
Secured Party shall have received evidence satisfactory to it
that arrangements satisfactory to it have been made for delivery
to Secured Party of the Net Asset Sale Proceeds of such Asset
Sale if required under the Credit Agreement;
(b) (i) cause each issuer of Pledged Shares not to
issue any stock or other securities in addition to or in
substitution for the Pledged Shares issued by such issuer, except
to Pledgor, (ii) pledge hereunder, within 5 days of its
acquisition (directly or indirectly) thereof, any and all
additional shares of stock or other securities of each issuer of
Pledged Shares, and (iii) pledge hereunder, within 5 days of its
acquisition (directly or indirectly) thereof, any and all shares
of stock of any Person that, after the date of this Agreement,
becomes, as a result of any occurrence, a direct Subsidiary of
Pledgor; provided that Pledgor shall not be required to pledge
more than 66.6% of any class of capital stock of any Foreign
Subsidiary hereunder;
(c) (i) pledge hereunder, within 5 days upon their
issuance, any and all instruments or other evidences of
additional indebtedness from time to time owed to Pledgor by any
obligor on the Pledged Debt, and (ii) pledge hereunder, within 5
days of their issuance, any and all instruments or other
evidences of indebtedness from time to time owed to Pledgor by
any Person that after the date of this Agreement becomes, as a
result of any occurrence, a direct or indirect Subsidiary of
Pledgor;
(d) promptly notify Secured Party of any event of
which Pledgor becomes aware causing material loss or depreciation
in the value of the Pledged Collateral;
(e) promptly deliver to Secured Party all material
written notices received by it with respect to the Pledged
Collateral; and
(f) pay promptly when due all taxes, assessments and
governmental charges or levies imposed upon, and all claims
against, the Pledged Collateral, except to the extent permitted
by the terms of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 6. Further Assurances; Pledge Amendments.
(a) Pledgor agrees that from time to time, at the
expense of Pledgor, Pledgor will promptly execute and deliver all
further instruments and documents, and take all further action,
that may reasonably be necessary or desirable, or that Secured
Party may reasonably request, in order to perfect and protect any
security interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to
enable Secured Party to exercise and enforce its rights and
remedies hereunder with respect to any Pledged Collateral.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Pledgor will:
(i) execute and file such financing or continuation statements,
or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as
may be necessary or desirable, or as Secured Party may reasonably
request, in order to perfect and preserve the security interests
granted or purported to be granted hereby and (ii) at Secured
Party's reasonable request, appear in and defend any action or
proceeding that may affect Pledgor's title to or Secured Party's
security interest in all or any part of the Pledged Collateral.
(b) Pledgor further agrees that it will, upon
obtaining any additional shares of stock or other securities
required to be pledged hereunder as provided in Section 5(b) or
(c), promptly (and in any event within five Business Days)
deliver to Secured Party a Pledge Amendment, duly executed by
Pledgor, in substantially the form of Schedule II annexed hereto
(a "Pledge Amendment"), in respect of the additional Pledged
Shares or Pledged Debt to be pledged pursuant to this Agreement.
Pledgor hereby authorizes Secured Party to attach each Pledge
Amendment to this Agreement and agrees that all Pledged Shares or
Pledged Debt listed on any Pledge Amendment delivered to Secured
Party shall for all purposes hereunder be considered Pledged
Collateral; provided that the failure of Pledgor to execute a
Pledge Amendment with respect to any additional Pledged Shares or
Pledged Debt pledged pursuant to this Agreement shall not impair
the security interest of Secured Party therein or otherwise
adversely affect the rights and remedies of Secured Party
hereunder with respect thereto.
SECTION 7. Voting Rights; Dividends; Etc.
(a) So long as no Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing:
(i) Pledgor shall be entitled to exercise any and all
voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the
Pledged Collateral or any part thereof for any purpose
not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or
the Credit Agreement and as long as such action would
not have a material adverse effect on the value of the
Pledged Collateral or any part thereof. It is
understood, however, that neither (A) the voting by
Pledgor of any Pledged Shares for or Pledgor's consent
to the election of directors at a regularly scheduled
annual or other meeting of stockholders or members or
with respect to incidental matters at any such meeting
nor (B) Pledgor's consent to or approval of any action
otherwise permitted under this Agreement and the
Credit Agreement shall be
deemed inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or
the Credit Agreement within the meaning of this Section
7(a)(i), and no notice of any such voting or consent
need be given to Secured Party;
(ii) Pledgor shall be entitled to receive and retain,
and to utilize free and clear of the lien of this
Agreement, any and all dividends and interest paid in
respect of the Pledged Collateral; provided, however,
that any and all
(A) dividends and interest paid or payable other
than in cash in respect of, and instruments and other
property received, receivable or otherwise distributed
in respect of, or in exchange for, any Pledged
Collateral,
(B) dividends and other distributions paid or
payable in cash in respect of any Pledged Collateral in
connection with a partial or total liquidation or
dissolution or in connection with a reduction of
capital, capital surplus or paid-in-surplus, and
(C) cash paid, payable or otherwise distributed in
respect of principal or in redemption of or in exchange
for any Pledged Collateral,
shall be, and shall forthwith be delivered to Secured Party
to hold as, Pledged Collateral and shall, if received by
Pledgor, be received in trust for the benefit of Secured
Party, be segregated from the other property or funds of
Pledgor and be forthwith delivered to Secured Party as
Pledged Collateral in the same form as so received (with
all necessary indorsements); provided, however, that to the
extent that property distributed to Pledgor in respect of
the Pledged Collateral continues or becomes, after such
distribution, to be otherwise subject to a Lien in favor of
Secured Party under the Loan Documents, such property shall
not be otherwise required to be forthwith delivered to
Secured Party pursuant to clause (ii) above; and
(iii) Secured Party shall promptly execute and deliver
(or cause to be executed and delivered) to Pledgor all
such proxies, dividend payment orders and other
instruments as Pledgor may from time to time
reasonably request for the purpose of enabling Pledgor
to exercise the voting and other consensual rights
which it is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph
(i) above and to receive the dividends, principal or
interest payments which it is authorized to receive
and retain pursuant to paragraph (ii) above.
(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
an Event of Default:
(i) upon written notice from Secured Party to Pledgor,
all rights of Pledgor to exercise the voting and other
consensual rights which it would otherwise be entitled
to exercise pursuant to Section 7(a)(i) shall cease,
and all such rights shall thereupon become vested in
Secured Party who shall thereupon have the sole right
to exercise such voting and other consensual rights;
(ii) all rights of Pledgor to receive the dividends
and interest payments which it would otherwise be
authorized to receive and retain pursuant to Section
7(a)(ii) shall cease, and all such rights shall
thereupon become vested in Secured Party who shall
thereupon have the sole right to receive and hold as
Pledged Collateral such dividends and interest
payments; and
(iii)all dividends, principal and interest payments
which are received by Pledgor contrary to the
provisions of paragraph (ii) of this Section 7(b)
shall be received in trust for the benefit of Secured
Party, shall be segregated from other funds of Pledgor
and shall forthwith be paid over to Secured Party as
Pledged Collateral in the same form as so received
(with any necessary indorsements).
(c) In order to permit Secured Party to exercise the
voting and other consensual rights which it may be entitled to
exercise pursuant to Section 7(b)(i) and to receive all dividends
and other distributions which it may be entitled to receive under
Section 7(a)(ii) or Section 7(b)(ii), (i) Pledgor shall promptly
execute and deliver (or cause to be executed and delivered) to
Secured Party all such proxies, dividend payment orders and other
instruments as Secured Party may from time to time reasonably
request, including without limitation to the extent necessary so
that the pledge of any shares of stock of any Foreign Subsidiary
is registered (if not already so registered) on the appropriate
books and records of the issuer of the applicable Pledged Shares
if such registration is required under applicable law in order to
permit Secured Party to exercise such rights or to receive such
dividends and other distributions, and (ii) without limiting the
effect of the immediately preceding clause (i), Pledgor hereby
grants to Secured Party an irrevocable proxy to vote the Pledged
Shares and to exercise all other rights, powers, privileges and
remedies to which a holder of the Pledged Shares would be
entitled (including giving or withholding written consents of
shareholders, calling special meetings of shareholders and voting
at such meetings), which proxy shall be effective, automatically
and without the necessity of any action (including any transfer
of any Pledged Shares on the record books of the issuer thereof)
by any other Person (including the issuer of the Pledged Shares
or any officer or agent thereof), upon the written notice of an
Event of Default from Secured Party delivered at any time,
including at a member or shareholder meeting, and which proxy
shall only terminate upon cure of the circumstances which gave
rise to the Event of Default.
SECTION 8. Secured Party Appointed Attorney-in-Fact.
Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Pledgor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of
Pledgor and in the name of Pledgor, Secured Party or otherwise,
from time to time during the continuation of an Event of Default
in Secured Party's discretion to take any action and to execute
any instrument that Secured Party may deem necessary or advisable
to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including:
(a) to file one or more financing or continuation
statements, or amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of
the Pledged Collateral without the signature of Pledgor;
(b) to ask, demand, collect, ▇▇▇ for, recover,
compound, receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys
due and to become due under or in respect of any of the Pledged
Collateral;
(c) to receive, endorse and collect any instruments
made payable to Pledgor representing any dividend, principal or
interest payment or other distribution in respect of the Pledged
Collateral or any part thereof and to give full discharge for the
same; and
(d) to file any claims or take any action or institute
any proceedings that Secured Party may deem necessary or
desirable for the collection of any of the Pledged Collateral or
otherwise to enforce the rights of Secured Party with respect to
any of the Pledged Collateral.
SECTION 9. Secured Party May Perform. If Pledgor fails
to perform any agreement contained herein, Secured Party may
itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the
expenses of Secured Party incurred in connection therewith shall
be payable by Pledgor under Section 13(b).
SECTION 10. Standard of Care. The powers conferred on
Secured Party hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the
Pledged Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to
exercise any such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable
care in the custody of any Pledged Collateral in its possession
and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder,
Secured Party shall have no duty as to any Pledged Collateral, it
being understood that Secured Party shall have no responsibility
for (a) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls,
conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters
relating to any Pledged Collateral, whether or not Secured Party
has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, (b) taking
any necessary steps (other than steps taken in accordance with
the standard of care set forth above to maintain possession of
the Pledged Collateral) to preserve rights against any parties
with respect to any Pledged Collateral, (c) taking any necessary
steps to collect or realize upon the Secured Obligations or any
guarantee therefor, or any part thereof, or any of the Pledged
Collateral, or (d) initiating any action to protect the Pledged
Collateral against the possibility of a decline in market value.
Secured Party shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care
in the custody and preservation of Pledged Collateral in its
possession if such Pledged Collateral is accorded treatment
substantially equal to that which Secured Party accords its own
property consisting of negotiable securities.
SECTION 11. Remedies.
(a) If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, Secured Party may exercise in respect of the Pledged
Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies provided
for herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and
remedies of a secured party on default under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the
"Code") (whether or not the Code applies to the affected Pledged
Collateral), or any other applicable laws whether of the United
States or any state thereof or any other foreign jurisdiction,
and Secured Party may also in its sole discretion, without notice
except
as specified below, sell the Pledged Collateral or any
part thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at
any exchange or broker's board or at any of Secured Party's
offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery,
at such time or times and at such price or prices and upon such
other terms as Secured Party may deem commercially reasonable,
irrespective of the impact of any such sales on the market price
of the Pledged Collateral. Secured Party or any Lender or
Interest Rate Exchanger may be the purchaser of any or all of the
Pledged Collateral at any such sale and Secured Party, as agent
for and representative of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers
(but not any Lender or Lenders or Interest Rate Exchanger or
Interest Rate Exchangers in its or their respective individual
capacities unless Requisite Lenders or Requisite Obligees (as
defined in Section 15(a)) shall otherwise agree in writing),
shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making
settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any
portion of the Pledged Collateral sold at any such public sale,
to use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on
account of the purchase price for any Pledged Collateral payable
by Secured Party at such sale. Each purchaser at any such sale
shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim or
right on the part of Pledgor, and Pledgor hereby waives (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of redemption,
stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the
future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or
hereafter enacted. Pledgor agrees that, to the extent notice of
sale shall be required by law, at least ten days' notice to
Pledgor of the time and place of any public sale or the time
after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute
reasonable notification. Secured Party shall not be obligated to
make any sale of Pledged Collateral regardless of notice of sale
having been given. Secured Party may adjourn any public or
private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and
place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice,
be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.
Pledgor hereby waives any claims against Secured Party arising by
reason of the fact that the price at which any Pledged Collateral
may have been sold at such a private sale was less than the price
which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if Secured
Party accepts the first offer received and does not offer such
Pledged Collateral to more than one offeree. If the proceeds of
any sale or other disposition of the Pledged Collateral are
insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations, Pledgor shall be
liable for the deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed
by Secured Party to collect such deficiency.
(b) Pledgor recognizes that, by reason of certain
prohibitions contained in the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws, Secured Party may be compelled, with respect to
any sale of all or any part of the Pledged Collateral conducted
without prior registration or qualification of such Pledged
Collateral under the Securities Act and/or such state securities
laws, to limit purchasers to those who will agree, among other
things, to acquire the Pledged Collateral for their own account,
for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale
thereof. Pledgor acknowledges that any such private sales may be
at prices and on terms less favorable than those obtainable
through a public sale without such restrictions (including a
public offering made pursuant to a registration statement under
the Securities Act) and, notwithstanding such circumstances,
Pledgor agrees that any such private sale shall be deemed to have
been made in a commercially reasonable manner and that Secured
Party shall have no obligation to engage in public sales and no
obligation to delay the sale of any Pledged Collateral for the
period of time necessary to permit the issuer thereof to register
it for a form of public sale requiring registration under the
Securities Act or under applicable state securities laws, even if
such issuer would, or should, agree to so register it.
(c) If Secured Party determines to exercise its right
to sell any or all of the Pledged Collateral, upon written
request, Pledgor shall and shall cause each issuer of any Pledged
Shares to be sold hereunder from time to time to furnish to
Secured Party all such information as Secured Party may request
in order to determine the number of shares and other instruments
included in the Pledged Collateral which may be sold by Secured
Party in exempt transactions under the Securities Act and the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder, as the same are from time to time in effect.
SECTION 12. Application of Proceeds. All proceeds
received by Secured Party in respect of any sale of, collection
from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Pledged
Collateral shall be applied as provided in subsection 2.4D of the
Credit Agreement.
SECTION 13. Indemnity and Expenses.
(a) Pledgor agrees to indemnify Secured Party and each
Lender from and against any and all claims, losses and
liabilities in any way relating to, growing out of or resulting
from this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(including, without limitation, enforcement of this Agreement),
except to the extent such claims, losses or liabilities result
solely from Secured Party's or such Lender's gross negligence or
willful misconduct as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
(b) Pledgor shall pay to Secured Party upon demand the
amount of any and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Secured Party may
incur in connection with (i) the administration of this
Agreement, (ii) the custody or preservation of, or the sale of,
collection from, or other realization upon, any of the Pledged
Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the
rights of Secured Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by Pledgor
to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.
SECTION 14. Continuing Security Interest; Transfer of
Loans. This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest
in the Pledged Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and
effect until the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the
cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit,
(b) be binding upon Pledgor, its successors and assigns, and (c)
inure, together with the rights and remedies of Secured Party
hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party and its successors,
transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing clause (c), but subject to the provisions of subsection
10.1 of the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise
transfer any Loans held by it to any other Person, and such other
Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in
respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise. Upon the
payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or
termination of the Commitments and the cancellation or expiration
of all outstanding Letters of Credit, the security interest
granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Pledged
Collateral shall revert to Pledgor. Upon any such termination
Secured Party will, at Pledgor's expense, execute and deliver to
Pledgor such documents as Pledgor shall reasonably request to
evidence such termination and Pledgor shall be entitled to the
return, upon its request and at its expense, against receipt and
without
recourse to Secured Party, of such of the Pledged
Collateral as shall not have been sold or otherwise applied
pursuant to the terms hereof.
SECTION 15. Secured Party as Administrative Agent.
(a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured
Party hereunder by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the
benefits hereof, Interest Rate Exchangers. Secured Party shall be
obligated, and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands,
to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any
rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including
the release or substitution of Pledged Collateral), solely in
accordance with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement; provided
that Secured Party shall exercise, or refrain from exercising,
any remedies provided for in Section 11 in accordance with the
instructions of (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii) after payment in
full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents, the holders of a majority of the aggregate
notional amount (or, with respect to any Lender Interest Rate
Agreement that has been terminated in accordance with its terms,
the amount then due and payable (exclusive of expenses and
similar payments but including any early termination payments
then due) under such Lender Interest Rate Agreement) under all
Lender Interest Rate Agreements (Requisite Lenders or, if
applicable, such holders being referred to herein as "Requisite
Obligees"). In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this
Section 15(a), each Interest Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of
the benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right
individually to realize upon any of the Pledged Collateral
hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such Interest Rate
Exchanger that all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised
solely by Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders and Interest
Rate Exchangers in accordance with the terms of this Section
15(a).
(b) Secured Party shall at all times be the same
Person that is Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement.
Written notice of resignation by Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute
notice of resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement;
removal of Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the
Credit Agreement shall also constitute removal as Secured Party
under this Agreement; and appointment of a successor
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit
Agreement shall also constitute appointment of a successor
Secured Party under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Administrative Agent under subsection 9.5 of the
Credit Agreement by a successor Administrative Agent, that
successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and
become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring or removed Secured Party under this Agreement,
and the retiring or removed Secured Party under this Agreement
shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Secured Party all
sums, securities and other items of Collateral held hereunder,
together with all records and other documents necessary or
appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of
the successor Secured Party under this Agreement, and (ii)
execute and deliver to such successor Secured Party such
amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions,
as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the
assignment to such successor Secured Party of the security
interests created hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed
Secured Party shall be discharged from its duties and obligations
under this Agreement. After any retiring or removed
Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as
Secured Party, the
provisions of this Agreement shall inure to
its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it
under this Agreement while it was Secured Party hereunder.
SECTION 16. Amendments; Etc. No amendment,
modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement, and no consent to any departure by Pledgor therefrom,
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Secured Party and, in the case of any such
amendment or modification, by Pledgor. Any such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
specific purpose for which it was given.
SECTION 17. Notices. Any notice or other communication
herein required or permitted to be given shall be given as
provided in the Credit Agreement. For the purposes hereof, the
address of each party hereto shall be as set forth under such
party's name on the signature pages hereof or, as to either
party, such other address as shall be designated by such party in
a written notice delivered to the other party hereto.
SECTION 18. Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies
Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of Secured Party in
the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall
impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a
waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other
power, right or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under
this Agreement are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any
rights or remedies otherwise available.
SECTION 19. Severability. In case any provision in or
obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of
such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not
in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 20. Headings. Section and subsection headings
in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of
reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement
for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.
SECTION 21. Governing Law; Terms; Rules of
Construction. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CODE
PROVIDES THAT THE PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER,
OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR PLEDGED
COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN
THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Unless otherwise defined herein or in the
Credit Agreement, terms used in Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform
Commercial Code in the State of New York are used herein as
therein defined. The rules of construction set forth in
subsection 1.3 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to
this Agreement mutatis mutandis.
SECTION 22. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of
Process.
(a) ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST PLEDGOR
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS
HEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF
COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇.
BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, PLEDGOR, FOR ITSELF
AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY
(I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE
NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;
(II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;
(III)AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED
OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO
PLEDGOR AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 17;
(IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III)
ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION
OVER PLEDGOR IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT,
AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING
SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;
(V) AGREES THAT SECURED PARTY RETAINS THE RIGHT TO
SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR
TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST PLEDGOR IN THE COURTS OF
ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND
(VI) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 22
RELATING TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING
AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE
UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402
OR OTHERWISE.
(b) Without limiting the generality of the last
sentence of Section 22(a), any judicial proceedings brought
against Pledgor arising out of or relating to the pledge of
shares of capital stock of any Foreign Subsidiary hereunder may
be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in the
jurisdiction in which such Foreign Subsidiary is organized, and
by execution and delivery of this Agreement, Pledgor accepts for
itself and in connection with its properties (including without
limitation the applicable Pledged Shares), generally and
unconditionally, the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any such court
and waives any defense of forum non conveniens (or any similar
defense under the laws of such jurisdiction) and irrevocably
agrees to be bound by any judgement rendered thereby in
connection with such pledge or the enforcement thereof.
SECTION 23. Waiver of Jury Trial. PLEDGOR AND SECURED
PARTY HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY
TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT
OF THIS AGREEMENT. The scope of this waiver is intended to be
all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction,
including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims,
and all other common law and statutory claims. Pledgor and
Secured Party each acknowledge that this waiver is a material
inducement for Pledgor and Secured Party to enter into a business
relationship, that Pledgor and Secured Party have already relied
on this waiver in entering into this Agreement and that each will
continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings.
Pledgor and Secured Party further warrant and represent that each
has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel, and that each
knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following
consultation with legal counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE,
MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING
(OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO
THIS SECTION 23 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND
THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS,
SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. In the event of
litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a
trial by the court.
SECTION 24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple
separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so
that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor and Secured Party have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date
first written above.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.,
as Pledgor
By: __________________________
Name:__________________________
Title: ________________________
Notice Address:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., as
Administrative Agent
By: __________________________
Name:__________________________
Title:_________________________
Notice Address:
Attention:
SCHEDULE I
Attached to and forming a part of the Pledge Agreement
dated as of April 21, 1998 between Diamond Brands Operating
Corp., as Pledgor, and ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as Secured Party.
Part A
Class of Stock Certi- Par Number of
Stock Issuer Stock ficate Nos. Value Shares
------------ ----- ----------- ----- ------
Part B
Debt Issuer Amount of Indebtedness
SCHEDULE II
PLEDGE AMENDMENT
This Pledge Amendment, dated ____________, _____, is
delivered pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Pledge Agreement
referred to below. The undersigned hereby agrees that this
Subsidiary Pledge Amendment may be attached to the Subsidiary
Pledge Agreement dated April 21, 1998, between the undersigned
and ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as Secured Party (the "Pledge
Agreement," capitalized terms defined therein being used herein
as therein defined), and that the [Pledged Shares] [Pledged Debt]
listed on this Pledge Amendment shall be deemed to be part of the
[Pledged Shares] [Pledged Debt] and shall become part of the
Pledged Collateral and shall secure all Secured Obligations.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By:
___________________________
Title:
Class of Stock Certi- Par Number of
Stock Issuer Stock ficate Nos. Value Shares
------------ ----- ----------- ----- ------
Debt Issuer Amount of Indebtedness
----------- ----------------------
EXHIBIT XIV
[FORM OF COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT]
COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT
This COMPANY SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is
dated as of April 21, 1998, and entered into by and between
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Grantor"
or "Borrower"), and ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent for and representative of (in such capacity herein called
"Secured Party") the financial institutions ("Lenders") party to
the Credit Agreement referred to below and any Interest Rate
Exchangers (as hereinafter defined).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. Secured Party and Lenders have entered into a
Credit Agreement dated as of April 21, 1998 (said Credit
Agreement, as it may hereafter be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, being the "Credit
Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined
herein being used herein as therein defined) with Grantor,
pursuant to which Lenders have made certain commitments, subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, to
extend certain credit facilities to Borrower.
B. It is a condition precedent to the initial
extensions of credit by Lenders under the Credit Agreement that
Grantor shall have granted the security interests and undertaken
the obligations contemplated by this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and
in order to induce Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of
credit under the Credit Agreement and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, Grantor hereby agrees with Secured Party as
follows:
SECTION 1. Grant of Security. Grantor hereby assigns
for security purposes to Secured Party, and hereby grants to
Secured Party a security interest in, all of Grantor's right,
title and interest in and to the following, in each case whether
now or hereafter existing or in which Grantor now has or
hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be
located (the "Collateral"):
(a) all equipment in all of its forms, all parts
thereof and all accessions thereto (any and all such equipment,
parts and accessions being the "Equipment");
(b) all inventory in all of its forms (including (i)
all goods held by Grantor for sale or lease or to be furnished
under contracts of service or so leased or furnished, (ii) all
raw materials, work in process, finished goods, and materials
used or consumed in the manufacture, packing, shipping,
advertising, selling, leasing, furnishing or production of such
inventory or otherwise used or consumed in Grantor's business,
(iii) all goods in which Grantor has an interest in mass or a
joint or other interest or right of any kind, and (iv) all
goods which are returned to or repossessed by Grantor) and all
accessions thereto and products thereof (all such inventory,
accessions and products being the "Inventory") and all negotiable
documents of title (including warehouse receipts, dock receipts
and bills of lading) issued by any Person covering any Inventory
(any such negotiable document of title being a "Negotiable
Document of Title");
(c) all accounts, contract rights, chattel paper,
documents, instruments, general intangibles and other rights and
obligations of any kind and all rights in, to and under all
security agreements, leases and other contracts securing or
otherwise relating to any such accounts, contract rights, chattel
paper, documents, instruments, general intangibles or other
obligations (any and all such accounts, contract rights, chattel
paper, documents, instruments, general intangibles and other
obligations being the "Accounts", and any and all such security
agreements, leases and other contracts being the "Related
Contracts");
(d) the agreements listed in Schedule I annexed
hereto, and any other agreement between Grantor, or a Subsidiary
of Grantor, with a franchisee or developer, now or hereafter
existing, as each such agreement may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time (said agreements, as so
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, being referred to
herein individually as an "Assigned Agreement" and collectively
as the "Assigned Agreements"), including (i) all rights of
Grantor to receive moneys due or to become due under or pursuant
to the Assigned Agreements, (ii) all rights of Grantor to receive
proceeds of any insurance, indemnity, warranty or guaranty with
respect to the Assigned Agreements, (iii) all claims of Grantor
for damages arising out of any breach of or default under the
Assigned Agreements, and (iv) all rights of Grantor to terminate,
amend, supplement, modify or exercise rights or options under the
Assigned Agreements, to perform thereunder and to compel
performance and otherwise exercise all remedies thereunder;
(e) all deposit accounts, including the deposit
accounts listed on Schedule II annexed hereto and all other
deposit accounts maintained with Secured Party;
(f) all trademarks, tradenames, tradesecrets, business
names, patents, patent applications, licenses, copyrights,
registrations and franchise rights, and all goodwill associated
with any of the foregoing;
(g) all licenses to conduct the Business and other
special licenses, including but not limited to the licenses
listed on Schedule III, and to the extent not included in any
other paragraph of this Section 1, all other general intangibles
(including tax refunds, rights to payment or performance, choses
in action and judgments taken on any rights or claims included in
the Collateral);
(h) all plant fixtures, business fixtures and other
fixtures and storage and office facilities, and all accessions
thereto and products thereof;
(i) all books, records, ledger cards, files,
correspondence, computer programs, tapes, disks and related data
processing software that at any time evidence or contain
information relating to any of the Collateral or are otherwise
necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization
thereupon;
(j) the shares of stock owned by Grantor as described
in Schedule I to the Company Pledge Agreement (as such Schedule I
may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof) (the "Pledged Shares") and the certificates representing
the Pledged Shares and any interest of Grantor in the entries on
the books of any financial intermediary pertaining to the Pledged
Shares, and all dividends, cash, warrants, rights, instruments
and other property or proceeds from time to time received,
receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange
for any or all of the Pledged Shares;
(k) the indebtedness owed to the Grantor as described
in Schedule I to the Company Pledge Agreement (as such Schedule I
may be amended from time to time in accordance with the terms
thereof) (the "Pledged Debt") and the instruments evidencing the
Pledged Debt, and all interest, cash, instruments and other
property or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or
otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all
of the Pledged Debt;
(l) all of Grantor's right, title and interest as a
member of any Person that is organized as a limited liability
company and that may hereafter become a Subsidiary of Grantor,
including, without limitation, (A) all rights of Grantor to
receive distributions of any kind, in cash or otherwise, due or
to become due under or pursuant to any limited liability company
agreement or otherwise in respect of any such Person, (B) all
rights of Grantor to receive proceeds of any insurance,
indemnity, warranty or guaranty with respect to any such Person,
(C) all claims of Grantor for damages arising out of, or for the
breach of, or for a default under, any limited liability company
agreement of any such Person, (D) any certificated or
uncertificated security evidencing any of the foregoing issued by
any such Person to Grantor and (E) to the extent not included in
the foregoing, all proceeds of any and all of the foregoing (all
of the foregoing being referred to herein collectively as the
"LLC Interests");
(m) all additional shares of, and all securities
convertible into and warrants, options and other rights to
purchase or otherwise acquire, stock of any issuer of the Pledged
Shares from time to time acquired by Grantor in any manner (which
shares shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged Shares), the
certificates or other instruments representing such additional
shares, securities, warrants, options or other rights and any
interest of Grantor in the entries on the books of any financial
intermediary pertaining to such additional shares, and all
dividends, cash, warrants, rights, instruments and other property
or proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such
additional shares, securities, warrants, options or other rights;
provided, however, that Grantor shall not be required to pledge
more than 66.6% of any class of capital stock of any direct or
indirect Subsidiary of Grantor which is incorporated in a
jurisdiction other than the states of the United States and the
District of Columbia ("Foreign Subsidiary");
(n) all additional indebtedness from time to time owed
to Grantor by any obligor on the Pledged Debt and the instruments
evidencing such indebtedness, and all interest, cash, instruments
and other property or proceeds from time to time received,
receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange
for any or all of such indebtedness;
(o) all shares of, and all securities convertible into
and warrants, options and other rights to purchase or otherwise
acquire, stock of any Person that, after the Closing Date,
becomes, as a result of any occurrence, a direct Subsidiary of
Grantor (which shares shall be deemed to be part of the Pledged
Shares), the certificates or other instruments representing such
shares, securities, warrants, options or other rights and any
interest of Grantor in the entries on the books of any financial
intermediary pertaining to such shares, and all dividends, cash,
warrants, rights, instruments and other property or proceeds from
time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in
respect of or in exchange for any or all of such shares,
securities, warrants, options or other rights; provided, however,
that Grantor shall not be required to pledge more than 66.6% of
any class of capital stock of any Foreign Subsidiary;
(p) all indebtedness from time to time owed to Grantor
by any Person that, after the Closing Date becomes, as a result
of any occurrence, a direct or indirect Subsidiary of Grantor,
and all interest, cash, instruments and other property or
proceeds from time to time received, receivable or otherwise
distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all of such
indebtedness;
(q) all of Grantor's right, title and interest as a
general partner in partnerships only to the extent of the right
to receive distributions on its partnership interest, a limited
partner in partnerships and each partnership in which Grantor
acquires an interest after the Closing Date (collectively, the
"Partnerships"), whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
including without limitation all of Grantor's right, title and
interest in, to and under the agreements pursuant to which the
Partnerships are established (collectively, the "Partnership
Agreements"), and any "certificate of interest" or "certificates
of interest" (or other certificates or instruments however
designated or titled) issued by any Partnership and evidencing
Grantor's interest as a limited partner or general partner in
such Partnership and any interest of Grantor in the entries on
the books of any financial intermediary pertaining to Grantor's
interest as a limited partner or general partner in any
Partnership together with all other rights, interests, claims and
other property of Grantor in any manner arising out of or
relating to a limited partnership interest or general partnership
interest in any Partnership, whatever their respective kind or
character, whether they are tangible or intangible property, and
wheresoever they may exist or be located, and further including,
without limitation, all of the rights of Grantor as a limited or
general partner: (i) to (x) receive money due and to become due
(including without limitation dividends, distributions, interest,
income from partnership properties and operations, proceeds of
sale of partnership assets and returns of capital) under or
pursuant to any Partnership Agreement, (y) receive payments upon
termination of any Partnership Agreement, and (z) receive any
other payments or distributions, whether cash or noncash, in
respect of any limited partnership interest or general
partnership interest of Grantor evidenced by any Partnership
Agreement; (ii) in and with respect to claims and causes of
action arising out of or relating to the Partnerships; and (iii)
to have access to the Partnerships' books and records and to
other information concerning or affecting the Partnerships; and
(r) all proceeds, products, rents and profits of or
from any and all of the foregoing Collateral and, to the extent
not otherwise included, all payments under insurance (whether or
not Secured Party is the loss payee thereof), or any indemnity,
warranty or guaranty, payable by reason of loss or damage to or
otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing Collateral. For
purposes of this Agreement, the term "proceeds" includes whatever
is receivable or received when Collateral or proceeds are sold,
exchanged, collected or otherwise disposed of, whether such
disposition is voluntary or involuntary.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Collateral shall
exclude any intellectual property right contracts and agreements
or equipment leases to the extent, and only to the extent, that
such Intellectual Property, contract or agreement or equipment
lease contains a provision enforceable at law and in equity that
would be breached by (or would result in the termination of such
intellectual property, contract, or agreement or equipment lease
upon) the grant of the security interest created herein pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that if and
when any prohibition on the assignment, pledge or grant of a
security interest in such intellectual property right, contract
or agreement or equipment lease is removed, the Secured Party
will be deemed to have been granted a security interest in such
intellectual property right, contract or agreement or equipment
lease as of the date hereof, and the Collateral will be deemed to
include such intellectual property right, contract or agreement
or equipment lease.
SECTION 2. Security for Obligations. This Agreement
secures, and the Collateral is collateral security for, the
prompt payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated
maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration,
demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would
become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under
Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ss.362(a)), of
all obligations and liabilities of every nature of Grantor now or
hereafter existing under or arising out of or in connection with
the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the Lender
Interest Rate Agreements and all extensions or renewals thereof,
whether for principal, interest (including without limitation
interest that, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy
with respect to Grantor, would accrue on such obligations),
reimbursement of amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, fees,
expenses, indemnities or otherwise, whether voluntary or
involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with
others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or
extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all or
any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to
the extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or
recovered directly or indirectly from Secured Party or any Lender
as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise (all such
obligations and liabilities being the "Underlying Debt"), and all
obligations of every nature of Grantor now or hereafter existing
under this Agreement (all such obligations of Grantor, together
with the Underlying Debt, being the "Secured Obligations").
SECTION 3. Grantor Remains Liable. Anything contained
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) Grantor shall remain
liable under any contracts and agreements included in the
Collateral, to the extent set forth therein, to perform all of
its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if
this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by Secured
Party of any of its rights hereunder shall not release Grantor from
any of
its duties or obligations under the contracts and agreements
included in the Collateral, and (c) Secured Party shall not have
any obligation or liability under any contracts and agreements
included in the Collateral by reason of this Agreement, nor shall
Secured Party be obligated to perform any of the obligations or
duties of Grantor thereunder or to take any action to collect or
enforce any claim for payment assigned hereunder.
SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties. Grantor
represents and warrants as follows:
(a) Ownership of Collateral. Except for the security
interest created by this Agreement and Permitted Encumbrances,
Grantor owns the Collateral free and clear of any Lien.
(b) Location of Equipment and Inventory. All of the
Equipment and Inventory is, as of the date hereof, located at the
places specified in Schedule IV annexed hereto.
(c) Negotiable Documents of Title. No Negotiable
Documents of Title are outstanding with respect to any of the
Inventory.
(d) Office Locations; Other Names. The chief place of
business, the chief executive office and the office where Grantor
keeps its records regarding the Accounts and all originals of all
chattel paper that evidence Accounts is, and has been for the
four month period preceding the date hereof, located at ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇. Grantor has not in the
past done, and does not now do, business under any other name
(including any trade-name or fictitious business name) except the
names listed in Schedule V annexed hereto.
(e) Delivery of Certain Collateral. All notes and
other instruments (excluding checks) comprising any and all items
of Collateral have been delivered to Secured Party duly endorsed
and accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or
assignment in blank.
(f) Governmental Authorizations. No authorization,
approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any
governmental authority or regulatory body is required for either
(i) the grant by Grantor of the security interest granted hereby,
(ii) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by
Grantor, or (iii) the perfection of or the exercise by Secured
Party of its rights and remedies hereunder (except as may have
been taken by or at the direction of Grantor or Secured Party).
(g) Perfection. This Agreement, together with the
filing of UCC-1 financing statements, which have been made,
creates a valid, perfected and first priority security interest
in the Collateral, securing the payment of the Secured
Obligations, and all filings and other actions necessary or
desirable to perfect and protect such security interest have been
duly made or taken; provided that Secured Party retains physical
possession of any Collateral, the possession of which is required
for perfection.
(h) Other Information. All information heretofore,
herein or hereafter supplied to Secured Party by or on behalf of
Grantor with respect to the Collateral is accurate and complete
in all material respects.
SECTION 5. Further Assurances.
(a) Grantor agrees that from time to time, at the
expense of Grantor, Grantor will promptly execute and deliver all
further instruments and documents, and take all further action,
that may be necessary or desirable, or that Secured Party may
reasonably request, in order to perfect and protect any security
interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable
Secured Party to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies
hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, Grantor will: (i) ▇▇▇▇ conspicuously
each item of chattel paper included in the Accounts, each Related
Contract and, at the request of Secured Party, each of its
records pertaining to the Collateral, with a legend, in form and
substance satisfactory to Secured Party, indicating that such
Collateral is subject to the security interest granted hereby,
(ii) if any Account shall be evidenced by a promissory note or
other instrument (excluding checks), at the request of Secured
Party, deliver and pledge to Secured Party hereunder such note or
instrument, duly endorsed and accompanied by duly executed
instruments of transfer or assignment, all in form and substance
satisfactory to Secured Party, and at the request of Secured
Party, deliver and pledge to Secured Party hereunder all original
counterparts of chattel paper constituting Collateral, duly
endorsed and accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer
or assignment, all in form and substance satisfactory to Secured
Party, (iii) execute and file such financing or continuation
statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or
notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as Secured Party
may request, in order to perfect and preserve the security
interests granted or purported to be granted hereby, (iv)
promptly after the acquisition by Grantor of any item of material
Equipment which is covered by a certificate of title under a
statute of any jurisdiction under the law of which indication of
a security interest on such certificate is required as a
condition of perfection thereof, at the request of Secured Party,
execute and file with the registrar of motor vehicles or other
appropriate authority in such jurisdiction an application or
other document requesting the notation or other indication of the
security interest created hereunder on such certificate of title,
(v) at the request of Secured Party, deliver to Secured Party
copies of all such applications or other documents filed during
such calendar quarter and copies of all such certificates of
title issued during such calendar quarter indicating the security
interest created hereunder in the items of Equipment covered
thereby, (vi) at any reasonable time, upon request by Secured
Party, exhibit the Collateral to and allow inspection of the
Collateral by Secured Party, or persons designated by Secured
Party, and (vii) at Secured Party's request, appear in and defend
any action or proceeding that may affect Grantor's title to or
Secured Party's security interest in all or any part of the
Collateral.
(b) Grantor hereby authorizes Secured Party to file
(to the extent permitted by law) one or more financing or
continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all
or any part of the Collateral without the signature of Grantor.
Grantor agrees that a carbon, photographic or other reproduction
of this Agreement or of a financing statement signed by Grantor
shall be sufficient as a financing statement and may be filed as
a financing statement in any and all jurisdictions.
(c) Grantor will furnish to Secured Party from time to
time statements and schedules further identifying and describing
the Collateral and such other reports in connection with the
Collateral as Secured Party may reasonably request, all in
reasonable detail.
SECTION 6. Certain Covenants of Grantor. Grantor
shall:
(a) not use or permit any Collateral to be used
unlawfully or in violation of any provision of this Agreement or
any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance or any policy of
insurance covering the Collateral;
(b) notify Secured Party of any change in Grantor's
name, identity or corporate structure within 15 days after such
change;
(c) give Secured Party at least 30 days prior written
notice of any change in Grantor's chief place of business, chief
executive office or residence or the office where Grantor keeps
its records regarding the Accounts and all originals of all
chattel paper that evidence Accounts;
(d) if Secured Party gives value to enable Grantor to
acquire rights in or the use of any Collateral, use such value
for such purposes; and
(e) pay promptly when due all property and other
taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed
upon, and all claims (including claims for labor, materials and
supplies) against, the Collateral, except to the extent permitted
under the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 7. Special Covenants With Respect to
Equipment and Inventory. Grantor shall:
(a) keep the Equipment and Inventory at the places
therefor specified on Schedule IV annexed hereto or, upon at
least 30 days prior written notice to Secured Party, at such
other places in jurisdictions where all action that may be
necessary or desirable, or that Secured Party may request, in
order to perfect and protect any security interest granted or
purported to be granted hereby, or to enable Secured Party to
exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder, with
respect to such Equipment and Inventory shall have been taken;
(b) cause the Equipment to be maintained and preserved
in the same condition, repair and working order as when new,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, and in accordance with Grantor's
past practices, and shall forthwith make or cause to be made all
repairs, replacements and other improvements in connection
therewith that are necessary or desirable to such end other than
any obsolete or surplus Equipment or Equipment which is no longer
useful. Grantor shall promptly furnish to Secured Party a
statement respecting any material loss or damage to any of the
Equipment which involves loss or damage exceeding $1,000,000 in
the aggregate during any Fiscal Year;
(c) keep correct and accurate records of the
Inventory, itemizing and describing the kind, type and quantity
thereof, Grantor's cost therefor and (where applicable)
the current list prices for the Inventory; provided that nothing
in this Section 7 with respect to Inventory being sold in the
ordinary course shall require Grantor to maintain records in any
manner different from those being maintained by Grantor as of the
date hereof (as such manner may be revised in the good faith
business judgment of Grantor);
(d) promptly upon the issuance and delivery to Grantor
of any Negotiable Document of Title deliver such Negotiable
Document of Title to Secured Party; and
(e) promptly upon the issuance and delivery to Grantor
of any Negotiable Document of Title, deliver such Negotiable
Document of Title to Secured Party.
SECTION 8. Insurance.
(a) Grantor shall, at its own expense, maintain
insurance with respect to the Equipment and Inventory in
accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement. Such insurance
shall include, without limitation, property damage insurance and
liability insurance. Subject to Section 2.4(B) of the Credit
Agreement, each policy for property damage insurance shall
provide for all losses (except for losses of less than $1,000,000
per occurrence) to be paid directly to Secured Party. Each policy
shall in addition name Grantor and Secured Party as insured
parties thereunder (without any representation or warranty by or
obligation upon Secured Party) as their interests may appear and
have attached thereto a loss payable clause acceptable to Secured
Party that shall (i) contain an agreement by the insurer that any
loss thereunder shall be payable to Secured Party notwithstanding
any action, inaction or breach of representation or warranty by
Grantor, (ii) provide that there shall be no recourse against
Secured Party for payment of premiums or other amounts with
respect thereto, and (iii) provide that at least 30 days' prior
written notice of cancellation, material amendment, reduction in
scope or limits of coverage or of lapse shall be given to Secured
Party by the insurer. Grantor shall, if so requested by Secured
Party, deliver to Secured Party original or duplicate policies of
such insurance and, as often as Secured Party may reasonably
request, a report of a reputable insurance broker with respect to
such insurance. Further, Grantor shall, at the request of Secured
Party, duly execute and deliver instruments of assignment of such
insurance policies to comply with the requirements of Section
5(a) and cause the respective insurers to acknowledge notice of
such assignment.
(b) Reimbursement under any liability insurance
maintained by Grantor pursuant to this Section 8 may be paid
directly to the Person who shall have incurred liability covered
by such insurance. In case of any loss involving damage to
Equipment or Inventory when subsection (c) of this Section 8 is
not applicable and subject to the provisions of subsection
2.4B(iii)(b) of the Credit Agreement, Grantor shall make or cause
to be made the necessary repairs to or replacements of such
Equipment or Inventory, and any proceeds of insurance maintained
by Grantor pursuant to this Section 8 shall be paid to Grantor as
reimbursement for the costs of such repairs or replacements.
(c) Subject to the provisions of subsection
2.4B(iii)(b) of the Credit Agreement, upon (i) the occurrence and
during the continuation of any Event of Default or (ii) the
actual or constructive loss (in excess of $1,000,000 per
occurrence) of any Equipment
or Inventory, all insurance payments in respect of such Equipment
or Inventory shall be paid to and applied by Secured Party as
specified in Section 18.
SECTION 9. Special Covenants with respect to
Accounts and Related Contracts.
(a) Grantor shall keep its chief place of business and
chief executive office and the office where it keeps its records
concerning the Accounts and Related Contracts, and all originals
of all chattel paper that evidence Accounts, at the location
therefor specified in Section 4 or, upon at least 30 days prior
written notice to Secured Party, at such other location in a
jurisdiction where all action that may be necessary or desirable,
or that Secured Party may reasonably request, in order to perfect
and protect any security interest granted or purported to be
granted hereby, or to enable Secured Party to exercise and
enforce its rights and remedies hereunder, with respect to such
Accounts and Related Contracts shall have been taken. Subject to
the terms of the Credit Agreement, Grantor will hold and preserve
such records and chattel paper and will permit representatives of
Secured Party at any time during normal business hours to inspect
and make abstracts from such records and chattel paper, and
Grantor agrees to render to Secured Party, at Grantor's cost and
expense, such clerical and other assistance as may be reasonably
requested with regard thereto. Promptly upon the request of
Secured Party, Grantor shall deliver to Secured Party complete
and correct copies of each Related Contract.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection
(b), Grantor shall continue to collect, at its own expense, all
amounts due or to become due to Grantor under the Accounts and
Related Contracts. In connection with such collections, Grantor
may take (and, after the occurrence and during the continuation
of an Event of Default, at Secured Party's direction, shall take)
such action as Grantor or Secured Party may deem necessary or
advisable to enforce collection of amounts due or to become due
under the Accounts; provided, however, that Secured Party shall
have the right at any time, upon the occurrence and during the
continuation of an Event of Default or a Potential Event of
Default and upon written notice to Grantor of its intention to do
so, to notify the account debtors or obligors under any Accounts
of the assignment of such Accounts to Secured Party and to direct
such account debtors or obligors to make payment of all amounts
due or to become due to Grantor thereunder directly to Secured
Party, to notify each Person maintaining a lockbox or similar
arrangement to which account debtors or obligors under any
Accounts have been directed to make payment to remit all amounts
representing collections on checks and other payment items from
time to time sent to or deposited in such lockbox or other
arrangement directly to Secured Party and, upon such notification
and at the expense of Grantor, to enforce collection of any such
Accounts and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or
payment thereof, in the same manner and to the same extent as
Grantor might have done. After receipt by Grantor of the notice
from Secured Party referred to in the proviso to the preceding
sentence, (i) all amounts and proceeds (including checks and
other instruments) received by Grantor in respect of the Accounts
and the Related Contracts shall be received in trust for the
benefit of Secured Party hereunder, shall be segregated from
other funds of Grantor and shall be forthwith paid over or
delivered to Secured Party in the same form as so received (with
any necessary endorsement) to be held as cash Collateral and
either (A) be released to Grantor so long as no Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing or (B) if any Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, be applied as
provided by Section 18, and (ii) Grantor shall not adjust, settle
or compromise the amount or payment of any Account, or release
wholly or partly any account debtor or obligor thereof, or allow
any credit or discount thereon.
SECTION 10. Special Provisions With Respect to the
Assigned Agreements. Grantor shall at its expense:
(a) perform and observe all terms and provisions of
the Assigned Agreements to be performed or observed by it in all
material respects, maintain the Assigned Agreements in full force
and effect, enforce the Assigned Agreements in accordance with
their terms, and take all such action to such end as may be from
time to time requested by Secured Party; and
(b) from time to time (A) furnish to Secured Party
such information and reports regarding the Assigned Agreements as
Secured Party may reasonably request and (B) upon request of
Secured Party make to any party to the Assigned Agreements listed
in Schedule I annexed hereto such demands and requests for
information and reports or for action as Grantor is entitled to
make under the Assigned Agreements.
SECTION 11. Deposit Accounts. Upon the occurrence and
during the continuation of an Event of Default, Secured Party may
exercise dominion and control over, and refuse to permit further
withdrawals (whether of money, securities, instruments or other
property) from any deposit accounts maintained with Secured Party
constituting part of the Collateral.
SECTION 12. License of Patents, Trademarks,
Copyrights, Etc. Grantor hereby grants to Secured Party,
effective upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any
Event of Default, the nonexclusive right and license to use all
trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents or technical
processes owned or used by Grantor that relate to the Collateral
and any other collateral granted by Grantor as security for the
Secured Obligations, together with any goodwill associated
therewith, all to the extent necessary to enable Secured Party to
use, possess and realize on the Collateral and to enable any
successor or assign to enjoy the benefits of the Collateral. This
right and license shall inure to the benefit of all successors,
assigns and transferees of Secured Party and its successors,
assigns and transferees, whether by voluntary conveyance,
operation of law, assignment, transfer, foreclosure, deed in lieu
of foreclosure or otherwise. Such right and license is granted
free of charge, without requirement that any monetary payment
whatsoever be made to Grantor.
SECTION 13. Transfers and Other Liens. Grantor
shall not:
(a) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or
otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral, except as permitted
by the Credit Agreement; or
(b) except for the security interest created by this
Agreement and the Permitted Encumbrances, create or suffer to
exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral to
secure the indebtedness or other obligations of any Person.
SECTION 14. Secured Party Appointed Attorney-in-Fact.
Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Grantor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of
Grantor and in the name of Grantor, Secured Party or otherwise,
from time to time in Secured Party's discretion to take any
action and to execute any instrument that Secured Party may deem
necessary or advisable, consistent with the provisions of the
Agreement, to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement,
including without limitation:
(a) during the continuation of an Event of Default, to
obtain and adjust insurance required to be maintained by Grantor
or paid to Secured Party pursuant to Section 8;
(b) during the continuation of any Event of Default,
to ask for, demand, collect, ▇▇▇ for, recover, compound, receive
and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become
due under or in respect of any of the Collateral;
(c) to receive, endorse and collect any drafts or
other instruments, documents and chattel paper in connection with
clauses (a) and (b) above;
(d) during the continuation of any Event of Default,
to file any claims or take any action or institute any
proceedings that Secured Party may deem necessary or desirable
for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to
enforce the rights of Secured Party with respect to any of the
Collateral;
(e) during the continuation of an Event of Default, to
pay or discharge taxes or Liens (other than Liens permitted under
this Agreement or the Credit Agreement) levied or placed upon or
threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity
thereof and the amounts necessary to discharge the same to be
determined by Secured Party in its sole discretion, any such
payments made by Secured Party to become obligations of Grantor
to Secured Party, due and payable immediately without demand;
(f) during the continuation of an Event of Default, to
sign and endorse any invoices, freight or express bills, bills of
lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors,
assignments, verifications and notices in connection with
Accounts and other documents relating to the Collateral; and
(g) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
an Event of Default, generally to sell, transfer, pledge, make
any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the
Collateral as fully and completely as though Secured Party were
the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and to do, at
Secured Party's option and Grantor's expense, at any time or from
time to time, all acts and things that Secured Party deems
reasonably necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the
Collateral and Secured Party's security interest therein in order
to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and
effectively as Grantor might do.
SECTION 15. Secured Party May Perform. If Grantor
fails to perform any agreement contained herein, Secured Party
may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and
the expenses of Secured Party incurred in connection therewith
shall be payable by Grantor under Section 19.
SECTION 16. Standard of Care. The powers conferred on
Secured Party hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the
Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any
such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the
custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting
for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Secured Party shall
have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any
necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any
other rights pertaining to any Collateral. Secured Party shall be
deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and
preservation of Collateral in its possession if such Collateral
is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Secured
Party accords its own property.
SECTION 17. Remedies. If any Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, Secured Party may exercise in
respect of the Collateral, in addition to all other rights and
remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it, all
the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under the
Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction
(the "Code") (whether or not the Code applies to the affected
Collateral), and also may (a) require Grantor to, and Grantor
hereby agrees that it will at its expense and upon request of
Secured Party forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral
as directed by Secured Party and make it available to Secured
Party at a place to be designated by Secured Party that is
reasonably convenient to both parties, (b) enter onto the
property where any Collateral is located and take possession
thereof with or without judicial process, (c) prior to the
disposition of the Collateral, store, process, repair or
recondition the Collateral or otherwise prepare the Collateral
for disposition in any manner to the extent Secured Party deems
appropriate, (d) take possession of Grantor's premises or place
custodians in exclusive control thereof, remain on such premises
and use the same and any of Grantor's equipment for the purpose
of completing any work in process, taking any actions described
in the preceding clause (c) and collecting any Secured
Obligation, and (e) without notice except as specified below,
sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at
public or private sale, at any of Secured Party's offices or
elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future delivery, at such
time or times and at such price or prices and upon such other
terms as Secured Party may deem commercially reasonable. Secured
Party or any Lender may be the purchaser of any or all of the
Collateral at any such sale and Secured Party, as agent for and
representative of Lenders (but not any Lender or Lenders in its
or their respective individual capacities unless Requisite
Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing), shall be entitled, for
the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the
purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at
any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured
Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any
Collateral payable by Secured Party at such sale. Each purchaser
at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free
from any claim or right on the part of Grantor, and Grantor
hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) all
rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or
may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or
statute now existing or hereafter enacted. Grantor agrees that,
to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least
ten days' notice to Grantor of the time and place of any public
sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall
constitute reasonable notification. Secured Party shall not be
obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of
sale having been given. Secured Party may adjourn any public or
private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and
place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice,
be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.
Grantor hereby waives any
claims against Secured Party arising by reason of the fact that
the price at which any Collateral may have been sold at such a
private sale was less than the price which might have been
obtained at a public sale, even if Secured Party accepts the
first offer received and does not offer such Collateral to more
than one offeree. If the proceeds of any sale or other
disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay all the
Secured Obligations, Grantor shall be liable for the deficiency
and the fees of any attorneys employed by Secured Party to
collect such deficiency.
SECTION 18. Application of Proceeds. Except as
expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, all proceeds
received by Secured Party in respect of any sale of, collection
from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral
may, in the discretion of Secured Party, be held by Secured Party
as Collateral for, and/or then, or at any other time thereafter,
applied in full or in part by Secured Party against, the Secured
Obligations in the following order of priority:
FIRST: To the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket
costs and expenses of such sale, collection or other
realization, including reasonable compensation to
Secured Party and its agents and counsel, and all
other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, liabilities
and advances made or incurred by Secured Party in
connection therewith, and all amounts for which
Secured Party is entitled to indemnification hereunder
and all advances made by Secured Party hereunder for
the account of Grantor, and to the payment of all
costs and expenses paid or incurred by Secured Party
in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy
hereunder, all in accordance with Section 19;
SECOND: To the payment of all other Secured
Obligations in such order as Secured Party shall
elect; and
THIRD: To the payment to or upon the order of Grantor,
or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive
the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may
direct, of any surplus then remaining from such
proceeds.
SECTION 19. Indemnity and Expenses.
(a) Grantor agrees to indemnify Secured Party and each
Lender from and against any and all claims, losses and
liabilities in any way relating to, growing out of or resulting
from this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(including, without limitation, enforcement of this Agreement),
except to the extent such claims, losses or liabilities result
from Secured Party's or such Lender's gross negligence or willful
misconduct as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
(b) Grantor shall pay to Secured Party upon demand the
amount of any and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Secured Party may
incur in connection with (i) the administration of this
Agreement, (ii) the custody, preservation, use or operation of,
or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any
of the Collateral,
(iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of Secured
Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by Grantor to perform or
observe any of the provisions hereof.
SECTION 20. Continuing Security Interest; Transfer of
Loans. This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest
in the Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and effect
until the payment in full of the Secured Obligations, the
cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit,
(b) be binding upon Grantor, its successors and assigns, and (c)
inure, together with the rights and remedies of Secured Party
hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party and its permitted
successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the
provisions of subsection 10.1 of the Credit Agreement, any Lender
may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held by it to any
other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders
herein or otherwise. Upon the payment in full of all Secured
Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments
and the cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of
Credit, the security interest granted hereby shall terminate and
all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantor. Upon any
such termination Secured Party will, at Grantor's expense,
execute and deliver to Grantor such documents as Grantor shall
reasonably request to evidence such termination.
SECTION 21. Secured Party as Administrative Agent.
(a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured
Party hereunder by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the
benefits hereof, Interest Rate Exchangers. Secured Party shall be
obligated, and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands,
to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any
rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including
the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance
with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement; provided that
Secured Party shall exercise, or refrain from exercising, any
remedies provided for in Section 17 in accordance with the
instructions of (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii) after payment in
full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents, the holders of a majority of the aggregate
notional amount (or, with respect to any Lender Interest Rate
Agreement that has been terminated in accordance with its terms,
the amount then due and payable (exclusive of expenses and
similar payments but including any early termination payments
then due) under such Lender Interest Rate Agreement) under all
Lender Interest Rate Agreements (Requisite Lenders or, if
applicable, such holders being referred to herein as "Requisite
Obligees"). In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this
Section 21(a), each Interest Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of
the benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right
individually to realize upon any of the Collateral hereunder, it
being understood and agreed by such Interest Rate Exchanger that
all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by
Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate
Exchangers in accordance with the terms of this Section 21(a).
(b) Secured Party shall at all times be the same Person
that is Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement. Written
notice of resignation by Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute
notice of resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement;
removal of Administrative
Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall
also constitute removal as Secured Party under this Agreement;
and appointment of a successor Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute
appointment of a successor Secured Party under this Agreement.
Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent
under subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement by a successor
Administrative Agent, that successor Administrative Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights,
powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Secured
Party under this Agreement, and the retiring or removed Secured
Party under this Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to such
successor Secured Party all sums, securities and other items of
Collateral held hereunder, together with all records and other
documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the
performance of the duties of the successor Secured Party under
this Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor
Secured Party such amendments to financing statements, and take
such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in
connection with the assignment to such successor Secured Party of
the security interests created hereunder, whereupon such retiring
or removed Secured Party shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring or removed
Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as
Secured Party, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to
its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it
under this Agreement while it was Secured Party hereunder.
SECTION 22. Amendments; Etc. No amendment,
modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement, and no consent to any departure by Grantor therefrom,
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Secured Party and, in the case of any such
amendment or modification, by Grantor. Any such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
specific purpose for which it was given.
SECTION 23. Notices. Any notice or other communication
herein required or permitted to be given shall be given as
provided in the Credit Agreement. For the purposes hereof, the
address of each party hereto shall be as set forth under such
party's name on the signature pages hereof or, as to either
party, such other address as shall be designated by such party in
a written notice delivered to the other party hereto.
SECTION 24. Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies
Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of Secured Party in
the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall
impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a
waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other
power, right or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under
this Agreement are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any
rights or remedies otherwise available.
SECTION 25. Severability. In case any provision in or
obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of
such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not
in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 26. Headings. Section and subsection headings
in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of
reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement
for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.
SECTION 27. Governing Law; Terms. THIS AGREEMENT AND
THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE
PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES
HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED
BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, terms
used in Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the
State of New York are used herein as therein defined.
SECTION 28. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of
Process. ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST GRANTOR ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE
OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT GRANTOR
ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES,
GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF
THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON
CONVENIENS AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT
RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. Grantor
hereby agrees that service of all process in any such proceeding
in any such court may be made by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, to Grantor at its address provided in
Section 23, such service being hereby acknowledged by Grantor to
be sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action against
Grantor in any such court and to be otherwise effective and
binding service in every respect. Nothing herein shall affect the
right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or
shall limit the right of Secured Party to bring proceedings
against Grantor in the courts of any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 29. Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW, GRANTOR AND SECURED PARTY HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE
THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF
ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT. The scope of
this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all
disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the
subject matter of this transaction, including without limitation
contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all
other common law and statutory claims. Grantor and Secured Party
each acknowledge that this waiver is a material inducement for
Grantor and Secured Party to enter into a business relationship,
that Grantor and Secured Party have already relied on this waiver
in entering into this Agreement and that each will continue to
rely on this waiver in their related future dealings. Grantor and
Secured Party further warrant and represent that each has
reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel, and that each
knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following
consultation with legal counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE,
MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING,
AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. In the
event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written
consent to a trial by the court.
SECTION 30. Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple
separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so
that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.
(Remainder of page intentionally left blank)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor and Secured Party have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date
first written above.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By:
------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------
Notice Address:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., as
Administrative Agent
By:
------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------
Notice Address:
Attention:
SCHEDULE I
TO SECURITY AGREEMENT
Assigned Agreements
-------------------
SCHEDULE II
TO SECURITY AGREEMENT
Deposit Accounts
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Bank Name Location Account Number
--------- -------- --------------
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SCHEDULE III
TO SECURITY AGREEMENT
Licenses
--------
[Please list all of Grantor's licenses]
SCHEDULE IV
TO SECURITY AGREEMENT
Equipment and Inventory Location
--------------------------------
[Please list all locations where Grantor maintains equipment or
inventory]
SCHEDULE V
TO SECURITY AGREEMENT
Tradenames
----------
[Please list all tradenames of Grantor]
EXHIBIT XV
[FORM OF COMPANY COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT]
COMPANY COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT
THIS COMPANY COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT dated as of
April 21, 1998 (this "Agreement") is made by DIAMOND BRANDS
OPERATING CORP., a Delaware Corporation ("Grantor"), to ▇▇▇▇▇
FARGO BANK, N.A., as administrative agent for and representative
of (in such capacity herein called "Administrative Agent")
financial institutions ("Lenders") party to the Credit Agreement
referred to below and any Interest Rate Exchangers (as
hereinafter defined).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. Grantor, Administrative Agent and Lenders have
entered into the Credit Agreement dated as of April 21, 1998 with
DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding Inc., as Documentation Agent (said Credit
Agreement and any successor agreement, as it may be amended,
amended and restated, modified or otherwise supplemented from
time to time, being the "Credit Agreement"; the terms defined
therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as
therein defined).
B. Grantor may from time to time enter, or may from
time to time have entered, into one or more Interest Rate
Agreements (collectively, the "Lender Interest Rate Agreements")
with one ore more Lenders (in such capacity, collectively,
"Interest Rate Exchangers").
C. Grantor owns and uses in its business and will in
the future, adopt and so use various published and unpublished
works of authorship (collectively, the "Copyrights").
D. Administrative Agent, for its benefit and the
ratable benefit of Lenders, desires to become a secured creditor
with respect to and, under the circumstances described herein, an
assignee of all of the existing and future Copyrights, all
copyright registrations and applications for copyright
registration which have heretofore been or may hereafter be
issued thereon or applied for with the United States Copyright
Office and throughout the world (the "Registrations"), all common
law and other rights in and to the Copyrights throughout the
world, including all copyright licenses (the "Copyright Rights")
and all proceeds of the Copyrights, the Registrations and the
Copyright Rights, and Grantor agrees to create a secured and
protected interest in the Copyrights, the Registrations, the
Copyright Rights and all the proceeds thereof as provided herein.
E. Upon the occurrence of and during the continuance
of an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement and to permit
Administrative Agent to continue operating Grantor's business
without interruption and to use the Copyrights, Registrations and
Copyright Rights in conjunction therewith, Grantor is willing to
grant to Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable
benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers the conditional
assignment of Grantor's entire right, title and interest in and
to the Collateral (as
hereinafter defined) and to appoint Administrative Agent or
Administrative Agent's designee as Grantor's attorney-in-law and
attorney-in-fact to execute documents and take actions to confirm
said assignments.
F. The Credit Agreement requires that Grantor grant
the security interest and make the conditional assignment
contemplated by this Agreement as a condition precedent to the
availability of the credit facilities thereunder.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and
in order to induce Lenders to extend the credit facilities under
the Credit Agreement and to induce Interest Rate Exchangers to
enter into Lender Interest Rate Agreements, Grantor hereby agrees
with Administrative Agent for Administrative Agent's benefit and
the ratable benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers as
follows:
SECTION 1. Grant of Security. Grantor hereby grants a
first priority security interest in, pledges and mortgages, but
does not transfer title, to Administrative Agent for its benefit
and the ratable benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers,
all of Grantor's right, title and interest in and to the
following (the "Collateral") to secure the Secured Obligations
(as hereinafter defined):
(a) Each of the Copyrights, rights, titles and
interests in and to the Copyrights and works protectable by
copyright, which are presently, or in the future may be, owned,
created, authored (as a work for hire), acquired or used (whether
pursuant to a license or otherwise) by Grantor, in whole or in
part, and all Copyright Rights with respect thereto and all
Registrations therefor, heretofore or hereafter granted or
applied for, and all renewals and extensions thereof, throughout
the world, including all proceeds thereof (such as, by way of
example and not by limitation, license royalties and proceeds of
infringement suits), the right (but not the obligation) to renew
and extend such Copyrights, Registrations and Copyright Rights
and to register works protectable by copyright and the right (but
not the obligation) to ▇▇▇ or bring opposition or cancellation
proceedings in the name of Grantor or in the name of
Administrative Agent or Lenders or Interest Rate Exchangers for
past, present and future infringements of the Copyrights and
Copyright Rights, including, without limitation:
(i) all of Grantor's right, title and interest, to
the extent that it has the same, in and to all
copyrights or rights or interests in copyrights
registered or recorded in the United States Copyright
Office, including, without limitation, the
Registrations listed on Schedule A attached hereto,
as the same may be amended pursuant hereto from time
to time;
(ii) all of Grantor's right, title and interest, to
the extent that it has the same, in and to all
renewals and extensions of any such copyrights that
may be secured under the law now or hereafter in
force and effect; and
(iii) all of Grantor's right, title and interest, to
the extent that it has the same, to make and exploit all
derivative works based on or adopted from all works covered
by the copyrights referred to herein;
2
it being understood and agreed that the Collateral assigned
hereby shall include, without limitation, rights and interests
pursuant to licensing or other contracts in favor of Grantor
pertaining to copyrights and works protectable by copyright
presently or in the future owned or used by third-parties, but in
the case of third-parties which are not Affiliates of Grantor
only to the extent permitted by such licensing or other contracts
and, if not so permitted, only with the consent of such
third-parties;
(b) All general intangibles (as defined in Article 9
of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New
York (the "Code") relating to the Collateral; and
(c) All proceeds of any and all of the foregoing
Collateral (including, without limitation, license royalties and
proceeds of infringement suits) and, to the extent not otherwise
included, all payments under insurance (whether or not
Administrative Agent or any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger is
the loss payee thereof) or any indemnity, warranty or guaranty
payable by reason of loss or damage to or otherwise with respect
to the foregoing Collateral. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "proceeds" includes whatever is receivable or received when
Collateral or proceeds are sold, collected, exchanged or
otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or
involuntary, and includes, without limitation, all rights to
payment, including returned premiums, with respect to any
insurance relating thereto.
It is the intention of Grantor and Administrative
Agent that the security interest granted hereby shall attach to
the Collateral as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect
until the indefeasible payment in full of the Secured
Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments
and the cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letter of
Credit.
In addition to, and not by way of limitation of, the
pledge and mortgage of the Collateral set forth above, Grantor
hereby, effective upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
assigns, grants, sells, conveys, transfers and sets over to
Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of
Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers all of Grantor's rights,
title and interest in and to the Collateral as security for the
Secured Obligations.
SECURED 2. Security for Obligations. This Agreement
secures, and the Collateral is collateral security for, the
prompt payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated
maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration,
demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would
become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under
Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ss. 362(a)), of
all obligations and liabilities of every nature of Grantor now or
hereafter existing under or arising out of or in connection with
the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Lender
Interest Rate Agreements and all extensions or renewals thereof,
whether for principal, interest (including interest that, but for
the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to Grantor,
would accrue on such obligations, whether or not a claim is
allowed against Grantor for such interest in the related
bankruptcy proceeding), reimbursement of amounts drawn under
Letters of Credit, payments for early termination of Lender
Interest Rate Agreements, fees, expenses, indemnities or
otherwise, whether voluntary or involuntary,
3
direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others, and
whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and
later increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of
such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to the extent all
or any part of such payment is avoided or recovered directly or
indirectly from Secured Party or any Lender or Interest Rate
Exchanger as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise (all
such obligations and liabilities being the "Underlying Debt"),
and all obligations of every nature of Grantor now or hereafter
existing under this Agreement (all such obligations of Grantor,
together with the Underlying Debt, being the "Secured
Obligations").
SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties. Grantor
represents, warrants and covenants as follows:
(a) A true and complete list of all Registrations and
applications for Registrations owned, held (whether pursuant to a
license or otherwise) or used by Grantor, in whole or in part, in
conducting its business is set forth in Schedule A attached
hereto.
(b) Grantor has full power, authority and legal right
to pledge all of the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement and
none of Grantor's Affiliates has any right, title or interest in
any Collateral.
(c) Each of the Copyrights and Copyright Rights are
subsisting and none of the Copyrights, Registrations or Copyright
Rights have been adjudged invalid or unenforceable.
(d) Each material Copyright and each material
Copyright Right are believed to be valid and enforceable and
Grantor is not presently aware of any past, present or
prospective claim by any third party that any material Copyright
or material Copyright Right is invalid or unenforceable or of any
basis for any such claim.
(e) No claim known to Grantor has been made that the
works of any material Copyright, material Registration or
material Copyright Right does or may violate the rights of any
third person.
(f) Grantor has taken and will continue to take all
reasonable steps to protect the secrecy of all trade secrets
relating to unpublished Collateral.
(g) Except as may be prohibited by law, Grantor will
use statutory notice in connection with its use of each material
Copyright, material Registration and material Copyright Right.
(h) The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Grantor does not conflict with, result in a breach
of, constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a
default under, or require the limitation of or consent under, any
Contractual Obligation of Grantor, including, without limitation,
any agreement pursuant to which Grantor licenses or has the right
to use any Collateral.
4
(i) Grantor is the legal and beneficial owner of each
material Copyright, material Registration and material Copyright
Right, free and clear of any Lien, including, without limitation,
pledges, assignments, licenses and covenants by Grantor not to
▇▇▇ third persons, except for the Lien and conditional assignment
created by this Agreement and Permitted Liens. No effective
financing statement or other instrument similar in effect
covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in any
recording office, except such as may have been filed in favor of
Administrative Agent relating to the Credit Agreement or this
Agreement or for which duly executed termination statements have
been recorded or delivered to Administrative Agent. No effective
filing with the United States Copyright Office covering all or
any part of the Collateral is on file with the United States
Copyright Office, except such as may be filed in favor of Grantor
evidencing Grantor's right, title and interest in the Copyrights
or in favor of Administrative Agent relating to this Agreement or
for which duly executed termination statements have been
delivered to Administrative Agent.
(j) Grantor's chief executive office is located at
the address specified on the signature page to this Agreement
which address qualifies as its "location" under the Code.
(k) This Agreement will create in favor of
Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of
Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers a valid and perfected first
priority security interest in the Collateral upon making the
filings referred to in clause (l) below.
(l) Except for the filing of financing statements
with the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota under the
Code and filings with the United States Copyright Office
necessary to perfect the security interest created hereunder, no
authorization, approval or other action by, and no notice to or
filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is
required either (i) for the grant by Grantor of the security
interest granted hereby or for the execution, delivery or
performance of this Agreement by Grantor or (ii) for the
perfection of or the exercise by Administrative Agent of its
rights and remedies hereunder to the Collateral in the United
States of America.
(m) All information heretofore, herein or hereafter
supplied to Administrative Agent and Lenders by or on behalf of
Grantor with respect to the Collateral is accurate and complete
in all material respects.
SECTION 4. Inspection Rights. Subject to the terms of
the Credit Agreement, Grantor hereby grants to Administrative
Agent and any and all of its employees, representatives and
agents the right to visit Grantor's and any of its Affiliate's or
subcontractor's plants, facilities and other places of business
that are utilized in connection with the manufacture, production,
inspection, storage or sale of products and services sold or
delivered utilizing any of the Copyrights, Registrations or
Copyright Rights (or which were so utilized during the prior six
month period), and to inspect the records relating thereto upon
reasonable notice to Grantor and as often as may be reasonably
requested.
SECTION 5. New Copyrights, Registrations and
Copyright Rights. If Grantor shall obtain rights to any new works
protectable by copyright, or become entitled to the benefit of
any Registration, application for Registration or renewals or
extension of any
5
Copyright, the provisions of this Agreement shall automatically
apply thereto. With respect to any such Registration,
applications for Registration or renewal or extension of any
Copyright, Grantor shall give prompt notice thereof in writing to
Administrative Agent. Concurrently with the filing of an
application for any Registration for any Copyright, Grantor shall
execute, deliver and record in all places where this Agreement is
recorded an appropriate Copyright Security Agreement,
substantially in the form hereof, with appropriate insertions or
an amendment to this Agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to Administrative Agent, pursuant to which Grantor
shall grant a security interest and conditional assignment to the
extent of its interest in such Registration as provided herein to
Administrative Agent on its behalf and on behalf of Lenders and
Interest Rate Exchangers unless so doing would, in the reasonable
judgment of Grantor, after due inquiry, result in the grant of a
Registration in the name of Administrative Agent, in which event
Grantor shall give written notice to Administrative Agent as soon
as reasonably practicable and the filing shall instead be
undertaken as soon as practicable but in no case later than
immediately following the grant of the Registration.
SECTION 6. Copyright Registration, Renewal and Litigation.
(a) Grantor shall have the duty diligently to make
any application for Registration on any existing or future
unregistered but copyrightable works (except for works of nominal
commercial value) and to do any and all acts which are reasonably
necessary or desirable to preserve, renew and maintain all rights
in all Copyrights, Registrations and Copyright Rights which are
material to Grantor's business. Any expenses incurred in
connection therewith shall be borne solely by Grantor. Grantor
shall not abandon any Copyright, Registration or Copyright Right
which is material to Grantor's business.
(b) Except as provided in Section 9 and
notwithstanding Section 1, Grantor shall have the right and
obligation to commence and diligently prosecute in its own name,
as real party in interest, for its own benefit and at its own
expense, such suits, proceedings or other actions for
infringement or other damage as are in its reasonable business
judgment necessary to protect the Collateral. Grantor shall
provide to Administrative Agent any information with respect
thereto requested by Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent
shall provide at Grantor's expense all and necessary cooperation
in connection with any such suit, proceeding or action including,
without limitation, joining as a necessary party.
(c) Grantor shall promptly, following its becoming
aware thereof, notify Administrative Agent of the institution of,
or any adverse determination in, any proceeding in the United
States Copyright Office or any United States or foreign court
described in Section 6(a) or 6(b) or regarding Grantor's claim of
ownership in any material Copyright, material Registration or
material Copyright Right, its right to register the same, or its
right to keep and maintain such registration;
SECTION 7. Grantor's Covenants. On a continuing
basis, Grantor shall make, execute, acknowledge and deliver, and
file and record in the proper filing and recording places, all
such instruments and documents, including, without limitation,
appropriate financing and continuation statements and security
agreements, and take all such
6
action as may be necessary or advisable or may be requested by
Administrative Agent or (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii) after
payment in full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and
the other Loan Documents, the holders of a majority of the
aggregate notional amount (or, with respect to any Lender
Interest Rate Agreement that has been terminated in accordance
with its terms, the amount then due and payable (exclusive of
expenses and similar payments but including any early termination
payments then due) under such Lender Interest Rate Agreement)
under all Lender Interest Rate Agreements (Requisite Lenders or,
if applicable, such holders being referred to herein as
"Requisite Obligees") to carry out the intent and purposes of
this Agreement, or for assuring, confirming or protecting the
grant or perfection of security interest and the conditional
assignment granted or purported to be granted hereby, to ensure
Grantor's compliance with this Agreement or to enable
Administrative Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and
remedies hereunder with respect to the Collateral. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, Grantor:
(a) authorizes Administrative Agent in its sole
discretion to modify this Agreement without first obtaining
Grantor's approval of or signature to such modification by
amending Schedule A thereof to include a reference to any right,
title or interest in any existing Copyright, Registration or
Copyright Right or any Copyright, Registration or Copyright Right
acquired by Grantor after the execution hereof or to delete any
reference to any right, title or interest in any Copyright,
Registration or Copyright Right in which Grantor no longer has or
claims any right, title or interest;
(b) shall, from time to time, cause its books and
records to be marked with such legends or segregated in such
manner as Administrative Agent may reasonably specify, and take
or cause to be taken such other action and adopt such procedures
as Administrative Agent may reasonably specify to give notice of
or to perfect the security interest and assignment in the
Collateral intended to be created hereby;
(c) hereby authorizes Administrative Agent, in its
sole discretion, to file one or more financing or continuation
statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or any
portion of the Collateral without the signature of Grantor where
permitted by law;
(d) shall diligently keep reasonable records
respecting the Collateral;
(e) shall at all times keep at least one complete set
of its records concerning substantially all of the Copyrights,
Registrations and Copyright Rights at its chief executive office
as set forth above and will not change the location of its chief
executive office or such records without giving Administrative
Agent at least 30 days' prior written notice thereof;
(f) shall notify Administrative Agent promptly of any
change in Grantor's name, identity or corporate structure;
(g) shall not enter into any agreement that would or
might in any material way impair or conflict with Grantor's
obligations hereunder;
7
(h) shall use its best efforts to obtain any
necessary consents of third parties to the grant or perfection of
a security interest and assignment to Administrative Agent with
respect to the Collateral;
(i) shall not permit the inclusion in any contract to
which it becomes a party of any provision that could impair or
prevent the creation of a security interest in Grantor's rights
and interest in any property included within definitions of the
Copyrights, Copyright Registrations and Copyright Rights acquired
under such contracts;
(j) shall properly maintain and care for the Collateral;
(k) shall not grant or permit to exist any Lien in
the Collateral or any portion thereof except for Permitted Liens;
(l) upon any officer of Grantor obtaining knowledge
thereof, shall promptly notify Administrative Agent in writing of
any event that may materially adversely affect the value of the
Collateral, the ability of Grantor or Administrative Agent to
dispose of the Collateral or any portion thereof or the rights
and remedies of Administrative Agent in relation thereto
including, without limitation, the levy of any legal process
against the Collateral or any portion thereof;
(m) shall not use or permit any Collateral to be used
unlawfully or in violation of any provision of this Agreement, or
any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance or any policy of
insurance covering the Collateral;
(n) shall pay promptly when due all property and
other taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies
imposed upon, and all claims (including claims for labor,
materials and supplies) against, the Collateral, except to the
extent permitted under the Credit Agreement.
(o) shall furnish to Administrative Agent from time
to time statements and schedules further identifying and
describing the Collateral and such other materials evidencing or
reports pertaining to the Collateral as Administrative Agent may
reasonably request, all in reasonable detail;
(p) shall not do any act or omit to do any act
whereby any of the Collateral may become abandoned;
(q) shall notify Administrative Agent immediately and
in writing of any claim of infringement of any of the Collateral
by any third party and of all steps, including the commencement
and course of litigation, taken to remedy such infringement; and
(r) shall use proper statutory copyright notice with
respect to all copies or phonorecords of the works which are the
subject of the Collateral.
SECTION 8. Amounts Payable in Respect of the
Collateral. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8 and in
the Credit Agreement, Grantor shall continue to collect, at its
own expense, all amounts due or to become due to Grantor in
respect of the
8
Collateral or any portion thereof. Upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of an Event of Default, Administrative Agent is
hereby given full power and authority, on its behalf and on
behalf of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers without notice or
demand, (a) to notify any and all obligors with respect to the
Collateral or any portion thereof of the existence of the
security interest created and the conditional assignment effected
hereby and (b) to demand, take, collect, ▇▇▇ for and receive for
its own use all amounts due or to become due to Grantor in
respect of the Collateral or any portion thereof and (c) in
connection therewith, to enforce all rights and remedies with
respect to the Collateral or any portion thereof which Grantor
could enforce if this Agreement had not been made. Grantor hereby
ratifies any action which Administrative Agent shall lawfully
take to enforce Administrative Agent's rights hereunder. Whether
or not Administrative Agent shall have so notified any obligors,
Grantor shall at its expense render all reasonable assistance to
Administrative Agent in enforcing claims against such obligors.
SECTION 9. Copyright Litigation After Default. Upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
Administrative Agent shall have the right but shall in no way be
obligated to bring suit in the name of Grantor, Administrative
Agent or Lenders or Interest Rate Exchangers to enforce any
Copyright, Registration, Copyright Right and any license
thereunder, in which event Grantor shall, at the request of
Administrative Agent, do any and all lawful acts and execute any
and all documents required by Administrative Agent in aid of such
enforcement and Grantor shall promptly, upon demand, reimburse
and indemnify Administrative Agent and any other Indemnitee as
provided in Section 16 or 17 in connection with the exercise of
their rights under this Section 9. To the extent that
Administrative Agent shall elect not to bring suit to enforce any
Copyright, Registration, Copyright Rights or any license
thereunder, Grantor agrees to use all reasonable measures,
whether by action, suit, proceeding or otherwise, to prevent the
infringement of any of the Copyrights, Registrations or Copyright
Rights by others and for that purpose agrees to diligently
maintain any action, suit or proceeding against any Person so
infringing necessary to prevent such infringement.
SECTION 10. Certain Remedies. If any Event of Default
has occurred and is continuing:
(a) Administrative Agent may exercise in respect of
the Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies
provided for herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights
and remedies of a secured party on default under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the
"Code") (whether or not the Code applies to the affected
Collateral), and also may (i) require Grantor to, and Grantor
hereby agrees that it will at its expense and upon request of
Administrative Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the
Collateral as directed by Administrative Agent and make it
available to Administrative Agent at a place to be designated by
Administrative Agent that is reasonably convenient to both
parties, (ii) enter onto the property where any Collateral is
located and take possession thereof with or without judicial
process, (iii) prior to the disposition of the Collateral, store
the Collateral or otherwise prepare the Collateral for
disposition in any manner to the extent Administrative Agent
deems appropriate, (iv) take possession of Grantor's premises or
place custodians in exclusive control thereof, remain on such
premises and use the same for the purpose of taking any actions
described in the preceding clause (iii) and collecting any
9
Secured Obligation, (v) exercise any and all rights and remedies
of Grantor under or in connection with the contracts related to
the Collateral or otherwise in respect of the Collateral,
including without limitation any and all rights of Grantor to
demand or otherwise require payment of any amount under, or
performance of any provision of, such contracts, and (vi) without
notice except as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part
thereof in one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any
of Administrative Agent's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on
credit or for future delivery, at such time or times and at such
price or prices and upon such other terms as Administrative Agent
may deem commercially reasonable. Administrative Agent or any
Lender or any Interest Rate Exchanger may be the purchaser of any
or all of the Collateral at any such sale and Administrative
Agent, as administrative agent for and representative of Lenders
(but not any Lender or Lenders in its or their respective
individual capacities unless Requisite Lenders shall otherwise
agree in writing), shall be entitled, for the purpose of bidding
and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or
any portion of the Collateral sold at any such public sale, to
use and apply any of the Secured Obligations as a credit on
account of the purchase price for any Collateral payable by
Administrative Agent at such sale. Each purchaser at any such
sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free from any claim
or right on the part of Grantor, and Grantor hereby waives (to
the extent permitted by applicable law) all rights of redemption,
stay and/or appraisal which it now has or may at any time in the
future have under any rule of law or statute now existing or
hereafter enacted. Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of
sale shall be required by law, at least ten days' notice to
Grantor of the time and place of any public sale or the time
after which any private sale is to be made shall constitute
reasonable notification. Administrative Agent shall not be
obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of
sale having been given. Administrative Agent may adjourn any
public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the
time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further
notice, be made at the time and place to which it was so
adjourned. Grantor hereby waives any claims against
Administrative Agent arising by reason of the fact that the price
at which any Collateral may have been sold at such a private sale
was less than the price which might have been obtained at a
public sale, even if Administrative Agent accepts the first offer
received and does not offer such Collateral to more than one
offeree. If the proceeds of any sale or other disposition of the
Collateral are insufficient to pay all the Secured Obligations,
Grantor shall be liable for the deficiency and the fees of any
attorneys employed by Administrative Agent to collect such
deficiency.
(b) Upon the written demand of Administrative Agent,
Grantor shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent an
assignment or assignments of the Copyrights, Registrations and
Copyright Rights and such other documents as are necessary or
appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of this
Agreement; provided that the failure of Grantor to comply with
such demand will not impair or affect the validity of the
conditional assignment effected by Section 1. Grantor agrees that
such an assignment (including, without limitation, the
conditional assignment effected by Section 1) and/or recording
shall be applied to reduce the Secured Obligations outstanding
only to the extent that Administrative Agent (or any Lender or
Interest Rate Exchanger) receives cash proceeds in respect of the
sale of, or other realization upon, the Collateral.
(c) Within five Business Days of written notice from
Administrative Agent, Grantor shall make available to
Administrative Agent, to the extent within Grantor's
10
power and authority, such personnel in Grantor's employ on the
date of the Event of Default as Administrative Agent may
reasonably designate, by name, title or job responsibility, to
permit Grantor to continue, directly or indirectly, to produce,
advertise and sell the products and services sold or delivered by
Grantor under or in connection with the Copyrights, Registrations
and Copyrights, such persons to be available to perform their
prior functions on Administrative Agent's behalf and to be
compensated by Administrative Agent at Grantor's expense on a per
diem, pro-rata basis consistent with the salary and benefit
structure applicable to each as of the date of such Event of
Default.
All cash proceeds received by Administrative Agent
(or any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger) in respect of any sale
of, collection from, or other realization upon, all or any part
of the Collateral, in the discretion of Administrative Agent (at
the request of Requisite Lenders or Requisite Obligees, shall be
held by Administrative Agent as collateral for, and/or then or at
any time thereafter applied (after payment of any amounts payable
to Administrative Agent pursuant to Sections 16 and 17 hereof) in
whole or in part by Administrative Agent at the request of
Requisite Lenders or Requisite Obligees against all or any part
of the Secured Obligations in the order required after an Event
of Default as set forth in subsection 2.4D of the Credit
Agreement.
SECTION 11. Decisions Relating to Exercise of
Remedies; Amendments, Non-Disturbance Agreement etc.
Administrative Agent shall exercise, or shall refrain from
exercising, any remedy provided for in Section 10 in accordance
with the instructions of Requisite Lenders or Requisite Obligees.
No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement nor
consent to any departure by the Grantor herefrom, shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed
by the Requisite Lenders or Requisite Obligees, and then such
waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which given, except as
provided in Section 7, in which case the writing need only be
signed by Administrative Agent. If and to the extent that Grantor
is permitted to license the Collateral, at Grantor's request and
expense, Administrative Agent shall enter into a non-disturbance
agreement or other similar arrangement with Grantor and any
licensee of any Collateral permitted hereunder in form and
substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent pursuant to which
(a) Administrative Agent, on behalf of Lenders and Interest Rate
Exchangers, shall agree not to disturb or interfere with such
licensee's rights under its license agreement with Grantor so
long as such licensee is not in default thereunder and (b) such
licensee shall acknowledge and agree that the Collateral licensed
to it is subject to the security interest and conditional
assignment created in favor of Administrative Agent on its behalf
and on behalf of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers and the
other terms of this Agreement.
SECTION 12. Grantor Remains Liable. Anything herein
to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) Grantor shall remain liable
under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral to
the extent set forth therein, to perform all of its duties and
obligations thereunder to the same extent as if this Agreement
had not been executed, (b) the exercise by Administrative Agent
or any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger of any of the rights
hereunder shall not release Grantor from any of its duties or
obligations under the contracts and agreements included in the
Collateral, (c) neither Administrative Agent nor any
11
Lender nor Interest Rate Exchanger shall have any obligation or
liability under the contracts and agreements included in the
Collateral by reason of this Agreement nor shall Administrative
Agent or any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger be obligated to
perform any of the obligations or duties of Grantor thereunder or
to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment
assigned hereunder and (d) the powers conferred on Administrative
Agent and Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers hereunder are
solely to protect their interests in the Collateral and shall not
impose any duty upon Administrative Agent or any Lender or
Interest Rate Exchanger to exercise any such powers.
SECTION 13. Administrative Agent Appointed Attorney-
in-Fact. Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints Administrative Agent
Grantor's attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and
stead of Grantor and in the name of Grantor, Administrative Agent
or otherwise, from time to time in Administrative Agent's
discretion while an Event of Default exists to take any action
and to execute any instrument which Administrative Agent may deem
necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this
Agreement, including, without limitation: (a) to endorse
Grantor's name on all applications, documents, papers and
instruments necessary for Administrative Agent in the use or
maintenance of the Collateral, (b) to ask, demand, collect, ▇▇▇
for, recover, impound, receive and give acquittance and receipts
for money due and to become due under or in respect of any of the
Collateral, (c) to file any claims or take any action or
institute any proceedings that Administrative Agent may deem
necessary or desirable for the collection of any of the
Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of Administrative
Agent with respect to any of the Collateral and, upon the
occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to
execute and deliver any of the assignments or documents requested
by Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10(b) of this
Agreement, to grant or issue an exclusive or non-exclusive
license to the Collateral or any portion thereof to any Person,
or to assign, pledge, convey or otherwise transfer title in or
dispose of the Collateral to any Person. Grantor hereby ratifies
all that such attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
SECTION 14. Administrative Agent May Perform. If
Grantor fails to perform any agreement contained herein,
Administrative Agent may itself perform, or cause performance of,
such agreement, and the expenses so incurred in connection
therewith, including the fees and expenses of Administrative
Agent's counsel, shall be payable by Grantor under Section 16
hereof.
SECTION 15. Administrative Agent and Lenders Duties and
Liabilities.
(a) The powers conferred on Administrative Agent and
Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers hereunder are solely to
protect their interests in the Collateral and shall not impose
any duty upon it to exercise any such powers. Except for the safe
custody of any Collateral constituting tangible personal property
in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received
by it hereunder, neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender nor
Interest Rate Exchanger shall have any duty as to any Collateral
or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve rights
against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any
Collateral. Administrative Agent shall be deemed to exercise
reasonable care in the custody and preservation of such
Collateral if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially
equal to that which the Administrative Agent accords its own
property.
12
(b) Neither Administrative Agent nor any Lender nor
Interest Rate Exchanger shall be liable to the Grantor (i) for
any loss or damage sustained by it, or (ii) for any loss, damage,
depreciation or other diminution in the value of any of the
Collateral, that may occur as a result of, in connection with or
that is in any way related to (x) any exercise by Administrative
Agent or any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger of any right or
remedy under this Agreement or (y) any other act of or failure to
act by Administrative Agent or any Lender or Interest Rate
Exchanger, except to the extent that the same shall be determined
by a judgment of a court or competent jurisdiction that is final
and not subject to review on appeal, to be the result of acts or
omissions on the part of Administrative Agent or such Lender
constituting gross negligence or willful misconduct.
(c) NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY THE GRANTOR AGAINST
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ITS AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS,
OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, ATTORNEYS OR INTEREST RATE EXCHANGERS OR
AGENTS FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN
RESPECT OF ANY BREACH OR WRONGFUL CONDUCT (WHETHER THE CLAIM
THEREFOR IS BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR DUTY IMPOSED BY LAW) IN
CONNECTION WITH, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED AND RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED BY THIS
AGREEMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION
THEREWITH; AND THE GRANTOR HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES AND AGREES NOT
TO ▇▇▇ UPON ANY SUCH CLAIM FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT
ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS
FAVOR.
SECTION 16. Expenses. Grantor will, upon demand, pay
to Administrative Agent the amount of any and all reasonable
out-of-pocket fees and expenses, including, without limitation,
fees and disbursements of its counsel (including foreign counsel)
and of any experts and agents, that Administrative Agent may
incur in connection with (a) the administration of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, any amendments, modifications or
waivers hereto and the filing or recording of any documents), (b)
the custody, preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of,
collection from, or other realization upon, any of the
Collateral, (c) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights
of Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any Interest Rate
Exchanger hereunder, or (d) the failure by the Grantor to perform
or observe any of the provisions hereof.
SECTION 17. Indemnification. Grantor hereby agrees to
indemnify, pay and hold Administrative Agent, Lenders and
Interest Rate Exchangers and any of their officers, directors,
employees, agents and affiliates (collectively called the
"Indemnitees") harmless from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits, claims, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind and
nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the fees and
disbursements of counsel for such Indemnitees (including foreign
counsel and experts in connection with any matter, including any
investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or
threatened described in Section 6 or otherwise, whether or not
such Indemnitee shall be designated a party thereto)) which may
be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against that Indemnitee in
any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other
documents contemplated by or
13
referred to herein or the transactions contemplated hereby or the
enforcement of the terms hereof or of any such other documents
(the "indemnified liabilities"); provided, however, that Grantor
shall not be liable to an Indemnitee for any indemnified
liability to the extent arising from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of that Indemnitee. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, no Indemnitee shall have any duty to
Grantor to undertake any affirmative action in connection with
this Agreement or the Collateral and any failure by any
Indemnitee to undertake any action hereunder shall not constitute
gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee.
SECTION 18. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No
failure on the part of Administrative Agent to exercise, and no
course of dealing with respect to and no delay in exercising, any
right, power or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise by
Administrative Agent of any right, power or remedy hereunder
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other right, power or remedy. The remedies herein provided
are to the fullest extent permitted by law cumulative of any
remedies provided by law.
SECTION 19. Addresses for Notices. All notices and
other communications to any party provided for hereunder shall be
given as provided in the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 20. Continuing Security Interest and Transfer
of Loans. This Agreement shall create a continuing security
interest in the Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and
effect until the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the
cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit,
(b) be binding upon Grantor, its successors and assigns, and (c)
inure, together with the rights and remedies of Administrative
Agent hereunder, to the benefit of Administrative Agent and its
successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the
provisions of subsection 10.1 of the Credit Agreement, any Lender
may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held by it to any
other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders
herein or otherwise. Upon the payment in full of all Secured
Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments
and the cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of
Credit, the security interest granted hereby shall terminate and
all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Grantor. Upon any
such termination Administrative Agent will, at Grantor's expense,
execute and deliver to Grantor such documents as Grantor shall
reasonably request to evidence such termination and Grantor shall
be entitled to the return, upon its request and at its expense,
against receipt and without recourse to Administrative Agent, of
such of the Collateral as shall not have been sold or otherwise
applied pursuant to the terms hereof.
SECTION 21. Reassignment. If (a) an Event of Default
shall have occurred and, by reason of waiver, modification,
amendment or otherwise, no longer be continuing, (b) no other
Event of Default shall be continuing, (c) an assignment to the
Administrative Agent shall have been previously made pursuant to
Sections 1, 10(b) or Section 13 hereof, and (d) the Secured
Obligations shall not have become immediately due and payable,
upon the written request of Grantor and the written consent of
Administrative Agent or the written
14
election of Requisite Lenders or Requisite Obligees,
Administrative Agent shall promptly execute and deliver to
Grantor such assignments as may be necessary to reassign to
Grantor any rights, title and interests as may have been assigned
pursuant to Sections 1, 10(b) or 13 hereof, subject to any
disposition thereof that may have been made by Administrative
Agent pursuant hereto; provided that, after giving effect to such
reassignment, Administrative Agent's security interest and
conditional assignment granted pursuant to Section 1 hereof, as
well as all other rights and remedies of Administrative Agent
granted hereunder, shall continue to be in full force and effect;
and provided, further, that the rights, title and interests so
reassigned shall be free and clear of all Liens other than Liens
(if any) encumbering such rights, title and interest at the time
of their assignment to Administrative Agent and Permitted Liens.
SECTION 22. Waiver. Grantor hereby waives promptness,
diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect
to any of the Secured Obligations and this Agreement and any
requirement that Administrative Agent protect, secure, perfect or
insure any security interest or lien or any property subject
thereto or exhaust any right or take any action against Grantor
or any other person or entity or any of the Collateral.
SECTION 23. Governing Law; Terms; Rules of
Construction. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL
OBLIGATIONS LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CODE
PROVIDES THAT THE PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER,
OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL
ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE
OF NEW YORK. Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit
Agreement, terms used in Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform
Commercial Code in the State of New York are used herein as
therein defined. The rules of construction set forth in
subsection 1.3 of the Credit Agreement shall be applicable to
this Agreement mutatis mutandis.
SECTION 24. Severability. In case any provision in or
obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of
such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not
in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 25. Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple
separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so
that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.
15
SECTION 26. Credit Agreement Controls. In case of any
irreconcilable conflict between the provisions of this Agreement
and the Credit Agreement, the provisions of the Credit Agreement
shall control.
SECTION 27. Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of
Immunities. ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST GRANTOR
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS
HEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF
COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇.
BY EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, GRANTOR, FOR ITSELF
AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY
(I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NONEXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;
(II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;
(III) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY
REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED, TO GRANTOR AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 18;
(IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III)
ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION
OVER GRANTOR IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH
COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND
BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;
(V) AGREES THAT ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT RETAINS THE
RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED
BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST GRANTOR IN THE
COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND
(VI) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 27
RELATING TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING
AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE
UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402
OR OTHERWISE.
SECTION 28. Waiver of Jury Trial. GRANTOR AND
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE
RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON
OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT. The scope of this waiver is
intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may
be filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of
this transaction, including contract claims, tort claims, breach
of duty claims, and all other common law and statutory claims.
Grantor and Administrative Agent each acknowledge that this
waiver is a material inducement for Grantor and Administrative
Agent to enter into a
16
business relationship, that Grantor and Administrative Agent have
already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement and
that each will continue to rely on this waiver in their related
future dealings. Grantor and Administrative Agent further warrant
and represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal
counsel, and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury
trial rights following consultation with legal counsel. THIS
WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER
ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER
SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 28 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF
THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY
SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO
THIS AGREEMENT. In the event of litigation, this Agreement may be
filed as a written consent to a trial by the court.
17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused
this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.,
as Grantor
By: __________________________
Name: __________________________
Title: __________________________
Notice Address:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
By: __________________________
Name: __________________________
Title: __________________________
Notice Address:
Attention:
18
SCHEDULE A
U.S. COPYRIGHTS
Date
Copyright Reg. No. Of Issue
--------- -------- --------
19
SCHEDULE A
FOREIGN COPYRIGHT REGISTRATIONS
Date
Country Copyright Registration No. Of Issue
------- --------- ---------------- --------
20
SCHEDULE A
----------
PENDING U.S. COPYRIGHTS
Date Of
Copyright Ref. No. Application
--------- -------- -----------
21
SCHEDULE A
----------
LICENSES
22
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) SS.:
COUNTY OF ____________ )
On ___________, 19___, before me, __________,
a Notary Public in and for said State, personally appeared
__________________________________________, personally
known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory
evidence) to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are
subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me
that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their
authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their
signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity
upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the
instrument.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature ________________________________ (Seal)
23
EXHIBIT XVI
[FORM OF COMPANY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT]
COMPANY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT
This COMPANY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT (this
"Agreement") is dated as of April 21, 1998 and entered into by
and between DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., a Delaware
corporation ("Grantor" or "Company"), and ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as administrative agent for and representative of (in such
capacity herein called "Secured Party") the financial
institutions ("Lenders") party to the Credit Agreement referred
to below and any Interest Rate Exchangers (as hereinafter
defined).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. Grantor has entered into that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of April 21, 1998 with DLJ Capital Funding,
Inc., as Syndication Agent, Secured Party, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior
Funding Inc., as Documentation Agent, and Lenders (said Credit
Agreement, as it may hereafter be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, being the "Credit
Agreement"; capitalized terms defined therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined).
B. Company may from time to time enter, or may from
time to time have entered, into one or more Interest Rate
Agreements (collectively, the "Lender Interest Rate Agreements")
with or one or more Lenders (in such capacity, collectively,
"Interest Rate Exchangers").
C. Grantor owns and uses in its business, and will in
the future adopt and so use, various intangible assets, including
trademarks, service marks, designs, logos, indicia, tradenames,
corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious
business names, trade styles and/or other source and/or business
identifiers and applications pertaining thereto (collectively,
the "Trademarks").
D. Secured Party desires Grantor to assign and grant
to it a lien on and security interest in all of Grantor's
existing and future Trademarks, all registrations that have been
or may hereafter be issued or applied for thereon in the United
States and any state thereof and in foreign countries (the
"Registrations"), all common law and other rights in and to the
Trademarks in the United States and any state thereof and in
foreign countries (the "Trademark Rights"), all goodwill of
Grantor's business symbolized by the Trademarks and associated
therewith, including without limitation the documents and things
described in Section 1(b) (the "Associated Goodwill"), and all
proceeds of the Trademarks, the Registrations, the Trademark
Rights and the Associated Goodwill, and Grantor agrees to assign
and grant to Secured Party a secured and protected interest in
the Trademarks, the Registrations, the Trademark Rights, the
Associated Goodwill and all the proceeds thereof as provided
herein.
E. Pursuant to the Company Security Agreement, Grantor
has assigned and granted to Secured Party a lien on and security
interest in, among other assets, all of Grantor's equipment,
inventory, accounts and general intangibles relating to the
products and services sold or delivered under or in connection
with the Trademarks such that, upon the occurrence and during the
continuation of an Event of Default, Secured Party would be able
to exercise its remedies consistent with the Company Security
Agreement, this Agreement and applicable law to foreclose upon
Grantor's business and use the Trademarks, the Registrations and
the Trademark Rights in conjunction with the continued operation
of such business, maintaining substantially the same product and
service specifications and quality as maintained by Grantor, and
benefit from the Associated Goodwill.
F. It is a condition precedent to the initial
extensions of credit by Lenders under the Credit Agreement that
Grantor shall have assigned and granted the security interests
and undertaken the obligations contemplated by this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and
in order to induce Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of
credit under the Credit Agreement and to induce Interest Rate
Exchangers to enter into Lender Interest Rate Agreements and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy
of which are hereby acknowledged, Grantor hereby agrees with
Secured Party as follows:
SECTION 1. Assignment and Grant of Security. Grantor
hereby assigns to Secured Party, and hereby grants to Secured
Party a security interest in, all of Grantor's right, title and
interest in and to the following, in each case whether now or
hereafter existing or in which Grantor now has or hereafter
acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located (the
"Collateral"):
(a) each of the Trademarks and rights and interests in
Trademarks that are presently, or in the future may be, owned,
held (whether pursuant to a license or otherwise) or used by
Grantor, in whole or in part (including, without limitation, the
Trademarks specifically identified in Schedule A annexed hereto,
as the same may be amended pursuant hereto from time to time),
and including all Trademark Rights with respect thereto and all
federal, state and foreign Registrations therefor heretofore or
hereafter granted or applied for, the right (but not the
obligation) to register claims under any state or federal
trademark law or regulation or any trademark law or regulation of
any foreign country and to apply for, renew and extend the
Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights, the right (but
not the obligation) to ▇▇▇ or bring opposition or cancellation
proceedings in the name of Grantor or in the name of Secured
Party or otherwise for past, present and future infringements of
the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights and all rights
(but not obligations) corresponding thereto in the United States
and any foreign country, and the Associated Goodwill; it being
understood that the rights and interests included herein shall
include, without limitation, all rights and interests pursuant to
licensing or other contracts in favor of Grantor pertaining to
any Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights presently or in
the future owned, held or used by third parties but, in the case
of third parties which are not Affiliates of Grantor, only to the
extent permitted by such licensing or other contracts or
otherwise permitted by applicable law and, if not so permitted
under any such contracts and applicable law, only with the
consent of such third parties;
2
(b) the following documents and things in Grantor's
possession, or subject to Grantor's right to possession, related
to (Y) the production, sale and delivery by Grantor, or by any
Affiliate, licensee or subcontractor of Grantor, of products or
services sold or delivered by or under the authority of Grantor
in connection with the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark
Rights (which products and services shall, for purposes of this
Agreement, be deemed to include, without limitation, products and
services sold or delivered pursuant to merchandising operations
utilizing any Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights); or
(Z) any retail or other merchandising operations conducted under
the name of or in connection with the Trademarks, Registrations
or Trademark Rights by Grantor or any Affiliate, licensee or
subcontractor of Grantor:
(i) all lists and ancillary documents that
identify and describe any of Grantor's customers, or those
of its Affiliates, licensees or subcontractors, for products
sold and services delivered under or in connection with the
Trademarks or Trademark Rights, including without limitation
any lists and ancillary documents that contain a customer's
name and address, the name and address of any of its
warehouses, branches or other places of business, the
identity of the Person or Persons having the principal
responsibility on a customer's behalf for ordering products
or services of the kind supplied by Grantor, or the credit,
payment, discount, delivery or other sale terms applicable
to such customer, together with information setting forth
the total purchases, by brand, product, service, style, size
or other criteria, and the patterns of such purchases;
(ii) all product and service specification
documents and production and quality control manuals used in
the manufacture or delivery of products and services sold or
delivered under or in connection with the Trademarks or
Trademark Rights;
(iii) all documents which reveal the name and
address of any source of supply, and any terms of purchase
and delivery, for any and all materials, components and
services used in the production of products and services
sold or delivered under or in connection with the Trademarks
or Trademark Rights; and
(iv) all documents constituting or concerning the
then current or proposed advertising and promotion by
Grantor or its Affiliates, licensees or subcontractors of
products and services sold or delivered under or in
connection with the Trademarks or Trademark Rights
including, without limitation, all documents which reveal
the media used or to be used and the cost for all such
advertising conducted within the described period or planned
for such products and services;
(c) all books, records, ledger cards, files,
correspondence, computer programs, tapes, disks and related data
processing software that at any time evidence or contain
information relating to any of the Collateral or are otherwise
necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization
thereupon;
(d) to the extent not included in the foregoing
clauses (a) - (c), all general intangibles relating to the
Collateral; and
3
(e) all proceeds, products, rents and profits
(including without limitation license royalties and proceeds of
infringement suits) of or from any and all of the foregoing
Collateral and, to the extent not otherwise included, all
payments under insurance (whether or not Secured Party is the
loss payee thereof), or any indemnity, warranty or guaranty,
payable by reason of loss or damage to or otherwise with respect
to any of the foregoing Collateral. For purposes of this
Agreement, the term "proceeds" includes whatever is receivable or
received when Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged,
collected or otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is
voluntary or involuntary.
SECTION 2. Security for Obligations. This Agreement
secures, and the Collateral is collateral security for, the
prompt payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated
maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration,
demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would
become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under
Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ss.362(a)), of
all obligations and liabilities of every nature of Grantor now or
hereafter existing under or arising out of or in connection with
the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Lender
Interest Rate Agreements and all extensions or renewals thereof,
whether for principal, interest (including without limitation
interest that, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy
with respect to Grantor, would accrue on such obligations),
reimbursement of amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, payments
for early termination of Lender Interest Rate Agreements, fees,
expenses, indemnities or otherwise, whether voluntary or
involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with
others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or
extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all or
any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to
the extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or
recovered directly or indirectly from Secured Party or any Lender
or Interest Rate Exchanger as a preference, fraudulent transfer
or otherwise (all such obligations and liabilities being the
"Underlying Debt"), and all obligations of every nature of
Grantor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement (all such
obligations of Grantor, together with the Underlying Debt, being
the "Secured Obligations").
SECTION 3. Grantor Remains Liable. Anything contained
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) Grantor shall remain
liable under any contracts and agreements included in the
Collateral, to the extent set forth therein, to perform all of
its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if
this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by Secured
Party of any of its rights hereunder shall not release Grantor
from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts and
agreements included in the Collateral, and (c) Secured Party
shall not have any obligation or liability under any contracts
and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this
Agreement, nor shall Secured Party be obligated to perform any of
the obligations or duties of Grantor thereunder or to take any
action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned
hereunder.
SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties. Grantor
represents and warrants as follows:
(a) Description of Collateral. A true and complete
list of all Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights owned,
held (whether pursuant to a license or otherwise)
4
or used by Grantor, in whole or in part, as of the date of this
Agreement is set forth in Schedule A annexed hereto. Each
Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right designated on Schedule
A annexed hereto as a Material Trademark Property, each other
Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right that uses or
incorporates the name "Diamond Brands" or any other identifiers
or symbols derived from or associated with the name "Diamond
Brands" hereafter arising or otherwise owned, held or used by
Grantor, and each other Trademark, Registration or Trademark
Right hereafter arising or otherwise owned, held or used by
Grantor is referred to herein as a "Material Trademark Property".
(b) Validity and Enforceability of Collateral. Each
Material Trademark Property is valid, subsisting and enforceable.
As of the Closing Date, Grantor is not aware of any pending or
threatened claim by any third party that any Material Trademark
Property is invalid or unenforceable or that the use of any
Material Trademark Property violates the rights of any third
person or of any basis for any such claim, and there is no such
pending or, to the knowledge of Grantor, threatened claim that
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Ownership of Collateral. Except for the security
interest assigned and created by this Agreement, Grantor is the
sole legal and beneficial owner of the entire right, title and
interest in and to each Material Trademark Property, free and
clear of any Lien other than Liens of mechanics, materialmen,
attorneys and other similar liens imposed by law in the ordinary
course of business in connection with the establishment, creation
or application for Registration of any Trademarks, Registrations
or Trademark Rights for sums not yet delinquent or being
contested in good faith (such Liens being referred to herein as
"Permitted Trademark Liens"). Except such as may have been filed
in favor of Secured Party relating to this Agreement, no
effective financing statement or other instrument similar in
effect covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in
any filing or recording office, including the United States
Patent and Trademark Office.
(d) Office Locations; Other Names. The chief place of
business, the chief executive office and the office where Grantor
keeps its records regarding the Collateral is, and has been for
the four month period preceding the date hereof, located at ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇. Grantor has not in the past
done, and does not now do, business under any other name
(including any trade-name or fictitious business name).
(e) Governmental Authorizations. No authorization,
approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any
governmental authority or regulatory body is required for either
(i) the assignment and grant by Grantor of the security interest
created hereby, (ii) the execution, delivery or performance of
this Agreement by Grantor, or (iii) the perfection or exercise by
Secured Party of its rights and remedies hereunder (except as may
have been taken by or at the direction of Grantor).
(f) Perfection. This Agreement, together with the
filing of a financing statement describing the Collateral with
the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota and the
recording of this Agreement with the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, which will be made, assigns and creates a
valid, perfected and First Priority security interest in the
Collateral (subject only to Permitted Trademark Liens), securing
the payment of the Secured
5
Obligations, and all filings and other actions necessary or
desirable to perfect and protect such security interest have been
or will be duly made or taken.
(g) Other Information. All information heretofore,
herein or hereafter supplied to Secured Party by or on behalf of
Grantor with respect to the Collateral is accurate and complete
in all material respects.
SECTION 5. Further Assurances; New Trademarks,
Registrations and Trademark Rights; Certain Inspection Rights.
(a) Grantor agrees that from time to time, at the
expense of Grantor, Grantor will promptly execute and deliver all
further instruments and documents, and take all further action,
that may be necessary or desirable, or that Secured Party may
request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest
assigned or granted or purported to be assigned or granted hereby
or to enable Secured Party to exercise and enforce its rights and
remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Grantor will: (i) at
the request of Secured Party, ▇▇▇▇ conspicuously each of its
records pertaining to the Collateral with a legend, in form and
substance satisfactory to Secured Party, indicating that such
Collateral is subject to the security interest granted hereby,
(ii) execute and file such financing or continuation statements,
or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as
may be necessary or desirable, or as Secured Party may request,
in order to perfect and preserve the security interests granted
or purported to be granted hereby, (iii) use its best efforts to
obtain any necessary consents of third parties to the assignment
and perfection of a security interest to Secured Party with
respect to any Collateral, (iv) subject to the terms of the
Credit Agreement, at any reasonable time and upon request by
Secured Party, exhibit the Collateral to and allow inspection of
the Collateral by Secured Party, or persons designated by Secured
Party, and (v) at Secured Party's request, appear in and defend
any action or proceeding that may affect Grantor's title to or
Secured Party's security interest in all or any part of the
Collateral.
(b) Grantor hereby authorizes Secured Party to file
one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments
thereto, relative to all or any part of the Collateral without
the signature of Grantor. Grantor agrees that a carbon,
photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or of a
financing statement signed by Grantor shall be sufficient as a
financing statement and may be filed as a financing statement in
any and all jurisdictions.
(c) Grantor hereby authorizes Secured Party to modify
this Agreement without obtaining Grantor's approval of or
signature to such modification by amending Schedule A annexed
hereto to include reference to any right, title or interest in
any existing Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right or any
Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right acquired or developed
by Grantor after the execution hereof or to delete any reference
to any right, title or interest in any Trademark, Registration or
Trademark Right in which Grantor no longer has or claims any
right, title or interest.
(d) Grantor will furnish to Secured Party from time to
time statements and schedules further identifying and describing
the Collateral and such other reports in
6
connection with the Collateral as Secured Party may reasonably
request, all in reasonable detail.
(e) If Grantor shall obtain rights to any new
Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights, the provisions of
this Agreement shall automatically apply thereto. Grantor shall
promptly notify Secured Party in writing of any rights to any new
Trademarks or Trademark Rights acquired by Grantor after the date
hereof and of any Registrations issued or applications for
Registration made after the date hereof, which notice shall state
whether such Trademark, Registration or Trademark Right
constitutes a Material Trademark Property. Concurrently with the
filing of an application for Registration for any Trademark,
Grantor shall execute, deliver and record in all places where
this Agreement is recorded an appropriate Trademark Security
Agreement, substantially in the form hereof, with appropriate
insertions, or an amendment to this Agreement, in form and
substance satisfactory to Secured Party, pursuant to which
Grantor shall assign and grant a security interest to the extent
of its interest in such Registration as provided herein to
Secured Party unless so doing would, in the reasonable judgment
of Grantor, after due inquiry, result in the grant of a
Registration in the name of Secured Party, in which event Grantor
shall give written notice to Secured Party as soon as reasonably
practicable and the filing shall instead be undertaken as soon as
practicable but in no case later than immediately following the
grant of the Registration.
(f) Grantor hereby grants to Secured Party and its
employees, representatives and agents the right to visit
Grantor's and any of its Affiliate's or subcontractor's plants,
facilities and other places of business that are utilized in
connection with the manufacture, production, inspection, storage
or sale of products and services sold or delivered under any of
the Trademarks, Registrations or Trademark Rights (or which were
so utilized during the prior six month period), and to inspect
the quality control and all other records relating thereto upon
reasonable notice to Grantor and as often as may be reasonably
requested.
SECTION 6. Certain Covenants of Grantor. Grantor
shall:
(a) not use or permit any Collateral to be used
unlawfully or in violation of any provision of this Agreement or
any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance or any policy of
insurance covering the Collateral;
(b) notify Secured Party of any change in Grantor's
name, identity or corporate structure within 15 days of such
change;
(c) give Secured Party 30 days' prior written notice
of any change in Grantor's chief place of business or chief
executive office or the office where Grantor keeps its records
regarding the Collateral;
(d) pay promptly when due all property and other
taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed
upon, and all claims (including claims for labor, materials and
supplies) against, the Collateral, except to the extent permitted
under the Credit Agreement;
7
(e) not sell, assign (by operation of law or
otherwise) or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral, except
as permitted by the Credit Agreement;
(f) except for Permitted Trademark Liens and the
security interest assigned and created by this Agreement, not
create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of
the Collateral to secure the indebtedness or other obligations of
any Person;
(g) diligently keep reasonable records respecting the
Collateral and at all times keep at least one complete set of its
records concerning substantially all of the Trademarks,
Registrations and Trademark Rights at its chief executive office
or principal place of business;
(h) not permit the inclusion in any contract to which
it becomes a party of any provision that could or might in any
way conflict with this Agreement or impair or prevent the
assignment and creation of a security interest in Grantor's
rights and interests in any property included within the
definitions of any Trademarks, Registrations, Trademark Rights
and Associated Goodwill;
(i) take all steps necessary to protect the secrecy of
all trade secrets relating to the products and services sold or
delivered under or in connection with the Trademarks and
Trademark Rights, including without limitation entering into
confidentiality agreements with employees and labeling and
restricting access to secret information and documents;
(j) use proper statutory notice in connection with its
use of each Material Trademark Property to the extent reasonably
necessary for the protection of such Material Trademark Property;
(k) use consistent standards of high quality (which
may be consistent with Grantor's past practices) in the
manufacture, sale and delivery of products and services sold or
delivered under or in connection with the Trademarks,
Registrations and Trademark Rights, including, to the extent
applicable, in the operation and maintenance of its merchandising
operations; and
(l) upon any officer of Grantor obtaining knowledge
thereof, promptly notify Secured Party in writing of any event
that may materially and adversely affect the value of the
Collateral or any portion thereof, the ability of Grantor or
Secured Party to dispose of the Collateral or any portion
thereof, or the rights and remedies of Secured Party in relation
thereto, including without limitation the levy of any legal
process against the Collateral or any portion thereof.
SECTION 7. Amounts Payable in Respect of the
Collateral. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7,
Grantor shall continue to collect, at its own expense, all
amounts due or to become due to Grantor in respect of the
Collateral or any portion thereof. In connection with such
collections, Grantor may take (and, at Secured Party's direction,
shall take) such action as Grantor or Secured Party may deem
necessary or advisable to enforce collection of such amounts;
provided, however, that Secured Party shall have the right at any
time, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event
of Default and upon
8
written notice to Grantor of its intention to do so, to notify
the obligors with respect to any such amounts of the existence of
the security interest assigned and created hereby, and to direct
such obligors to make payment of all such amounts directly to
Secured Party, and, upon such notification and at the expense of
Grantor, to enforce collection of any such amounts and to adjust,
settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in the same
manner and to the same extent as Grantor might have done. After
receipt by Grantor of the notice from Secured Party referred to
in the proviso to the preceding sentence, (i) all amounts and
proceeds (including checks and other instruments) received by
Grantor in respect of amounts due to Grantor in respect of the
Collateral or any portion thereof shall be received in trust for
the benefit of Secured Party hereunder, shall be segregated from
other funds of Grantor and shall be forthwith paid over or
delivered to Secured Party in the same form as so received (with
any necessary endorsement) to be held as cash Collateral and
applied as provided by Section 14, and (ii) Grantor shall not
adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment of any such
amount or release wholly or partly any obligor with respect
thereto or allow any credit or discount thereon.
SECTION 8. Trademark Applications and Litigation.
(a) Grantor shall have the duty diligently to
prosecute any trademark application relating to any Material
Trademark Property that is pending as of the date of this
Agreement, to make federal application on any existing or future
registerable but unregistered Material Trademark Property
(whenever it is commercially reasonable in the reasonable
judgment of Grantor to do so), and to file and prosecute
opposition and cancellation proceedings, renew Registrations and
do any and all acts which are necessary or desirable to preserve
and maintain all rights in all Material Trademark Properties. Any
expenses incurred in connection therewith shall be borne solely
by Grantor. Grantor shall not abandon any Material Trademark
Property.
(b) Except as provided in Section 8(d), Grantor shall
have the right to commence and prosecute in its own name, as real
party in interest, for its own benefit and at its own expense,
such suits, proceedings or other actions for infringement, unfair
competition, dilution or other damage as are in its reasonable
business judgment necessary to protect the Collateral. Secured
Party shall provide, at Grantor's expense, all reasonable and
necessary cooperation in connection with any such suit,
proceeding or action including, without limitation, joining as a
necessary party.
(c) Grantor shall promptly, following its becoming
aware thereof, notify Secured Party of the institution of, or of
any adverse determination in, any proceeding (whether in the
United States Patent and Trademark Office or any federal, state,
local or foreign court) described in Section 8(a) or 8(b) or
regarding Grantor's claim of ownership in or right to use any
material Trademark, material Registration or material Trademark
Right, its right to register the same, or its right to keep and
maintain such Registration. Grantor shall provide to Secured
Party any information with respect thereto requested by Secured
Party.
(d) Anything contained herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, upon the occurrence and during the continuation
of an Event of Default, Secured Party shall have the right (but
not the obligation) to bring suit, in the name of Grantor,
Secured Party or otherwise,
9
to enforce any Trademark, Registration, Trademark Right,
Associated Goodwill and any license thereunder, in which event
Grantor shall, at the request of Secured Party, do any and all
lawful acts and execute any and all documents required by Secured
Party in aid of such enforcement and Grantor shall promptly, upon
demand, reimburse and indemnify Secured Party as provided in
Section 15 in connection with the exercise of its rights under
this Section 8. To the extent that Secured Party shall elect not
to bring suit to enforce any Trademark, Registration, Trademark
Right, Associated Goodwill or any license thereunder as provided
in this Section 8(d), Grantor agrees to use all reasonable
measures, whether by action, suit, proceeding or otherwise, to
prevent the infringement of any of the Trademarks, Registrations,
Trademark Rights or Associated Goodwill by others and for that
purpose agrees to diligently maintain any action, suit or
proceeding against any Person so infringing necessary to prevent
such infringement.
SECTION 9. Non-Disturbance Agreements, etc. If and to
the extent that Grantor is permitted to license the Collateral,
Secured Party shall enter into a non-disturbance agreement or
other similar arrangement, at Grantor's request and expense, with
Grantor and any licensee of any Collateral permitted hereunder in
form and substance satisfactory to Secured Party pursuant to
which (a) Secured Party shall agree not to disturb or interfere
with such licensee's rights under its license agreement with
Grantor so long as such licensee is not in default thereunder and
(b) such licensee shall acknowledge and agree that the Collateral
licensed to it is subject to the security interest assigned and
created in favor of Secured Party and the other terms of this
Agreement.
SECTION 10. Secured Party Appointed Attorney-in-Fact.
Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Grantor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of
Grantor and in the name of Grantor, Secured Party or otherwise,
from time to time in Secured Party's discretion to take any
action and to execute any instrument that Secured Party may deem
necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this
Agreement, including without limitation:
(a) while an Event of Default exists, to endorse
Grantor's name on all applications, documents, papers and
instruments necessary for Secured Party in the use or maintenance
of the Collateral;
(b) while an Event of Default exists, to ask for,
demand, collect, ▇▇▇ for, recover, compound, receive and give
acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under
or in respect of any of the Collateral;
(c) while an Event of Default exists, to receive,
endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents
and chattel paper in connection with clause (b) above;
(d) while an Event of Default exists, to file any
claims or take any action or institute any proceedings that
Secured Party may deem necessary or desirable for the collection
of any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of
Secured Party with respect to any of the Collateral;
10
(e) while an Event of Default exists, to pay or
discharge taxes or Liens (other than Liens permitted under this
Agreement or the Credit Agreement) levied or placed upon or
threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity
thereof and the amounts necessary to discharge the same to be
determined by Secured Party in its sole discretion, any such
payments made by Secured Party to become obligations of Grantor
to Secured Party, due and payable immediately without demand; and
(f) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
an Event of Default, (i) to execute and deliver any of the
assignments or documents requested by Secured Party pursuant to
Section 13(b), (ii) to grant or issue an exclusive or
non-exclusive license to the Collateral or any portion thereof to
any Person, and (iii) otherwise generally to sell, transfer,
pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with
any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though Secured
Party were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and to
do, at Secured Party's option and Grantor's expense, at any time
or from time to time, all acts and things that Secured Party
deems necessary to protect, preserve or realize upon the
Collateral and Secured Party's security interest therein in order
to effect the intent of this Agreement, all as fully and
effectively as Grantor might do.
SECTION 11. Secured Party May Perform. If Grantor
fails to perform any agreement contained herein, Secured Party
may itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and
the expenses of Secured Party incurred in connection therewith
shall be payable by Grantor under Section 15.
SECTION 12. Standard of Care. The powers conferred on
Secured Party hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the
Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any
such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the
custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting
for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Secured Party shall
have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any
necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any
other rights pertaining to any Collateral. Secured Party shall be
deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and
preservation of Collateral in its possession if such Collateral
is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which Secured
Party accords its own property.
SECTION 13. Remedies. If any Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing:
(a) Secured Party may exercise in respect of the
Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies provided
for herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and
remedies of a secured party on default under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the
"Code") (whether or not the Code applies to the affected
Collateral), and also may (i) require Grantor to, and Grantor
hereby agrees that it will at its expense and upon request of
Secured Party forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral
as directed by Secured Party and make it available to Secured
Party at a place to be designated by Secured Party that is
reasonably convenient to both parties, (ii) enter onto the
property where any Collateral is located and take possession
thereof with or without judicial process, (iii) prior to the
disposition of the Collateral, store the Collateral or otherwise
prepare the Collateral for disposition in any manner to the
extent Secured Party deems appropriate,
11
(iv) take possession of Grantor's premises or place custodians in
exclusive control thereof, remain on such premises and use the
same for the purpose of taking any actions described in the
preceding clause (iii) and collecting any Secured Obligation, (v)
exercise any and all rights and remedies of Grantor under or in
connection with the contracts related to the Collateral or
otherwise in respect of the Collateral, including without
limitation any and all rights of Grantor to demand or otherwise
require payment of any amount under, or performance of any
provision of, such contracts, and (vi) without notice except as
specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in one
or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of Secured
Party's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future
delivery, at such time or times and at such price or prices and
upon such other terms as Secured Party may deem commercially
reasonable. Secured Party or any Lender or Interest Rate
Exchanger may be the purchaser of any or all of the Collateral at
any such sale and Secured Party, as administrative agent for and
representative of Lenders (but not any Lender or Lenders in its
or their respective individual capacities unless Requisite
Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing), shall be entitled, for
the purpose of bidding and making settlement or payment of the
purchase price for all or any portion of the Collateral sold at
any such public sale, to use and apply any of the Secured
Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase price for any
Collateral payable by Secured Party at such sale. Each purchaser
at any such sale shall hold the property sold absolutely free
from any claim or right on the part of Grantor, and Grantor
hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) all
rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now has or
may at any time in the future have under any rule of law or
statute now existing or hereafter enacted. Grantor agrees that,
to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least
ten days' notice to Grantor of the time and place of any public
sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall
constitute reasonable notification. Secured Party shall not be
obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of
sale having been given. Secured Party may adjourn any public or
private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and
place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice,
be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.
Grantor hereby waives any claims against Secured Party arising by
reason of the fact that the price at which any Collateral may
have been sold at such a private sale was less than the price
which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if Secured
Party accepts the first offer received and does not offer such
Collateral to more than one offeree. If the proceeds of any sale
or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay
all the Secured Obligations, Grantor shall be liable for the
deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed by Secured
Party to collect such deficiency.
(b) Upon written demand from Secured Party, Grantor
shall execute and deliver to Secured Party an assignment or
assignments of the Trademarks, Registrations, Trademark Rights
and the Associated Goodwill and such other documents as are
requested by Secured Party. Grantor agrees that such an
assignment and/or recording shall be applied to reduce the
Secured Obligations outstanding only to the extent that Secured
Party (or any Lender or Interest Rate Exchanger) receives cash
proceeds in respect of the sale of, or other realization upon,
the Collateral.
(c) Within five Business Days after written notice
from Secured Party, Grantor shall make available to Secured
Party, to the extent within Grantor's power and authority, such
personnel in Grantor's employ on the date of such Event of
Default as
12
Secured Party may reasonably designate, by name, title or job
responsibility, to permit Grantor to continue, directly or
indirectly, to produce, advertise and sell the products and
services sold or delivered by Grantor under or in connection with
the Trademarks, Registrations and Trademark Rights, such persons
to be available to perform their prior functions on Secured
Party's behalf and to be compensated by Secured Party at
Grantor's expense on a per diem, pro-rata basis consistent with
the salary and benefit structure applicable to each as of the
date of such Event of Default.
SECTION 14. Application of Proceeds. All proceeds
received by Secured Party in respect of any sale of, collection
from, or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral
shall be applied as provided in subsection 2.4D of the Credit
Agreement.
SECTION 15. Indemnity and Expenses.
(a) Grantor agrees to indemnify Secured Party and each
Lender and each Interest Rate Exchanger from and against any and
all claims, losses and liabilities in any way relating to,
growing out of or resulting from this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation,
enforcement of this Agreement), except to the extent such claims,
losses or liabilities result solely from Secured Party's or such
Lender's or such Interest Rate Exchanger's gross negligence or
willful misconduct as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
(b) Grantor shall pay to Secured Party upon demand the
amount of any and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Secured Party may
incur in connection with (i) the administration of this
Agreement, (ii) the custody, preservation, use or operation of,
or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any
of the Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of
the rights of Secured Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by
Grantor to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.
SECTION 16. Continuing Security Interest; Transfer of
Loans. This Agreement shall assign and create a continuing
security interest in the Collateral and shall (a) remain in full
force and effect until the payment in full of the Secured
Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments
and the cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of
Credit, (b) be binding upon Grantor, its successors and assigns,
and (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of Secured
Party hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party and its
successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the
provisions of subsection 10.1 of the Credit Agreement, any Lender
may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held by it to any
other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders
herein or otherwise. Upon the payment in full of all Secured
Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments
and the cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of
Credit, the security interest assigned and granted hereby shall
terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to
Grantor. Upon any such termination Secured Party will, at
Grantor's expense, execute and deliver to Grantor such documents
as Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.
13
SECTION 17. Secured Party as Administrative Agent.
(a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured
Party hereunder by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the
benefits hereof, Interest Rate Exchangers. Secured Party shall be
obligated, and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands,
to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any
rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including
the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance
with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement; provided that
Secured Party shall exercise, or refrain from exercising, any
remedies provided for in Section 11 in accordance with the
instructions of (i) Requisite Lenders or (ii) after payment in
full of all Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents, the holders of a majority of the aggregate
notional amount (or, with respect to any Lender Interest Rate
Agreement that has been terminated in accordance with its terms,
the amount then due and payable (exclusive of expenses and
similar payments but including any early termination payments
then due) under such Lender Interest Rate Agreement) under all
Lender Interest Rate Agreements (Requisite Lenders or, if
applicable, such holders being referred to herein as "Requisite
Obligees"). In furtherance of the foregoing provisions of this
Section 17(a), each Interest Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of
the benefits hereof, agrees that it shall have no right
individually to realize upon any of the Collateral hereunder, it
being understood and agreed by such Interest Rate Exchanger that
all rights and remedies hereunder may be exercised solely by
Secured Party for the benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate
Exchangers in accordance with the terms of this Section 17(a).
(b) Secured Party shall at all times be the same
Person that is Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement.
Written notice of resignation by Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute
notice of resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement;
removal of Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the
Credit Agreement shall also constitute removal as Secured Party
under this Agreement; and appointment of a successor
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit
Agreement shall also constitute appointment of a successor
Secured Party under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Administrative Agent under subsection 9.5 of the
Credit Agreement by a successor Administrative Agent, that
successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and
become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring or removed Secured Party under this Agreement,
and the retiring or removed Secured Party under this Agreement
shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Secured Party all
sums, securities and other items of Collateral held hereunder,
together with all records and other documents necessary or
appropriate in connection with the performance of the duties of
the successor Secured Party under this Agreement, and (ii)
execute and deliver to such successor Secured Party such
amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions,
as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with the
assignment to such successor Secured Party of the security
interests created hereunder, whereupon such retiring or removed
Secured Party shall be discharged from its duties and obligations
under this Agreement. After any retiring or removed
Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as
Secured Party, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to
its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it
under this Agreement while it was Secured Party hereunder.
14
SECTION 18. Amendments; Etc. No amendment,
modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement, and no consent to any departure by Grantor therefrom,
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Secured Party and, in the case of any such
amendment or modification, by Grantor. Any such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
specific purpose for which it was given.
SECTION 19. Notices. Any notice or other communication
herein required or permitted to be given shall be given as
provided in the Credit Agreement. For the purposes hereof, the
address of each party hereto shall be as set forth under such
party's name on the signature pages hereof or, as to either
party, such other address as shall be designated by such party in
a written notice delivered to the other party hereto.
SECTION 20. Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies
Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of Secured Party in
the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall
impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a
waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other
power, right or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under
this Agreement are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any
rights or remedies otherwise available.
SECTION 21. Severability. In case any provision in or
obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of
such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not
in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 22. Headings. Section and subsection headings
in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of
reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement
for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.
SECTION 23. Governing Law; Terms. THIS AGREEMENT AND
THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE
PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES
HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED
BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, terms
used in Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the
State of New York are used herein as therein defined.
SECTION 24. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of
Process. ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST GRANTOR ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS
HEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF
COMPETENT JURISDICTION
15
IN THE STATE, COUNTY AND CITY OF NEW YORK. BY EXECUTING AND
DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, GRANTOR, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION
WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY
(I) ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE
NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;
(II) WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;
(III) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH
PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED
OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, TO
GRANTOR AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 19;
(IV) AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III)
ABOVE IS SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION
OVER GRANTOR IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT,
AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND BINDING
SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;
(V) AGREES THAT SECURED PARTY RETAINS THE RIGHT TO
SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR
TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST GRANTOR IN THE COURTS OF
ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND
(VI) AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 24
RELATING TO JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING
AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMISSIBLE
UNDER NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW SECTION 5-1402
OR OTHERWISE.
SECTION 25. Waiver of Jury Trial. GRANTOR AND SECURED
PARTY HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY
TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT
OF THIS AGREEMENT. The scope of this waiver is intended to be
all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction,
including without limitation contract claims, tort claims, breach
of duty claims, and all other common law and statutory claims.
Grantor and Secured Party each acknowledge that this waiver is a
material inducement for Grantor and Secured Party to enter into a
business relationship, that Grantor and Secured Party have
already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement and
that each will continue to rely on this waiver in their related
future dealings. Grantor and Secured Party further warrant and
represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal
counsel, and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury
trial rights following consultation with legal counsel. THIS
WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER
ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER
SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO
16
THIS SECTION 25 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO), AND
THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS,
SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. In the event of
litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a
trial by the court.
SECTION 26. Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple
separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so
that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Grantor and Secured Party have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date
first written above.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.,
as Grantor
By: __________________________
Name: _________________________
Title: ________________________
Notice Address:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
By: ___________________________
Name: _________________________
Title: ________________________
Notice Address:
Attention:
18
SCHEDULE A
TO
TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT
United States
Registered Trademark Registration Registration
Owner Description Number Date
---------- ------------- ------------ ------------
19
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) SS.:
COUNTY OF ____________ )
On ________, 19___, before me, ________, a Notary
Public in and for said State, personally appeared
__________________________________________, personally
known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory
evidence) to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are
subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me
that he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their
authorized capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their
signature(s) on the instrument the person(s), or the entity
upon behalf of which the person(s) acted, executed the
instrument.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature ________________________________ (Seal)
20
EXHIBIT XVII
[FORM OF COMPANY PATENT COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]
COMPANY PATENT COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT
AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
This COMPANY PATENT COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT AND SECURITY
AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is dated as of April 21, 1998 and
entered into by and between DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., a
Delaware corporation ("Assignor"), and ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., as
administrative agent for and representative of (in such capacity
herein called "Assignee") the financial institutions ("Lenders")
party to the Credit Agreement referred to below and any Interest
Rate Exchangers (as hereinafter defined).
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. Assignee and Lenders have entered into a Credit
Agreement dated as of April 21, 1998 with DLJ Capital Funding,
Inc., as Syndication Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding
Inc., as Documentation Agent (said Credit Agreement, as it may
hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time, being the "Credit Agreement", the terms defined
therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as
therein defined) with Assignor ("Company"), pursuant to which
Lenders have made certain commitments, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, to extend certain
credit facilities to Company.
B. Company may from time to time enter, or may from
time to time have entered, into one or more Interest Rate
Agreements (collectively, the "Lender Interest Rate Agreements")
with one or more Lenders (in such capacity, collectively,
"Interest Rate Exchangers").
C. Assignor has and may in the future have rights,
title and interests in and to various Patents and other related
Collateral (as such terms are hereinafter defined).
D. Assignor is willing to grant to Assignee (i) a
security interest in all such Collateral for the purpose of
securing the complete and timely satisfaction of all of the
Secured Obligations (as hereinafter defined) and (ii) effective
upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of
Default, an assignment of Assignor's entire rights, title and
interest in and to all such Collateral.
E. It is a condition precedent to the initial
extensions of credit by Lenders under the Credit Agreement that
Assignor shall have granted the security interests and made the
conditional assignment and undertaken the obligations
contemplated by this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and
in order to induce Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of
credit under the Credit Agreement and to induce Interest Rate
Exchangers to enter into Lender Interest Rate Agreements and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy
of which are hereby acknowledged, Assignor hereby agrees with
Assignee as follows:
SECTION 1. Grant of Security. Assignor hereby assigns
to Assignee, and hereby grants to Assignee a security interest
in, all of Assignor's right, title and interest in and to the
following, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in
which Assignor now has or hereafter acquires an interest and
wherever the same may be located (the "Collateral"):
(a) all patents and patent applications and rights and
interests in patents and patent applications under any domestic
law that are presently, or in the future may be, owned by
Assignor and all patents and patent applications and rights and
interests in patents and patent applications under any domestic
law that are presently, or in the future may be, held or used by
Assignor in whole or in part (including, without limitation, the
patents and patent applications listed in Schedule A annexed
hereto, as the same may be amended pursuant hereto from time to
time), all rights (but not obligations) corresponding thereto
(including without limitation the right (but not the obligation)
to ▇▇▇ for past, present and future infringements in the name of
Assignor or in the name of Assignee or Lenders or Interest Rate
Exchangers), and all re-issues, divisions, continuations,
renewals, extensions and continuations-in-part thereof (all of
the foregoing being collectively referred to as the "Patents");
it being understood that the rights and interest assigned hereby
shall include, without limitation, all rights and interests
pursuant to licensing or other contracts in favor of Assignor
pertaining to patent applications and patents presently or in the
future owned or used by third parties but, in the case of third
parties which are not Affiliates of Assignor, only to the extent
permitted by such licensing or other contracts and, if not so
permitted, only with the consent of such third parties;
(b) all general intangibles relating to the Patents;
(c) all books, records, ledger cards, files,
correspondence, computer programs, tapes, disks and related data
processing software that at any time evidence or contain
information relating to any of the Collateral or are otherwise
necessary or helpful in the collection thereof or realization
thereupon; and
(d) all proceeds, products, rents and profits
(including without limitation license royalties and proceeds of
infringement suits) of or from any and all of the foregoing
Collateral and, to the extent not otherwise included, all
payments under insurance (whether or not Assignee is the loss
payee thereof), or any indemnity, warranty or guaranty, payable
by reason of loss or damage to or otherwise with respect to any
of the foregoing Collateral. For purposes of this Agreement, the
term "proceeds" includes whatever is receivable or received when
Collateral or proceeds are sold, exchanged, collected or
otherwise disposed of, whether such disposition is voluntary or
involuntary.
SECTION 2. Conditional Assignment. In addition to, and
not by way of limitation of, the granting of a security interest
in the Collateral pursuant to Section 1, Assignor hereby,
effective upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and upon
written notice from Assignee, grants, sells, conveys, transfers,
assigns and sets over to Assignee, for its benefit and the
ratable benefit of Lenders and Interest Rate Exchangers, all of
Assignor's right, title and interest in and to the Collateral,
including without limitation Assignor's right, title and interest
in and to the Patents identified in Schedule A annexed hereto.
2
SECTION 3. Security for Obligations. This Agreement
secures, and the Collateral is collateral security for, the
prompt payment or performance in full when due, whether at stated
maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration,
demand or otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would
become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under
Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ss.362(a)), of
all obligations and liabilities of every nature of Company now or
hereafter existing under or arising out of or in connection with
the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Lender
Interest Rate Agreements and all extensions or renewals thereof,
whether for principal, interest (including without limitation
interest that, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy
with respect to Company, would accrue on such obligations),
reimbursement of amounts drawn under Letters of Credit, payments
for early termination of Lender Interest Rate Agreements, fees,
expenses, indemnities or otherwise, whether voluntary or
involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent,
liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with
others, and whether or not from time to time decreased or
extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all or
any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid, to
the extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or
recovered directly or indirectly from Assignee or any Lender or
Interest Rate Exchanger as a preference, fraudulent transfer or
otherwise (all such obligations and liabilities being the
"Underlying Debt"), and all obligations of every nature of
Assignor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement (all such
obligations of Assignor, together with the Underlying Debt, being
the "Secured Obligations").
SECTION 4. Assignor Remains Liable. Anything contained
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) Assignor shall remain
liable under any contracts and agreements included in the
Collateral, to the extent set forth therein, to perform all of
its duties and obligations thereunder to the same extent as if
this Agreement had not been executed, (b) the exercise by
Assignee of any of its rights hereunder shall not release
Assignor from any of its duties or obligations under the
contracts and agreements included in the Collateral, and (c)
Assignee shall not have any obligation or liability under any
contracts and agreements included in the Collateral by reason of
this Agreement, nor shall Assignee be obligated to perform any of
the obligations or duties of Assignor thereunder or to take any
action to collect or enforce any claim for payment assigned
hereunder.
SECTION 5. Representations and Warranties. Assignor
represents and warrants as follows:
(a) Description of Collateral. A true and complete
list of all Patents owned, held (whether pursuant to a license or
otherwise) or used by Assignor, in whole or in part, as of the
date of this Agreement is set forth in Schedule A annexed hereto.
(b) Validity and Enforceability of Collateral. Each
Patent that is material to Assignor's business is valid,
subsisting and enforceable and Assignor is not aware of any
pending or threatened claim by any third party that any such
material Patent is invalid or unenforceable or that the use of
any such material Patent violates the rights of any third person
or of any basis for any such claim.
3
(c) Ownership of Collateral. Except for the security
interest and conditional assignment created by this Agreement,
Assignor owns each material Patent free and clear of any Lien.
Except such as may have been filed in favor of Assignee relating
to this Agreement and of Foothill Capital Corporation (a release
of which has been delivered to Administrative Agent), (i) no
effective financing statement or other instrument similar in
effect covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in
any filing or recording office and (ii) no effective filing
covering all or any part of the Collateral is on file in the
United States Patent and Trademark Office.
(d) Office Locations; Other Names. The chief place of
business, the chief executive office and the office where
Assignor keeps its records regarding the Collateral is, and has
been for the four month period preceding the date hereof, located
at ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇. Assignor has not in
the past done, and does not now do, business under any other name
(including any trade-name or fictitious business name).
(e) Governmental Authorizations. No authorization,
approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any
governmental authority or regulatory body is required for either
(i) the grant by Assignor of the security interest and
conditional assignment granted hereby, (ii) the execution,
delivery or performance of this Agreement by Assignor, or (iii)
the perfection of or the exercise by Assignee of its rights and
remedies hereunder (except as may have been taken by or at the
direction of Assignor).
(f) Perfection. This Agreement, together with the
filing of a financing statement describing the Collateral with
the Secretary of State of the State of Minnesota and the
recording of this Agreement with the United States Patent and
Trademark Office, which will be made, creates a valid, perfected
and first priority security interest in the Collateral, securing
the payment of the Secured Obligations, and all filings and other
actions necessary or desirable to perfect and protect such
security interest have been or will be duly made or taken.
(g) Other Information. All information heretofore,
herein or hereafter supplied to Assignee by or on behalf of
Assignor with respect to the Collateral is accurate and complete
in all material respects.
SECTION 6. Further Assurances; New Patents and
Patent Applications.
(a) Assignor agrees that from time to time, at the
expense of Assignor, Assignor will promptly execute and deliver
all further instruments and documents, and take all further
action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that Assignee may
request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest or
conditional assignment granted or purported to be granted hereby
or to enable Assignee to exercise and enforce its rights and
remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, Assignor will: (i) at
the request of Assignee, ▇▇▇▇ conspicuously each of its records
pertaining to the Collateral with a legend, in form and substance
satisfactory to Assignee, indicating that such Collateral is
subject to the security interest granted hereby, (ii) execute and
file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments
thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may be
necessary or desirable, or as Assignee may request, in order
4
to perfect and preserve the security interests granted or
purported to be granted hereby, (iii) use its best efforts to
obtain any necessary consents of third parties to the grant and
perfection of a security interest and assignment to Assignee with
respect to any Collateral, (iv) subject to the terms of the
Credit Agreement, at any reasonable time and upon request by
Assignee, exhibit the Collateral to and allow inspection of the
Collateral by Assignee, or persons designated by Assignee, and
(v) at Assignee's request, appear in and defend any action or
proceeding that may affect Assignor's title to or Assignee's
security interest in all or any part of the Collateral.
(b) Assignor hereby authorizes Assignee to file one or
more financing or continuation statements, and amendments
thereto, relative to all or any part of the Collateral without
the signature of Assignor. Assignor agrees that a carbon,
photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or of a
financing statement signed by Assignor shall be sufficient as a
financing statement and may be filed as a financing statement in
any and all jurisdictions.
(c) Assignor hereby authorizes Assignee to modify this
Agreement without obtaining Assignor's approval of or signature
to such modification by amending Schedule A annexed hereto to
include reference to any right, title or interest in any existing
Patent or any Patent acquired or developed by Assignor after the
execution hereof or to delete any reference to any right, title
or interest in any Patent in which Assignor no longer has or
claims any right, title or interest.
(d) Assignor will furnish to Assignee from time to
time statements and schedules further identifying and describing
the Collateral and such other reports in connection with the
Collateral as Assignee may reasonably request, all in reasonable
detail.
(e) If Assignor shall hereafter obtain rights to any
patentable inventions, or become entitled to the benefit of any
patent application or patent or any reissue, division,
continuation, renewal, extension, or continuation-in-part of any
Patent or any improvement on any Patent, the provisions of this
Agreement shall automatically apply thereto. Assignor shall
promptly notify Assignee in writing of any of the foregoing
rights or benefits acquired by Assignor after the date hereof.
Concurrently with the filing of an application for any Patent,
Assignor shall execute, deliver and record in all places where
this Agreement is recorded an appropriate Company Patent
Collateral Assignment and Security Agreement, substantially in
the form hereof, with appropriate insertions, or an amendment to
this Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to Assignee,
pursuant to which Assignor shall grant a security interest and
conditional assignment to the extent of its interest in such
Patent as provided herein to Assignee unless so doing would, in
the reasonable judgment of Assignor, after due inquiry, result in
the grant of a patent in the name of Assignee, in which event
Assignor shall give written notice to Assignee as soon as
reasonably practicable and the filing shall instead be undertaken
as soon as practicable but in no case later than immediately
following the grant of the Patent.
SECTION 7. Certain Covenants of Assignor. Assignor
shall:
5
(a) not use or permit any Collateral to be used
unlawfully or in violation of any provision of this Agreement or
any applicable statute, regulation or ordinance or any policy of
insurance covering the Collateral;
(b) notify Assignee of any change in Assignor's name,
identity or corporate structure within 15 days of such change;
(c) give Assignee 30 days' prior written notice of any
change in Assignor's chief place of business or chief executive
office or the office where Assignor keeps its records regarding
the Collateral;
(d) pay promptly when due all property and other
taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed
upon, and all claims (including claims for labor, materials and
supplies) against, the Collateral, except to the extent permitted
under the Credit Agreement;
(e) not sell, assign (by operation of law or
otherwise) or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral, except
as permitted by the Credit Agreement;
(f) except for the security interest and conditional
assignment created by this Agreement, not create or suffer to
exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of the Collateral to
secure the indebtedness or other obligations of any Person;
(g) diligently keep reasonable records respecting the
Collateral and at all times keep at least one complete set of its
records concerning substantially all of the Patents at its chief
executive office or principal place of business;
(h) not permit the inclusion in any contract to which
it becomes a party of any provision that could or might in any
way impair or prevent the creation of a security interest in, or
the assignment of, Assignor's rights and interests in any
property included within the definition of any Patents acquired
under such contracts;
(i) take all steps necessary to protect the secrecy of
all trade secrets relating to the products and services sold or
delivered under or in connection with the Patents, including
without limitation entering into confidentiality agreements with
employees and labeling and restricting access to secret
information and documents;
(j) use proper statutory notice in connection with its
use of each material Patent;
(k) use consistent standards of high quality (which
may be consistent with Assignor's past practices) in the
manufacture, sale and delivery of products and services sold or
delivered under or in connection with the Patents, including, to
the extent applicable, in the operation and maintenance of its
retail stores and other merchandising operations; and
(l) upon any officer of Assignor obtaining knowledge
thereof, promptly notify Assignee in writing of any event that
may materially and adversely affect the value of the Collateral
or any portion thereof, the ability of Assignor or Assignee to
dispose of the
6
Collateral or any portion thereof, or the rights
and remedies of Assignee in relation thereto, including without
limitation the levy of any legal process against the Collateral
or any portion thereof.
SECTION 8. Certain Inspection Rights. Subject to the
terms of the Credit Agreement, Assignor hereby grants to Assignee
and any and all of its employees, representatives and agents the
right to visit Assignor's and any of its Affiliate's or
subcontractor's plants, facilities and other places of business
that are utilized in connection with the manufacture, production,
inspection, storage or sale of products and services sold or
delivered under any of the Patents (or which were so utilized
during the prior six month period), and to inspect the quality
control and all other records relating thereto upon reasonable
notice to Assignor and as often as may be reasonably requested.
SECTION 9. Amounts Payable in Respect of the
Collateral. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 9,
Assignor shall continue to collect, at its own expense, all
amounts due or to become due to Assignor in respect of the
Collateral or any portion thereof. In connection with such
collections, Assignor may take (and, at Assignee's direction,
shall take) such action as Assignor or Assignee may deem
necessary or advisable to enforce collection of such amounts;
provided, however, that Assignee shall have the right at any
time, upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event
of Default and upon written notice to Assignor of its intention
to do so, to notify the obligors with respect to any such amounts
of the existence of the security interest created, and the
conditional assignment effected hereby, and to direct such
obligors to make payment of all such amounts directly to
Assignee, and, upon such notification and at the expense of
Assignor, to enforce collection of any such amounts and to
adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof, in
the same manner and to the same extent as Assignor might have
done. After receipt by Assignor of the notice from Assignee
referred to in the proviso to the preceding sentence, (i) all
amounts and proceeds (including checks and other instruments)
received by Assignor in respect of amounts due to Assignor in
respect of the Collateral or any portion thereof shall be
received in trust for the benefit of Assignee hereunder, shall be
segregated from other funds of Assignor and shall be forthwith
paid over or delivered to Assignee in the same form as so
received (with any necessary endorsement) to be held as cash
Collateral and applied as provided by Section 17, and (ii)
Assignor shall not adjust, settle or compromise the amount or
payment of any such amount or release wholly or partly any
obligor with respect thereto or allow any credit or discount
thereon.
SECTION 10. Patent Applications and Litigation.
(a) Assignor shall have the duty diligently to
prosecute any patent application relating to any of the Patents
specifically identified in Schedule A annexed hereto that is
pending as of the date of this Agreement, to make application on
any existing or future unpatented but patentable invention that
is material to Assignor's business, and to do any and all acts
which are necessary or desirable to preserve and maintain all
rights in all material Patents. Any expenses incurred in
connection therewith shall be borne solely by Assignor. Assignor
shall not abandon any right to file a patent application or any
pending patent application or any material Patent without the
prior written consent of Assignee.
7
(b) Except as provided in Section 10(d) and
notwithstanding Section 2, Assignor shall have the right to
commence and prosecute in its own name, as real party in
interest, for its own benefit and at its own expense, such suits,
proceedings or other actions for infringement, unfair
competition, or other damage or reexamination or reissue
proceedings as are in its reasonable business judgment necessary
to protect the Collateral. Assignee shall provide, at Assignor's
expense, all reasonable and necessary cooperation in connection
with any such suit, proceeding or action including, without
limitation, joining as a necessary party.
(c) Assignor shall promptly, following its becoming
aware thereof, notify Assignee of the institution of, or of any
adverse determination in, any proceeding (whether in the United
States Patent and Trademark Office or any federal, state, local
or foreign court) described in Section 10(a) or 10(b) or
regarding Assignor's interests in any material Collateral.
Assignor shall provide to Assignee any information with respect
thereto requested by Assignee.
(d) Anything contained herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, upon the occurrence and during the continuation
of an Event of Default, Assignee shall have the right (but not
the obligation) to bring suit, in the name of Assignor, Assignee
or otherwise, to enforce any Patent and any license thereunder,
in which event Assignor shall, at the request of Assignee, do any
and all lawful acts and execute any and all documents required by
Assignee in aid of such enforcement and Assignor shall promptly,
upon demand, reimburse and indemnify Assignee as provided in
Section 18 in connection with the exercise of its rights under
this Section 10. To the extent that Assignee shall elect not to
bring suit to enforce any Patent or any license thereunder as
provided in this Section 10(d), Assignor agrees to use all
reasonable measures, whether by action, suit, proceeding or
otherwise, to prevent the infringement of any of the Patents by
others and for that purpose agrees to diligently maintain any
action, suit or proceeding against any Person so infringing
necessary to prevent such infringement.
SECTION 11. Non-Disturbance Agreements, etc. If and to
the extent that Assignor is permitted to license the Collateral,
Assignee shall enter into a non-disturbance agreement or other
similar arrangement, at Assignor's request and expense, with
Assignor and any licensee of any Collateral permitted hereunder
in form and substance satisfactory to Assignee pursuant to which
(a) Assignee shall agree not to disturb or interfere with such
licensee's rights under its license agreement with Assignor so
long as such licensee is not in default thereunder and (b) such
licensee shall acknowledge and agree that the Collateral licensed
to it is subject to the security interest and conditional
assignment created in favor of Assignee and the other terms of
this Agreement.
SECTION 12. Reassignment of Collateral. If (a) an
Event of Default shall have occurred and, by reason of cure,
waiver, modification, amendment or otherwise, no longer be
continuing, (b) no other Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, (c) an assignment to Assignee of any rights, title
and interests in and to the Collateral shall have been previously
made and shall have become absolute and effective pursuant to
Section 2, Section 13(f) or Section 16(b), and (d) the Secured
Obligations shall not have become immediately due and payable,
upon the written request of Assignor and the written consent of
8
Assignee, Assignee shall promptly execute and deliver to Assignor
such assignments as may be necessary to reassign to Assignor any
such rights, title and interests as may have been assigned to
Assignee as aforesaid, subject to any disposition thereof that
may have been made by Assignee pursuant hereto; provided that,
after giving effect to such reassignment, Assignee's security
interest and conditional assignment granted pursuant to Section 1
and Section 2, as well as all other rights and remedies of
Assignee granted hereunder, shall continue to be in full force
and effect; and provided, further that the rights, title and
interests so reassigned shall be free and clear of all Liens
other than Liens (if any) encumbering such rights, title and
interest at the time of their assignment to Assignee and
Permitted Liens.
SECTION 13. Assignee Appointed Attorney-in-Fact.
Assignor hereby irrevocably appoints Assignee as Assignor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of
Assignor and in the name of Assignor, Assignee or otherwise, from
time to time in Assignee's discretion to take any action and to
execute any instrument that Assignee may deem necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including
without limitation:
(a) while an Event of Default exists, to endorse
Assignor's name on all applications, documents, papers and
instruments necessary for Assignee in the use or maintenance of
the Collateral;
(b) while an Event of Default exists, to ask for,
demand, collect, ▇▇▇ for, recover, compound, receive and give
acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become due under
or in respect of any of the Collateral;
(c) while an Event of Default exists, to receive,
endorse and collect any drafts or other instruments, documents
and chattel paper in connection with clause (b) above;
(d) while an Event of Default exists, to file any
claims or take any action or institute any proceedings that
Assignee may deem necessary or desirable for the collection of
any of the Collateral or otherwise to enforce the rights of
Assignee with respect to any of the Collateral;
(e) while an Event of Default exists, to pay or
discharge taxes or Liens (other than Liens permitted under this
Agreement or the Credit Agreement) levied or placed upon or
threatened against the Collateral, the legality or validity
thereof and the amounts necessary to discharge the same to be
determined by Assignee in its sole discretion, any such payments
made by Assignee to become obligations of Assignor to Assignee,
due and payable immediately without demand; and
(f) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of
an Event of Default, (i) to execute and deliver any of the
assignments or documents requested by Assignee pursuant to
Section 16(b), (ii) to grant or issue an exclusive or
non-exclusive license to the Collateral or any portion thereof to
any Person, and (iii) otherwise generally to sell, transfer,
pledge, make any agreement with respect to or otherwise deal with
any of the Collateral as fully and completely as though Assignee
were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes, and to do, at
Assignee's option and Assignor's expense, at any time or from
time to
9
time, all acts and things that Assignee deems necessary
to protect, preserve or realize upon the Collateral and
Assignee's security interest therein in order to effect the
intent of this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as
Assignor might do.
SECTION 14. Assignee May Perform. If Assignor fails to
perform any agreement contained herein, Assignee may itself
perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the
expenses of Assignee incurred in connection therewith shall be
payable by Assignor under Section 18.
SECTION 15. Standard of Care. The powers conferred on
Assignee hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the
Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any
such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the
custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting
for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Assignee shall have
no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary
steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other
rights pertaining to any Collateral. Assignee shall be deemed to
have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of
Collateral in its possession if such Collateral is accorded
treatment substantially equal to that which Assignee accords its
own property.
SECTION 16. Remedies. If any Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing:
(a) Assignee may exercise in respect of the
Collateral, in addition to all other rights and remedies provided
for herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and
remedies of a secured party on default under the Uniform
Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction (the
"Code") (whether or not the Code applies to the affected
Collateral), and also may (i) require Assignor to, and Assignor
hereby agrees that it will at its expense and upon request of
Assignee forthwith, assemble all or part of the Collateral as
directed by Assignee and make it available to Assignee at a place
to be designated by Assignee that is reasonably convenient to
both parties, (ii) enter onto the property where any Collateral
is located and take possession thereof with or without judicial
process, (iii) prior to the disposition of the Collateral, store
the Collateral or otherwise prepare the Collateral for
disposition in any manner to the extent Assignee deems
appropriate, (iv) take possession of Assignor's premises or place
custodians in exclusive control thereof, remain on such premises
and use the same for the purpose of taking any actions described
in the preceding clause (iii) and collecting any Secured
Obligation, (v) exercise any and all rights and remedies of
Assignor under or in connection with the contracts related to the
Collateral or otherwise in respect of the Collateral, including
without limitation any and all rights of Assignor to demand or
otherwise require payment of any amount under, or performance of
any provision of, such contracts, and (vi) without notice except
as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in
one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of
Assignee's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for
future delivery, at such time or times and at such price or
prices and upon such other terms as Assignee may deem
commercially reasonable. Assignee or any Lender or any Interest
Rate Exchanger may be the purchaser of any or all of the
Collateral at any such sale and Assignee, as administrative agent
for and representative of Lenders (but not any Lender or Lenders
in its or their respective individual capacities unless Requisite
Lenders shall otherwise agree in writing), shall be
10
entitled, for the purpose of bidding and making settlement or
payment of the purchase price for all or any portion of the
Collateral sold at any such public sale, to use and apply any of
the Secured Obligations as a credit on account of the purchase
price for any Collateral payable by Assignee at such sale. Each
purchaser at any such sale shall hold the property sold
absolutely free from any claim or right on the part of Assignor,
and Assignor hereby waives (to the extent permitted by applicable
law) all rights of redemption, stay and/or appraisal which it now
has or may at any time in the future have under any rule of law
or statute now existing or hereafter enacted. Assignor agrees
that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at
least ten days' notice to Assignor of the time and place of any
public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be
made shall constitute reasonable notification. Assignee shall not
be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice
of sale having been given. Assignee may adjourn any public or
private sale from time to time by announcement at the time and
place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice,
be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.
Assignor hereby waives any claims against Assignee arising by
reason of the fact that the price at which any Collateral may
have been sold at such a private sale was less than the price
which might have been obtained at a public sale, even if Assignee
accepts the first offer received and does not offer such
Collateral to more than one offeree. If the proceeds of any sale
or other disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay
all the Secured Obligations, Assignor shall be liable for the
deficiency and the fees of any attorneys employed by Assignee to
collect such deficiency.
(b) Upon written demand from Assignee, Assignor shall
execute and deliver to Assignee an assignment or assignments of
the Patents and such other documents as are necessary or
appropriate to carry out the intent and purposes of this
Agreement; provided that the failure of Assignor to comply with
such demand will not impair or affect the validity of the
conditional assignment effected by Section 2 or its effectiveness
upon notice by Assignee as specified in Section 2. Assignor
agrees that such an assignment (including without limitation the
conditional assignment effected by Section 2) and/or recording
shall be applied to reduce the Secured Obligations outstanding
only to the extent that Assignee (or any Lender or any Interest
Rate Exchanger) receives cash proceeds in respect of the sale of,
or other realization upon, the Collateral.
SECTION 17. Application of Proceeds. All proceeds
received by Assignee in respect of any sale of, collection from,
or other realization upon all or any part of the Collateral shall
be applied as provided in subsection 2.4D of the Credit
Agreement.
SECTION 18. Indemnity and Expenses.
(a) Assignor agrees to indemnify Assignee and each
Lender and Interest Rate Exchanger from and against any and all
claims, losses and liabilities in any way relating to, growing
out of or resulting from this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, enforcement
of this Agreement), except to the extent such claims, losses or
liabilities result solely from Assignee's or such Lender's or
such Interest Rate Exchanger's gross negligence or willful
misconduct as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
11
(b) Assignor shall pay to Assignee upon demand the
amount of any and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Assignee may incur in
connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii)
the custody, preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of,
collection from, or other realization upon, any of the
Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the
rights of Assignee hereunder, or (iv) the failure by Assignor to
perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.
SECTION 19. Continuing Assignment and Security
Interest; Transfer of Loans. This Agreement shall create a
continuing security interest in, and conditional assignment of,
the Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and effect
until the payment in full of the Secured Obligations, the
cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit,
(b) be binding upon Assignor, its successors and assigns, and (c)
inure, together with the rights and remedies of Assignee
hereunder, to the benefit of Assignee and its successors,
transferees and assigns. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing clause (c), but subject to the provisions of subsection
10.1 of the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise
transfer any Loans held by it to any other Person, and such other
Person shall thereupon become vested with all the benefits in
respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise. Upon the
payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or
termination of the Commitments and the cancellation or expiration
of all outstanding Letters of Credit, the security interest and
conditional assignment granted hereby shall terminate and all
rights to the Collateral shall revert to Assignor. Upon any such
termination Assignee will, at Assignor's expense, execute and
deliver to Assignor such documents as Assignor shall reasonably
request to evidence such termination.
SECTION 20. Assignee as Administrative Agent.
(a) Assignee has been appointed to act as Assignee
hereunder by Lenders and, by their acceptance of the benefits
hereof, Interest Rate Exchangers. Assignee shall be obligated,
and shall have the right hereunder, to make demands, to give
notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and
to take or refrain from taking any action (including the release
or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance with this
Agreement and the Credit Agreement; provided that Assignee shall
exercise, or refrain from exercising, any remedies provided for
in Section 16 in accordance with the instructions of (i)
Requisite Lenders or (ii) after payment in full of all
Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, the holders of a majority of the aggregate notional
amount (or, with respect to any Lender Interest Rate Agreement
that has been terminated in accordance with its terms, the amount
then due and payable (exclusive of expenses and similar payments
but including any early termination payments then due) under such
Lender Interest Rate Agreement) under all Lender Interest Rate
Agreements (Requisite Lenders or, if applicable, such holders
being referred to herein as "Requisite Obligees"). In furtherance
of the foregoing provisions of this Section 20(a), each Interest
Rate Exchanger, by its acceptance of the benefits hereof, agrees
that it shall have no right individually to realize upon any of
the Collateral hereunder, it being understood and agreed by such
Interest Rate Exchanger that all rights and remedies hereunder
may be exercised solely by Assignee for the benefit of Lenders
and Interest Rate Exchangers in accordance with the terms of this
Section 20(a).
12
(b) Assignee shall at all times be the same Person that
is Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement. Written
notice of resignation by Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute
notice of resignation as Assignee under this Agreement; removal
of Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit
Agreement shall also constitute removal as Assignee under this
Agreement; and appointment of a successor Administrative Agent
pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also
constitute appointment of a successor Assignee under this
Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Administrative Agent under subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement
by a successor Administrative Agent, that successor
Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested
with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
retiring or removed Assignee under this Agreement, and the
retiring or removed Assignee under this Agreement shall promptly
(i) transfer to such successor Assignee all sums, securities and
other items of Collateral held hereunder, together with all
records and other documents necessary or appropriate in
connection with the performance of the duties of the successor
Assignee under this Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver to
such successor Assignee such amendments to financing statements,
and take such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate
in connection with the assignment to such successor Assignee of
the security interests created hereunder, whereupon such retiring
or removed Assignee shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring or removed
Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as
Assignee, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it
under this Agreement while it was Assignee hereunder.
SECTION 21. Amendments; Etc. No amendment,
modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement, and no consent to any departure by Assignor therefrom,
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Assignee and, in the case of any such
amendment or modification, by Assignor. Any such waiver or
consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for
the specific purpose for which it was given.
SECTION 22. Notices. Any notice or other communication
herein required or permitted to be given shall be given as
provided in the Credit Agreement. For the purposes hereof, the
address of each party hereto shall be as set forth under such
party's name on the signature pages hereof or, as to either
party, such other address as shall be designated by such party in
a written notice delivered to the other party hereto.
SECTION 23. Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies
Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of Assignee in the
exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall impair
such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of
any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or of any other power,
right or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under this
Agreement are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any rights or
remedies otherwise available.
SECTION 24. Severability. In case any provision in or
obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality
13
and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or
of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 25. Headings. Section and subsection headings
in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of
reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement
for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.
SECTION 26. Governing Law; Terms. THIS AGREEMENT AND
THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE
VALIDITY OR PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR
REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF
NEW YORK. Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit
Agreement, terms used in Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform
Commercial Code in the State of New York are used herein as
therein defined.
SECTION 27. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of
Process. ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST ASSIGNOR
ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN
ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE
OF NEW YORK, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT
ASSIGNOR ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS
PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NONEXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF
FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY
JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.
Assignor hereby agrees that service of all process in any such
proceeding in any such court may be made by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, to Assignor at its
address provided in Section 22, such service being hereby
acknowledged by Assignor to be sufficient for personal
jurisdiction in any action against Assignor in any such court and
to be otherwise effective and binding service in every respect.
Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any
other manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of
Assignee to bring proceedings against Assignor in the courts of
any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 28. Waiver of Jury Trial. ASSIGNOR AND
ASSIGNEE HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY
TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT
OF THIS AGREEMENT. The scope of this waiver is intended to be
all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction,
including without limitation contract claims, tort claims, breach
of duty claims, and all other common law and statutory claims.
Assignor and Assignee each acknowledge that this waiver is a
material inducement for Assignor and Assignee to enter into a
business relationship, that
14
Assignor and Assignee have already relied on this waiver in
entering into this Agreement and that each will continue to rely
on this waiver in their related future dealings. Assignor and
Assignee further warrant and represent that each has reviewed
this waiver with its legal counsel, and that each knowingly and
voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation
with legal counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT
MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THIS WAIVER
SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS
OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. In the event of litigation,
this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by
the court.
SECTION 29. Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple
separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so
that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]
15
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Assignor and Assignee have caused
this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date
first written above.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.,
as Assignor
By: __________________________
Name: __________________________
Title: __________________________
Notice Address:
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent
By: __________________________
Name: __________________________
Title: __________________________
Notice Address:
Attention:
16
SCHEDULE A
TO PATENT COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT
AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
PATENTS ISSUED
--------------
Patent No. Issue Date Invention Inventor
---------- ---------- --------- --------
PATENTS PENDING
---------------
Applicant's Date Application
Name Filed No. Invention Inventor
--------- ------- ----------- --------- --------
17
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
) SS.:
COUNTY OF ____________ )
On ___________, 19___, before me,
, a Notary Public in and for said State,
personally appeared _______________________________________,
personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of
satisfactory evidence) to be the person(s) whose name(s) is/are
subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that
he/she/they executed the same in his/her/their authorized
capacity(ies), and that by his/her/their signature(s) on the
instrument the person(s), or the entity upon behalf of which the
person(s) acted, executed the instrument.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Signature ________________________________ (Seal)
18
EXHIBIT XVIII
[FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY]
(included as filed Exhibit 4.4)
EXHIBIT XIX
[FORM OF SUBSIDIARY PLEDGE ASSIGNMENT]
(included as filed Exhibit 4.5)
EXHIBIT XX
[FORM OF SUBSIDIARY SECURITY AGREEMENT]
(included as filed Exhibit 4.6)
EXHIBIT XXI
[FORM OF SUBSIDIARY COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT]
(included as filed Exhibit 4.7)
EXHIBIT XXII
[FORM OF SUBSIDIARY TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT]
(included as filed Exhibit 4.8)
EXHIBIT XXIII
[FORM OF SUBSIDIARY PATENT COLLATERAL
ASSIGNMENT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT]
(included as filed Exhibit 4.9)
EXHIBIT XXIV
[FORM OF HOLDINGS PLEDGE AGREEMENT]
(included as filed Exhibit 4.10)
EXHIBIT XXV
[FORM OF HOLDINGS GUARANTY]
(included as filed Exhibit 4.11)
Exhibit XXVI
[Form of Deed of Trust]
MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (MINNESOTA)
by and from
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., A DELAWARE CORPORATION, "Mortgagor"
to
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION,
in its capacity as Agent, "Mortgagee"
Dated as of April 21, 1998
Location:
Municipality:
County:
State:
THE SECURED PARTY (MORTGAGEE) DESIRES THIS FIXTURE FILING
TO BE INDEXED AGAINST THE RECORD OWNER OF THE REAL ESTATE
DESCRIBED HEREIN
THIS MORTGAGE SECURES AN INDEBTEDNESS OF $2,312,500.00, PURSUANT TO THE TERMS
OF THAT CERTAIN CREDIT AGREEMENT DATED AS OF APRIL 21, 1998 AMONG MORTGAGOR,
MORTGAGEE AND OTHER LENDERS.
PREPARED BY, RECORDING REQUESTED BY,
AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:
O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, Esq.
File #218,107-012
MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (MINNESOTA)
THIS MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (MINNESOTA) (this "Mortgage") is
dated as of April 21, 1998 by and from DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING
CORP., a Delaware corporation ("Mortgagor"), whose address is
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ to ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO
BANK, N.A., a national banking association, as agent (in such
capacity, "Agent") for the lenders party to the Credit Agreement
(defined below) (such lenders, together with their respective
successors and assigns, collectively, the "Lenders"), having an
address at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (Agent, together with its successors and
assigns, "Mortgagee").
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
-----------
Section 1.1. Definitions. All capitalized terms used
herein without definition shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to them in that certain Credit Agreement dated as of
even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among
Mortgagor, Mortgagee, the Lenders, DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as
Syndication Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as
Documentation Agent. As used herein, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
(a) "Indebtedness": (1) All indebtedness of Mortgagor
to Mortgagee and the Lenders, including, without limitation, the
sum of all (a) principal, interest and other amounts evidenced or
secured by the Loan Documents as advances in protection of the
Mortgaged Property, (b) principal, interest and other amounts
which may hereafter be loaned by Mortgagee or any of the Lenders
under or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents, whether evidenced by a promissory note or
other instrument which, by its terms, is secured hereby, and (2)
all other indebtedness, obligations and liabilities now or
hereafter existing of any kind of Mortgagor to Mortgagee or any
of the Lenders under documents which recite that they are
intended to be secured by this Mortgage.
(b) "Mortgaged Property": All of Mortgagor's interest
in (1) the fee interest in the real property described in Exhibit
A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference,
together with any greater estate therein as hereafter may be
acquired by Mortgagor (the "Land"), (2) all improvements now
owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor, now or at any time
situated, placed or constructed upon the Land (the
"Improvements"; the Land and Improvements are collectively
referred to as the "Premises"), (3) all materials, supplies,
equipment, apparatus and other items of personal property now
owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor and now or hereafter
attached to, installed in or used in connection with any of the
Improvements or the Land, and water, gas, electrical, telephone,
storm and sanitary sewer facilities and all other utilities
whether or not situated in easements (the "Fixtures"), (4) all
right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to all goods,
accounts, general intangibles, instruments, documents, chattel
paper and all other personal property of any kind or character,
including such items of personal property as defined in the UCC
(defined below), now owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor and
now or hereafter affixed to, placed upon, used in connection
with, arising from or otherwise related to the Premises (the
"Personalty"), (5) all reserves, escrows or impounds required
under the Credit Agreement and all deposit accounts maintained by
Mortgagor with respect to the Mortgaged Property (the "Deposit
Accounts"), (6) all leases, licenses, concessions, occupancy
agreements or other agreements (written or oral, now or at any
time in effect) which grant to any Person a possessory interest
in, or the right to use, all or any part of the Mortgaged
Property, together with all related security and other deposits
(the "Leases"), (7) all of the rents, revenues, royalties,
income, proceeds, profits, security and
other types of deposits, and other benefits paid or payable by
parties to the Leases for using, leasing, licensing possessing,
operating from, residing in, selling or otherwise enjoying the
Mortgaged Property (the "Rents"), (8) all other agreements, such
as construction contracts, architects' agreements, engineers'
contracts, utility contracts, maintenance agreements, management
agreements, service contracts, listing agreements, guaranties,
warranties, permits, licenses, certificates and entitlements in
any way relating to the construction, use, occupancy, operation,
maintenance, enjoyment or ownership of the Mortgaged Property
(the "Property Agreements"), (9) all rights, privileges,
tenements, hereditaments, rights-of-way, easements, appendages
and appurtenances appertaining to the foregoing, (10) all
property tax refunds (the "Tax Refunds"), (11) all accessions,
replacements and substitutions for any of the foregoing and all
proceeds thereof (the "Proceeds"), (12) all insurance policies,
unearned premiums therefor and proceeds from such policies
covering any of the above property now or hereafter acquired by
Mortgagor (the "Insurance"), and (13) all of Mortgagor's right,
title and interest in and to any awards, damages, remunerations,
reimbursements, settlements or compensation heretofore made or
hereafter to be made by any governmental authority pertaining to
the Land, Improvements, Fixtures or Personalty (the "Condemnation
Awards"). As used in this Mortgage, the term "Mortgaged Property"
shall mean all or, where the context permit or requires, any
portion of the above or any interest therein.
(c) "Obligations": All of the agreements, covenants,
conditions, warranties, representations and other obligations of
Mortgagor (including, without limitation, the obligation to repay
the Indebtedness) under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents. The final maturity date of all of the Obligations is
March 31, 2006.
(d) "UCC": The Uniform Commercial Code of Minnesota
or, if the creation, perfection and enforcement of any security
interest herein granted is governed by the laws of a state other
than Minnesota, then, as to the matter in question, the Uniform
Commercial Code in effect in that state.
ARTICLE 2
GRANT
-----
Section 2.1. Grant. To secure the full and timely
payment of the Indebtedness and the full and timely performance
of the Obligations, Mortgagor MORTGAGES, GRANTS, BARGAINS,
ASSIGNS, SELLS and CONVEYS, to Mortgagee the Mortgaged Property,
WITH POWER OF SALE, subject, however, to the Permitted
Encumbrances, TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Mortgaged Property to
Mortgagee, and Mortgagor does hereby bind itself, its successors
and assigns to WARRANT AND FOREVER DEFEND the title to the
Mortgaged Property unto Mortgagee.
ARTICLE 3
WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
-----------------------------------------
Mortgagor warrants, represents and covenants to
Mortgagee as follows:
Section 3.1. Statutory Covenants. Mortgagor makes and
includes in this Mortgage the statutory covenants and other
provisions set forth in Minnesota Statutes " 507.15, or in any
future Minnesota Statute providing for a statutory form of real
estate mortgage and Mortgagor covenants with Mortgagee the
following statutory covenants:
(a) to warrant the title to the Mortgaged Property
subject only to the Permitted Encumbrances. Mortgagor is lawfully
seized of fee title to the Mortgaged Property and has good right
to convey the same;
(b) to pay the Indebtedness as evidenced by the Notes;
2
(c) to pay (or compel the payment of) all taxes and
assessments before penalty attaches for non-payment, and to pay
in a timely manner all insurance premiums for coverage required
pursuant to this Mortgage;
(d) to keep all buildings insured against fire for an
amount not less than the full replacement value but in any case
not less than the unpaid amount of the Notes secured by this
Mortgage and all prior, if any, mortgages and contract for deed
balances and against other hazards for the amounts specified by
Mortgagee for the protection of the Mortgagee, said other hazards
being lightning, hazards under the usual extended coverage
endorsement, and all other hazards and risks of direct physical
loss occasioned by any cause whatsoever, subject only to the
exception and exclusions, if any, agreed to by Mortgagee. All
such policies shall name Mortgagee as Loss Payee under the
so-called Standard Mortgage Clause, contain no pro rata reduction
provisions and provide for not less than thirty (30) days notice
to Mortgagee of cancellation or alteration of said policy;
(e) that the Mortgaged Property and any improvements
thereon shall be kept in repair and no waste shall be committed;
and
(f) that the whole of the principal sum evidenced by
the Notes shall become due after default in the payment of any
installment of principal or interest, or any tax, or in the
performance of any other covenant, at the option of the
Mortgagee.
Section 3.2. Title to Mortgaged Property and Lien of
this Instrument. Mortgagor owns the Mortgaged Property free and
clear of any liens, claims or interests, except the Permitted
Encumbrances. This Mortgage creates valid, enforceable first
priority liens and security interests against the Mortgaged
Property.
Section 3.3. First Lien Status. Mortgagor shall
preserve and protect the first lien and security interest status
of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents. If any lien or
security interest other than the Permitted Encumbrances is
asserted against the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagor shall
promptly, and at its expense, (a) give Mortgagee a detailed
written notice of such lien or security interest (including
origin, amount and other terms), and (b) pay the underlying claim
in full or take such other action so as to cause it to be
released or contest the same in compliance with the requirements
of the Credit Agreement (including the requirement of providing a
bond or other security satisfactory to Mortgagee).
Section 3.4. Payment and Performance. Mortgagor shall
pay the Indebtedness when due under the Loan Documents and shall
perform the Obligations in full when they are required to be
performed.
Section 3.5. Replacement of Fixtures and Personalty.
Mortgagor shall not, without the prior written consent of
Mortgagee, permit any of the Fixtures or Personalty to be removed
at any time from the Land or Improvements, unless the removed
item is removed temporarily for maintenance and repair or, if
removed permanently, is obsolete and is replaced by an article of
equal or better suitability and value, owned by Mortgagor subject
to the liens and security interests of this Mortgage and the
other Loan Documents, and free and clear of any other lien or
security interest except such as may be permitted under the
Credit Agreement or first approved in writing by Mortgagee.
Section 3.6. Inspection. Mortgagor shall permit
Mortgagee and the Lenders, and their respective agents,
representatives and employees, upon reasonable prior notice to
Mortgagor, to inspect the Mortgaged Property and all books and
records of Mortgagor located thereon, and to conduct such
3
environmental and engineering studies as Mortgagee or the Lenders
may require, provided that such inspections and studies shall not
materially interfere with the use and operation of the Mortgaged
Property.
Section 3.7. Other Covenants. All of the covenants in
the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and,
together with covenants in this Article 3, shall be covenants
running with the land.
Section 3.8. Condemnation Awards and Insurance Proceeds.
(a) Condemnation Awards. Mortgagor assigns all awards
and compensation to which it is entitled for any condemnation or
other taking, or any purchase in lieu thereof, to Mortgagee and
authorizes Mortgagee to collect and receive such awards and
compensation and to give proper receipts and acquittances
therefor, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.
(b) Insurance Proceeds. Mortgagor assigns to Mortgagee
all proceeds of any insurance policies insuring against loss or
damage to the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagor authorizes Mortgagee
to collect and receive such proceeds and authorizes and directs
the issuer of each of such insurance policies to make payment for
all such losses directly to Mortgagee, instead of to Mortgagor
and Mortgagee jointly.
ARTICLE 4
[Intentionally Omitted]
ARTICLE 5
DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE
-----------------------
Section 5.1. Remedies. If an Event of Default exists,
Mortgagee may, at Mortgagee's election, exercise any or all of
the following rights, remedies and recourses:
(a) Acceleration. Declare the Indebtedness to be
immediately due and payable, without further notice, presentment,
protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration,
demand or action of any nature whatsoever (each of which hereby
is expressly waived by Mortgagor), whereupon the same shall
become immediately due and payable.
(b) Entry on Mortgaged Property. Enter the Mortgaged
Property and take exclusive possession thereof and of all books,
records and accounts relating thereto or located thereon. If
Mortgagor remains in possession of the Mortgaged Property after
an Event of Default and without Mortgagee's prior written
consent, Mortgagee may invoke any legal remedies to dispossess
Mortgagor.
(c) Operation of Mortgaged Property. Hold, lease,
develop, manage, operate or otherwise use the Mortgaged Property
upon such terms and conditions as Mortgagee may deem reasonable
under the circumstances (making such repairs, alterations,
additions and improvements and taking other actions, from time to
time, as Mortgagee deems necessary or desirable), and apply all
Rents and other amounts collected by Mortgagee in connection
therewith in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.7.
(d) Foreclosure and Sale. Institute proceedings for
the complete foreclosure of this Mortgage, either by judicial
action or by power of sale, in which case the Mortgaged Property
may be sold for cash or credit in one or more parcels. At any
such sale by virtue of any judicial proceedings, power of sale,
or any other legal right, remedy or recourse, the title to and
right of possession of any such
4
property shall pass to the purchaser thereof, and to the fullest
extent permitted by law, Mortgagor shall be completely and
irrevocably divested of all of its right, title, interest, claim,
equity, equity of redemption, and demand whatsoever, either at
law or in equity, in and to the property sold and such sale shall
be a perpetual bar both at law and in equity against Mortgagor,
and against all other Persons claiming or to claim the property
sold or any part thereof, by, through or under Mortgagor.
Mortgagee or any of the Lenders may be a purchaser at such sale.
If Mortgagee or any of the Lenders is the highest bidder,
Mortgagee or any such Lender may credit the portion of the
purchase price that would be distributed to Mortgagee or any such
Lender against the Indebtedness in lieu of paying cash. In the
event this Mortgage is foreclosed by judicial action,
appraisement of the Mortgaged Property is waived.
At maturity, whether at the stated time or prior
thereof by the acceleration of maturity pursuant hereto,
including by reason of the occurrence of an Event of Default,
Mortgagee (in addition to any other remedies provided for herein
or which it may have at law or equity) shall have the statutory
power of sale and on foreclosure may retain statutory costs and
attorneys' fees. Mortgagee is hereby empowered to foreclose this
Mortgage by judicial proceedings or to sell the Mortgaged
Property at public auction and to convey the same to the
purchaser in fee simple absolute in accordance with the statute,
and out of the moneys arising from such sale to retain the sums
secured hereby.
MORTGAGOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY CONSENTS TO THE FORECLOSURE
AND SALE OF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY BY ACTION PURSUANT TO
MINNESOTA STATUTES CHAPTER 581 OR BY ADVERTISEMENT PURSUANT TO
MINNESOTA STATUTES CHAPTER 580, WHICH PROVIDES FOR SALE AFTER
SERVICE OF NOTICE THEREOF UPON THE OCCUPANT OF THE MORTGAGED
PROPERTY AND PUBLICATION OF SAID NOTICE IN THE COUNTY IN
MINNESOTA WHERE THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY IS SITUATED; ACKNOWLEDGES
THAT SERVICE NEED NOT BE MADE UPON MORTGAGOR PERSONALLY (UNLESS
MORTGAGOR IS AN OCCUPANT) AND THAT NO HEARING OF ANY TYPE IS
REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE; AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY
AND ALL RIGHT TO PRIOR NOTICE OF SALE OF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY
AND ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO A PRIOR HEARING OF ANY TYPE IN
CONNECTION WITH THE SALE OF THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY
MORTGAGOR FURTHER UNDERSTANDS THAT UPON THE OCCURRENCE
OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT MORTGAGEE MAY TAKE POSSESSION OF THE
PERSONAL PROPERTY INCLUDED IN THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY AND DISPOSE
OF THE SAME BY SALE OR OTHERWISE IN ONE OR MORE PARCELS PROVIDED
THAT AT LEAST TEN (10) DAYS PRIOR NOTICE OF SUCH DISPOSITION IS
GIVEN TO THE MORTGAGOR, ALL AS PROVIDED FOR BY THE MINNESOTA
UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, AS THE SAME MAY HEREAFTER BE AMENDED, OR
BY ANY LAW OR STATUTE HEREAFTER ENACTED IN SUBSTITUTION THEREOF.
MORTGAGOR HEREBY RELINQUISHES, WAIVES ND GIVES UP ITS
RIGHTS, IF ANY, UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES (AND
ANY SIMILAR RIGHTS WHICH IT MAY HAVE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE STATE OF MINNESOTA) TO NOTICE AND HEARING BEFORE SALE OF THE
MORTGAGED PROPERTY AND THE PERSONAL PROPERTY INCLUDED THEREIN,
AND EXPRESSLY CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY
INCLUDED THEREIN MAY BE DISPOSED OF PURSUANT TO THE UNIFORM
COMMERCIAL CODE, ALL AS DESCRIBED ABOVE.
(e) Receiver. Make application to a court of competent
jurisdiction for, and obtain from such court as a matter of
strict right and without notice to Mortgagor or regard to the
adequacy of the Mortgaged Property for the repayment of the
Indebtedness, the appointment of a receiver of the
5
Mortgaged Property, and Mortgagor irrevocably consents to such
appointment. Any such receiver shall have all the usual powers
and duties of receivers in similar cases, including the full
power to rent, maintain and otherwise operate the Mortgaged
Property upon such terms as may be approved by the court, and
shall apply such Rents in accordance with the provisions of
Section 5.7.
(f) Other. Exercise all other rights, remedies and
recourses granted under the Loan Documents or otherwise available
at law or in equity.
Section 5.2. Separate Sales. The Mortgaged Property
may be sold in one or more parcels and in such manner and order
as Mortgagee in its sole discretion may elect. To the extent
permitted by applicable law, the right of sale arising out of any
Event of Default shall not be exhausted by any one or more sales.
Section 5.3. Remedies Cumulative, Concurrent and
Nonexclusive. Mortgagee and the Lenders shall have all rights,
remedies and recourses granted in the Loan Documents and
available at law or equity (including the UCC), which rights (a)
shall be cumulated and concurrent, (b) may be pursued separately,
successively or concurrently against Mortgagor or others
obligated under the Loan Documents, or against the Mortgaged
Property, or against any one or more of them, at the sole
discretion of Mortgagee or the Lenders, (c) may be exercised as
often as occasion therefor shall arise, and the exercise or
failure to exercise any of them shall not be construed as a
waiver or release thereof or of any other right, remedy or
recourse, and (d) are intended to be, and shall be, nonexclusive.
No action by Mortgagee or the Lenders in the enforcement of any
rights, remedies or recourses under the Loan Documents or
otherwise at law or equity shall be deemed to cure any Event of
Default.
Section 5.4. Release of and Resort to Collateral.
Mortgagee may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
release, regardless of consideration and without the necessity
for any notice to or consent by the holder of any subordinate
lien on the Mortgaged Property, any part of the Mortgaged
Property without, as to the remainder, in any way impairing,
affecting, subordinating or releasing the lien or security
interest created in or evidenced by the Loan Documents or their
status as a first and prior lien and security interest in and to
the Mortgaged Property. For payment of the Indebtedness,
Mortgagee may, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
resort to any other security in such order and manner as
Mortgagee may elect.
Section 5.5. Waiver of Redemption, Notice and
Marshalling of Assets. To the fullest extent permitted by law,
Mortgagor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and
releases (a) all benefit that might accrue to Mortgagor by virtue
of any present or future statute of limitations or law or
judicial decision exempting the Mortgaged Property from
attachment, levy or sale on execution or providing for any stay
of execution, exemption from civil process, redemption or
extension of time for payment, (b) all notices of any Event of
Default or of Mortgagee's election to exercise or the actual
exercise of any right, remedy or recourse provided for under the
Loan Documents, and (c) any right to a marshalling of assets or a
sale in inverse order of alienation.
Section 5.6. Discontinuance of Proceedings. If
Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have proceeded to invoke any
right, remedy or recourse permitted under the Loan Documents and
shall thereafter elect to discontinue or abandon it for any
reason, Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have the unqualified right
to do so and, in such an event, Mortgagor, Mortgagee and the
Lenders shall be restored to their former positions with respect
to the Indebtedness, the Obligations, the Loan Documents, the
Mortgaged Property and otherwise, and the rights, remedies,
recourses and powers of Mortgagee and the Lenders shall continue
as if the right, remedy or recourse had never been invoked, but
no such discontinuance or abandonment shall waive any Event of
Default which may then exist or the right of Mortgagee or the
Lenders thereafter to exercise any right, remedy or recourse
under the Loan Documents
6
for such Event of Default.
Section 5.7. Application of Proceeds. The proceeds of
any sale of, and the Rents and other amounts generated by the
holding, leasing, management, operation or other use of the
Mortgaged Property, shall be applied by Mortgagee (or the
receiver, if one is appointed) in the following order unless
otherwise required by applicable law:
(a) to the payment of the costs and expenses of taking
possession of the Mortgaged Property and of holding, using,
leasing, repairing, improving and selling the same, including,
without limitation (1) receiver's fees and expenses, including
the repayment of the amounts evidenced by any receiver's
certificates, (2) court costs, (3) attorneys' and accountants'
fees and expenses, and (4) costs of advertisement;
(b) to the payment of the Indebtedness and performance
of the Obligations in such manner and order of preference as
Mortgagee in its sole discretion may determine; and
(c) the balance, if any, to the payment of the Persons
legally entitled thereto.
Section 5.8. Occupancy After Foreclosure. Any sale of
the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof in accordance with
Section 5.1(d) will divest all right, title and interest of
Mortgagor in and to the property sold. Subject to applicable law,
any purchaser at a foreclosure sale will receive immediate
possession of the property purchased. If Mortgagor retains
possession of such property or any part thereof subsequent to
such sale, Mortgagor will be considered a tenant at sufferance of
the purchaser, and will, if Mortgagor remains in possession after
demand to remove, be subject to eviction and removal, forcible or
otherwise, with or without process of law.
Section 5.9. Additional Advances and Disbursements;
Costs of Enforcement.
(a) If any Event of Default exists, Mortgagee and each
of the Lenders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to
cure such Event of Default in the name and on behalf of
Mortgagor. All sums advanced and expenses incurred at any time by
Mortgagee or any Lender under this Section 5.9, or otherwise
under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents or
applicable law, shall bear interest from the date that such sum
is advanced or expense incurred, to and including the date of
reimbursement, computed at the rate or rates at which interest is
then computed on the Indebtedness, and all such sums, together
with interest thereon, shall be secured by this Mortgage as
advances in protection of the Mortgaged Property.
(b) Subject to the amount of attorneys' fees for which
Mortgagee may be entitled to receive reimbursement pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes " 582.01, Mortgagor shall pay all expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) of or
incidental to the perfection and enforcement of this Mortgage and
the other Loan Documents, or the enforcement, compromise or
settlement of the Indebtedness or any claim under this Mortgage
and the other Loan Documents, and for the curing thereof, or for
defending or asserting the rights and claims of Mortgagee in
respect thereof, by litigation or otherwise.
Section 5.10. No Mortgagee in Possession. Neither the
enforcement of any of the remedies under this Article 5, the
assignment of the Rents and Leases under Article 6, the security
interests under Article 7, nor any other remedies afforded to
Mortgagee or any Lender under the Loan Documents, at law or in
equity shall cause Mortgagee or any Lender to be deemed or
construed to be a mortgagee in possession of the Mortgaged
Property, to obligate Mortgagee or any Lender to lease the
Mortgaged Property or attempt to do so, or to take any action,
incur any expense, or perform or discharge
7
any obligation, duty or liability whatsoever under any of the
Leases or otherwise.
ARTICLE 6
ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES
------------------------------
Section 6.1. Assignment. To the extent permitted by
law, Mortgagor hereby assigns to Mortgagee all Leases now or
hereafter affecting the Mortgaged Property and all Rents and
profits due or to become due to Mortgagor with respect to the
Mortgaged Property, whether before or after foreclosure or during
any redemption period after sheriff's foreclosure sale, as
additional security for the repayment of the Notes and Mortgagor
hereby further agrees that Mortgagee shall have the power
pursuant to this Mortgage irrevocably to manage, control and
lease the Mortgaged Property. Upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, and without regard to waste, adequacy of the security or
solvency of Mortgagor, Mortgagee may, at its option, either:
(a) apply to the Minnesota District Court for the
County wherein the Mortgaged Property hereunder are located for
the appointment of a receiver under Minnesota statutes " 559.17,
it being understood and agreed that Mortgagee shall be entitled
to the appointment of a receiver upon a showing that an Event of
Default has occurred under the terms of this Mortgage, a receiver
so appointed shall apply all Rents and profits collected first as
provided in Minnesota Statutes " 576.01, Subd. 2, and thereafter
shall apply the Rents to the payment of the following items in
the order first indicated: first, to the payment of principal and
interest on any prior mortgages; second, to the payment of any
other prior liens or encumbrances; and third, to the payment of
principal and interest on the Notes; or
(b) collect all Rents and profits from the occupiers
of the Mortgage Property upon the filing by Mortgagee, in (i) the
office of the County Recorder or (ii) in the case of registered
property in the office of the Registrar of Titles, for the county
in which the Mortgaged Property are located, of a notice of the
occurrence of an Event of Default in the terms and conditions of
this Mortgage and the service of said notice of default upon the
occupiers of the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagee shall apply all
Rents and profits so collected in the same manner as is provided
in Section 6.1(a) above where the Rents are collected pursuant to
the appointment of a receiver. In the event Mortgagee exercises
its rights under this Section 6.1(b), it shall not solely by
reason hereof, be deemed to be a mortgagee-in-possession of the
Mortgaged Property.
Section 6.2. Perfection Upon Recordation. Mortgagor
acknowledges that Mortgagee has taken all actions necessary to
obtain, and that upon recordation of this Mortgage Mortgagee
shall have, to the extent permitted under applicable law, a valid
and fully perfected, first priority, present assignment of the
Rents arising out of the Leases and all security for such Leases.
Mortgagor acknowledges and agrees that upon recordation of this
Mortgage Mortgagee's interest in the Rents shall be deemed to be
fully perfected, "▇▇▇▇▇▇" and enforced as to Mortgagor and all
third parties, including, without limitation, any subsequently
appointed trustee in any case under Title 11 of the United States
Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"), without the necessity of commencing
a foreclosure action with respect to this Mortgage, making formal
demand for the Rents, obtaining the appointment of a receiver or
taking any other affirmative action.
Section 6.3. Bankruptcy Provisions. Without limitation
of the absolute nature of the assignment of the Rents hereunder,
Mortgagor and Mortgagee agree that (a) this Mortgage shall
constitute a "security agreement" for purposes of Section 552(b)
of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the security interest created by this
Mortgage extends to property of Mortgagor acquired before the
commencement of a case in bankruptcy and to all amounts paid as
Rents and (c) such security interest shall extend to all Rents
acquired by the estate after the commencement of any case in
bankruptcy.
8
Section 6.4. No Merger of Estates. So long as part of
the Indebtedness and the Obligations secured hereby remain unpaid
and undischarged, the fee and leasehold estates to the Mortgaged
Property shall not merge, but shall remain separate and distinct,
notwithstanding the union of such estates either in Mortgagor,
Mortgagee, any tenant or any third party by purchase or
otherwise.
ARTICLE 7
SECURITY AGREEMENT
------------------
Section 7.1. Security Interest. This Mortgage
constitutes a "security agreement" on personal property within
the meaning of the UCC and other applicable law and with respect
to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents, Deposit Accounts,
Property Agreements, Tax Refunds, Proceeds, Insurance and
Condemnation Awards. To this end, Mortgagor grants to Mortgagee a
first and prior security interest in the Personalty, Fixtures,
Leases, Rents, Deposit Accounts, Property Agreements, Tax
Refunds, Proceeds, Insurance, Condemnation Awards and all other
Mortgaged Property which is personal property to secure the
payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the Obligations,
and agrees that Mortgagee shall have all the rights and remedies
of a secured party under the UCC with respect to such property.
Any notice of sale, disposition or other intended action by
Mortgagee with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases,
Rents, Deposit Accounts, Property Agreements, Tax Refunds,
Proceeds, Insurance and Condemnation Awards sent to Mortgagor at
least five (5) days prior to any action under the UCC shall
constitute reasonable notice to Mortgagor.
Section 7.2. Financing Statements. Mortgagor shall
execute and deliver to Mortgagee, in form and substance
satisfactory to Mortgagee, such financing statements and such
further assurances as Mortgagee may, from time to time,
reasonably consider necessary to create, perfect and preserve
Mortgagee's security interest hereunder and Mortgagee may cause
such statements and assurances to be recorded and filed, at such
times and places as may be required or permitted by law to so
create, perfect and preserve such security interest. Mortgagor's
chief executive office is in the State of Minnesota at the
address set forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage.
Section 7.3. Fixture Filing. This Mortgage shall also
constitute a "fixture filing" for the purposes of the UCC against
all of the Mortgaged Property which is or is to become fixtures.
Information concerning the security interest herein granted may
be obtained at the addresses of Debtor (Mortgagor) and Secured
Party (Mortgagee) as set forth in the first paragraph of this
Mortgage.
ARTICLE 8
[Intentionally Omitted]
ARTICLE 9
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
Section 9.1. Notices. Any notice required or permitted
to be given under this Mortgage shall be given in accordance with
Section 10.8 of the Credit Agreement.
Section 9.2. Covenants Running with the Land. All
Obligations contained in this Mortgage are intended by Mortgagor
and Mortgagee to be, and shall be construed as, covenants running
with the Mortgaged Property. As used herein, "Mortgagor" shall
refer to the party named in the first paragraph of this Mortgage
and to any subsequent owner of all or any portion of the
Mortgaged Property. All Persons who may have or acquire an
interest in the Mortgaged Property shall be deemed to have notice
of, and be bound by, the terms of the Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents; however, no such party shall be entitled to
any rights thereunder without the prior written consent of
Mortgagee.
9
Section 9.3. Attorney-in-Fact. Mortgagor hereby
irrevocably appoints Mortgagee and its successors and assigns, as
its attorney-in-fact, which agency is coupled with an interest
and with full power of substitution, (a) to execute and/or record
any notices of completion, cessation of labor or any other
notices that Mortgagee deems appropriate to protect Mortgagee's
interest, if Mortgagor shall fail to do so within ten (10) days
after written request by Mortgagee, (b) upon the issuance of a
deed pursuant to the foreclosure of this Mortgage or the delivery
of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, to execute all instruments of
assignment, conveyance or further assurance with respect to the
Leases, Rents, Deposit Accounts, Property Agreements, Tax
Refunds, Proceeds, Insurance and Condemnation Awards in favor of
the grantee of any such deed and as may be necessary or desirable
for such purpose, (c) to prepare, execute and file or record
financing statements, continuation statements, applications for
registration and like papers necessary to create, perfect or
preserve Mortgagee's security interests and rights in or to any
of the Mortgaged Property, and (d) while any Event of Default
exists, to perform any obligation of Mortgagor hereunder,
however: (1) Mortgagee shall not under any circumstances be
obligated to perform any obligation of Mortgagor; (2) any sums
advanced by Mortgagee in such performance shall be added to and
included in the Indebtedness and shall bear interest at the rate
or rates at which interest is then computed on the Indebtedness;
(3) Mortgagee as such attorney-in-fact shall only be accountable
for such funds as are actually received by Mortgagee; and (4)
Mortgagee shall not be liable to Mortgagor or any other person or
entity for any failure to take any action which it is empowered
to take under this Section 9.3.
Section 9.4. Successors and Assigns. This Mortgage
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Mortgagee, the
Lenders, and Mortgagor and their respective successors and
assigns. Mortgagor shall not, without the prior written consent
of Mortgagee, assign any rights, duties or obligations hereunder.
Section 9.5. No Waiver. Any failure by Mortgagee to
insist upon strict performance of any of the terms, provisions or
conditions of the Loan Documents shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of same, and Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have the right
at any time to insist upon strict performance of all of such
terms, provisions and conditions.
Section 9.6. Credit Agreement. If any conflict or
inconsistency exists between this Mortgage and the Credit
Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall govern.
Section 9.7. Release or Reconveyance. Upon payment in
full of the Indebtedness and performance in full of the
Obligations, Mortgagee, at Mortgagor's expense, shall release the
liens and security interests created by this Mortgage or reconvey
the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagor.
Section 9.8. Waiver of Stay, Moratorium and Similar
Rights. Mortgagor agrees, to the full extent that it may lawfully
do so, that it will not at any time insist upon or plead or in
any way take advantage of any stay, marshalling of assets,
extension, redemption or moratorium law now or hereafter in force
and effect so as to prevent or hinder the enforcement of the
provisions of this Mortgage or the Indebtedness secured hereby,
or any agreement between Mortgagor and Mortgagee or any rights or
remedies of Mortgagee or the Lenders.
Section 9.9. Applicable Law. The provisions of this
Mortgage regarding the creation, perfection and enforcement of
the liens and security interests herein granted shall be governed
by and construed under the laws of the state in which the
Mortgaged Property is located. All other provisions of this
Mortgage shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York
(including, without limitation, Section 5-1401 of the General
Obligations Law of the State of New York), without regard to
conflicts of laws principles.
10
Section 9.10. Headings. The Article, Section and
Subsection titles hereof are inserted for convenience of
reference only and shall in no way alter, modify or define, or be
used in construing, the text of such Articles, Sections or
Subsections.
Section 9.11. Entire Agreement. This Mortgage and the
other Loan Documents embody the entire agreement and
understanding between Mortgagee and Mortgagor and supersede all
prior agreements and understandings between such parties relating
to the subject matter hereof and thereof. Accordingly, the Loan
Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior,
contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties.
There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties.
Section 9.12. Mortgagee as Agent; Successor Agents.
(a) Agent has been appointed to act as Agent hereunder
by the Lenders. Agent shall have the right hereunder to make
demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising
any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action
(including, without limitation, the release or substitution of
the Mortgaged Property) in accordance with the terms of the
Credit Agreement, any related agency agreement among Agent and
the Lenders (collectively, as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified or replaced from time to time, the "Agency Documents")
and this Mortgage. Mortgagor and all other persons shall be
entitled to rely on releases, waivers, consents, approvals,
notifications and other acts of Agent, without inquiry into the
existence of required consents or approvals of the Lenders
therefor.
(b) Mortgagee shall at all times be the same Person
that is Agent under the Agency Documents. Written notice of
resignation by Agent pursuant to the Agency Documents shall also
constitute notice of resignation as Agent under this Mortgage.
Removal of Agent pursuant to any provision of the Agency
Documents shall also constitute removal as Agent under this
Mortgage. Appointment of a successor Agent pursuant to the Agency
Documents shall also constitute appointment of a successor Agent
under this Mortgage. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Agent by a successor Agent under the Agency Documents, that
successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or
removed Agent as the Mortgagee under this Mortgage, and the
retiring or removed Agent shall promptly (i) assign and transfer
to such successor Agent all of its right, title and interest in
and to this Mortgage and the Mortgaged Property, and (ii) execute
and deliver to such successor Agent such assignments and
amendments and take such other actions, as may be necessary or
appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor
Agent of the liens and security interests created hereunder,
whereupon such retiring or removed Agent shall be discharged from
its duties and obligations under this Mortgage. After any
retiring or removed Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as
Agent, the provisions of this Mortgage and the Agency Documents
shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by it under this Mortgage while it was the Agent
hereunder.
[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank]
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mortgagor has on the date set forth in
the acknowledgement hereto, effective as of the date first above
written, caused this instrument to be duly EXECUTED AND DELIVERED
by authority duly given.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.,
a Delaware corporation
By:____________________________
Name:
Title:
▇-▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ )
) SS.:
COUNTY OF __________ )
THE FOREGOING INSTRUMENT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BEFORE ME THIS _____
DAY OF APRIL, 1998, BY ___________________________________, THE
_____________________________, OF DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.,
A DELAWARE CORPORATION, ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION.
___________________________________________
(SIGNATURE AND OFFICE OF INDIVIDUAL TAKING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
MY COMMISSION EXPIRES: __________________________
(NOTARIAL SEAL)
N-1
EXHIBIT A
Mortgaged Property
[See Attached]
Exh. A-1
[a]
MORTGAGOR: [FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR],
a [Mortgagor's state of organization]
[Mortgagor's entity type]
By:__________________________
Name:
Title:
[b]
MORTGAGOR: [FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR],
a [Mortgagor's state of organization]
[Mortgagor's entity type]
By: [17],
a [18] [19]
its General Partner
By:________________________
Name:
Title:
[c]
MORTGAGOR: [FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR],
a [Mortgagor's state of organization]
[Mortgagor's entity type]
By:___________________________
Name:
Title: General Partner
[d]
MORTGAGOR: [FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR],
a [Mortgagor's state of organization]
[Mortgagor's entity type]
By: [20],
a [21][22]
its Managing Member
By:_______________________
Name:
Title:
[e]
MORTGAGOR: [FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR],
a [Mortgagor's state of organization]
[Mortgagor's entity type]
By:____________________________
Name:
Title: Managing Member
[f]
MORTGAGOR: ________________________
[FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR]
FORM OF MORTGAGE WITH AGENT PROVISIONS
The following information will be requested in completing this
form:
[1] State in which Property is Located
[2] Full Name of Mortgagor (In capital letters)
[3] Full Name of Mortgagee (In capital letters)
[4] "As of" Date of Mortgage (document assumes same date as
Credit Agreement
[5] O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ Attorney Name
[6] O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ File Number
[7] Mortgagor's State of Organization
[8] Mortgagor Entity Type (corporation, individual, etc.)
(If Mortgagor's entity type is a corporation, then [a])
(If Mortgagor's entity type is either a partnership or a
limited partnership, then ask:)
Is its general partner a corporation?
(If yes, then [b])
(If no, then [c])
(If Mortgagor's entity type is a limited liability
company, then ask:)
Is its Managing member a corporation?
(If yes, then [d])
(If no, then [e])
(If Mortgagor is an individual, then [f])
[9] Mortgagor's Address
[10] Mortgagee's State of Organization
[11] Mortgagee's Entity Type (national association, corporation,
etc.)
[12] Mortgagee's Address
[13] Title of Credit Agreement
[14] Are there parties to the Credit Agreement other than Agent,
Lenders, Mortgagor and Mortgagee?
If no, skip. (Insert "between Mortgagor, Mortgagee and the
Lenders")
If yes, is there more than one party?
If no, provide the full name of the other party.
(Insert into "among Mortgagor, Mortgagee, the
Lenders and _______________")
If yes, provide the full names of all other parties.
(Insert into "among Mortgagor, Mortgagee, the
Lenders, __________ and __________")(Add additional
________," as necessary before "and".)
[15] State in which Mortgagor's Chief Executive Office is located
[16] Section of Credit Agreement on Notices
[17] Full Name of General Partner
[18] General Partner's State of Organization
[19] General Partner's Entity Type
[20] Full Name of Managing Member
[21] Managing Member's State of Organization
[22] Managing Member's Entity Type
[23] Full Address of Property
[A1] Full name of Agent
[A2] Agent's State of Organization
[A3] Agent's Entity Type (corporation, individual, etc.)
[A4] Agent's Address
[a] Corporation (without a seal)
[b] Partnership or Limited Partnership with Corporate General
Partner
[c] Partnership or Limited Partnership with Individual General
Partner
[d] Limited Liability Company with Corporate Managing Member
[e] Limited Liability Company with Individual Managing Member
[f] Individual
DRAFT
8/07/98
FORM OF LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (KANSAS)
by and from
[EMPIRE CANDLE, INC.], "Mortgagor"
to
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A.,
in its capacity as Agent, "Mortgagee"
Dated as of April ___, 1998
Location:
Municipality:
County:
State:
THE SECURED PARTY (MORTGAGEE) DESIRES THIS FIXTURE FILING
TO BE INDEXED AGAINST THE RECORD OWNER OF THE REAL ESTATE
DESCRIBED HEREIN
PREPARED BY, RECORDING REQUESTED BY,
AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:
O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, Esq.
File #218,107-012
LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (KANSAS)
THIS LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (KANSAS) (this
"Mortgage") is dated as of April ___, 1998 by and from [EMPIRE
CANDLE, INC.], a [Missouri corporation] ("Mortgagor"), whose
address is [2925 Fairfax Trafficway, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇]
to ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., a national banking association, as
agent (in such capacity, "Agent") for the lenders party to the
Credit Agreement (defined below) (such lenders, together with
their respective successors and assigns, collectively, the
"Lenders"), having an address at [Agent's address] (Agent,
together with its successors and assigns, "Mortgagee").
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
-----------
Section 1.1. Definitions. All capitalized terms used
herein without definition shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to them in that certain Credit Agreement dated as of
even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among
Mortgagor, Mortgagee, the Lenders, DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as
Syndication Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as
Documentation Agent. As used herein, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
(a) "Indebtedness": (1) All indebtedness of Mortgagor
to Mortgagee and the Lenders, including, without limitation, all
of the following (but subject, however, to the provisions of
Section 10.2 below with respect to the maximum principal amount
secured by this Mortgage): (a) principal, interest and other
amounts evidenced or secured by the Loan Documents, including
without limitation the Tranche A Term Notes, Tranche B Term
Notes, Revolving Notes and Swing Line Notes, and (b) principal,
interest and other amounts which may hereafter be loaned by
Mortgagee or any of the Lenders under or in connection with the
Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether
evidenced by a promissory note or other instrument which, by its
terms, is secured hereby; (2) all other indebtedness, obligations
and liabilities now or hereafter existing of any kind of
Mortgagor to Mortgagee or any of the Lenders under documents
which recite that they are intended to be secured by this
Mortgage; and (3) any and all judgments enforcing all such
amounts and liabilities described in items (1) and (2)
immediately above. The interest rate on the Indebtedness is a
variable rate as more particularly provided in the Credit
Agreement.
(b) "Mortgaged Property": All of Mortgagor's interest
in (1) the leasehold interest in the real property described in
Exhibit A created by the Subject Lease (defined below), together
with any greater estate therein as hereafter may be acquired by
Mortgagor (the "Land"), (2) all improvements now owned or
hereafter acquired by Mortgagor, now or at any time situated,
placed or constructed upon the Land (the "Improvements"; the Land
and Improvements are collectively referred to as the "Premises"),
(3) all materials, supplies, equipment, apparatus and other items
of personal property now owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor
and now or hereafter attached to, installed in or used in
connection with any of the Improvements or the Land, and water,
gas, electrical, telephone, storm and sanitary sewer facilities
and all other utilities whether or not situated in easements (the
"Fixtures"), (4) all right, title and interest of Mortgagor in
and to all goods, accounts, general intangibles, instruments,
documents, chattel paper and all other personal property of any
kind or character, including such items of personal property as
defined in the UCC (defined below), now owned or hereafter
acquired by Mortgagor and now or hereafter affixed to, placed
upon, used in connection with, arising from or otherwise related
to
the Premises (the "Personalty"), (5) all reserves, escrows or
impounds required under the Credit Agreement and all deposit
accounts maintained by Mortgagor with respect to the Mortgaged
Property (the "Deposit Accounts"), (6) all leases, licenses,
concessions, occupancy agreements or other agreements (written or
oral, now or at any time in effect) which grant to any Person a
possessory interest in, or the right to use, all or any part of
the Mortgaged Property, together with all related security and
other deposits (the "Leases"), (7) all of the rents, revenues,
royalties, income, proceeds, profits, security and other types of
deposits, and other benefits paid or payable by parties to the
Leases for using, leasing, licensing possessing, operating from,
residing in, selling or otherwise enjoying the Mortgaged Property
(the "Rents"), (8) all other agreements, such as construction
contracts, architects' agreements, engineers' contracts, utility
contracts, maintenance agreements, management agreements, service
contracts, listing agreements, guaranties, warranties, permits,
licenses, certificates and entitlements in any way relating to
the construction, use, occupancy, operation, maintenance,
enjoyment or ownership of the Mortgaged Property (the "Property
Agreements"), (9) all rights, privileges, tenements,
hereditaments, rights-of-way, easements, appendages and
appurtenances appertaining to the foregoing, (10) all property
tax refunds (the "Tax Refunds"), (11) all accessions,
replacements and substitutions for any of the foregoing and all
proceeds thereof (the "Proceeds"), (12) all insurance policies,
unearned premiums therefor and proceeds from such policies
covering any of the above property now or hereafter acquired by
Mortgagor (the "Insurance"), and (13) all of Mortgagor's right,
title and interest in and to any awards, damages, remunerations,
reimbursements, settlements or compensation heretofore made or
hereafter to be made by any governmental authority pertaining to
the Land, Improvements, Fixtures or Personalty (the "Condemnation
Awards"). As used in this Mortgage, the term "Mortgaged Property"
shall mean all or, where the context permit or requires, any
portion of the above or any interest therein.
(c) "Obligations": All of the agreements, covenants,
conditions, warranties, representations and other obligations of
Mortgagor (including, without limitation, the obligation to repay
the Indebtedness) under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.
(d) "Subject Lease": That certain Commercial and
Industrial Lease Agreement dated June 23, 1997, pursuant to which
Mortgagor leases all or a portion of the Land from LNPJ, L.L.C.,
a memorandum of which was recorded with the County Clerk of
[county and state in which the memorandum was recorded], in
[Book/Libor/Reel] [Book/Libor/Reel number], Page [page number of
Book/Libor/Reel on which the memorandum was recorded].
(e) "UCC": The Uniform Commercial Code of Kansas or,
if the creation, perfection and enforcement of any security
interest herein granted is governed by the laws of a state other
than Kansas, then, as to the matter in question, the Uniform
Commercial Code in effect in that state.
ARTICLE 2
GRANT
-----
Section 2.1. Grant. To secure the full and timely
payment of the Indebtedness and the full and timely performance
of the Obligations, Mortgagor MORTGAGES AND WARRANTS, GRANTS,
BARGAINS, ASSIGNS, SELLS and CONVEYS, to Mortgagee the Mortgaged
Property, subject, however, to the Permitted Encumbrances, TO
HAVE AND TO HOLD the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagee, and
Mortgagor does hereby bind itself, its successors and assigns to
WARRANT AND FOREVER DEFEND the title to the Mortgaged Property
unto Mortgagee.
ARTICLE 3
WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
-----------------------------------------
Mortgagor warrants, represents and covenants to
Mortgagee as follows:
2
Section 3.1. Title to Mortgaged Property and Lien of
this Instrument. Mortgagor owns the Mortgaged Property free and
clear of any liens, claims or interests, except the Permitted
Encumbrances. This Mortgage creates valid, enforceable first
priority liens and security interests against the Mortgaged
Property.
Section 3.2. First Lien Status. Mortgagor shall
preserve and protect the first lien and security interest status
of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents. If any lien or
security interest other than the Permitted Encumbrances is
asserted against the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagor shall
promptly, and at its expense, (a) give Mortgagee a detailed
written notice of such lien or security interest (including
origin, amount and other terms), and (b) pay the underlying claim
in full or take such other action so as to cause it to be
released or contest the same in compliance with the requirements
of the Credit Agreement (including the requirement of providing a
bond or other security satisfactory to Mortgagee).
Section 3.3. Payment and Performance. Mortgagor shall
pay the Indebtedness when due under the Loan Documents and shall
perform the Obligations in full when they are required to be
performed.
Section 3.4. Replacement of Fixtures and Personalty.
Mortgagor shall not, without the prior written consent of
Mortgagee, permit any of the Fixtures or Personalty to be removed
at any time from the Land or Improvements, unless the removed
item is removed temporarily for maintenance and repair or, if
removed permanently, is obsolete and is replaced by an article of
equal or better suitability and value, owned by Mortgagor subject
to the liens and security interests of this Mortgage and the
other Loan Documents, and free and clear of any other lien or
security interest except such as may be permitted under the
Credit Agreement or first approved in writing by Mortgagee.
Section 3.5. Inspection. Mortgagor shall permit
Mortgagee and the Lenders, and their respective agents,
representatives and employees, upon reasonable prior notice to
Mortgagor, and in compliance with the Subject Lease, to inspect
the Mortgaged Property and all books and records of Mortgagor
located thereon, and to conduct such environmental and
engineering studies as Mortgagee or the Lenders may require,
provided that such inspections and studies shall not materially
interfere with the use and operation of the Mortgaged Property.
Section 3.6. Other Covenants. All of the covenants in
the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and,
together with covenants in this Article 3, shall be covenants
running with the land.
Section 3.7. Condemnation Awards and Insurance Proceeds.
(a) Condemnation Awards. Mortgagor assigns all awards
and compensation to which it is entitled for any condemnation or
other taking, or any purchase in lieu thereof, to Mortgagee and
authorizes Mortgagee to collect and receive such awards and
compensation and to give proper receipts and acquittances
therefor, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.
(b) Insurance Proceeds. Mortgagor assigns to Mortgagee
all proceeds of any insurance policies insuring against loss or
damage to the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagor authorizes Mortgagee
to collect and receive such proceeds and authorizes and directs
the issuer of each of such insurance policies to make payment for
all such losses directly to Mortgagee, instead of to Mortgagor
and Mortgagee jointly.
3
ARTICLE 4
LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE PROVISIONS
-----------------------------
Section 4.1. Representations; Warranties; Covenants.
Mortgagor hereby represents, warrants and covenants to Mortgagee
and to the Lenders, with respect to the Subject Lease, that:
(a) (1) Such Subject Lease is unmodified and in full
force and effect, (2) all rent and other charges therein have
been paid to the extent they are payable to the date hereof, (3)
Mortgagor enjoys the quiet and peaceful possession of the
property demised thereby, (4) to the best of its knowledge,
Mortgagor is not in default under any of the terms thereof and
there are no circumstances which, with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both, would constitute an event of default
thereunder, (5) to the best of Mortgagor's knowledge, the lessor
thereunder is not in default under any of the terms or provisions
thereof on the part of the lessor to be observed or performed;
(b) Mortgagor shall promptly pay, when due and
payable, the rent and other charges payable pursuant to such
Subject Lease, and will timely perform and observe all of the
other terms, covenants and conditions required to be performed
and observed by Mortgagor as lessee under such Subject Lease;
(c) Mortgagor shall notify Mortgagee and the Lenders
in writing of any default by Mortgagor in the performance or
observance of any terms, covenants or conditions on the part of
Mortgagor to be performed or observed under such Subject Lease
within three (3) days after Mortgagor knows of such default;
(d) Mortgagor shall, immediately upon receipt thereof,
deliver a copy of each notice given to Mortgagor by the lessor
pursuant to such Subject Lease and promptly notify Mortgagee and
the Lenders in writing of any default by the lessor in the
performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or
conditions on the part of the lessor to be performed or observed
thereunder;
(e) Unless required under the terms of such Subject
Lease, Mortgagor shall not, without the prior written consent of
Mortgagee and the Lenders (which may be granted or withheld in
Mortgagee's and the Lenders' sole and absolute discretion)
terminate, modify or surrender such Subject Lease, and any such
attempted termination, modification or surrender without
Mortgagee's and the Lenders' written consent shall be void; and
(f) Mortgagor shall, within twenty (20) days after
written request from Mortgagee, use its best efforts to obtain
from the lessor and deliver to Mortgagee a certificate setting
forth the name of the tenant thereunder and stating that such
Subject Lease is in full force and effect, is unmodified or, if
the Subject Lease has been modified, the date of each
modification (together with copies of each such modification),
that no notice of termination thereon has been served on
Mortgagor, stating that no default or event which with notice or
lapse of time (or both) would become a default is existing under
the Subject Lease, stating the date to which rent has been paid,
and specifying the nature of any defaults, if any, and containing
such other statements and representations as may be requested by
Mortgagee.
Section 4.2. No Merger. So long as any of the
Indebtedness or the Obligations remain unpaid or unperformed, the
fee title to and the leasehold estate in the premises subject to
each Subject Lease shall not merge but shall always be kept
separate and distinct notwithstanding the union of such estates
in the lessor or Mortgagor, or in a third party, by purchase or
otherwise. If Mortgagor acquires the fee title or any other
estate, title or interest in the property demised by the Subject
Lease, or any part thereof, the lien of this Mortgage shall
attach to, cover and be a lien upon such acquired estate, title
or
4
interest and the same shall thereupon be and become a part of the
Mortgaged Property with the same force and effect as if
specifically encumbered herein. Mortgagor agrees to execute all
instruments and documents that Mortgagee may reasonably require
to ratify, confirm and further evidence the lien of this Mortgage
on the acquired estate, title or interest. Furthermore, Mortgagor
hereby appoints Mortgagee as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact
to execute and deliver, following an Event of Default, all such
instruments and documents in the name and on behalf of Mortgagor.
This power, being coupled with an interest, shall be irrevocable
as long as any portion of the Indebtedness remains unpaid.
Section 4.3. Mortgagee or the Lenders as Lessee. If
the Subject Lease shall be terminated prior to the natural
expiration of its term due to default by Mortgagor or any tenant
thereunder, and if, pursuant to the provisions of such Subject
Lease, Mortgagee or the Lenders, or their respective designees,
shall acquire from the lessor a new lease of the premises subject
to the Subject Lease, Mortgagor shall have no right, title or
interest in or to such new lease or the leasehold estate created
thereby, or renewal privileges therein contained.
Section 4.4. No Assignment. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein, this Mortgage shall not
constitute an assignment of any Subject Lease within the meaning
of any provision thereof prohibiting its assignment and Mortgagee
and the Lenders shall have no liability or obligation thereunder
by reason of their acceptance of this Mortgage. Mortgagee and the
Lenders shall be liable for the obligations of the tenant arising
out of any Subject Lease for only that period of time for which
Mortgagee and the Lenders are in possession of the premises
demised thereunder or has acquired, by foreclosure or otherwise,
and are holding all of Mortgagor's right, title and interest
therein.
ARTICLE 5
DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE
-----------------------
Section 5.1. Remedies. If an Event of Default exists,
Mortgagee, or a judicially appointed receiver, may, at
Mortgagee's election, exercise any or all of the following
rights, remedies and recourses:
(a) Acceleration. Declare the Indebtedness to be
immediately due and payable, without further notice, presentment,
protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration,
demand or action of any nature whatsoever (each of which hereby
is expressly waived by Mortgagor), whereupon the same shall
become immediately due and payable.
(b) Entry on Mortgaged Property. Enter the Mortgaged
Property and take exclusive possession thereof and of all books,
records and accounts relating thereto or located thereon. If
Mortgagor remains in possession of the Mortgaged Property after
an Event of Default and without Mortgagee's prior written
consent, Mortgagee may invoke any legal remedies to dispossess
Mortgagor.
(c) Operation of Mortgaged Property. Hold, lease,
develop, manage, operate or otherwise use the Mortgaged Property
upon such terms and conditions as Mortgagee may deem reasonable
under the circumstances (making such repairs, alterations,
additions and improvements and taking other actions, from time to
time, as Mortgagee deems necessary or desirable), and apply all
Rents and other amounts collected by Mortgagee in connection
therewith in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.7.
(d) Foreclosure and Sale. Foreclose this Mortgage and,
subject to the limitations of this Mortgage with respect to the
aggregate principal amount of the Obligations and interest
thereon secured by this Mortgage, obtain a judgment in the amount
of the Obligations, including all sums advanced, paid, or
expended pursuant to this Mortgage and, to the extent permitted
by applicable law, attorneys' fees and
5
expenses and all costs and expenses of enforcing this Mortgage
and such judgment, and Mortgagee shall be entitled to a decree
for the sale of the Mortgaged Property in satisfaction of the
judgment foreclosing all rights and equities of Mortgagor in and
to the Mortgaged Property as well as all persons claiming under
Mortgagor. In addition, Mortgagee shall be entitled to collect
from Mortgagor the deficiency, if any, between the amount of the
judgment and all sums owing thereunder and the amount of the
proceeds of the foreclosure sale of the Mortgaged Property after
deducting all fees, costs and expenses of such sale.
With respect to any notices required or permitted under the UCC,
Mortgagor agrees that ten (10) days' prior written notice shall
be deemed commercially reasonable. At any such sale by virtue of
any judicial proceedings, power of sale, or any other legal
right, remedy or recourse, the title to and right of possession
of any such property shall pass to the purchaser thereof, and to
the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortgagor shall be
completely and irrevocably divested of all of its right, title,
interest, claim, equity, equity of redemption, and demand
whatsoever, either at law or in equity, in and to the property
sold and such sale shall be a perpetual bar both at law and in
equity against Mortgagor, and against all other Persons claiming
or to claim the property sold or any part thereof, by, through or
under Mortgagor.
Mortgagee or any of the Lenders may be a purchaser at such sale
and if Mortgagee or any of the Lenders is the highest bidder,
Mortgagee or any such Lender may credit the portion of the
purchase price that would be distributed to Mortgagee or any such
Lender against the Indebtedness in lieu of paying cash. In the
event this Mortgage is foreclosed by judicial action,
appraisement of the Mortgaged Property is waived.
(e) Receiver. Make application to a court of competent
jurisdiction for, and obtain from such court as a matter of
strict right and without notice to Mortgagor or regard to the
adequacy of the Mortgaged Property for the repayment of the
Indebtedness, the appointment of a receiver of the Mortgaged
Property, and Mortgagor irrevocably consents to such appointment.
Any such receiver shall have all the usual powers and duties of
receivers in similar cases, including the full power to rent,
maintain and otherwise operate the Mortgaged Property upon such
terms as may be approved by the court, and shall apply such Rents
in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.7.
(f) Other. Exercise all other rights, remedies and
recourses granted under the Loan Documents or otherwise available
at law or in equity.
Section 5.2. Separate Sales. The Mortgaged Property
may be sold in one or more parcels and in such manner and order
as Mortgagee in its sole discretion may elect; the right of sale
arising out of any Event of Default shall not be exhausted by any
one or more sales.
Section 5.3. Remedies Cumulative, Concurrent and
Nonexclusive. Mortgagee and the Lenders shall have all rights,
remedies and recourses granted in the Loan Documents and
available at law or equity (including the UCC), which rights (a)
shall be cumulated and concurrent, (b) may be pursued separately,
successively or concurrently against Mortgagor or others
obligated under the Loan Documents, or against the Mortgaged
Property, or against any one or more of them, at the sole
discretion of Mortgagee or the Lenders, (c) may be exercised as
often as occasion therefor shall arise, and the exercise or
failure to exercise any of them shall not be construed as a
waiver or release thereof or of any other right, remedy or
recourse, and (d) are intended to be, and shall be, nonexclusive.
No action by Mortgagee or the Lenders in the enforcement of any
rights, remedies or recourses under the Loan Documents or
otherwise at law or equity shall be deemed to cure any Event of
Default.
Section 5.4. Release of and Resort to Collateral.
Mortgagee may release, regardless of consideration and without
the necessity for any notice to or consent by the holder of any
subordinate lien on the Mortgaged Property, any part of the
Mortgaged Property without, as to the remainder, in any way
impairing, affecting, subordinating or releasing the lien or
security interest created in or evidenced by the Loan Documents
or their status as a first and prior lien and security interest
in and to the Mortgaged
6
Property. For payment of the Indebtedness, Mortgagee may resort
to any other security in such order and manner as Mortgagee may
elect.
Section 5.5. Waiver of Redemption, Notice and
Marshalling of Assets. To the fullest extent permitted by law,
Mortgagor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and
releases (a) all benefit that might accrue to Mortgagor by virtue
of any present or future statute of limitations or law or
judicial decision exempting the Mortgaged Property from
attachment, levy or sale on execution or providing for any stay
of execution, exemption from civil process, period of redemption
or redemption rights, or extension of time for payment, (b) all
notices of any Event of Default or of Mortgagee's election to
exercise or the actual exercise of any right, remedy or recourse
provided for under the Loan Documents, and (c) any right to a
marshalling of assets or a sale in inverse order of alienation.
Section 5.6. Discontinuance of Proceedings. If
Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have proceeded to invoke any
right, remedy or recourse permitted under the Loan Documents and
shall thereafter elect to discontinue or abandon it for any
reason, Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have the unqualified right
to do so and, in such an event, Mortgagor and Mortgagee and the
Lenders shall be restored to their former positions with respect
to the Indebtedness, the Obligations, the Loan Documents, the
Mortgaged Property and otherwise, and the rights, remedies,
recourses and powers of Mortgagee and the Lenders shall continue
as if the right, remedy or recourse had never been invoked, but
no such discontinuance or abandonment shall waive any Event of
Default which may then exist or the right of Mortgagee or the
Lenders thereafter to exercise any right, remedy or recourse
under the Loan Documents for such Event of Default.
Section 5.7. Application of Proceeds. The proceeds of
any sale of, and the Rents and other amounts generated by the
holding, leasing, management, operation or other use of the
Mortgaged Property, shall be applied by Mortgagee (or the
receiver, if one is appointed) in the following order unless
otherwise required by applicable law:
(a) to the payment of the costs and expenses of taking
possession of the Mortgaged Property and of holding, using,
leasing, repairing, improving and selling the same, including,
without limitation (1) receiver's fees and expenses, including
the repayment of the amounts evidenced by any receiver's
certificates, (2) court costs, (3) reasonable attorneys' and
accountants' fees and expenses, (4) costs of advertisement, (5)
the payment of all rent and other charges under the Subject
Lease, (6) statutory foreclosure costs, and (7) costs of title
evidence, appraisals and environmental reports;
(b) to the payment of the Indebtedness and performance
of the Obligations in such manner and order of preference as
Mortgagee in its sole discretion may determine; and
(c) the balance, if any, to the payment of the Persons
legally entitled thereto.
Section 5.8. Occupancy After Foreclosure. Any sale of
the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof in accordance with
Section 5.1(d) will divest all right, title and interest of
Mortgagor in and to the property sold. Subject to applicable law,
any purchaser at a foreclosure sale will receive immediate
possession of the property purchased. If Mortgagor retains
possession of such property or any part thereof subsequent to
such sale, Mortgagor will be considered a tenant at sufferance of
the purchaser, and will, if Mortgagor remains in possession after
demand to remove, be subject to eviction and removal, forcible or
otherwise, with or without process of law.
7
Section 5.9. Additional Advances and Disbursements;
Costs of Enforcement.
(a) If any Event of Default exists, Mortgagee and each
of the Lenders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to
cure such Event of Default in the name and on behalf of
Mortgagor. All sums advanced and expenses incurred at any time by
Mortgagee or any Lender under this Section 5.9, or otherwise
under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents or
applicable law, shall bear interest from the date that such sum
is advanced or expense incurred, to and including the date of
reimbursement, computed at the rate or rates at which interest is
then computed on the Indebtedness, and all such sums, together
with interest thereon, shall be secured by this Mortgage.
(b) Mortgagor shall pay all expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) of or incidental to the
perfection and enforcement of this Mortgage and the other Loan
Documents, or the enforcement, compromise or settlement of the
Indebtedness or any claim under this Mortgage and the other Loan
Documents, and for the curing thereof, or for defending or
asserting the rights and claims of Mortgagee in respect thereof,
by litigation or otherwise.
Section 5.10. No Mortgagee in Possession. Neither the
enforcement of any of the remedies under this Article 5, the
assignment of the Rents and Leases under Article 6, the security
interests under Article 7, nor any other remedies afforded to
Mortgagee or any Lender under the Loan Documents, at law or in
equity shall cause Mortgagee or any Lender to be deemed or
construed to be a mortgagee in possession of the Mortgaged
Property, to obligate Mortgagee or any Lender to lease the
Mortgaged Property or attempt to do so, or to take any action,
incur any expense, or perform or discharge any obligation, duty
or liability whatsoever under any of the Leases or otherwise.
ARTICLE 6
ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES
------------------------------
Section 6.1. Assignment. In furtherance of and in
addition to the assignment made by Mortgagor in Section 2.1 of
this Mortgage, Mortgagor hereby absolutely and unconditionally
assigns, sells, transfers and conveys to Mortgagee all of its
right, title and interest in and to all Leases, whether now
existing or hereafter entered into, and all of its right, title
and interest in and to all Rents. This assignment is an absolute
assignment and not an assignment for additional security only. So
long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, Mortgagor shall have a revocable license from
Mortgagee to exercise all rights extended to the landlord under
the Leases, including the right to receive and collect all Rents
and to hold the Rents in trust for use in the payment and
performance of the Obligations and to otherwise use the same. The
foregoing license is granted subject to the conditional
limitation that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, whether or not legal proceedings have
commenced, and without regard to waste, adequacy of security for
the Obligations or solvency of Mortgagor, the license herein
granted shall automatically expire and terminate, without notice
by Mortgagee (any such notice being hereby expressly waived by
Mortgagor).
Section 6.2. Perfection Upon Recordation. Mortgagor
acknowledges that Mortgagee has taken all actions necessary to
obtain, and that upon recordation of this Mortgage Mortgagee
shall have, to the extent permitted under applicable law, a valid
and fully perfected, first priority, present assignment of the
Rents arising out of the Leases and all security for such Leases.
Mortgagor acknowledges and agrees that upon recordation of this
Mortgage Mortgagee's interest in the Rents shall be deemed to be
fully perfected, "▇▇▇▇▇▇" and enforced as to Mortgagor and all
third parties, including, without limitation, any subsequently
appointed trustee in any case under Title 11 of the United States
Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"), without the necessity of commencing
a foreclosure action with respect to this Mortgage, making formal
demand for the Rents, obtaining the appointment of a receiver or
taking any
8
other affirmative action.
Section 6.3. Bankruptcy Provisions. Without limitation
of the absolute nature of the assignment of the Rents hereunder,
Mortgagor and Mortgagee agree that (a) this Mortgage shall
constitute a "security agreement" for purposes of Section 552(b)
of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the security interest created by this
Mortgage extends to property of Mortgagor acquired before the
commencement of a case in bankruptcy and to all amounts paid as
Rents and (c) such security interest shall extend to all Rents
acquired by the estate after the commencement of any case in
bankruptcy.
Section 6.4. No Merger of Estates. So long as part of
the Indebtedness and the Obligations secured hereby remain unpaid
and undischarged, the fee and leasehold estates to the Mortgaged
Property shall not merge, but shall remain separate and distinct,
notwithstanding the union of such estates either in Mortgagor,
Mortgagee, any tenant or any third party by purchase or
otherwise.
ARTICLE 7
SECURITY AGREEMENT
------------------
Section 7.1. Security Interest. This Mortgage
constitutes a "security agreement" on personal property within
the meaning of the UCC and other applicable law and with respect
to the leasehold interest created by the Subject Lease, the
Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents, Deposit Accounts, Property
Agreements, Tax Refunds, Proceeds, Insurance and Condemnation
Awards. To this end, Mortgagor grants to Mortgagee a first and
prior security interest in the leasehold interest created by the
Subject Lease, the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents, Deposit
Accounts, Property Agreements, Tax Refunds, Proceeds, Insurance,
Condemnation Awards and all other Mortgaged Property which is
personal property to secure the payment of the Indebtedness and
performance of the Obligations, and agrees that Mortgagee shall
have all the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC
with respect to such property. Any notice of sale, disposition or
other intended action by Mortgagee with respect to the leasehold
interest created by the Subject Lease, the Personalty, Fixtures,
Leases, Rents, Deposit Accounts, Property Agreements, Tax
Refunds, Proceeds, Insurance and Condemnation Awards sent to
Mortgagor at least five (5) days prior to any action under the
UCC shall constitute reasonable notice to Mortgagor.
Section 7.2. Financing Statements. Mortgagor shall
execute and deliver to Mortgagee, in form and substance
satisfactory to Mortgagee, such financing statements and such
further assurances as Mortgagee may, from time to time,
reasonably consider necessary to create, perfect and preserve
Mortgagee's security interest hereunder and Mortgagee may cause
such statements and assurances to be recorded and filed, at such
times and places as may be required or permitted by law to so
create, perfect and preserve such security interest. Mortgagor's
chief executive office is in the State of [state in which
Mortgagor's Chief Executive Office is located] at the address set
forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage.
Section 7.3. Fixture Filing. This Mortgage shall also
constitute a "fixture filing" for the purposes of the UCC against
all of the Mortgaged Property which is or is to become fixtures.
Information concerning the security interest herein granted may
be obtained at the addresses of Debtor (Mortgagor) and Secured
Party (Mortgagee) as set forth in the first paragraph of this
Mortgage.
ARTICLE 8
[Intentionally Omitted]
ARTICLE 9
9
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
Section 9.1. Notices. Any notice required or permitted
to be given under this Mortgage shall be given in accordance with
Section [10.8] of the Credit Agreement.
Section 9.2. Covenants Running with the Land. All
Obligations contained in this Mortgage are intended by Mortgagor
and Mortgagee to be, and shall be construed as, covenants running
with the Mortgaged Property. As used herein, "Mortgagor" shall
refer to the party named in the first paragraph of this Mortgage
and to any subsequent owner of all or any portion of the
Mortgaged Property.
All Persons who may have or acquire an interest in the Mortgaged
Property shall be deemed to have notice of, and be bound by, the
terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
however, no such party shall be entitled to any rights thereunder
without the prior written consent of Mortgagee.
Section 9.3. Attorney-in-Fact. Mortgagor hereby
irrevocably appoints Mortgagee and its successors and assigns, as
its attorney-in-fact, which agency is coupled with an interest
and with full power of substitution, (a) to execute and/or record
any notices of completion, cessation of labor or any other
notices that Mortgagee deems appropriate to protect Mortgagee's
interest, if Mortgagor shall fail to do so within ten (10) days
after written request by Mortgagee, (b) upon the issuance of a
deed pursuant to the foreclosure of this Mortgage or the delivery
of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, to execute all instruments of
assignment, conveyance or further assurance with respect to the
Leases, Rents, Deposit Accounts, Property Agreements, Tax
Refunds, Proceeds, Insurance and Condemnation Awards in favor of
the grantee of any such deed and as may be necessary or desirable
for such purpose, (c) to prepare, execute and file or record
financing statements, continuation statements, applications for
registration and like papers necessary to create, perfect or
preserve Mortgagee's security interests and rights in or to any
of the Mortgaged Property, and (d) while any Event of Default
exists, to perform any obligation of Mortgagor hereunder,
however: (1) Mortgagee shall not under any circumstances be
obligated to perform any obligation of Mortgagor; (2) any sums
advanced by Mortgagee in such performance shall be added to and
included in the Indebtedness and shall bear interest at the rate
or rates at which interest is then computed on the Indebtedness;
(3) Mortgagee as such attorney-in-fact shall only be accountable
for such funds as are actually received by Mortgagee; and (4)
Mortgagee shall not be liable to Mortgagor or any other person or
entity for any failure to take any action which it is empowered
to take under this Section 9.3.
Section 9.4. Successors and Assigns. This Mortgage
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Mortgagee, the
Lenders, and Mortgagor and their respective successors and
assigns. Mortgagor shall not, without the prior written consent
of Mortgagee, assign any rights, duties or obligations hereunder.
Section 9.5. No Waiver. Any failure by Mortgagee to
insist upon strict performance of any of the terms, provisions or
conditions of the Loan Documents shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of same, and Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have the right
at any time to insist upon strict performance of all of such
terms, provisions and conditions.
Section 9.6. Credit Agreement. If any conflict or
inconsistency exists between this Mortgage and the Credit
Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall govern.
Section 9.7. Release or Reconveyance. Upon payment in
full of the Indebtedness and performance in full of the
Obligations, Mortgagee, at Mortgagor's expense, shall release the
liens and security interests created by this Mortgage or reconvey
the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagor.
Section 9.8. Waiver of Stay, Moratorium and Similar
Rights. Mortgagor agrees, to the full extent that it may lawfully
do so, that it will not at any time insist upon or plead or in
any way take
10
advantage of any stay, marshalling of assets, extension,
redemption or moratorium law now or hereafter in force and effect
so as to prevent or hinder the enforcement of the provisions of
this Mortgage or the Indebtedness secured hereby, or any
agreement between Mortgagor and Mortgagee or any rights or
remedies of Mortgagee or the Lenders.
Section 9.9. Applicable Law. The provisions of this
Mortgage regarding the creation, perfection and enforcement of
the liens and security interests herein granted shall be governed
by and construed under the laws of the state in which the
Mortgaged Property is located. All other provisions of this
Mortgage shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York
(including, without limitation, Section 5-1401 of the General
Obligations Law of the State of New York), without regard to
conflicts of laws principles.
Section 9.10. Headings. The Article, Section and
Subsection titles hereof are inserted for convenience of
reference only and shall in no way alter, modify or define, or be
used in construing, the text of such Articles, Sections or
Subsections.
Section 9.11. Entire Agreement. This Mortgage and the
other Loan Documents embody the entire agreement and
understanding between Mortgagee and Mortgagor and supersede all
prior agreements and understandings between such parties relating
to the subject matter hereof and thereof. Accordingly, the Loan
Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior,
contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties.
There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties.
Section 9.12. Mortgagee as Agent; Successor Agents.
(a) Agent has been appointed to act as Agent hereunder
by the Lenders. Agent shall have the right hereunder to make
demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising
any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action
(including, without limitation, the release or substitution of
the Mortgaged Property) in accordance with the terms of the
Credit Agreement, any related agency agreement among Agent and
the Lenders (collectively, as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified or replaced from time to time, the "Agency Documents")
and this Mortgage. Mortgagor and all other persons shall be
entitled to rely on releases, waivers, consents, approvals,
notifications and other acts of Agent, without inquiry into the
existence of required consents or approvals of the Lenders
therefor; except as required in Section 4.1 herein.
(b) Mortgagee shall at all times be the same Person
that is Agent under the Agency Documents. Written notice of
resignation by Agent pursuant to the Agency Documents shall also
constitute notice of resignation as Agent under this Mortgage.
Removal of Agent pursuant to any provision of the Agency
Documents shall also constitute removal as Agent under this
Mortgage. Appointment of a successor Agent pursuant to the Agency
Documents shall also constitute appointment of a successor Agent
under this Mortgage. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Agent by a successor Agent under the Agency Documents, that
successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or
removed Agent as the Mortgagee under this Mortgage, and the
retiring or removed Agent shall promptly (i) assign and transfer
to such successor Agent all of its right, title and interest in
and to this Mortgage and the Mortgaged Property, and (ii) execute
and deliver to such successor Agent such assignments and
amendments and take such other actions, as may be necessary or
appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor
Agent of the liens and security interests created hereunder,
whereupon such retiring or removed Agent shall be discharged from
its duties and obligations under this Mortgage. After any
retiring or removed Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as
Agent, the provisions of this Mortgage and the Agency Documents
shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by it under this Mortgage while it
11
was the Agent hereunder.
ARTICLE 10
LOCAL LAW PROVISIONS
Section 10.1. Limitation on Maximum Principal Amount
of Obligations Secured. Anything in this Mortgage to the contrary
notwithstanding, this Mortgage is made upon the condition that
this Mortgage and the lien granted and created hereby shall not
secure the entire amount of the Obligations, but shall only
secure (a) the aggregate principal amount of $_______________,
such aggregate principal amount being the last such principal
amount constituting the Indebtedness, and (b) interest on such
aggregate principal amount, together with all sums expended or
incurred for the reasonable protection of the security created in
the Mortgaged Property and the enforcement of the terms of this
Mortgage, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents, as applicable.
Section 10.2. Priority of Future Advances. This
Mortgage and the lien granted and created hereby secures all
future advances and re-advances under the Credit Agreement (and
guarantied by Mortgagor) or otherwise and future advances and
re-advances under this Mortgage, all of such future advances and
re-advances shall have the same priority as all advances made
pursuant to this Mortgage and in accordance with K.S.A.? 58-2336;
provided, however, that as provided in Section 10.1 above, the
entire amount of the Obligations is not secured by this Mortgage,
but this Mortgage only secures (a) the aggregate principal amount
of $_______________, such aggregate principal amount being the
last such principal amount constituting the Indebtedness, and (b)
interest on such aggregate principal amount, together with all
sums expended or incurred for the reasonable protection of the
security of the Mortgaged Property and the enforcement of the
terms of this Mortgage, the Credit Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents, as applicable.
[The remainder of this page has been intentionally left blank]
12
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mortgagor has on the date set forth in
the acknowledgement hereto, effective as of the date first above
written, caused this instrument to be duly EXECUTED AND DELIVERED
by authority duly given.
[EMPIRE CANDLE, INC.],
a [Missouri corporation]
By:______________________
Name:
Title:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
STATE OF ILLINOIS )
) SS.:
COUNTY OF __________ )
THE FOREGOING INSTRUMENT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BEFORE ME THIS _____
DAY OF APRIL, 1998, BY ___________________________________, THE
_____________________________, OF [EMPIRE CANDLE INC., A MISSOURI
CORPORATION], ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION.
__________________________________________________
(SIGNATURE AND OFFICE OF INDIVIDUAL TAKING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
MY COMMISSION EXPIRES: __________________________
(NOTARIAL SEAL)
EXHIBIT A
Legal Description of premises located at [full address of
property]:
[a]
MORTGAGOR: [2],
a [7] [8]
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
[b]
MORTGAGOR: [2],
a [7] [8]
By: [17],
a [18] [19]
its General Partner
By:_______________________
Name:
Title:
[c]
MORTGAGOR: [2],
a [7] [8]
By:______________________
Name:
Title: General Partner
[d]
MORTGAGOR: [2],
a [7] [8]
By: [20],
a [21] [22]
its Managing Member
By:_______________________
Name:
Title:
[e]
MORTGAGOR: [2],
a [7] [8]
By:_________________________
Name:
Title: Managing Member
[f]
MORTGAGOR: ________________________
[2]
FORM OF MORTGAGE WITH LEASEHOLD PROVISIONS
The following information will be requested in completing this
form:
[1] State in which Property is Located
[2] Full Name of Mortgagor (In capital letters)
[3] Full Name of Mortgagee (In capital letters)
[4] "As of" Date of Mortgage (document assumes same date as
Credit Agreement
[5] O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ Attorney Name
[6] O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ File Number
[7] Mortgagor's State of Organization
[8] Mortgagor Entity Type (corporation, individual, etc.) (If
Mortgagor's entity type is a corporation, then [a])
(If Mortgagor's entity type is either a partnership or a
limited partnership, then ask:) Is its general partner
a corporation?
(If yes, then [b])
(If no, then [c])
(If Mortgagor's entity type is a limited liability
company, then ask:) Is its Managing member a
corporation?
(If yes, then [d])
(If no, then [e])
(If Mortgagor is an individual, then [f])
[9] Mortgagor's Address
[10] Mortgagee's State of Organization
[11] Mortgagee's Entity Type (national association, corporation,
etc.)
[12] Mortgagee's Address
[13] Title of Credit Agreement
[14] Are there parties to the Credit Agreement other than
Mortgagor and Mortgagee? If no, skip. (Insert "between
Mortgagor and Mortgagee") If yes, is there more than one
party?
If no, provide the full name of the other party.
(Insert into "among Mortgagor, Mortgagee and
_______________") If yes, provide the full names of
all other parties. (Insert into "among Mortgagor,
Mortgagee, __________ and __________")(Add additional
________," as necessary before "and".)
[15] State in which Mortgagor's Chief Executive Office is located
[16] Section of Credit Agreement on Notices
[17] Full Name of General Partner
[18] General Partner's State of Organization
[19] General Partner's Entity Type
[20] Full Name of Managing Member
[21] Managing Member's State of Organization
[22] Managing Member's Entity Type
[23] Full Address of Property
[L1] Title of Lease
[L2] Date of Lease
[L3] Full Name of Lessor
[L4] County and State in which the memorandum was recorded
[L5] The memorandum of lease was recorded in which one of the following?
a) Book
b) Libor
c) Reel
[L6] Book/Libor/Reel number
[L7] Page number of the Book/Libor/Reel on which the memorandum was recorded
[a] Corporation (without a seal)
[b] Partnership or Limited Partnership with Corporate General Partner
[c] Partnership or Limited Partnership with Individual General Partner
[d] Limited Liability Company with Corporate Managing Member
[e] Limited Liability Company with Individual Managing Member
[f] Individual
MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (MAINE)
by and from
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, INC., "Mortgagor"
to
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A.,
in its capacity as Agent, "Mortgagee"
Dated as of April 21, 1998
Location:
Municipality:
County:
State:
THE SECURED PARTY (MORTGAGEE) DESIRES THIS FIXTURE FILING
TO BE INDEXED AGAINST THE RECORD OWNER OF THE REAL ESTATE
DESCRIBED HEREIN
PREPARED BY, RECORDING REQUESTED BY,
AND WHEN RECORDED MAIL TO:
O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇, Esq.
File #218,107-012
MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (MAINE)
THIS MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS
AND LEASES AND FIXTURE FILING (MAINE) (this "Mortgage") is dated
as of April 21, 1998 by and from ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, INC., a Maine
corporation ("Mortgagor"), whose address is ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ to ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., a national banking
association, as agent (in such capacity, "Agent") for the lenders
party to the Credit Agreement (defined below) (such lenders,
together with their respective successors and assigns,
collectively, the "Lenders"), having an address at ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ (Agent,
together with its successors and assigns, "Mortgagee").
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS
-----------
Section 1.1. Definitions. All capitalized terms used
herein without definition shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to them in that certain Credit Agreement dated as of
even date herewith (as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among
Mortgagor, Mortgagee, the Lenders, DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as
Syndication Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding, Inc., as
Documentation Agent. As used herein, the following terms shall
have the following meanings:
(a) "Indebtedness": (1) All indebtedness of Mortgagor
to Mortgagee and the Lenders, including, without limitation, the
sum of all (a) principal, interest and other amounts evidenced or
secured by the Loan Documents, including a Subsidiary Guaranty of
even date herewith given by Mortgagor to Mortgagee which
guarantees an original principal indebtedness as set forth in the
Loan Documents of $105,000,000.00, and (b) principal, interest
and other amounts which may hereafter be loaned by Mortgagee or
any of the Lenders under or in connection with the Credit
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, whether evidenced
by a promissory note or other instrument which, by its terms, is
secured hereby, and (2) all other indebtedness, obligations and
liabilities now or hereafter existing of any kind of Mortgagor to
Mortgagee or any of the Lenders under documents which recite that
they are intended to be secured by this Mortgage. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary herein, the maximum Indebtedness shall
not exceed $105,000,000.00, subject to all other provisions of
this Mortgage and the Credit Agreement.
(b) "Mortgaged Property": All of Mortgagor's interest
in (1) the fee interest in the real property described in Exhibit
A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference,
together with any greater estate therein as hereafter may be
acquired by Mortgagor (the "Land"), (2) all improvements now
owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor, now or at any time
situated, placed or constructed upon the Land (the
"Improvements"; the Land and Improvements are collectively
referred to as the "Premises"), (3) all materials, supplies,
equipment, apparatus and other items of personal property now
owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor and now or hereafter
attached to, installed in or used in connection with any of the
Improvements or the Land, and water, gas, electrical, telephone,
storm and sanitary sewer facilities and all other utilities
whether or not situated in easements (the "Fixtures"), (4) all
right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to all goods,
accounts, general intangibles, instruments, documents, chattel
paper and all other personal property of any kind or character,
including such items of personal property as defined in the UCC
(defined below), now owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor and
now or hereafter affixed to, placed upon, used in connection
with, arising from or otherwise related to the Premises (the
"Personalty"), (5) all reserves, escrows or impounds required
under the Credit Agreement and all deposit accounts maintained by
Mortgagor with respect to the Mortgaged Property (the
"Deposit Accounts"), (6) all leases, licenses, concessions,
occupancy agreements or other agreements (written or oral, now or
at any time in effect) which grant to any Person a possessory
interest in, or the right to use, all or any part of the
Mortgaged Property, together with all related security and other
deposits (the "Leases"), (7) all of the rents, revenues,
royalties, income, proceeds, profits, security and other types of
deposits, and other benefits paid or payable by parties to the
Leases for using, leasing, licensing possessing, operating from,
residing in, selling or otherwise enjoying the Mortgaged Property
(the "Rents"), (8) all other agreements, such as construction
contracts, architects' agreements, engineers' contracts, utility
contracts, maintenance agreements, management agreements, service
contracts, listing agreements, guaranties, warranties, permits,
licenses, certificates and entitlements in any way relating to
the construction, use, occupancy, operation, maintenance,
enjoyment or ownership of the Mortgaged Property (the "Property
Agreements"), (9) all rights, privileges, tenements,
hereditaments, rights-of-way, easements, appendages and
appurtenances appertaining to the foregoing, (10) all property
tax refunds (the "Tax Refunds"), (11) all accessions,
replacements and substitutions for any of the foregoing and all
proceeds thereof (the "Proceeds"), (12) all insurance policies,
unearned premiums therefor and proceeds from such policies
covering any of the above property now or hereafter acquired by
Mortgagor (the "Insurance"), and (13) all of Mortgagor's right,
title and interest in and to any awards, damages, remunerations,
reimbursements, settlements or compensation heretofore made or
hereafter to be made by any governmental authority pertaining to
the Land, Improvements, Fixtures or Personalty (the "Condemnation
Awards"). As used in this Mortgage, the term "Mortgaged Property"
shall mean all or, where the context permit or requires, any
portion of the above or any interest therein.
(c) "Obligations": All of the agreements, covenants,
conditions, warranties, representations and other obligations of
Mortgagor (including, without limitation, the obligation to repay
the Indebtedness) under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.
(d) "UCC": The Uniform Commercial Code of Maine or, if
the creation, perfection and enforcement of any security interest
herein granted is governed by the laws of a state other than
Maine, then, as to the matter in question, the Uniform Commercial
Code in effect in that state.
(e) "Event of Default": Any one or more of the
following conditions or events:
(1) Failure by Company or Mortgagor to pay as and
when due and payable any sums to be paid by Company or Mortgagor
under this Mortgage and continuance of such failure following any
and all notice and cure periods contained in the Credit
Agreement; or
(2) Failure by Company or Mortgagor to duly
observe or perform any other term, covenant, condition or
agreement of this Mortgage and continuance of such failure
following any and all notice and cure periods contained in the
Credit Agreement; or
(3) Any representation or warranty of Company or
Mortgagor contained in this Mortgage shall prove to have been
false or incorrect in any material respect upon the date when
made; or
(4) The filing by Company or Mortgagor or any
guarantor of a voluntary petition in bankruptcy under Title 11 of
the United States Code, or the issuing of an order for relief
against Company or Mortgagor or any guarantor in any involuntary
petition in bankruptcy under Title 11 of the United States Code,
or the filing by Company or Mortgagor or any guarantor of any
petition or answer seeking or acquiescing in any reorganization,
arrangement, composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution
or similar relief for itself under any present or future federal,
state or other law or regulation relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency or other relief for debtors, or Company's or
Mortgagor's or any guarantor's seeking or consenting to or
acquiescing in the appointment of any custodian, trustee,
2
receiver, conservator or liquidator of Company or Mortgagor or
such guarantor, respectively, or of all or any substantial part
of its respective property, or the making by Company or Mortgagor
or any guarantor of any assignment for the benefit of creditors,
or Company's or Mortgagor's or any guarantor's failure generally
to pay its debts, as such debts become due, or Company's or
Mortgagor's or any guarantor's giving of notice to any
governmental authority or body of insolvency or pending
insolvency or suspension of operations; or
(5) The entry by a court of competent
jurisdiction of any order, judgment or decree approving a
petition filed against Company or Mortgagor or any guarantor
seeking any reorganization, arrangement, composition,
readjustment, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under
any present or future federal, state or other law or regulation
relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or other relief for debtors,
or appointing any custodian, trustee, receiver, conservator or
liquidator of all or any substantial part of Company's or
Mortgagor's or any guarantor's property; or
(6) The occurrence of any "Event of Default" as
defined in any of the other Loan Documents, including without
limitation the Credit Agreement.
ARTICLE 2
GRANT
-----
Section 2.1. Grant. To secure the full and timely
payment of the Indebtedness and the full and timely performance
of the Obligations, Mortgagor MORTGAGES, GRANTS, BARGAINS,
ASSIGNS, SELLS and CONVEYS, to Mortgagee the Mortgaged Property,
subject, however, to the Permitted Encumbrances, TO HAVE AND TO
HOLD the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagee, and Mortgagor does
hereby bind itself, its successors and assigns to WARRANT AND
FOREVER DEFEND the title to the Mortgaged Property unto
Mortgagee.
ARTICLE 3
WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS
-----------------------------------------
Mortgagor warrants, represents and covenants to
Mortgagee as follows:
Section 3.1. Title to Mortgaged Property and Lien of
this Instrument. Mortgagor owns the Mortgaged Property free and
clear of any liens, claims or interests, except the Permitted
Encumbrances. This Mortgage creates valid, enforceable first
priority liens and security interests against the Mortgaged
Property.
Section 3.2. First Lien Status. Mortgagor shall
preserve and protect the first lien and security interest status
of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents. If any lien or
security interest other than the Permitted Encumbrances is
asserted against the Mortgaged Property, Mortgagor shall
promptly, and at its expense, (a) give Mortgagee a detailed
written notice of such lien or security interest (including
origin, amount and other terms), and (b) pay the underlying claim
in full or take such other action so as to cause it to be
released or contest the same in compliance with the requirements
of the Credit Agreement (including the requirement of providing a
bond or other security satisfactory to Mortgagee).
Section 3.3. Payment and Performance. Mortgagor shall
pay the Indebtedness when due under the Loan Documents and shall
perform the Obligations in full when they are required to be
performed.
Section 3.4. Replacement of Fixtures and Personalty.
Mortgagor shall not, without
3
the prior written consent of Mortgagee, permit any of the
Fixtures or Personalty to be removed at any time from the Land or
Improvements, unless the removed item is removed temporarily for
maintenance and repair or, if removed permanently, is obsolete
and is replaced by an article of equal or better suitability and
value, owned by Mortgagor subject to the liens and security
interests of this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, and free
and clear of any other lien or security interest except such as
may be permitted under the Credit Agreement or first approved in
writing by Mortgagee.
Section 3.5. Inspection. Mortgagor shall permit
Mortgagee and the Lenders, and their respective agents,
representatives and employees, upon reasonable prior notice to
Mortgagor, to inspect the Mortgaged Property and all books and
records of Mortgagor located thereon, and to conduct such
environmental and engineering studies as Mortgagee or the Lenders
may require, provided that such inspections and studies shall not
materially interfere with the use and operation of the Mortgaged
Property.
Section 3.6. Other Covenants. All of the covenants in
the Credit Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and,
together with covenants in this Article 3, shall be covenants
running with the land.
Section 3.7. Condemnation Awards and Insurance
Proceeds.
(a) Condemnation Awards. Mortgagor assigns all awards
and compensation to which it is entitled for any condemnation or
other taking, or any purchase in lieu thereof, to Mortgagee and
authorizes Mortgagee to collect and receive such awards and
compensation and to give proper receipts and acquittances
therefor, subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement.
(b) Insurance Proceeds. Mortgagor assigns to Mortgagee
all proceeds of any insurance policies insuring against loss or
damage to the Mortgaged Property. Mortgagor authorizes Mortgagee
to collect and receive such proceeds and authorizes and directs
the issuer of each of such insurance policies to make payment for
all such losses directly to Mortgagee, instead of to Mortgagor
and Mortgagee jointly.
ARTICLE 4
[Intentionally Omitted]
ARTICLE 5
DEFAULT AND FORECLOSURE
-----------------------
Section 5.1. Remedies. If an Event of Default exists,
Mortgagee may, at Mortgagee's election, exercise any or all of
the following rights, remedies and recourses:
(a) Acceleration. Declare the Indebtedness to be
immediately due and payable, without further notice, presentment,
protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration,
demand or action of any nature whatsoever (each of which hereby
is expressly waived by Mortgagor), whereupon the same shall
become immediately due and payable.
(b) Entry on Mortgaged Property. Enter the Mortgaged
Property and take exclusive possession thereof and of all books,
records and accounts relating thereto or located thereon. If
Mortgagor remains in possession of the Mortgaged Property after
an Event of Default and without Mortgagee's prior written
consent, Mortgagee may invoke any legal remedies to dispossess
Mortgagor.
(c) Operation of Mortgaged Property. Hold, lease,
develop, manage, operate or
4
otherwise use the Mortgaged Property upon such terms and
conditions as Mortgagee may deem reasonable under the
circumstances (making such repairs, alterations, additions and
improvements and taking other actions, from time to time, as
Mortgagee deems necessary or desirable), and apply all Rents and
other amounts collected by Mortgagee in connection therewith in
accordance with the provisions of Section 5.7.
(d) Foreclosure and Sale. Institute proceedings for
the complete foreclosure of this Mortgage, either by judicial
action or by power of sale, in which case the Mortgaged Property
may be sold for cash or credit in one or more parcels. Mortgagee
shall have the authority to foreclose this Mortgage by any legal
or equitable method of foreclosure existing at the time of
execution of this Mortgage or thereafter, including without
limitation the Statutory Power of Sale as provided in 33 M.R.S.A.
? 501. With respect to any notices required or permitted under
the UCC, Mortgagor agrees that five (5) days' prior written
notice shall be deemed commercially reasonable. At any such sale
by virtue of any judicial proceedings, power of sale, or any
other legal right, remedy or recourse, the title to and right of
possession of any such property shall pass to the purchaser
thereof, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, Mortgagor
shall be completely and irrevocably divested of all of its right,
title, interest, claim, equity, equity of redemption, and demand
whatsoever, either at law or in equity, in and to the property
sold and such sale shall be a perpetual bar both at law and in
equity against Mortgagor, and against all other Persons claiming
or to claim the property sold or any part thereof, by, through or
under Mortgagor. Mortgagee or any of the Lenders may be a
purchaser at such sale. If Mortgagee or any of the Lenders is the
highest bidder, Mortgagee or any such Lender may credit the
portion of the purchase price that would be distributed to
Mortgagee or any such Lender against the Indebtedness in lieu of
paying cash. In the event this Mortgage is foreclosed by judicial
action, appraisement of the Mortgaged Property is waived.
(e) Receiver. Make application to a court of competent
jurisdiction for, and obtain from such court as a matter of
strict right and without notice to Mortgagor or regard to the
adequacy of the Mortgaged Property for the repayment of the
Indebtedness, the appointment of a receiver of the Mortgaged
Property, and Mortgagor irrevocably consents to such appointment.
Any such receiver shall have all the usual powers and duties of
receivers in similar cases, including the full power to rent,
maintain and otherwise operate the Mortgaged Property upon such
terms as may be approved by the court, and shall apply such Rents
in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.7.
(f) Other. Exercise all other rights, remedies and
recourses granted under the Loan Documents or otherwise available
at law or in equity.
Section 5.2. Separate Sales. The Mortgaged Property
may be sold in one or more parcels and in such manner and order
as Mortgagee in its sole discretion may elect; the right of sale
arising out of any Event of Default shall not be exhausted by any
one or more sales.
Section 5.3. Remedies Cumulative, Concurrent and
Nonexclusive. Mortgagee and the Lenders shall have all rights,
remedies and recourses granted in the Loan Documents and
available at law or equity (including the UCC), which rights (a)
shall be cumulated and concurrent, (b) may be pursued separately,
successively or concurrently against Mortgagor or others
obligated under the Loan Documents, or against the Mortgaged
Property, or against any one or more of them, at the sole
discretion of Mortgagee or the Lenders, (c) may be exercised as
often as occasion therefor shall arise, and the exercise or
failure to exercise any of them shall not be construed as a
waiver or release thereof or of any other right, remedy or
recourse, and (d) are intended to be, and shall be, nonexclusive.
No action by Mortgagee or the Lenders in the enforcement of any
rights, remedies or recourses under the Loan Documents or
otherwise at law or equity shall be deemed to cure any Event of
Default. Additionally, Mortgagor agrees for itself, its
successors and assigns, that the acceptance, before the
expiration of any
5
right of redemption and after the commencement of foreclosure
proceedings of this Mortgage, of insurance proceeds, eminent
domain awards, Rents or anything else of value to be applied on
or to the Indebtedness by Mortgagee or any person or party
holding under it shall not constitute a waiver of any right of
foreclosure, and this agreement by Mortgagor shall be that
agreement referred to in 14 M.R.S.A. " 6204, as the same may be
amended or replaced, as necessary to prevent such waiver of
foreclosure. This agreement by Mortgagor is intended to apply to
the acceptance and such application of any such proceeds, awards,
rents and other sums or anything else of value whether the same
shall be accepted from, or for the account of, Mortgagor or from
any other source whatsoever by Mortgagee or by any person or
party holding under Mortgagee at any time or times in the future
while any of the Indebtedness or other Obligations secured hereby
shall remain outstanding.
Section 5.4. Release of and Resort to Collateral.
Mortgagee may release, regardless of consideration and without
the necessity for any notice to or consent by the holder of any
subordinate lien on the Mortgaged Property, any part of the
Mortgaged Property without, as to the remainder, in any way
impairing, affecting, subordinating or releasing the lien or
security interest created in or evidenced by the Loan Documents
or their status as a first and prior lien and security interest
in and to the Mortgaged Property. For payment of the
Indebtedness, Mortgagee may resort to any other security in such
order and manner as Mortgagee may elect.
Section 5.5. Waiver of Redemption, Notice and
Marshalling of Assets. To the fullest extent permitted by law,
Mortgagor hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives and
releases (a) all benefit that might accrue to Mortgagor by virtue
of any present or future statute of limitations or law or
judicial decision exempting the Mortgaged Property from
attachment, levy or sale on execution or providing for any stay
of execution, exemption from civil process, redemption or
extension of time for payment, (b) all notices of any Event of
Default or of Mortgagee's election to exercise or the actual
exercise of any right, remedy or recourse provided for under the
Loan Documents, and (c) any right to a marshalling of assets or a
sale in inverse order of alienation.
Section 5.6. Discontinuance of Proceedings. If
Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have proceeded to invoke any
right, remedy or recourse permitted under the Loan Documents and
shall thereafter elect to discontinue or abandon it for any
reason, Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have the unqualified right
to do so and, in such an event, Mortgagor, Mortgagee and the
Lenders shall be restored to their former positions with respect
to the Indebtedness, the Obligations, the Loan Documents, the
Mortgaged Property and otherwise, and the rights, remedies,
recourses and powers of Mortgagee and the Lenders shall continue
as if the right, remedy or recourse had never been invoked, but
no such discontinuance or abandonment shall waive any Event of
Default which may then exist or the right of Mortgagee or the
Lenders thereafter to exercise any right, remedy or recourse
under the Loan Documents for such Event of Default.
Section 5.7. Application of Proceeds. The proceeds of
any sale of, and the Rents and other amounts generated by the
holding, leasing, management, operation or other use of the
Mortgaged Property, shall be applied by Mortgagee (or the
receiver, if one is appointed) in the following order unless
otherwise required by applicable law:
(a) to the payment of the costs and expenses of taking
possession of the Mortgaged Property and of holding, using,
leasing, repairing, improving and selling the same, including,
without limitation (1) receiver's fees and expenses, including
the repayment of the amounts evidenced by any receiver's
certificates, (2) court costs, (3) attorneys' and accountants'
fees and expenses, and (4) costs of advertisement;
(b) to the payment of the Indebtedness and performance
of the Obligations in such
6
manner and order of preference as Mortgagee in its sole
discretion may determine; and
(c) the balance, if any, to the payment of the Persons
legally entitled thereto.
Section 5.8. Occupancy After Foreclosure. Any sale of
the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof in accordance with
Section 5.1(d) will divest all right, title and interest of
Mortgagor in and to the property sold. Subject to applicable law,
any purchaser at a foreclosure sale will receive immediate
possession of the property purchased. If Mortgagor retains
possession of such property or any part thereof subsequent to
such sale, Mortgagor will be considered a tenant at sufferance of
the purchaser, and will, if Mortgagor remains in possession after
demand to remove, be subject to eviction and removal, forcible or
otherwise, with or without process of law.
Section 5.9. Additional Advances and Disbursements;
Costs of Enforcement.
(a) If any Event of Default exists, Mortgagee and each
of the Lenders shall have the right, but not the obligation, to
cure such Event of Default in the name and on behalf of
Mortgagor. All sums advanced and expenses incurred at any time by
Mortgagee or any Lender under this Section 5.9, or otherwise
under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents or
applicable law, shall bear interest from the date that such sum
is advanced or expense incurred, to and including the date of
reimbursement, computed at the rate or rates at which interest is
then computed on the Indebtedness, and all such sums, together
with interest thereon, shall be secured by this Mortgage.
(b) Mortgagor shall pay all expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses) of or incidental to the
perfection and enforcement of this Mortgage and the other Loan
Documents, or the enforcement, compromise or settlement of the
Indebtedness or any claim under this Mortgage and the other Loan
Documents, and for the curing thereof, or for defending or
asserting the rights and claims of Mortgagee in respect thereof,
by litigation or otherwise.
(c) Upon request of Mortgagor, however subject to the
terms, conditions and limitations under the Credit Agreement,
Mortgagee may, at its sole option, from time to time make Future
Advances (as defined below) to Mortgagor, in such amounts as are
permitted under the terms of the Credit Agreement. This Mortgage
shall also secure Contingent Obligations (as defined below) in
such amounts as are permitted under the terms of the Credit
Agreement. Future Advances, Contingent Obligations and Protective
Advances (as referenced below) shall have the meanings given them
in 33 M.R.S.A. ? 505, as the same may be amended or replaced form
time to time. At Mortgagee's request, Mortgagor shall execute and
deliver to Mortgagee promissory notes or other agreements or
documents evidencing each and every Future Advance which
Mortgagee may make, which promissory notes or other agreements or
documents shall contain such terms and conditions as Mortgagee
may require. Mortgagor shall pay when due all Future Advances
with interest and other charges thereon, as applicable, and the
same, and each promissory note and agreement or document
evidencing the same, shall be secured hereby. All provisions of
this Mortgage shall apply to each Future Advance as well as to
all other Indebtedness secured hereby. Nothing herein contained,
however, shall limit the amount secured by this Mortgage if such
amount is increased by Protective Advances made by Mortgagee, as
herein elsewhere provided.
Section 5.10. No Mortgagee in Possession. Neither the
enforcement of any of the remedies under this Article 5, the
assignment of the Rents and Leases under Article 6, the security
interests under Article 7, nor any other remedies afforded to
Mortgagee or any Lender under the Loan Documents, at law or in
equity shall cause Mortgagee or any Lender to be deemed or
construed to be a mortgagee in possession of the Mortgaged
Property, to obligate Mortgagee or any Lender to lease the
Mortgaged Property or attempt to do so, or to take any action,
incur any expense, or perform or discharge
7
any obligation, duty or liability whatsoever under any of the
Leases or otherwise.
ARTICLE 6
ASSIGNMENT OF RENTS AND LEASES
------------------------------
Section 6.1. Assignment. In furtherance of and in
addition to the assignment made by Mortgagor in Section 2.1 of
this Mortgage, Mortgagor hereby absolutely and unconditionally
assigns, sells, transfers and conveys to Mortgagee all of its
right, title and interest in and to all Leases, whether now
existing or hereafter entered into, and all of its right, title
and interest in and to all Rents. This assignment is an absolute
assignment and not an assignment for additional security only. So
long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, Mortgagor shall have a revocable license from
Mortgagee to exercise all rights extended to the landlord under
the Leases, including the right to receive and collect all Rents
and to hold the Rents in trust for use in the payment and
performance of the Obligations and to otherwise use the same. The
foregoing license is granted subject to the conditional
limitation that no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, whether or not legal proceedings have
commenced, and without regard to waste, adequacy of security for
the Obligations or solvency of Mortgagor, the license herein
granted shall automatically expire and terminate, without notice
by Mortgagee (any such notice being hereby expressly waived by
Mortgagor).
Section 6.2. Perfection Upon Recordation. Mortgagor
acknowledges that Mortgagee has taken all actions necessary to
obtain, and that upon recordation of this Mortgage Mortgagee
shall have, to the extent permitted under applicable law, a valid
and fully perfected, first priority, present assignment of the
Rents arising out of the Leases and all security for such Leases.
Mortgagor acknowledges and agrees that upon recordation of this
Mortgage Mortgagee's interest in the Rents shall be deemed to be
fully perfected, "▇▇▇▇▇▇" and enforced as to Mortgagor and all
third parties, including, without limitation, any subsequently
appointed trustee in any case under Title 11 of the United States
Code (the "Bankruptcy Code"), without the necessity of commencing
a foreclosure action with respect to this Mortgage, making formal
demand for the Rents, obtaining the appointment of a receiver or
taking any other affirmative action.
Section 6.3. Bankruptcy Provisions. Without limitation
of the absolute nature of the assignment of the Rents hereunder,
Mortgagor and Mortgagee agree that (a) this Mortgage shall
constitute a "security agreement" for purposes of Section 552(b)
of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) the security interest created by this
Mortgage extends to property of Mortgagor acquired before the
commencement of a case in bankruptcy and to all amounts paid as
Rents and (c) such security interest shall extend to all Rents
acquired by the estate after the commencement of any case in
bankruptcy.
Section 6.4. No Merger of Estates. So long as part of
the Indebtedness and the Obligations secured hereby remain unpaid
and undischarged, the fee and leasehold estates to the Mortgaged
Property shall not merge, but shall remain separate and distinct,
notwithstanding the union of such estates either in Mortgagor,
Mortgagee, any tenant or any third party by purchase or
otherwise.
8
ARTICLE 7
SECURITY AGREEMENT
------------------
Section 7.1. Security Interest. This Mortgage
constitutes a "security agreement" on personal property within
the meaning of the UCC and other applicable law and with respect
to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases, Rents, Deposit Accounts,
Property Agreements, Tax Refunds, Proceeds, Insurance and
Condemnation Awards. To this end, Mortgagor grants to Mortgagee a
first and prior security interest in the Personalty, Fixtures,
Leases, Rents, Deposit Accounts, Property Agreements, Tax
Refunds, Proceeds, Insurance, Condemnation Awards and all other
Mortgaged Property which is personal property to secure the
payment of the Indebtedness and performance of the Obligations,
and agrees that Mortgagee shall have all the rights and remedies
of a secured party under the UCC with respect to such property.
Any notice of sale, disposition or other intended action by
Mortgagee with respect to the Personalty, Fixtures, Leases,
Rents, Deposit Accounts, Property Agreements, Tax Refunds,
Proceeds, Insurance and Condemnation Awards sent to Mortgagor at
least five (5) days prior to any action under the UCC shall
constitute reasonable notice to Mortgagor.
Section 7.2. Financing Statements. Mortgagor shall
execute and deliver to Mortgagee, in form and substance
satisfactory to Mortgagee, such financing statements and such
further assurances as Mortgagee may, from time to time,
reasonably consider necessary to create, perfect and preserve
Mortgagee's security interest hereunder and Mortgagee may cause
such statements and assurances to be recorded and filed, at such
times and places as may be required or permitted by law to so
create, perfect and preserve such security interest. Mortgagor's
chief executive office is in the State of Maine at the address
set forth in the first paragraph of this Mortgage.
Section 7.3. Fixture Filing. This Mortgage shall also
constitute a "fixture filing" for the purposes of the UCC against
all of the Mortgaged Property which is or is to become fixtures.
Information concerning the security interest herein granted may
be obtained at the addresses of Debtor (Mortgagor) and Secured
Party (Mortgagee) as set forth in the first paragraph of this
Mortgage.
ARTICLE 8
[Intentionally Omitted]
ARTICLE 9
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
Section 9.1. Notices. Any notice required or permitted
to be given under this Mortgage shall be given in accordance with
Section 10.8 of the Credit Agreement.
Section 9.2. Covenants Running with the Land. All
Obligations contained in this Mortgage are intended by Mortgagor
and Mortgagee to be, and shall be construed as, covenants running
with the Mortgaged Property. As used herein, "Mortgagor" shall
refer to the party named in the first paragraph of this Mortgage
and to any subsequent owner of all or any portion of the
Mortgaged Property. All Persons who may have or acquire an
interest in the Mortgaged Property shall be deemed to have notice
of, and be bound by, the terms of the Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents; however, no such party shall be entitled to
any rights thereunder without the prior written consent of
Mortgagee.
Section 9.3. Attorney-in-Fact. Mortgagor hereby
irrevocably appoints Mortgagee and its successors and assigns, as
its attorney-in-fact, which agency is coupled with an interest
and with full power of substitution, (a) to execute and/or record
any notices of completion, cessation of labor or any
9
other notices that Mortgagee deems appropriate to protect
Mortgagee's interest, if Mortgagor shall fail to do so within ten
(10) days after written request by Mortgagee, (b) upon the
issuance of a deed pursuant to the foreclosure of this Mortgage
or the delivery of a deed in lieu of foreclosure, to execute all
instruments of assignment, conveyance or further assurance with
respect to the Leases, Rents, Deposit Accounts, Property
Agreements, Tax Refunds, Proceeds, Insurance and Condemnation
Awards in favor of the grantee of any such deed and as may be
necessary or desirable for such purpose, (c) to prepare, execute
and file or record financing statements, continuation statements,
applications for registration and like papers necessary to
create, perfect or preserve Mortgagee's security interests and
rights in or to any of the Mortgaged Property, and (d) while any
Event of Default exists, to perform any obligation of Mortgagor
hereunder, however: (1) Mortgagee shall not under any
circumstances be obligated to perform any obligation of
Mortgagor; (2) any sums advanced by Mortgagee in such performance
shall be added to and included in the Indebtedness and shall bear
interest at the rate or rates at which interest is then computed
on the Indebtedness; (3) Mortgagee as such attorney-in-fact shall
only be accountable for such funds as are actually received by
Mortgagee; and (4) Mortgagee shall not be liable to Mortgagor or
any other person or entity for any failure to take any action
which it is empowered to take under this Section 9.3.
Section 9.4. Successors and Assigns. This Mortgage
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Mortgagee, the
Lenders, and Mortgagor and their respective successors and
assigns. Mortgagor shall not, without the prior written consent
of Mortgagee, assign any rights, duties or obligations hereunder.
Section 9.5. No Waiver. Any failure by Mortgagee to
insist upon strict performance of any of the terms, provisions or
conditions of the Loan Documents shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of same, and Mortgagee or the Lenders shall have the right
at any time to insist upon strict performance of all of such
terms, provisions and conditions.
Section 9.6. Credit Agreement. If any conflict or
inconsistency exists between this Mortgage and the Credit
Agreement, the Credit Agreement shall govern.
Section 9.7. Release or Reconveyance. Upon payment in
full of the Indebtedness and performance in full of the
Obligations, Mortgagee, at Mortgagor's expense, shall release the
liens and security interests created by this Mortgage or reconvey
the Mortgaged Property to Mortgagor.
Section 9.8. Waiver of Stay, Moratorium and Similar
Rights. Mortgagor agrees, to the full extent that it may lawfully
do so, that it will not at any time insist upon or plead or in
any way take advantage of any stay, marshalling of assets,
extension, redemption or moratorium law now or hereafter in force
and effect so as to prevent or hinder the enforcement of the
provisions of this Mortgage or the Indebtedness secured hereby,
or any agreement between Mortgagor and Mortgagee or any rights or
remedies of Mortgagee or the Lenders.
Section 9.9. Applicable Law. The provisions of this
Mortgage regarding the creation, perfection and enforcement of
the liens and security interests herein granted shall be governed
by and construed under the laws of the state in which the
Mortgaged Property is located. All other provisions of this
Mortgage shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York
(including, without limitation, Section 5-1401 of the General
Obligations Law of the State of New York), without regard to
conflicts of laws principles.
Section 9.10. Headings. The Article, Section and
Subsection titles hereof are inserted for convenience of
reference only and shall in no way alter, modify or define, or be
used in construing, the text of such Articles, Sections or
Subsections.
10
Section 9.11. Entire Agreement. This Mortgage and the
other Loan Documents embody the entire agreement and
understanding between Mortgagee and Mortgagor and supersede all
prior agreements and understandings between such parties relating
to the subject matter hereof and thereof. Accordingly, the Loan
Documents may not be contradicted by evidence of prior,
contemporaneous or subsequent oral agreements of the parties.
There are no unwritten oral agreements between the parties.
Section 9.12. Mortgagee as Agent; Successor Agents.
(a) Agent has been appointed to act as Agent hereunder
by the Lenders. Agent shall have the right hereunder to make
demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising
any rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action
(including, without limitation, the release or substitution of
the Mortgaged Property) in accordance with the terms of the
Credit Agreement, any related agency agreement among Agent and
the Lenders (collectively, as amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified or replaced from time to time, the "Agency Documents")
and this Mortgage. Mortgagor and all other persons shall be
entitled to rely on releases, waivers, consents, approvals,
notifications and other acts of Agent, without inquiry into the
existence of required consents or approvals of the Lenders
therefor.
(b) Mortgagee shall at all times be the same Person
that is Agent under the Agency Documents. Written notice of
resignation by Agent pursuant to the Agency Documents shall also
constitute notice of resignation as Agent under this Mortgage.
Removal of Agent pursuant to any provision of the Agency
Documents shall also constitute removal as Agent under this
Mortgage. Appointment of a successor Agent pursuant to the Agency
Documents shall also constitute appointment of a successor Agent
under this Mortgage. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Agent by a successor Agent under the Agency Documents, that
successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or
removed Agent as the Mortgagee under this Mortgage, and the
retiring or removed Agent shall promptly (i) assign and transfer
to such successor Agent all of its right, title and interest in
and to this Mortgage and the Mortgaged Property, and (ii) execute
and deliver to such successor Agent such assignments and
amendments and take such other actions, as may be necessary or
appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor
Agent of the liens and security interests created hereunder,
whereupon such retiring or removed Agent shall be discharged from
its duties and obligations under this Mortgage. After any
retiring or removed Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as
Agent, the provisions of this Mortgage and the Agency Documents
shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to
be taken by it under this Mortgage while it was the Agent
hereunder.
Section 9.13. Variable Rate Notice. Under the terms
and provisions of the Notes which this Mortgage secures and under
the terms and provisions of any future or further advances
secured hereby, the interest rate payable thereunder, and the
amount of each principal payment, may be variable. THE PURPOSE OF
THIS PARAGRAPH IS TO PROVIDE RECORD NOTICE OF THE RIGHT OF AGENT
ON BEHALF OF THE LENDERS UNDER THE TERMS OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT,
ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, TO INCREASE OR DECREASE THE INTEREST
RATE ON ANY OBLIGATION SECURED HEREBY, AND THE AMOUNT OF EACH
PRINCIPAL PAYMENT, WHERE THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF SUCH
OBLIGATION PROVIDE FOR A VARIABLE INTEREST RATE.
Section 9.14. Commercial Purpose. Company and
Mortgagor warrant and represent to Agent that the proceeds of the
Notes will be used solely for business or commercial purposes,
and in no way will the proceeds be used for personal, family or
household purposes.
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mortgagor has on the date set forth in
the acknowledgement hereto, effective as of the date first above
written, caused this instrument to be duly EXECUTED AND DELIVERED
by authority duly given.
WITNESS: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, INC.,
a Maine corporation
____________________
Name:
By:____________________
Name:
Title:
▇-▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ )
) SS.:
COUNTY OF __________ )
THE FOREGOING INSTRUMENT WAS ACKNOWLEDGED BEFORE ME THIS _____
DAY OF APRIL, 1998, BY ___________________________________, THE
_____________________________, OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, INC., A MAINE
CORPORATION, ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION.
__________________________________________________
(SIGNATURE AND OFFICE OF INDIVIDUAL TAKING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)
MY COMMISSION EXPIRES: __________________________
(NOTARIAL SEAL)
N-1
EXHIBIT A
Mortgaged Property
[See Attached]
Exh. A-1
[a]
MORTGAGOR: [FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR],
a [Mortgagor's state of organization]
[Mortgagor's entity type]
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
[b]
MORTGAGOR: [FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR],
a [Mortgagor's state of organization]
[Mortgagor's entity type]
By: [17],
a [18] [19]
its General Partner
By:___________________________
Name:
Title:
[c]
MORTGAGOR: [FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR],
a [Mortgagor's state of organization]
[Mortgagor's entity type]
By:______________________________
Name:
Title: General Partner
[d]
MORTGAGOR: [FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR],
a [Mortgagor's state of organization]
[Mortgagor's entity type]
By: [20],
a [21] [22]
its Managing Member
By:_________________________
Name:
Title:
[e]
MORTGAGOR: [FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR],
a [Mortgagor's state of organization]
[Mortgagor's entity type]
By:_________________________
Name:
Title: Managing Member
[f]
MORTGAGOR: _________________________
[FULL NAME OF MORTGAGOR]
FORM OF MORTGAGE WITH AGENT PROVISIONS
The following information will be requested in completing this
form:
[1] State in which Property is Located
[2] Full Name of Mortgagor (In capital letters)
[3] Full Name of Mortgagee (In capital letters)
[4] "As of" Date of Mortgage (document assumes same date as
Credit Agreement
[5] O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ Attorney Name
[6] O'Melveny & ▇▇▇▇▇ File Number
[7] Mortgagor's State of Organization
[8] Mortgagor Entity Type (corporation, individual, etc.)
(If Mortgagor's entity type is a corporation, then [a])
(If Mortgagor's entity type is either a partnership or a
limited partnership, then ask:)
Is its general partner a corporation?
(If yes, then [b])
(If no, then [c])
(If Mortgagor's entity type is a limited liability
company, then ask:)
Is its Managing member a corporation?
(If yes, then [d])
(If no, then [e])
(If Mortgagor is an individual, then [f])
[9] Mortgagor's Address
[10] Mortgagee's State of Organization
[11] Mortgagee's Entity Type (national association, corporation,
etc.)
[12] Mortgagee's Address
[13] Title of Credit Agreement
[14] Are there parties to the Credit Agreement other than Agent,
Lenders, Mortgagor and Mortgagee?
If no, skip. (Insert "between Mortgagor, Mortgagee and the
Lenders") If yes, is there more than one party?
If no, provide the full name of the other party.
(Insert into "among Mortgagor, Mortgagee, the Lenders
and _______________")
If yes, provide the full names of all other parties.
(Insert into "among Mortgagor, Mortgagee, the Lenders,
__________ and __________")(Add additional ________,"
as necessary before "and".)
[15] State in which Mortgagor's Chief Executive Office is located
[16] Section of Credit Agreement on Notices
[17] Full Name of General Partner
[18] General Partner's State of Organization
[19] General Partner's Entity Type
[20] Full Name of Managing Member
[21] Managing Member's State of Organization
[22] Managing Member's Entity Type
[23] Full Address of Property
[A1] Full name of Agent
[A2] Agent's State of Organization
[A3] Agent's Entity Type (corporation, individual, etc.)
[A4] Agent's Address
[a] Corporation (without a seal)
[b] Partnership or Limited Partnership with Corporate General
Partner
[c] Partnership or Limited Partnership with Individual General
Partner
[d] Limited Liability Company with Corporate Managing Member
[e] Limited Liability Company with Individual Managing Member
[f] Individual
EXHIBIT XXVII
[FORM OF SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE]
SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE
This FINANCIAL CONDITION CERTIFICATE (this
"Certificate") is delivered in connection with the Credit
Agreement dated as of April 21, 1998 among Diamond Brands
Operating Corp., a Delaware corporation ("Company"), the
financial institutions listed therein as Lenders, DLJ Capital
Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Senior Funding Inc., as
Documentation Agent (the "Credit Agreement"). Capitalized terms
used herein without definition have the same meanings as in the
Credit Agreement.
A. I am, and at all pertinent times mentioned herein
have been, the duly qualified and chief financial officer of
Company. In such capacity I have participated actively in the
management of its financial affairs and am familiar with its
financial statements and those of its Subsidiaries. I have,
together with other officers of Company, acted on behalf of
Company in connection with the negotiation of the Credit
Agreement and I am familiar with the terms and conditions
thereof.
B. I have carefully reviewed the contents of this
Certificate, and I have conferred with counsel for Company for
the purpose of discussing the meaning of its contents.
C. In connection with preparing for the consummation
of the transactions and financings contemplated by the Credit
Agreement (the "Proposed Transactions"), I have participated in
the preparation of, and I have reviewed, pro forma projections of
net income and cash flows for Company and its Subsidiaries for
the Fiscal Years of Company ending December 31, 1998 through
December 31, 2002 inclusive (the "Projected Financial
Statements"). The Projected Financial Statements, attached hereto
as Exhibit A, give effect to the consummation of the Proposed
Transactions and assume that the debt obligations of Company will
be paid from the cash flow generated by the operations of Company
and its Subsidiaries, the proceeds of certain debt financings to
be entered into by Company and its Subsidiaries and other cash
resources. The Projected Financial Statements were prepared on
the basis of information available at March 27, 1998. I know of
no facts that have occurred since such date that would lead me to
believe that the Projected Financial Statements are inaccurate in
any material respect. The Projected Financial Statements do not
reflect (i) any potential changes in interest rates from those
assumed in the Projected Financial Statements, (ii) any potential
material, adverse changes in general business conditions, or
(iii) any potential changes in income tax laws.
D. I have also participated in the preparation of, and
I have reviewed, a pro forma summary balance sheet of Company and
its Subsidiaries (the "Fair Value Summary Balance Sheet") as of
April 21, 1998, giving effect to the Proposed Transactions. The
Fair Value Summary Balance Sheet is attached hereto as Exhibit B
and has been prepared as described in paragraph F and G below and
not in accordance with GAAP.
E. In connection with the preparation of the Projected
Financial Statements, I have made such investigations and
inquiries as I have deemed necessary and prudent therefor and,
specifically, have relied on historical information with respect
to revenues, expenses and other relevant items supplied by the
supervisory personnel of Company and its Subsidiaries directly
responsible for the various operations involved. The assumptions
upon which the Projected Financial Statements are based are
stated therein. Although any assumption and any projections by
necessity involve uncertainties and approximations, I believe,
based on my discussions with other members of management, that
the assumptions on which the Project Financial Statements are
based are reasonable. Based thereon, I believe that the
projections for Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
reflected in the Projected Financial Statements provide
reasonable estimations of future performance, subject, as stated
above, to the uncertainties and approximations inherent in any
projections.
F. The Fair Value Summary Balance Sheet has been
prepared in a manner which I believe reflects a conservative
estimate of the fair value of the assets of Company and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and the probable liability
on all of their debts, contingent or otherwise. For purposes of
this Certificate, I understand "fair value" of any assets to mean
the amount which may be realized within a reasonable time, either
through collection of such assets or through sale of such assets
at the regular market value thereof, conceiving of the latter as
the amount which could be obtained for the property in question
within such period by a capable and diligent businessman from an
interested buyer who is willing to purchase under ordinary
selling conditions. The specific methodology used by management
for valuing Company and its Subsidiaries is set forth in
paragraph G below.
G. For purposes of constructing the Fair Value Summary
Balance Sheet, I have utilized the following procedures:
I have separately estimated the fair value of the
stock of each of Company's Subsidiaries by calculating the
difference between the fair value of the assets of such
Subsidiary and the probable liability on all of its debts,
contingent or otherwise.
With respect to the asset values reflected in the Fair
Value Summary Balance Sheet (including the asset values used to
calculate the fair value of the stock of each of Company's
Subsidiaries), I have included the net working capital of Company
and each of its Subsidiaries, calculated as the difference
between the current assets and current liabilities reported in
their April 21, 1998 financial statements, and I have relied on
the capitalization of earnings methodology -- whereby earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)
are capitalized at a specified EBITDA multiple -- to arrive at
the estimated fair value of the long-term assets of Company and
each of its Subsidiaries. For these purposes I have utilized an
EBITDA multiplier of 8.7, which reflects a conservative estimate
of the EBITDA multiplier reflected in acquisition prices paid for
total ownership positions in companies whose lines of business
are similar to those of Company and its Subsidiaries.
With respect to liabilities reflected in the Fair
Value Summary Balance Sheet (including liabilities used to
calculate the fair value of the stock of each of Company's
Subsidiaries), I have included long-term liabilities reported by
Company and each of its Subsidiaries in their April 21, 1998
financial statements and debts to be incurred or assumed by
Company and each of its Subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement
and the Proposed Transactions. In addition, with respect to
contingent liabilities (such as litigation, guaranties and
pension plan liabilities), I have consulted with legal, financial
and other personnel of Company and each of its Subsidiaries and
have reflected as liabilities our best judgment as to the maximum
exposure that can reasonably be expected to result therefrom in
light of all the facts and circumstances existing at this time,
recognizing that any such estimation is inherently subject to
uncertainties.
Based on the foregoing, I have reached the following
conclusions:
1. Company is not now, nor will the incurrence of the
Obligations under the Credit Agreement and the incurrence
of the other obligations contemplated by the Proposed
Transactions render Company "insolvent" as defined in this
paragraph 1. The recipients of this Certificate and I have
agreed that, in this context, "insolvent" means that the
present fair value of assets is less than the amount that
will be required to pay the probable liability on existing
debts as they become absolute and matured. We have also
agreed that the term "debts" includes any legal liability,
whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated,
absolute, fixed or contingent. My conclusion expressed
above is supported by a valuation of Company on a basis
which reflects the net value of Company as $30,005,000
representing the difference between the fair value of
$276,000,000 and liabilities of $245,995,000.
2. By the incurrence of the Obligations under the
Credit Agreement and the incurrence of the other
obligations contemplated by the Proposed Transactions,
Company will not incur debts beyond its ability to pay as
such debts mature. I have based my conclusion in part on
the Projected Financial Statements, which demonstrate that
Company will have positive cash flow after paying all of
its scheduled anticipated indebtedness (including scheduled
payments under the Credit Agreement, the other obligations
contemplated by the Proposed Transactions and other
permitted indebtedness). I have concluded that the
realization of current assets in the ordinary course of
business will be sufficient to pay recurring current debt
and short-term and long-term debt service as such debts
mature, and that the cash flow (including earnings plus
non-cash charges to earnings and the disposition of surplus
fixed assets held for sale) will be sufficient to provide
cash necessary to repay the Loans and other Obligations
under the Credit Agreement, the other obligations
contemplated by the Proposed Transactions and other
long-term indebtedness as such debt matures.
3. The incurrence of the Obligations under the Credit
Agreement and the incurrence of the other obligations
contemplated by the Proposed Transactions will not leave
Company with property remaining in its hands constituting
"unreasonably small capital." In reaching this conclusion,
I understand that "unreasonably small capital" depends upon
the nature of the particular business or businesses
conducted or to be conducted, and I have reached my
conclusion based on the needs and anticipated needs for
capital of the businesses conducted or anticipated to be
conducted by Company and its Subsidiaries in light of the
Projected Financial Statements and available credit
capacity.
4. To the best of my knowledge, Company has not
executed the Credit Agreement or any documents mentioned
therein, or made any transfer or incurred any obligations
thereunder, with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud
either present or future creditors.
I understand that Agents and Lenders are relying on
the truth and accuracy of the foregoing in connection with the
extension of credit to Company pursuant to the Credit Agreement.
(Remainder of page intentionally left blank)
I represent the foregoing information to be, to the
best of my knowledge and belief, true and correct and execute
this Certificate this 21st day of April 1998.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.
By: __________________________
Name: __________________________
Title: __________________________
EXHIBIT XXVIII
[FORM OF OPINIONS OF LOCAL COUNSEL]
EXHIBIT XXIX
[FORM OF COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT]
COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
This COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement")
is dated as of April 21, 1998 and entered into by and between
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP., a Delaware corporation
("Pledgor"), and ▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A., as administrative agent
for and representative of (in such capacity herein called
"Secured Party") the financial institutions ("Lenders") party to
the Credit Agreement referred to below.
PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS
A. Secured Party and Lenders have entered into a
Credit Agreement dated as of April 21, 1998 (said Credit
Agreement, as it may hereafter be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, being the "Credit
Agreement", the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined
herein being used herein as therein defined) with Pledgor, DLJ
Capital Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, and ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Senior Funding, Inc., as Documentation Agent pursuant to which
Lenders have made certain commitments, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement, to extend certain
credit facilities to Pledgor.
B. It is a condition precedent to the initial
extensions of credit by Lenders under the Credit Agreement that
Pledgor shall have granted the security interests and undertaken
the obligations contemplated by this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and
in order to induce Lenders to make Loans and other extensions of
credit under the Credit Agreement and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, Pledgor hereby agrees with Secured Party as
follows:
SECTION 1. Definitions. The following terms used in
this Agreement shall have the following meanings:
"Collateral" means (i) the Collateral Account and all
amounts from time to time on deposit therein, (ii) all interest,
cash, instruments and other property from time to time received,
receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange
for any or all of the Collateral, and (iii) to the extent not
covered by clauses (i) through (iv) above, all proceeds of any or
all of the foregoing Collateral.
"Collateral Account" means the deposit account
established and maintained by Pledgor with Secured Party pursuant
to Section 2.
"Secured Obligations" means all obligations and
liabilities of every nature of Pledgor now or hereafter existing
under or arising out of or in connection with the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and all extensions or
renewals thereof, whether for principal, interest (including
without limitation interest that, but for the filing of a
petition in bankruptcy with respect to Pledgor, would accrue on
such obligations), reimbursement of amounts drawn under Letters
of Credit, fees, expenses, indemnities or otherwise, whether
voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly
owed with others, and whether or not from time to time decreased
or extinguished and later increased, created or incurred, and all
or any portion of such obligations or liabilities that are paid,
to the extent all or any part of such payment is avoided or
recovered directly or indirectly from Secured Party or any Lender
as a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, and all
obligations of every nature of Pledgor now or hereafter existing
under this Agreement.
SECTION 2. Collateral Account; Cash
Collateralization of Letters of Credit.
a. Pledgor hereby authorizes and directs Secured Party
to establish and maintain at its office, as a blocked account in
the name of Pledgor but under the sole dominion and control of
Secured Party, a deposit account designated as "Diamond Brands
Operating Corp. Collateral Account." The Collateral Account shall
be established by Secured Party upon the occurrence of an Event
of Default and be operated in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated herein
or in the Credit Agreement, Pledgor shall have no right to
withdraw, transfer or, except as expressly set forth herein,
otherwise received any funds deposited into the Collateral
Account. Secured Party shall be fully protected and shall suffer
no liability in acting in accordance with any written
instructions reasonably believed by it to have been given by a
duly authorized officer of Pledgor with respect to any aspect of
the operation of the Collateral Account.
b. If an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and, in accordance with Section 8 of the Credit
Agreement, Pledgor is required to pay to Secured Party an amount
(the "Aggregate Available Amount") equal to the maximum amount
that may at any time be drawn under all Letters of Credit then
outstanding under the Credit Agreement, Pledgor shall deliver
funds in such an amount for deposit in the Collateral Account by
wire transfer (or, if applicable, by intra-bank transfer from
another account of Pledgor) of immediately available funds,
addressed as directed by Secured Party. If for any reason the
aggregate amount delivered by Pledgor to Secured Party for
deposit in the Collateral Account as aforesaid is less than the
Aggregate Available Amount, the aggregate amount so delivered by
Pledgor to Secured Party shall be apportioned among all
outstanding Letters of Credit for purposes of this Section 2(b)
in accordance with the ratio of the maximum amount available for
drawing under each such Letter of Credit (as to such Letter of
Credit, the "Maximum Available Amount") to the Aggregate
Available Amount. Upon any drawing under any outstanding Letter
of Credit in respect of which Pledgor has deposited in the
Collateral Account any amounts described above, Secured Party
shall apply such amounts to reimburse the respective Issuing
Lender for the amount of such drawing. In the event of
cancellation or expiration of any Letter of Credit in respect of
which Pledgor has deposited in the Collateral Account any amounts
described above, or in the event of any reduction in the
Maximum Available Amount under such Letter of Credit, Secured
Party shall apply the amount then on deposit in the Collateral
Account in respect of such Letter of Credit (less in the case of
such a reduction, the Maximum Available Amount under such Letter
of Credit immediately after such reduction) first, to the payment
of any amounts payable to Secured Party pursuant to Section 13,
second, to the extent of any excess, to the cash
collateralization pursuant to the terms of this Agreement of any
outstanding Letters of Credit in respect of which Pledgor has
failed to pay all or a portion of the amounts described above
(such cash collateralization to be apportioned among all such
Letters of Credit in the manner described above), third, to the
extent of any further excess, to the payment of any other
outstanding Secured Obligations, and fourth, to the extent of any
further excess, to the payment to whomsoever shall be lawfully
entitled to receive such funds.
SECTION 3. Pledge of Security for Secured Obligations.
Pledgor hereby pledges and assigns to Secured Party, and hereby
grants to Secured Party a security interest in, all of Pledgor's
right, title and interest in and to the Collateral as collateral
security for the prompt payment or performance in full when due,
whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration,
acceleration, demand or otherwise (including the payment of
amounts that would become due but for the operation of the
automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11
U.S.C. ss.362(a)), of all Secured Obligations.
SECTION 4. No Investment of Amounts in the
Collateral Account; Interest on Amounts in the Collateral
Account.
a. Cash held by Secured Party in the Collateral
Account shall not be invested by Secured Party but instead shall
be maintained as a cash deposit in the Collateral Account pending
application thereof as elsewhere provided in this Agreement.
b. To the extent permitted under Regulation Q of the
Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve System, any cash held
in the Collateral Account shall bear interest at the standard
rate paid by Secured Party to its customers for deposits of like
amounts and terms.
c. Subject to Secured Party's rights under Section 11,
any interest earned on deposit of cash in the Collateral Account
in accordance with Section 4(b) shall be deposited directly in,
and held in the Collateral Account.
d. The Collateral Account shall be subject to such
applicable laws, and such applicable regulations of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of any other
appropriate banking or governmental authority, as may now or
hereafter be in effect.
SECTION 5. Representations and Warranties. Pledgor
represents and warrants as follows:
a. Ownership of Collateral. Pledgor is (or at the time
of transfer to Secured Party thereof will be) the legal and
beneficial owner of the Collateral from time to time transferred
by Pledgor to Secured Party, free and clear of any Lien except
for the security interest created by this Agreement.
b. Governmental Authorizations. No authorization,
approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any
governmental authority or regulatory body is required for either
(i) the grant by Pledgor of the security interest granted hereby
or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement
by Pledgor or (ii) the perfection of or the exercise by Secured
Party of its rights and remedies hereunder (except as may have
been taken by or at the direction of Pledgor).
c. Perfection. The pledge and assignment of the
Collateral pursuant to this Agreement creates a valid and
perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral,
securing the payment of the Secured Obligations.
d. Other Information. All information heretofore,
herein or hereafter supplied to Secured Party by or on behalf of
Pledgor with respect to the Collateral is accurate and complete
in all respects.
SECTION 6. Further Assurances. Pledgor agrees that
from time to time, at the expense of Pledgor, Pledgor will
promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and
documents, and take all further action, that may be necessary or
desirable, or that Secured Party may request, in order to perfect
and protect any security interest granted or purported to be
granted hereby or to enable Secured Party to exercise and enforce
its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Pledgor will:
(i) execute and file such financing or continuation statements,
or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as
may be necessary or desirable, or as Secured Party may request,
in order to perfect and preserve the security interests granted
or purported to be granted hereby and (ii) at Secured Party's
request, appear in and defend any action or proceeding that may
affect Pledgor's title to or Secured Party's security interest in
all or any part of the Collateral.
SECTION 7. Transfers and other Liens. Pledgor agrees
that it will not (a) sell, assign (by operation of law or
otherwise) or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral or (b)
create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any of
the Collateral, except for the security interest under this
Agreement.
SECTION 8. Secured Party Appointed Attorney-in-Fact.
Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Pledgor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of
Pledgor and in the name of Pledgor, Secured Party or otherwise,
from time to time in Secured Party's discretion while an Event of
Default exists to take any action and to execute any instrument
that Secured Party may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish
the purposes of this Agreement, including without limitation to
file one or more financing or continuation statements, or
amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Collateral
without the signature of Pledgor.
SECTION 9. Secured Party May Perform. If Pledgor fails
to perform any agreement contained herein, Secured Party may
itself perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the
expenses of Secured Party incurred in connection therewith shall
be payable by Pledgor under Section 13.
SECTION 10. Standard of Care. The powers conferred on
Secured Party hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the
Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any
such powers. Except for the exercise of reasonable care in the
custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting
for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Secured Party shall
have no duty as to any Collateral, it being understood that
Secured Party shall have no responsibility for (a) taking any
necessary steps (other than steps taken in accordance with the
standard of care set forth above to maintain possession of the
Collateral) to preserve rights against any parties with respect
to any Collateral or (b) taking any necessary steps to collect or
realize upon the Secured Obligations or any guarantee therefor,
or any part thereof, or any of the Collateral. Secured Party
shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody
and preservation of Collateral in its possession if such
Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that
which Secured Party accords its own property consisting of
negotiable securities.
SECTION 11. Remedies. If any Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, Secured Party may exercise in
respect of the Collateral, in addition to all other rights and
remedies provided for herein or otherwise available to it, all
the rights and remedies of a secured party on default under the
Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant jurisdiction
(the "Code") (whether or not the Code applies to the affected
Collateral). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if
any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,
subject to the provisions of Section 2(b), Secured Party may (i)
transfer any or all of the Collateral to an account established
in Secured Party's name (whether at Secured Party or otherwise)
or (ii) otherwise register title to any Collateral in the name of
Secured Party or one of its nominees or agents, without reference
to any interest of Pledgor. If the proceeds of any sale or other
disposition of the Collateral are insufficient to pay all the
Secured Obligations, Pledgor shall be liable for the deficiency
and the fees of any attorneys employed by Secured Party to
collect such deficiency. Anything contained herein to the
contrary notwithstanding, any of the Collateral consisting of
cash held by Secured Party in the Collateral Account shall be
subject to Secured Party's rights of set-off under subsection
10.4 of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 12. Application of Proceeds. Subject to the
provisions of Section 2(b), if any Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, all cash held by Secured Party as
Collateral may, in the discretion of Secured Party, be held by
Secured Party as Collateral for, and/or then, or at any other
time thereafter, applied in full or in part by Secured Party
against, the Secured Obligations in accordance with subsection
2.4D of the Credit Agreement.
SECTION 13. Indemnity and Expenses.
a. Pledgor agrees to indemnify Secured Party and each
Lender from and against any and all claims, losses and
liabilities in any way relating to, growing out of or resulting
from this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby
(including, without limitation, enforcement of this Agreement),
except to the extent such claims, losses or liabilities result
from Secured Party's or such Lender's gross negligence or willful
misconduct as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction.
b. Pledgor will pay to Secured Party upon demand the
amount of any and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Secured Party may
incur in connection with (i) the administration of this
Agreement, (ii) the custody, preservation, use or operation of,
or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any
of the Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of
the rights of Secured Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by
Pledgor to perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.
SECTION 14. Continuing Security Interest; Transfer of
Loans. This Agreement shall create a continuing security interest
in the Collateral and shall (a) remain in full force and effect
until the indefeasible payment in full of the Secured
Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments
and the cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of
Credit, (b) be binding upon Pledgor, its successors and assigns,
and (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of Secured
Party hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party and its
successors, transferees and assigns. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the
provisions of subsection 10.1 of the Credit Agreement, any Lender
may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held by it to any
other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders
herein or otherwise. Upon the indefeasible payment in full of all
Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the
Commitments and the cancellation or expiration of all outstanding
Letters of Credit, the security interest granted hereby shall
terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to
Pledgor. Upon any such termination Secured Party will, at
Pledgor's expense, execute and deliver to Pledgor such documents
as Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination
and Pledgor shall be entitled to the return, upon its request and
at its expense, against receipt and without recourse to Secured
Party, of such of the Collateral as shall not have been sold or
otherwise applied pursuant to the terms hereof.
SECTION 15. Secured Party as Administrative Agent.
a. Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured
Party hereunder by Lenders. Secured Party shall be obligated, and
shall have the right hereunder, to make demands, to give notices,
to exercise or refrain from exercising any rights, and to take or
refrain from taking any action (including, without limitation,
the release or substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance
with this Agreement and the Credit Agreement.
b. Secured Party shall at all times be the same Person
that is Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement. Written
notice of resignation by Administrative Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute
notice of resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement;
removal of Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the
Credit Agreement shall also constitute removal as Secured Party
under this Agreement; and appointment of a successor
Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection 9.5 of the Credit
Agreement shall also constitute appointment of a successor
Secured Party under this Agreement. Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Administrative Agent under subsection 9.5 of the
Credit Agreement by a successor Administrative Agent, that
successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and
become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties
of the retiring or removed
Secured Party under this Agreement, and the retiring or removed
Secured Party under this Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to
such successor Secured Party all sums, securities and other items
of Collateral held hereunder, together with all records and other
documents necessary or appropriate in connection with the
performance of the duties of the successor Secured Party under
this Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor
Secured Party such amendments to financing statements, and take
such other actions, as may be necessary or appropriate in
connection with the assignment to such successor Secured Party of
the security interests created hereunder, whereupon such retiring
or removed Secured Party shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring or removed
Administrative Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as
Secured Party, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to
its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it
under this Agreement while it was Secured Party hereunder.
SECTION 16. Amendments; Etc. No amendment or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement, or consent to any departure by
Pledgor herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same
shall be in writing and signed by Secured Party, and then such
waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.
SECTION 17. Notices. Any notice or other communication
herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and
may be personally served, telecopied, telexed or sent by United
States mail or courier service and shall be deemed to have been
given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon
receipt of telecopy or telex, or four Business Days after
depositing it in the United States mail, registered or certified,
with postage prepaid and properly addressed. For the purposes
hereof, the address of each party hereto shall be as set forth
under such party's name on the signature pages hereof or, as to
either party, such other address as shall be designated by such
party in a written notice delivered to the other party hereto.
SECTION 18. Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies
Cumulative. No failure or delay on the part of Secured Party in
the exercise of any power, right or privilege hereunder shall
impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a
waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or of any other
power, right or privilege. All rights and remedies existing under
this Agreement are cumulative to, and not exclusive of, any
rights or remedies otherwise available.
SECTION 19. Severability. In case any provision in or
obligation under this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of
such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not
in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
SECTION 20. Headings. Section and subsection headings
in this Agreement are included herein for convenience of
reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Agreement
for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.
SECTION 21. Governing Law; Terms. THIS AGREEMENT AND
THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 5-1401 OF THE GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE
PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES
HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED
BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, terms
used in Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the
State of New York are used herein as therein defined.
SECTION 22. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of
Process. ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST PLEDGOR ARISING
OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE
OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE STATE OF NEW
YORK, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT PLEDGOR
ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES,
GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF
THE AFORESAID COURTS AND WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON
CONVENIENS AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY JUDGMENT
RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT. Pledgor
hereby agrees that service of all process in any such proceeding
in any such court may be made by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, to Pledgor at its address provided in
Section 18, such service being hereby acknowledged by Pledgor to
be sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action against
Pledgor in any such court and to be otherwise effective and
binding service in every respect. Nothing herein shall affect the
right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law or
shall limit the right of Secured Party to bring proceedings
against Pledgor in the courts of any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 23. Waiver of Jury Trial. PLEDGOR AND SECURED
PARTY HEREBY AGREE TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY
TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT
OF THIS AGREEMENT. The scope of this waiver is intended to be
all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction,
including without limitation contract claims, tort claims, breach
of duty claims, and all other common law and statutory claims.
Pledgor and Secured Party each acknowledge that this waiver is a
material inducement for Pledgor and Secured Party to enter into a
business relationship, that Pledgor and Secured Party have
already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement and
that each will continue to rely on this waiver in their related
future dealings. Pledgor and Secured Party further warrant and
represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal
counsel, and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury
trial rights following consultation with legal counsel. THIS
WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER
ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY
SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT. In the
event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written
consent to a trial by the court.
SECTION 24. Counterparts. This Agreement may be
executed in one or more counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed
and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same
instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple
separate counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so
that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor and Secured Party have
caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the date
first written above.
DIAMOND BRANDS OPERATING CORP.,
as Pledgor
By:
------------------------------
Name:
------------------------------
Title:
------------------------------
Notice Address:
Diamond Brands Operating Corp.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK, N.A.,
as Secured Party
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Notice Address:
Attention: