EXHIBIT 4.14
EXECUTION VERSION
AVONDALE ▇▇▇▇▇, INC.
EXCHANGE AGREEMENT
August 26, 2004
Deutsche Asset Management
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Ladies and Gentlemen:
Avondale ▇▇▇▇▇, Inc., an Alabama corporation (the "Company"), and Avondale
Incorporated, a Georgia corporation and the Company's parent company (the
"Guarantor"), confirm their agreement with Deutsche Asset Management Inc.
("DAMI") and Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA," collectively
with DAMI, "DAM"), as investment advisor on behalf of each beneficial owner of
the Company's outstanding 10.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 (the
"Securities") listed on Exhibit A hereto, (collectively, the "Holders" and each
of them a "Holder").
1. Exchange Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Company will enter into an exchange with the Holders pursuant to which the
Company will issue to the Holders $10,570,000 principal amount of its Floating
Rate Notes due 2012 (the "New Notes"), guaranteed on a senior, unsecured basis
by the Guarantor (the "Note Guarantee"), in the amounts shown in Exhibit A
hereto, in exchange for $15,100,000 principal amount of Securities currently
held by the Holders. This Agreement, the Note Guarantee and the New Notes, the
form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B (the "Note"), are hereinafter
collectively referred to as the "Operative Documents" and the execution and
delivery of the Operative Documents and the transactions contemplated herein and
therein are hereinafter referred to as the "Exchange."
The Exchange will be made without registration of the New Notes (or the
Note Guarantee) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), in reliance upon one or more exemptions from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act contained in Section 4(2) and Regulation D
thereof.
2. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company and the
Guarantor. The Company and the Guarantor jointly and severally represent and
warrant to, and agree with, the DAM that:
(a) Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), the Guarantor has filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") an Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August
28, 2003, a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 28,
2003, a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended February 27, 2004, a
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
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May 28, 2004 and a Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 4, 2004 (collectively,
and including the exhibits thereto, the "Exchange Act Documents"), and all such
Exchange Act Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements
of the Exchange Act and did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, at the time they were filed with the SEC,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(b) Except as qualified in the Exchange Act Documents, the audited
and unaudited financial statements and schedules included in the Exchange Act
Documents, present fairly in all material respects the consolidated financial
position of the Guarantor, the Company and its subsidiaries as of the dates
indicated and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the
Guarantor, the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods specified; such
financial statements and schedules have been prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis during
the periods involved.
(c) Each of the Company and the Guarantor is in good standing
under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered or organized and is
duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation under the laws of each
jurisdiction which requires such qualification wherein it owns or leases
material properties or conducts material business, except in such jurisdictions
in which the failure to be so incorporated or organized and validly existing or
to so qualify, in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. As
used in this Agreement, the term "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean when used
in respect of any matter to the Company or the Guarantor a material adverse
effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), properties or
results of operations of the Company, the Guarantor and the Company's
subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, or would materially adversely affect
the ability of the Company or the Guarantor to perform its obligations under the
Operative Documents.
(d) Each of the Company and the Guarantor has full corporate power
to own or lease its respective properties and conduct its respective businesses
as described in the Exchange Act Documents; and each of the Company and the
Guarantor has full corporate power and authority to enter into this Agreement
and the other Operative Documents and to perform all the terms and provisions
hereof and thereof to be carried out by it.
(e) As of the date hereof, the Company does not have any
significant subsidiaries (as defined in Regulation S-X promulgated under the
Securities Act).
(f) Each of the Company and the Guarantor maintains a system of
internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that
(i) transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or
specific authorizations; (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and to maintain asset accountability; (iii) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization; and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with
the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with
respect to any differences.
(g) The execution, delivery and performance of the Operative
Documents has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the
Company and the Guarantor, as
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applicable, and, when duly executed and delivered by the Company and the
Guarantor and by the other parties thereto, the Operative Documents will
constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantor
(to the extent each is a party thereto), enforceable against the Company and the
Guarantor in accordance with their respective terms, subject, as to enforcement
of remedies, to bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws
relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar laws
affecting the rights of creditors generally and to the effect of general
principles of equity and except that any rights to indemnity and contribution
may be limited by federal and state securities laws and public policy
considerations.
(h) The execution, issuance, delivery, sale and performance of and
under the New Notes and the Note Guarantee have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action and, when executed and delivered as provided in this
Agreement, the New Notes and the Note Guarantee will constitute legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantor, respectively, enforceable
against the Company and the Guarantor, respectively, in accordance with their
terms, subject, as to enforcement of remedies, to bankruptcy, insolvency
(including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers),
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors
generally and to the effect of general principles of equity.
(i) The issuance and offering of the New Notes to the Holders by
the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the execution and delivery of any of the
Operative Documents, the consummation or performance by the Company or the
Guarantor of any of the terms of or obligations under the Operative Documents
and the consummation of the Exchange, do not (i) require the consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration or qualification of, or filing with, any
governmental authority or court, or body or arbitrator having jurisdiction over
the Company or the Guarantor, or (ii) conflict with, result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under the Indenture, dated June 30, 2003,
by and among the Company, the Guarantor and Wachovia Bank, National Association,
as trustee (the "Indenture"), the Master Security Agreement (as defined below),
the Credit Facility (as defined in the Indenture) or any other material
indenture, note purchase agreement, credit agreement, mortgage, deed of trust,
loan agreement or other material agreement or instrument to which the Company or
the Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or the Guarantor or any of
their respective properties is bound, or with the charter or by-laws of the
Company or the Guarantor, or any statute, rule or regulation or any judgment,
order or decree of any governmental authority or court or any arbitrator
applicable to the Company or the Guarantor, except for (i) any statute, rule or
regulation or any judgment, order or decree of any governmental authority or
court or any arbitrator the noncompliance with which would not result in a
Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) for any consent, approval, authorization,
order, registration or qualification which has been made or obtained.
(j) No legal or governmental proceedings or investigations are
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or the Guarantor, threatened to
which the Company or the Guarantor is a party or to which the property of the
Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective subsidiaries is subject that
are not described in the Exchange Act Documents, except for such proceedings or
investigations which could not reasonably be expected to, singly or in
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the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely
affect the consummation of the Exchange.
(k) Except as set forth in or granted in relation to (i) the
Master Security Agreement and related documents, dated July 30, 2002, among the
Company and The CIT Group/Equipment Financing, Inc. (the "Master Security
Agreement") and (ii) the Credit Facility, each of the Company and the Guarantor
has good and marketable title in fee simple to all items of real property and
marketable title to all personal property owned by each of them, in each case
except as described in the Exchange Act Documents, free and clear of any pledge,
lien, encumbrance, security interest or other defect or claim of any third
party, except such as do not have a Material Adverse Effect. Any real property
held by the Company or the Guarantor as lessor is held under valid, subsisting
and enforceable leases, with such exceptions as do not have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(l) Each of the Company and the Guarantor owns or possesses, or
can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate rights to use all material patents,
trademarks, service marks, trade names and copyrights, licenses, all
applications and registrations for each of the foregoing, and all other material
proprietary rights and confidential information necessary to conduct their
respective businesses as currently conducted; and none of the Company or the
Guarantor has received any notice, or is otherwise aware, of any infringement of
or conflict with the rights of any third party with respect to any of the
foregoing which could reasonably be expected to, singly or in the aggregate,
result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(m) Each of the Company and the Guarantor is insured by insurers
of recognized financial responsibility (including self-insurance) against such
losses and risks and in such amounts and with such deductibles as are prudent in
the businesses in which they are engaged, except where the failure to have such
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and none of
the Company and the Guarantor has any reason to believe that it will not be able
to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to
obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue
its business at a cost that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(n) Each of the Company and the Guarantor possesses all
certificates, authorizations and permits issued by the appropriate original
equipment manufacturers, federal, state or foreign regulatory authorities
necessary to conduct their respective businesses, except where the failure to
have such could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
and none of the Company and the Guarantor has received any notice of proceedings
relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate,
authorization or permit which, could not reasonably be expected to, singly or in
the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(o) Except as described in the Exchange Act Documents:
(i) Each of the Company and the Guarantor is and has been in
compliance with all applicable laws, statutes,
ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, judgments, decisions,
decrees, standards, and requirements ("Legal Requirements") relating
to: human health and safety; pollution; management,
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disposal or release of any hazardous chemical substance, product or
waste; and protection, cleanup, remediation or corrective action
relating to the environment or natural resources ("Environmental
Law");
(ii) Each of the Company and the Guarantor has obtained and
is in compliance with the conditions of all permits, authorizations,
licenses, approvals, and variances necessary under any Environmental
Law for the continued conduct in the manner now conducted of the
business of each of the Company and the Guarantor ("Environmental
Permits");
(iii) There are no past or present conditions or circumstances
that are likely to interfere with the conduct of the business of
each of the Company and the Guarantor in the manner now conducted or
which would interfere with compliance with any Environmental Law or
Environmental Permits; and
(iv) There are no past or present conditions or circumstances
at, or arising out of, the business, assets and properties of each
of the Company and the Guarantor or any businesses, assets or
properties formerly leased, operated or owned by each of the Company
and the Guarantor, including but not limited to on-site or off-site
disposal or release of any hazardous chemical substance, product or
waste, which may give rise to: (i) liabilities or obligations for
any cleanup, remediation or corrective action under any
Environmental Law; (ii) claims arising under any Environmental Law
for personal injury, property damage, or damage to natural
resources; (iii) liabilities or obligations incurred by the Company
and the Guarantor to comply with any Environmental Law; or (iv)
fines or penalties arising under any Environmental Law;
except in each case for any noncompliance or conditions or circumstances that
could not reasonably be expected to, singly or in the aggregate, result in a
Material Adverse Effect.
(p) No default exists under, and no event has occurred that, with
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default in the due
performance and observation of any term, covenant or condition of the Indenture,
the Credit Facility, the Master Security Agreement or any other indenture, note,
security agreement, guaranty, mortgage, deed of trust, lease or other agreement
or instrument to which either the Company or the Guarantor is a party or by
which either the Company or the Guarantor is bound which could reasonably be
expected to have, or could reasonably be expected to have after notice or lapse
of time or both, a Material Adverse Effect.
(q) Each of the Company and the Guarantor has filed all foreign,
federal, state and local tax returns that are required to be filed or has
requested extensions thereof and has paid all taxes required to be paid by it
and any other assessment, fine or penalty levied against them, to the extent
that any of the foregoing is due and payable, except for any such assessment,
fine or penalty that is currently being contested in good faith and for which
the Company and/or the Guarantor, as applicable, retains adequate reserves and
except in each case for any noncompliance that, singly or in the aggregate,
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
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(r) Neither of the Company or the Guarantor is, nor after giving
effect to the Exchange, will be an "investment company," or a company
"controlled" by an "investment company," within the meaning of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act").
(s) None of the Company, the Guarantor, any of their Affiliates
(as defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act ("Regulation
D")), and any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly,
made offers or sales of any security, or solicited offers to buy any security,
under circumstances that would require the registration of the New Notes under
the Securities Act.
(t) None of the Company, the Guarantor, any of their Affiliates,
and any person acting on its or their behalf has or will engage in any form of
general solicitation or general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D)
in connection with any offer or sale of the New Notes in the United States.
(u) Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
DAM in Section 4 hereof and compliance by DAM with the procedures set forth in
Section 4 hereof, it is not necessary in connection with the offer, sale and
delivery of the New Notes or the Note Guarantee to the Holders in the manner
contemplated by this Agreement to register any of the New Notes or the Note
Guarantee under the Securities Act or to qualify the New Note under the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
(v) No "prohibited transaction" (as defined in Section 406 of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the
regulations and published interpretations thereunder ("ERISA"), or Section 4975
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time (the "Code'))
or "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA) or any
of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA (other than events with
respect to which the 30-day notice requirement under Section 4043 of ERISA has
been waived) has occurred, exists or is reasonably expected to occur with
respect to any employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) that
the Company or any of the Company's subsidiaries maintains, contributes to or
has any obligation to contribute to, or with respect to which the Company or any
of the Company's subsidiaries has any liability, direct or indirect, contingent
or otherwise (a "Plan") which would have a Material Adverse Effect; each Plan is
in compliance in all material respects with applicable law, including ERISA and
the Code; the Company or any of the Company's subsidiaries has not incurred and
do not expect to incur liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the
termination of, or withdrawal from, any Plan; and each Plan that is intended to
be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material
respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or failure to act, which
could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification. No labor
dispute with the employees of the Company or any of the Company's subsidiaries
exists or is threatened or imminent which could result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
(w) Since the respective dates as of which information is given in
the Exchange Act Documents, there has not been any material adverse change in or
affecting the business, condition (financial or otherwise), properties or
results of operations of the Company, the Guarantor and the Company's
subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise.
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(x) Each certificate signed by any officer of the Company or the
Guarantor and delivered to the Holders or their counsel shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be,
to the Holders as to the matters covered thereby.
3. Exchange. On the basis of the representations, warranties,
agreements and covenants herein contained and subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue $10,570,000 aggregate
principal amount of New Notes in exchange for $15,100,000 aggregate principal
amount of Securities held by the Holders. The New Notes will be delivered in
certificated form to the Holders against delivery by the Holders of $15,100,000
principal amount of Securities at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the date
hereof, or at such other time or date as the Holders and the Company may agree
upon in writing, such time and date of delivery against payment being herein
referred to as the "Closing Date." In addition, on the Closing Date, the Company
shall pay to the Holders by wire transfer of immediately available funds all
accrued but unpaid interest on the Securities to, but not including the Closing
Date, in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
4. DAM's Representations, Warranties and Agreements. DAM represents and
warrants to, and agrees with, the Company that:
(a) DAM is authorized to enter into this Agreement and all
transactions and actions contemplated hereby as the authorized representative of
the Holders pursuant to written agreements which are legal, valid and binding
obligations of each of the parties thereto, enforceable against each of them in
accordance with their respective terms, subject, as to enforcement of remedies,
to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting
rights of creditors generally and to the effect of general principles of equity;
and DAM represents that it has sole investment discretion for each of those
accounts with respect to any Securities to be exchanged under this Agreement and
full power to make the above acknowledgments, representations and agreements on
behalf of each account with respect to any Securities to be exchanged under this
Agreement.
(b) (i) DAM is knowledgeable, sophisticated and experienced in
making, and is qualified to make, decisions with respect to investments in
securities representing an investment decision like that involved in the
purchase of the New Notes, and has had the opportunity to request and receive
all material information relevant to the Company and relevant to making an
informed decision to enter into this Agreement and to purchase the New Notes, as
the case may be; (ii) DAM is acquiring the New Notes in the ordinary course of
its business and for the account of the Holders for investment only and with no
present intention of distributing any of such New Notes or any arrangement or
understanding with any other persons regarding the distribution of such New
Notes; (iii) DAM will not, directly or indirectly, offer, sell, pledge, transfer
or otherwise dispose of (or solicit any offers to buy, purchase or otherwise
acquire or take a pledge of) any of the New Notes except in compliance with the
Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws; (iv) DAM has been
afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the Company and the Guarantors; and
neither such inquiries nor any other due diligence investigations conducted by
DAM or the Holders, or their representatives, if any, shall modify, amend or
affect the Holders' right to rely on the Company's and the Guarantor's
representations and warranties contained in Section 2; and (v) DAM understands
that the investment in the New
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Notes involves a significant degree of risk, including a risk of total loss of
the investment by the Holders, it is fully aware of and understands all the
risks related to the purchase of the New Notes by the Holders and that the
Holders may not be able to sell or transfer the New Notes for an indefinite
period of time.
(c) DAM has all necessary power and authority to execute and
deliver this Agreement; this Agreement has been duly authorized by DAM; assuming
that this Agreement is the valid and binding agreement of each of the parties
thereto, other than DAM, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
agreement of DAM, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject,
as to enforcement of remedies, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium, or similar laws affecting rights of creditors generally and to the
effect of general principles of equity;
(d) DAM understands that the New Notes are being offered in a
transaction not involving any public offering within the meaning of the
Securities Act in compliance with Section 4(2) and/or Regulation D of the
Securities Act, that the New Notes have not been and will not be registered
under the Securities Act, except pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement as
contemplated by Section 5, if at all, and that (i) if in the future any Holder
decides to offer, resell, pledge or otherwise transfer any of the New Notes,
such New Notes may be offered, resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only (a)
to the Company, (b) in the United States to a person whom the Holder reasonably
believes is a "qualified institutional buyer" (as defined in Rule 144A of the
Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A under the
Securities Act, (c) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the
Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if available), (d) to an
"accredited investor" (as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D) in a
transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or
(e) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in
each of cases (a) through (e) in accordance with any applicable securities laws
of the states and other jurisdictions of the United States, and that (ii) the
applicable Holder will, and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any
subsequent purchaser of the New Notes from it of the resale restrictions
referred to in (i) above;
(e) DAM understands that the New Notes will bear a legend, as set
forth on the form of New Note attached hereto as Exhibit B, until such legend
shall no longer be necessary, in the Company's opinion, because the New Notes
are no longer subject to the restrictions on transfer described therein;
(f) DAM and the Holders understand that no United States federal
or state agency or any other government or governmental agency has passed upon
or made any recommendation or endorsement of the New Notes or the fairness or
suitability of the investment in the New Notes nor have such authorities passed
upon or endorsed the merits of the offering of the New Notes;
(g) DAMI and DIMA are each Delaware corporations and registered
investment advisors, and each Holder's EIN number is listed next to its name in
Exhibit A;
(h) each of the Holders is a qualified institutional buyer;
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(i) DAM agrees to keep confidential the existence and terms of the
Exchange, its entering into this Agreement and all transactions relating thereto
and hereto, provided that, these matters may be disclosed (i) its officers,
employees, attorneys and other advisors on a confidential and "need to know"
basis in connection with the Exchange, (ii) as required by law; (iii) to the
extent that these matters are publicly disclosed by the Company or at such time
as the Guarantor files with the SEC its Form 10-K for the year ended August 27,
2004; or (iv) to clients of DAM who are holders of the Securities; furthermore,
until the earliest to occur of (x) November 15, 2004, (y) the filing with the
SEC of the Guarantor's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 27,
2004 and (z) such time as the existence of the Exchange is publicly disclosed by
the Company, neither DAM nor any Holder nor any representative on their behalf
will engage in any discussions with any third party (a "counterparty") with
respect to any purchase or sale of Securities or New Notes without first either
(1) entering into a confidentiality agreement with the counterparty
substantially similar to this Section 4(i) or (2) obtaining an executed letter
from the counterparty (which shall be promptly forwarded to the Company) in
which the counterparty acknowledges that (x) the addressee of the letter may be
in possession of material, non-public information regarding the Company within
the meaning of the federal securities laws and (y) despite the counterparty
itself not being in possession of such information, it nevertheless elects to
enter into the purchase or sale; and
(j) DAM acknowledges that the Company, the Guarantor and others
will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations,
warranties and agreements; they agree that if any of the representations,
warranties or agreements DAM is deemed to have made is no longer accurate, it
shall promptly notify the Company.
5. Covenants. (a) Upon their initial issuance, the Company will (i)
qualify the New Notes and the Note Guarantee for sale by the Holders under the
applicable laws of such jurisdictions as DAM, as authorized representative for
the Holders, may designate and (ii) will maintain such qualifications for so
long as required for the sale of the New Notes and the Note Guarantee by the
Holders, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii) as required by applicable law;
provided, that the Company will not be required to qualify to do business in any
jurisdiction in which it is not then so qualified, to file any general consent
to service of process or to take any other action which would subject it to
general service of process or to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is
not then so subject. The Company will promptly advise DAM of the receipt by the
Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification
of the New Notes and the Note Guarantee for sale in any jurisdiction or the
initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.
(b) So long as any of this Note is a "restricted security" within
the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, at any time that the
Company is not then subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Company will provide at its expense to DAM or a Holder and to
each prospective purchaser (as designated by DAM or Holder) of the New Notes,
upon the request of DAM or such Holder or prospective purchaser, any information
required to be provided by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
(c) Except as may be contemplated in the Registration Rights
Agreement, none of the Company or any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting
on its or their behalf will, directly or indirectly, make offers or sales of any
security, or solicit offers to buy any security,
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under circumstances that would require the registration of the New Notes under
the Securities Act.
(d) For so long as the New Notes are outstanding, each of the
Company and the Guarantor and their respective subsidiaries will conduct its
operations in a manner that will not subject the Company, the Guarantor or any
such subsidiary to registration as an "investment company" under the Investment
Company Act.
6. Expenses.
Each of the Company and DAM will pay its respective costs and
expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Agreement,
provided that the Company shall reimburse DAM in an amount up to $1,000.00
relating to the fees and disbursements of counsel for DAM. Except as otherwise
provided herein, including the provisions of Section 8, neither the Company nor
the Guarantor shall in any event be liable to DAM for the loss of anticipated
profits from the transactions covered by this Agreement.
7. Conditions to Closing. This Agreement and the Exchange shall become
effective upon the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) DAM, the Company and the Guarantor shall have executed and
delivered to each other this Agreement;
(b) The Guarantor shall have executed and delivered to the Holders
the Note Guarantee;
(c) The Company shall have executed and delivered the New Notes in
the number and amounts requested by the Holders;
(d) DAM shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the
Company the Securities being exchanged pursuant to this Agreement;
(e) Each of the Company and the Guarantor shall have delivered to
DAM a certificate, dated the Closing Date, executed by the secretary of each of
the Company and the Guarantor certifying in such capacity and on behalf of the
applicable party (a) as to the incumbency and signature of the officer of the
Company and the Guarantor who executed this Agreement, the Note Guarantee and
the New Notes; and (b) as to the adoption of resolutions of the board of
directors of the Company and the Guarantor as being correct, complete and in
full force and effect on the Closing Date, authorizing (i) the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, the New Notes and the Note Guarantee, and (ii) the
performance of the obligations of the Company and the Guarantor hereunder and
thereunder; and
(f) The Company shall have delivered to DAM a copy of the waiver
and/or consent of General Electric Capital Corporation, as administrative agent
and lender under the Credit Facility, to the transactions and exchanges
contemplated herein.
8. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to
indemnify DAM from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and
liabilities (including, without limitation, any
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legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with defending or
investigating any such action or claim) to which DAM may become subject, under
the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based on any
misrepresentation, breach of warranty or covenant or non-fulfillment of any
agreement or obligation of the Company or the Guarantor under this Agreement;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable for indemnification or
otherwise for any such loss, claim, damage or liability to the extent arising
from gross negligence or willful misconduct of DAM or the Holders.
(b) DAM also agrees to indemnify the Company and the Guarantor
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including,
without limitation, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with defending or investigating any such action or claim) to which
the Company or the Guarantor may become subject, under the Securities Act or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in
respect thereof) arise out of or are based on any misrepresentation, breach of
warranty or covenant or non-fulfillment of any agreement or obligation of DAM
under this Agreement; provided, however, that DAM shall not be liable for
indemnification or otherwise for any such loss, claim, damage or liability to
the extent arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Company or
the Guarantor.
(c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental
investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which
indemnity may be sought pursuant to Section 8(a) or 8(b) hereof, such person
(the "indemnified party") shall promptly notify the person against whom such
indemnity may be sought (the "indemnifying party") in writing of the
commencement thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i)
will not relieve such indemnifying party from liability under paragraph (a) or
(b) above unless and to the extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and
such failure results in the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial
rights and defenses and (ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying
party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the
indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above. The
indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified
party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and
shall pay the fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding.
In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its
own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense
of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified
party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the
named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both
parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential
differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party
shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in
connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction,
be liable for (i) the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in
addition to any local counsel) for DAM and the Holders and all persons, if any,
who controls DAM or the Holders within the meaning of either Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and (ii) the fees and expenses
of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for the
Company, the Guarantor, their respective directors and officers and each person,
if any, who controls the Company or the Guarantor within the meaning of either
such
12
Section. In the case of any such separate firm for DAM and the Holders and
such control persons of DAM or the Holders, such firm shall be designated in
writing by DAM and the Holders. In the case of any such separate firm for the
Company, the Guarantor, and such directors, officers and control persons of the
Company, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Company or the
Guarantor. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such
consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying
party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or
liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the
foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an
indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of
counsel as contemplated by the second and third sentences of this paragraph, the
indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the
aforesaid request, (ii) such request sets forth the terms of the proposed
settlement and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the
indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of
the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a
party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party,
unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified
party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such
proceeding.
(d) No claim for indemnification pursuant to this Section 8 may be
asserted under this Agreement more than one (1) year from the date hereof.
(e) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantor under this
Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability that the Company and the
Guarantor may otherwise have and the obligations of DAM under this Section 8
shall be in addition to any liability that DAM may otherwise have.
9. Termination and Amendment. This Agreement may be terminated in
writing pursuant to a writing signed by all parties hereto. Notwithstanding the
above, this Agreement shall terminate at such time as all New Notes issued
pursuant hereto are no longer outstanding. This Agreement may be amended
pursuant to a writing signed by all parties hereto; provided however, that if
the Company issues additional New Notes pursuant to the terms of the New Notes,
this Agreement may be amended by a writing signed by the Company, the Guarantor
and persons holding over 50% of the outstanding principal amount of all New
Notes, including such additional New Notes.
10. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail,
telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to DAM or any Holder, as follows:
Deutsche Asset Management
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇
13
Suite 726
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
Attn: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
(ii) if sent to the Company or the Guarantor, as follows:
Avondale ▇▇▇▇▇, Inc. and/or Avondale Incorporated
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇., Chief Financial Officer
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
With a copy to:
King & Spalding LLP
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
11. Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall
be binding upon DAM, the Company and the Guarantor and their respective
successors, and legal representatives, and nothing expressed or mentioned in
this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement,
or any provisions herein contained, this Agreement and all conditions and
provisions hereof being intended to be and being for the sole and exclusive
benefit of the Holders, the Company and the Guarantor and their respective
successors, and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person,
except that (i) the indemnities of the Company and the Guarantor contained in
Section 8 of this Agreement shall also be for the benefit of any person or
persons who control the Holders within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and (ii) the indemnities of the
Holders contained in Section 8 of this Agreement shall also be for the benefit
of the directors and officers of the Company and the Guarantor, and any person
or persons who control the Company or the Guarantor within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act.
12. Governing Law. The validity and interpretation of this Agreement,
and the terms and conditions set forth herein, shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
13. Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process
(a) All judicial proceedings 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, which jurisdiction is non-exclusive.
14
(b) Each party agrees that any service of process or other legal
summons in connection with any proceeding may be served on it by mailing a copy
thereof by registered mail, or a form of mail substantially equivalent thereto,
postage prepaid, addressed to the served party at its address as provided for in
Section 10 hereof. Nothing in this Section shall affect the right of the parties
to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understanding, please indicate
your acceptance thereof in the space provided below for that purpose, whereupon
this letter shall constitute an agreement binding the Company, the Guarantor and
the Holders.
Very truly yours,
AVONDALE ▇▇▇▇▇, INC.
By: __________________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇.
Title: Vice Chairman and Chief Financial
Officer
AVONDALE INCORPORATED
By: __________________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇.
Title: Vice Chairman and Chief Financial
Officer
The foregoing Exchange Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the
date first above written.
DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
(for and on behalf of its clients listed on Exhibit A)
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
DEUTSCHE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AMERICAS INC.
(for and on behalf of its clients listed on Exhibit A)
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
DEUTSCHE ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
(attesting to its representations and obligations in sections 4, 6, 7 and 8)
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
DEUTSCHE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AMERICAS INC.
(attesting to its representations and obligations in sections 4, 6, 7 and 8)
By:______________________________
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT A
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NEW NOTES PURCHASED (IN EXCHANGE FOR OLD NOTES)
ACCOUNT PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
HOLDER ADVISOR NUMBER FEDERAL TAX ID NEW NOTES OLD NOTES
------------------------------------ ------- ------- -------------- ------------------- -------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Income Plus Fund DAMI 367 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 693,000 $ 990,000
Deutsche GlobalSpectrum High Yield DAMI 539 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 245,000 $ 350,000
Fund
Deutsche Corporate Bond Plus Fund DAMI 547 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 31,500 $ 45,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Variable Series II DIMA 743 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 91,000 $ 130,000
Strategic Income Fund
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Income Trust DIMA 948 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 665,000 $ 950,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Income Fund DIMA 950 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 6,349,000 $ 9,070,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Income Opportunity Fund DIMA 951 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 525,000 $ 750,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Variable Series II High DIMA 952 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 1,064,000 $ 1,520,000
Income Fund
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Global Opportunities High DIMA 953 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 28,000 $ 40,000
Yield Fund
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Strategic Income Fund DIMA 960 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 469,000 $ 670,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Strategic Income Trust DIMA 961 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 80,500 $ 115,000
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Multi-Market Income Trust DIMA 962 ▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ $ 329,000 $ 470,000
TOTAL: $10,570,000 $15,100,000
EXHIBIT B - FORM OF NOTE
THE NOTE EVIDENCED HEREBY WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇ ▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND, ACCORDINGLY,
MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN
EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER, OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION
REQUIREMENTS OF, THE SECURITIES ACT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION AND
IN ACCORDANCE WITH TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS CONTAINED IN THIS NOTE UNDER WHICH THIS
NOTE WAS ISSUED. THE HOLDER OF THE NOTE WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS
REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY A PROPOSED TRANSFEREE OF THE NOTICE OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS APPLICABLE TO THE NOTE.
AVONDALE ▇▇▇▇▇, INC.
FLOATING RATE NOTE DUE 2012
$693,000.00 ▇▇.▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇., an Alabama corporation (hereinafter, the "Company"),
promises to pay to ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Income Plus Fund or its successors, transferees
or assigns (collectively, the "Holder") the principal sum of six hundred ninety
three thousand dollars ($693,000.00) on July 1, 2012 (the "Stated Maturity").
Interest Payment Dates: July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1.
Record Dates: June 15, September 15, December 15 and March 15.
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth
on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the
same effect as if set forth at this place.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be signed manually
or by facsimile by its duly authorized officers.
Dated: August 26, 2004
AVONDALE ▇▇▇▇▇, INC.
By:______________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇.
Title: Vice Chairman and
Chief Financial Officer
Attest:______________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President, Controller
and Secretary
(REVERSE OF SECURITY)
AVONDALE ▇▇▇▇▇, INC.
FLOATING RATE NOTE DUE 2012
(a) Capitalized Terms. Reference is hereby made to that certain
Exchange Agreement, dated August 26, 2004 (the "Exchange Agreement"), by and
among Avondale ▇▇▇▇▇, Inc., an Alabama corporation (the "Company"), Avondale
Incorporated, a Georgia corporation (the "Guarantor"), and Deutsche Asset
Management Inc. and Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc., as investment
advisors on behalf of the holders of the Company's outstanding 10.25% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2013 listed on Exhibit A thereto. Capitalized terms not
defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in that certain
Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2003, by and among the Company, the Guarantor
and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee, as in effect on the date
hereof (the "Indenture"). References herein to the Indenture shall mean the
Indenture as in effect on the date hereof. References herein to "this Note"
shall mean this Note evidencing the Floating Rate Note due 2012 of the Company.
References herein to the New Notes, shall mean this Note as well as any other
Floating Rate Notes due 2012 of the Company issued prior to or after the date
hereof. References herein to the Trustee shall mean Wachovia Bank, National
Association, as Trustee, or any successor trustee.
(b) Interest.
(i) Payment. The Company promises to pay interest on the
principal amount of this Note until its Stated Maturity as set forth
in this Section 2. The Company will pay interest quarterly in
arrears on July 1, October 1, January 1 and April 1 of each year
(each an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing on October 1, 2004, or
if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding
Business Day. Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent
Interest Payment Date on which interest has been paid or, if no
interest has been paid, from August 26, 2004. The Company shall pay
interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under
any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from
time to time on demand at a rate equal to the interest rate then in
effect; it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest
(without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time
on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be
computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. On
or prior to each due date of the principal and interest on any Note,
the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (as hereinafter
defined) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so
becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other
than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent shall
hold in trust for the benefit of holders or the Trustee all money
held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest
on the Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the
Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a subsidiary
acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as
Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at
any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to
the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying
Agent.
1
(ii) Interest Rate. This Note shall initially bear interest
at a rate equal to LIBOR (as defined below) for the applicable
Interest Period (which shall mean each of (a) the period from the
date hereof until and including October 1, 2004 and (b) each period
thereafter from the day after an Interest Payment Date to and
including the next Interest Payment Date) plus 7.00% per annum.
LIBOR for the period from the date of this Note until the first
Interest Payment Date shall be 1.75% per annum. The Company will
determine LIBOR for each Interest Period following the initial
Interest Period, on the second London Business Day prior to the
first day of such Interest Period (each a "LIBOR Determination
Date"). For purposes of calculating LIBOR, a London Business Day is
any day on which dealings in deposits in United States dollars are
transacted in the London interbank market. "LIBOR" means, as of any
LIBOR Determination Date, the rate per annum for deposits in the
United States dollars for a three-month period which appears on
Telerate Page 3750 (as defined in the 1987 Interest Rate and
Currency Exchange Definitions published by the International Swap
Dealers Association, Inc., or such other page as may replace such
Telerate Page 3750) as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on such date. The
maximum LIBOR rate for purposes of this Note shall be 4.50%, and the
minimum LIBOR rate for purposes of this Note shall be 1.75%
notwithstanding the fact that the actual LIBOR rate in effect on the
LIBOR Determination Date may differ from such maximum and minimum
amounts. If, on any LIBOR Determination Date, such rate does not
appear on Telerate Page 3750 (or such other page as may replace such
Telerate Page 3750), the rate for that LIBOR Determination Date will
be the rate quoted by Wachovia Bank, National Association in New
York City at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on that
day for loans in United States dollars to leading European banks for
a three-month period.
(iii) Method of Payment. The Company shall pay interest on
this Note (except defaulted interest) to the person who is the
registered holder of this Note at the close of business record date
immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if this Note
is cancelled after the record date and on or before the Interest
Payment Date. The Company shall set a special record date for the
payment of defaulted interest.
On or prior to each due date of the principal and interest on the New
Notes, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay
such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each
Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying Agent
shall hold in trust for the benefit of holders of the New Notes or the Trustee
all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest
on the New Notes and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in
making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it
shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate
trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money
held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying
Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further
liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
2
The Holder must surrender this Note to the Paying Agent to collect
principal payments. The Company will pay principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on this Note in money of the United States of America that at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
(iv) Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company shall maintain
an office or agency where this Note may be presented for
registration of transfer or for exchange (the "Registrar") and an
office or agency where this Note may be presented for payment (the
"Paying Agent"). The Registrar shall keep a register of this Note
and of its transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more
co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term
"Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Company
shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar,
Paying Agent or co-registrar of the Company's choosing. If the
Paying Agent and Registrar is other than the Trustee, the Company
shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent
or registrar. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated
Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar,
co-registrar or transfer agent. The Company initially appoints the
Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with this Note.
(c) Covenants.
(i) Incorporation by Reference from Indenture. Reference is
hereby made to the following provisions of the Indenture which are
incorporated in their entirety by reference herein as if set forth
in their entirety herein, which are made applicable to this Note and
which are binding upon the Company and enforceable by the Holder and
the Trustee: Sections 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07 and 4.08. For purposes
of these incorporated sections (both as stated herein and as
incorporated herein), references to Section 4.03 of the Indenture
shall be deemed references to Section 3(d) of this Note, references
to Section 4.03(a) of the Indenture shall be deemed references to
Section 3(d)(1) of this Note, references to Section 4.03(b) of the
Indenture, and its subsections, shall be deemed references to
Section 3(d)(2) of this Note, and its subsections and for purposes
of Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the term Securities shall be
defined to include the New Notes.
(ii) Payment of Notes. The Company shall promptly pay the
principal of and interest on this Note on the dates and in the
manner provided in this Note. The Company shall pay interest on
overdue principal at the rate specified therefor above, and it shall
pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to
the extent lawful.
(iii) SEC Reports. In the event that the Guarantor ceases to
file reports with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, the Guarantor shall provide the Holder an annual
report and the information documents and other reports which the
Guarantor would be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act were the Guarantor to still be
filing such reports. The reports will be delivered to the Holder as
promptly as
3
practicable, but in no event later than 15 days after the date such
reports would have been required to be filed with the SEC if such
reports were being filed. In the event the Guarantor conducts any
business or holds any significant assets other than the Capital
Stock of the Company at the time of filing and providing any such
report, information or other document containing financial
statements of the Guarantor, the Guarantor shall include in such
report, information or other document summarized financial
information (as defined in Rule 1-02(bb) of Regulation S-X) with
respect to the Company. Delivery of such reports, information and
documents to the Holder is for informational purposes only and the
Holder's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of
any information contained therein, including the Company's
compliance with any of its covenants hereunder.
(iv) Limitation on Indebtedness.
(1) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any
Restricted Subsidiary to, incur, directly or indirectly, any
Indebtedness unless, on the date of such incurrence, the
Consolidated Coverage Ratio exceeds 2.0 to 1.
(2) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (1), the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur any or all of the
following Indebtedness:
(a) Indebtedness incurred by the Company pursuant
to the Credit Facility or any other
revolving credit arrangement; provided,
however, that, after giving effect to any
such incurrence, the aggregate principal
amount of such Indebtedness then outstanding
does not exceed the greater of $175,000,000
(less the then outstanding principal amount
of Indebtedness arising under any
Receivables Program of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, other than
Indebtedness described in clause (B) below)
and the sum of (i) 50% of the book value of
the inventory of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) 85% of the
book value of the accounts receivable of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(other than accounts receivable subject to
any Receivables Program of the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary), in each case
determined in accordance with GAAP;
(b) Indebtedness of the Company owed to and held
by a Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness
of a Restricted Subsidiary owed to and held
by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
provided, however, that any subsequent
issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock
which results in any such Restricted
Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted
Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of
such Indebtedness (other than to the Company
or a Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed,
in each case, to constitute the incurrence
of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof;
4
(c) the Securities;
(d) Indebtedness outstanding as of the date of
this Note (other than Indebtedness described
in clause (A), (B) or (C) of this Section
3(d)(2));
(e) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section
3(d)(1) or pursuant to clause (C) or (D) of
this Section 3(d)(2) or this clause (E);
(f) Hedging Obligations consisting of Interest
Rate or Currency Protection Agreements
directly related to Indebtedness permitted
to be incurred hereunder;
(g) Indebtedness incurred by a Receivables
Subsidiary, other than Indebtedness
described in clause (B) above, in an amount
not exceeding 95% of the aggregate unpaid
balance of the Receivables and Related
Assets of such Receivables Subsidiary at the
time of such incurrence pursuant to a
Receivables Program;
(h) Indebtedness of the Company and the Company's
Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent the
net proceeds thereof are concurrently
deposited to defease all Securities pursuant
to the terms of the Indenture or all New
Notes pursuant to the terms herein;
(i) Indebtedness represented by guarantees by the
Company or the Company's Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness otherwise
permitted to be incurred under the
Indenture;
(j) Indebtedness incurred by the Company in an
aggregate principal amount which, together
with all other Indebtedness of the Company
outstanding on the date of such incurrence
which was incurred pursuant to this clause
(J), does not exceed $55,000,000. With
respect to Indebtedness permitted under this
Section 3(d)(2)(J) no more than $20,000,000
of Indebtedness may be incurred pursuant to
such provision in respect of Purchase Money
Indebtedness.
"Purchase Money Indebtedness" means Indebtedness:
(A) consisting of the deferred purchase price of property
conditional sale obligations, obligations under any title retention
agreement and other purchase money obligations, in each case whether
directly from the owner of such property or through a third-party
financing arrangement, and in each case where the maturity of such
Indebtedness does not exceed the anticipated useful life of the
property being financed, and
5
(B) incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or
lease by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the property,
including additions and improvements thereto;
provided, however, that the Indebtedness is incurred within 180 days
after the acquisition, construction or lease of the property by the
Company or Restricted Subsidiary.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as set forth
in Section 3(e) below, the Company shall not incur any Indebtedness
pursuant to Section 3(d)(2) if the proceeds thereof are used,
directly or indirectly, to Refinance or defease any Subordinated
Obligations unless such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the
New Notes to at least the same extent as such Subordinated
Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of this
Section 3(d) "Subordinated Obligations" means any Indebtedness of
the Company (whether outstanding on the date of the New Notes or
thereafter incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of
payment to the New Notes pursuant to a written agreement to that
effect, including the Securities.
(4) For purposes of determining any particular amount of
Indebtedness under this Section 3(d), (i) Indebtedness incurred
under the Credit Facility on or prior to the date hereof shall be
treated as incurred pursuant to clause (A) of Section 3(d)(2) and
(ii) Guarantees, Liens or obligations with respect to letters of
credit supporting Indebtedness otherwise included in the
determination of such particular amount shall not be included. For
purposes of determining compliance with this Section 3(d), (i) in
the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more
than one of the types of Indebtedness described herein, the Company,
in its sole discretion, will classify (and may reclassify) such item
of Indebtedness and only be required to include the amount and type
of such Indebtedness in one of the above clauses and (ii) an item of
Indebtedness may be divided and classified (and reclassified) in
more than one of the types of Indebtedness described herein.
(v) Repurchase of Securities. The other provisions of this
Note and the Exchange Agreement notwithstanding, neither the Company
nor any Subsidiary may purchase, enter into an exchange for,
repurchase or otherwise acquire more than $75,000,000 in aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Securities (including the Securities
to be tendered in exchange for this Note). Furthermore, the Company
may not issue more than $55,000,000 in senior or unsubordinated
Indebtedness, including this Note, in exchange for Securities it
being understood that the limitation contained in this sentence
shall not apply to the incurrence of indebtedness under the Master
Security Agreement and related documents, dated July 30, 2002, among
the Company and The CIT Group/Equipment Financing, Inc. (the "Master
Security Agreement"), or the Credit Facility used in whole or in
part in exchange for or to finance the repurchase of Securities. The
Company may not incur secured Indebtedness, except under the Master
Security Agreement or the Credit Facility, in exchange for or to
finance the repurchase of Securities
6
unless the Indebtedness evidenced by this Note shall be secured on
an equal and ratable basis with such secured Indebtedness.
(vi) Compliance Certificate and Notices. The Company shall
deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal
year of the Company an Officers' Certificate stating that in the
course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers
of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default and
whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during
such period. If they do have knowledge of any Default, the
certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action
the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The
Company shall also promptly deliver to the Trustee copies of any
notices or waivers received by the Company from any holder of the
New Notes that (a) were issued prior to August 26, 2004 and (b) are
not included in the register of the New Notes.
(vii) Registration Rights. Within 45 days of the date of this
Note the Company agrees to enter into a registration rights
agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement") with the holders of
New Notes on terms and conditions set forth in Annex B hereto.
(d) Merger or Consolidation.
(i) The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or
into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series
of transactions, all or substantially all its assets to, any Person,
unless:
(1) the Company shall be the resulting, surviving or
transferee Person or the resulting, surviving or transferee Person
(in either case, the "Successor Company") shall be a Person
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the
Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume all
the obligations of the Company under this Note and the Exchange
Agreement;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and
treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the
Successor Company or any Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such
transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the
Successor Company would be able to incur an additional $1.00 of
Indebtedness pursuant to Section 3(d)(1).
The Successor Company shall be the successor to the Company and shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of,
the Company under this Note and the Exchange Agreement, but the predecessor
Company in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease shall not be released
from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on this Note.
7
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate
with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the
Company.
(ii) The Guarantor shall not consolidate with or merge with
or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or series
of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any
Person unless: (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if
not the Guarantor) shall be a Person organized and existing under
the laws of the jurisdiction under which the Guarantor was organized
or under the laws of the United States of America, or any State
thereof or the District of Columbia, and such Person shall expressly
assume, by an amendment to this Note and the Exchange Agreement, in
a form acceptable to the Holder, all the obligations of the
Guarantor, if any, under the Note Guarantee; (ii) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro forma
basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of
the resulting, surviving or transferee Person as a result of such
transaction as having been issued by such Person at the time of such
transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
(e) Optional Redemption.
(i) The New Notes will not be redeemable at the Company's
option prior to July 1, 2005. At any time on or after July 1, 2005,
the Company may, at its option, redeem all or any portion of the
outstanding principal amount of the New Notes at the redemption
prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount of the New
Notes) set forth below, plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon
to the applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month
period beginning July 1 of the years indicated below:
Year Percentage
---- ----------
2005 104.000%
2006 103.000%
2007 102.000%
2008 101.000%
2009 and thereafter 100.000%
(f) Notice of Redemption; Selection of New Notes to be
Redeemed.(i) (a) Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30
days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to the
Holder at its address for notices set forth in the Exchange
Agreement. Once notice of redemption is mailed, the portion of the
New Notes called for redemption becomes due and payable on the
redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice.
Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, the New Notes shall be paid at
the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to
the redemption date.
(ii) If fewer than all the New Notes are to be redeemed, the
Trustee shall select the New Notes to be redeemed pro rata or by lot
or by a method that complies with applicable legal requirements, if
any. The Company shall make the selection from outstanding New Notes
not previously called for redemption. The
8
Company may select for redemption portions of the principal of
New Notes that have denominations larger than $1,000. New
Notes and portions of them the Company selects shall be in
amounts of $1,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000. Provisions of
this Note that apply to New Notes called for redemption also
apply to portions of New Notes called for redemption. Upon
surrender of a New Note that is redeemed in part, the Company
shall execute and deliver to the Holder a New Note in the
principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the New
Note surrendered.
(iii) On or prior to the redemption date, the Company
shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a
Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in
trust) money in immediately available funds, sufficient to pay
the redemption price of and accrued interest on all New Notes
to be redeemed on that date other than New Notes or portions
of New Notes called for redemption which are held by the
Company.
(g) Change of Control.
(i) Upon a Change of Control, the Holder shall have
the right to require that the Company repurchase this Note, in
its entirety, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the
outstanding principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid
interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the
right of the Holder to receive interest due on an Interest
Payment Date), in accordance with the terms contemplated in
Section 7(b). In the event that at the time of such Change of
Control the terms of the Bank Indebtedness restrict or
prohibit the repurchase of this Note pursuant to this Section,
then prior to the mailing of the notice to the Holder provided
for in Section 7(b) below but in any event within 30 days
following any Change of Control, the Company shall (i) repay
in full all such Bank Indebtedness or offer to repay in full
all such Bank Indebtedness and repay such Bank Indebtedness of
each lender who has accepted such offer or (ii) obtain the
requisite consent under the agreements governing such Bank
Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of this Note as provided
for in Section 7(b).
(ii) Within 30 days following any Change of Control,
the Company shall mail a notice to the Holder with a copy to
the Trustee stating:
(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that the
Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase this
Note at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the date of purchase (subject to the Holder's right to
receive interest on the relevant interest payment date);
(2) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding
such Change of Control (including information with respect to
pro forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization,
after giving effect to such Change of Control);
9
(3) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier
than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice
is mailed); and
(4) the instructions determined by the Company,
consistent with this Section, that the Holder must follow in
order to have this Note purchased.
(iii) In order to have its Note repurchased pursuant to
the terms hereof, the Holder will be required to surrender
this Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the
Trustee at the address specified in the notice at least three
Business Days prior to the purchase date. The Holder will be
entitled to withdraw its election if the Trustee receives not
later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting
forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the
Notes which were delivered for purchase by the Holder and a
statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have
such Note purchased.
(iv) On the purchase date, all Notes surrendered by the
holders and purchased by the Company shall be delivered by the
Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall pay the
purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to
the Holder.
(v) The Company will comply with the applicable tender
offer rules, including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and
any other applicable securities laws and resolutions in
connection with a change of control offer. To the extent that
the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict
with provisions of this covenant, the Company will comply with
the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be
deemed to have breached its obligations under this clause by
virtue hereof.
(h) Guaranty. To secure the due and punctual payment of the
principal and interest, if any, on the Note and all other amounts payable by the
Company under this Note when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether
at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the terms of the hereof,
the Guarantor has agreed to guarantee the Obligations (as defined in the Note
Guarantee) on a senior basis as set forth in the Note Guarantee attached hereto
as Annex A.
(i) Ranking. This Note, and all amounts due and outstanding
hereunder, are Senior Indebtedness of the Company and shall rank pari passu in
right of payment with all other Senior Indebtedness of the Company.
(j) Amendment, Waiver, Voting.
(i) Without Consent of the Holder. The Company may
amend this Note or any New Notes without notice to or consent
of the Holder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or
inconsistency;
(2) to comply with Section 4;
10
(3) to provide for uncertificated New Notes in
addition to or in place of certificated New Notes; provided,
however, that the uncertificated New Notes are issued in
registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code or
in a manner such that the uncertificated New Notes are
described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;
(4) to add guarantees with respect to this Note or to
secure this Note;
(5) to add to the covenants of the Company for the
benefit of the Holder or to surrender any right or power
herein conferred upon the Company;
(6) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in
connection with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification
of, an indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended (to the extent an indenture will be required to be
qualified under the Registration Rights Agreement); or
(7) to make any change that does not materially
adversely affect the rights of the Holder.
After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company
shall mail to the Holder a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure
to give such notice to the Holder, or any defect therein, shall not impair or
affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.
(ii) With Consent of the Holder. (i) The Company may
amend this Note or any New Notes without notice to the Holder
but with the written consent of the holders of at least a
majority in principal amount of the New Notes. (ii) Without
the consent of each holder affected, an amendment may not:
reduce the amount of New Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment;
reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any New Note;
reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any New Note;
reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any New Note or change the
time at which any New Note may be redeemed in accordance with Section 5;
make any New Note payable in money other than U.S. Dollars;
make any change in Section 12(b) or 12(c), or clause (ii) of this Section 10(b);
or
make any change in any the Note Guarantee that would adversely affect the
holders; and
(iii) The above provisions notwithstanding, any amendment to Section
3(d)(2)(J), Section 3(d)(3) or Section 3(e) of this Note requires the written
consent of holders of least 75% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of
the New Notes. This clause (iii) may not be amended or waived except upon the
written consent of holders of at least 75% of the outstanding aggregate
principal amount of the New Notes.
(iv) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders under this
Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall
be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
(v) After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company
shall mail to the Holder a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure
to give such notice to the Holder, or any defect therein, shall not impair or
affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.
11
(iii) Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A consent to an
amendment or a waiver by a holder of a New Note shall bind the holder and
every subsequent holder of that New Note or portion of the New Note that
evidences the same debt as the consenting holder's New Note, even if
notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the New Note. However,
any such holder or subsequent holder may revoke the consent or waiver as
to such holder's New Note or portion of the New Note if the Company
receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver
becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it
shall bind every new holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon
the execution of such amendment or waiver by the Company.
(iv) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record
date for the purpose of determining the holders of New Notes entitled to
give their consent or take any other action described above or required or
permitted to be taken pursuant to the New Notes. If a record date is
fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those
Persons who were holders of New Notes at such record date (or their duly
designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give
such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such
action, whether or not such Persons continue to be holders of New Notes
after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for
more than 120 days after such record date.
(v) Payment for Consent. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of
the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any
consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder
of New Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment
of any of the terms or provisions of the New Notes unless such
consideration is offered to be paid to all holders that so consent, waive
or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents
relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
(k) Defaults and Remedies. An "Event of Default" occurs if:
(i) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on this Note
when the same becomes due and payable, and such default continues for a
period of 30 days;
(ii) the Company (i) defaults in the payment of the principal of
this Note when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity,
upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or
otherwise or (ii) fails to redeem or purchase this Note when required
pursuant to the terms hereof;
(iii) the Company or the Guarantor fails to comply with Section 4;
(iv) the Company fails to comply with Section 3 and such failure
continues for 30 days after the notice specified below;
12
(v) the Company or the Guarantor fails to comply with any of its
agreements set forth herein (other than those referred to in clause (a),
(b), (c) or (d) above) and such failure continues for 60 days after the
notice specified below;
(vi) Indebtedness of the Company, the Guarantor or any Significant
Subsidiary is not paid within any applicable grace period after final
maturity or is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default and
the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds
$10,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent;
(vii) the Company, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary
pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(1) commences a voluntary case;
(2) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an
involuntary case;
(3) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any
substantial part of its property; or (4) makes a general assignment for
the benefit of its creditors; or
(5) takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to
insolvency;
(viii) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree
under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(1) is for relief against the Company, the Guarantor or any
Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(2) appoints a Custodian of the Company, the Guarantor or any
Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property;
(3) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company, the
Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary; or
(4) any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the
order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;
(ix) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of
$10,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent at the time is entered
against the Company, the Guarantor or any Significant Subsidiary, remains
outstanding for a period of 60 days following the entry of such judgment
or decree and is not discharged, waived or the execution thereof stayed
within 10 days after the notice specified below; or
13
(x) the Note Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect
(other than in accordance with the terms of the Note Guarantee) or
the Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Note
Guarantee.
The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for
any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is
effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any
court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental
body.
The term "Bankruptcy Law" means ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Code, or any
similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term "Custodian"
means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official
under any Bankruptcy Law.
A Default under clauses (d), (e) or (i) is not an Event of Default until
the Trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
New Notes at the time of such Default notify the Company of the Default and the
Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of
such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied
and state that such notice is a "Notice of Default."
The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the
occurrence thereof, written notice in the form of an Officers' Certificate of
any Event of Default under clause (f) or (j) and any event which with the giving
of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under clause
(d), (e) or (i), its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to
take with respect thereto.
(l) Acceleration, Waivers of Past Defaults, Waiver of Stay or
Extension Laws, Right to Receive Payment.
(i) Acceleration. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing (other than an Event of Default specified in Section
11(g) or (h) with respect to the Company or the Guarantor), the
Trustee by written notice to the Company, or the holders of at least
25% in principal amount of the New Notes by written notice to the
Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued
but unpaid interest on this Note to be due and payable. Upon such a
declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable
immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 11 (g) or
(h) with respect to the Company or the Guarantor occurs, all
principal of and interest on this Note shall ipso facto become and
be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act
on the part of the Holder. The holders of a majority in principal
amount of the New Notes may by notice to the Company rescind an
acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not
conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of
Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or
interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such
rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right
consequent thereto.
(ii) Waiver of Past Defaults. The holders of a majority in
principal amount of the New Notes by notice to the Company may waive
an existing Default and its consequences except (i) a Default in the
payment of the principal of or interest on a New Note or (ii) a
Default in respect of a provision that under Section 10(b) cannot be
amended without the consent of each holder of New Notes affected. A
14
Default in respect of a provision that requires the consent of 75%
of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the New Notes to
any amendment may only be waived by the holders of 75% of the
outstanding aggregate principal amount of the New Notes. When a
Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall
extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent
right.
(iii) Right to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Note, the right of the Holder to receive payment
of principal of and interest on this Note, on or after the
respective due dates expressed in this Note, or to bring suit for
the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective
dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the
Holder.
(iv) Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company (to the
extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or
plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or
advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at
any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the
performance under this Note; and the Company (to the extent that it
may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage
of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution
of any power herein granted to the Holder, but shall suffer and
permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had
been enacted.
(v) When New Notes Disregarded; Registered Securities. In
determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of
New Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, New
Notes owned by the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly
controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
outstanding. Also, subject to the foregoing, only New Notes
outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such
determination. For all purposes for this Note, any New Notes sold
pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement shall be considered the
same class or series as this Note.
(m) Notice of Transfer; Surrender; New Certificates. In the event
this Note or any portion of this Note is transferred by the holder thereof to a
third party (including any Affiliate (as defined in Regulation D of the
Securities Act) thereof), the holder will promptly execute and return to the
Trustee the assignment form attached hereto as Annex C.
Upon the Stated Maturity, the holder of this Note, in exchange for the
payment of principal of, and any accrued and unpaid interest, on this Note shall
surrender this Note to the Company.
In the event that the holder of this Note transfers any portion hereof
pursuant to the terms hereof, the transferring and new holder shall be entitled
to have the Company execute and deliver new certificates (with corresponding
Note Guarantees executed by the Guarantor) representing the applicable principal
amount of Notes in the names and denominations requested by the transferring
holder, provided that the Company may request the transferring and new holder to
confirm in writing that it has complied with federal and state securities laws
with respect to such transfer.
15
(n) Defeasance, Satisfaction and Discharge. Reference is hereby
made to Article 8 of the Indenture which is incorporated by reference herein as
if set forth in its entirety herein and made applicable to this Note.
(o) Duties of Trustee.
(i) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this
Note and any agreement entered into between the Company and the
Trustee with respect to the new Notes (the "Trustee Agreement") and
use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent
Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct
of such Person's own affairs.
(ii) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only
such duties as are specifically set forth in this Note and the
Trustee Agreement and no implied covenants or obligations shall be
read into this Note against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements
set forth in the Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the
certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform
to the requirements of the Indenture (but need not confirm or
investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts
stated therein).
(iii) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its
own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own
willful misconduct, except that:
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph
(b) of this Section;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of
judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved
that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
and
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a
direction received by it pursuant to Section 20.
(iv) Every provision of this Note that in any way relates to
the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this
Section 15.
(v) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money
received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the
Company.
16
(vi) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.
(vii) No provision of this Note or the Trustee Agreement shall
require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties
hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it
shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such
funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not
reasonably assured to it.
(viii) Every provision of this Note relating to the conduct or
affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee
shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 15.
(p) Rights of Trustee.
(i) The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be
genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person.
The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the
document.
(ii) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may
require an Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The
Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take
in good faith in reliance on the Officers' Certificate or Opinion of
Counsel.
(iii) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be
responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed
with due care.
(iv) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes
or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or
within its rights or powers; provided, however, that the Trustee's
conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.
(v) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and
the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters
relating to this Note and the Trustee Agreement shall be full and
complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to
any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith
and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(vi) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein
shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate and any
resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced
by a board resolution.
(vii) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any
of the rights or powers vested in it by this Note at the request or
direction of any of the holders of the New Notes, unless such
holders of the New Notes shall have offered to the Trustee
reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses
17
and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with
such request or direction.
(q) Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or
any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of New Notes and may
otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or
co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must
comply with Sections 29 and 30.
(r) Trustee's Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for
and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Note, and it
shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Note or in any
document issued in connection with the sale of this Note.
(s) Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and
if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to the Holder notice of
the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in
payment of principal of or interest on this Note (including payments pursuant to
the mandatory redemption provisions of this Note), the Trustee may withhold the
notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith
determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of this Note.
(t) Control by Majority. The holders of a majority in principal
amount of the New Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any
direction that conflicts with law or this Note or, subject to Section 15, that
the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other holders of
the New Notes or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided,
however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action
hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it
in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not
taking such action.
(u) Limitation on Suits. A Holder of New Notes may not pursue any
remedy with respect to this Note unless:
(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating
that an Event of Default is continuing;
(2) the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
New Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the
remedy;
(3) such Holder or holders offer to the Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60
days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or
indemnity; and
(5) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the New
Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the
request during such 60-day period.
18
A holder of New Notes may not use this Note to prejudice the rights of
another holder of New Notes or to obtain a preference or priority over another
holder of New Notes.
(v) Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Note, the right of the Holder
to receive payment of principal of and interest on this Note, on or after the
respective due dates expressed in this Note, or to bring suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.
(w) Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified
in Section 11(a) or 11(b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover
judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company
for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid
interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 31 and
the Trustee Agreement.
(x) Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such
proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable
in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the holders of the New Notes
allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its creditors or
its property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote
on behalf of the holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other
Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial
proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee
and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments
directly to the holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section
31 and the Trustee Agreement.
(y) Priorities.
(i) If the Trustee collects any money or property following an
Event of Default, it shall pay out the money or property in the
following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 31 and the
Trustee Agreement;
SECOND: to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, including
the holders of the New Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the New Notes for
principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind,
according to the amounts due and payable on the New Notes for principal and
interest, respectively;
THIRD: to holders of all Senior Subordinated Indebtedness; and
FOURTH: to the Company
(ii) The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for
any payment to holders of New Notes pursuant to this Section. At
least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail to
each Holder of New Notes and the Trustee a notice that states the
record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
(z) Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any
right or remedy under this Note or in any suit against the Trustee for any
action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court
19
in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an
undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may
assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, against any party
litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the
claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a
suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 22 or a suit by
holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the New Notes.
(aa) Replacement of Trustee.
(i) The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the
Company. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the New
Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may
appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee
if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 29;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the
Trustee or its property; or
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
(ii) If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by
the holders of a majority in principal amount of the New Notes and
such holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee,
or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the
Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring
Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.
(iii) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance
of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.
Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall
become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the
rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Note. The
successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the
Holder.
(iv) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30
days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring
Trustee or the holders of 10% in principal amount of the New Notes
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment
of a successor Trustee.
(v) If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 29, any Holder
of New Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor
Trustee.
(bb) Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with,
merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate
trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the
resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without
any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
20
(cc) Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times
satisfy the requirements of TIA Section 310(a). The Trustee shall have a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most
recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA
Section 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the
operation of TIA Section 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other
securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of
the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in
TIA Section 310(b)(1) are met.
(dd) Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee
shall comply with TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed
in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be
subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated.
(ee) Compensation of Trustee.
(i) The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time
compensation for its services as the Company and the Trustee shall
from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee's compensation shall
not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express
trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including
costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its
services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation
and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee's agents and
counsel. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all
loss, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees)
incurred by it in connection with the administration of this trust
and the performance of its duties hereunder. The Trustee shall
notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek
indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not
relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall
defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the
Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.
The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any
loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the
Trustee's own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
(ii) To secure the Company's payment obligations in this
Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the New Notes on all
money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money
or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on
particular New Notes.
(iii) When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of
a Default specified in Section 11(g) or (h) with respect to the
Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
(ff) Notices. Any notice or communication shall be in writing and
delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:
if to the Company:
Avondale ▇▇▇▇▇, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
if to the Trustee, Registrar or Paying Agent:
Wachovia Bank, National Association
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: Corporate Trust Department
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional
or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to the Holder shall be mailed to the
Holder at the Holder's address as it appears on the registration books of the
Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time
prescribed.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to the Holder or any defect in
it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other holders of New Notes.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly
given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
(gg) Noteholder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a
form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the
names and addresses of holders of New Notes. If the Trustee is not the
Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five
business days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of holders.
(hh) No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee or
stockholder, as such, of either of the Company or the Guarantor shall have any
individual liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantor under
the Notes and the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of or by
reason of such obligations or their creation, except that the Guarantor shall
have liability for the Note Guarantee in its capacity as Guarantor. By accepting
this Note, the Holder waives and is releases all such liability. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for the issue of this Note.
(ii) Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Note shall
bind its successors.
(jj) Headings. The headings sections and subsections of this Note
have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be
considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or
provisions hereof.
(kk) Governing Law. THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT
TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION
OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
22
ANNEX A
NOTE GUARANTEE
To secure the due and punctual payment of the principal and interest, if
any, on the Floating Rate Note due 2012 of Avondale ▇▇▇▇▇, Inc. (the "Note")
held by ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ High Income Plus Fund (the "Holder") and all other amounts
payable by the Company under the Note when and as the same shall be due and
payable, whether at maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, according to the
terms of the Note, and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which
are hereby acknowledged, the Guarantor agrees to guarantee the Obligations (as
defined below) on a senior basis pursuant to the terms herein (defined terms not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the
Note):
1. The Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to the
Holder and its successors, transferees and assigns and to the Trustee (a)
the full and punctual payment of principal and interest on the Note when
due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and
all other monetary obligations of the Company under the Note and (b) the
full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other
obligations of the Company under the Note (all the foregoing being
hereinafter collectively called the "Obligations"). The Guarantor further
agrees that the Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in
part, without notice or further assent from the Guarantor and that the
Guarantor will remain bound under this Note Guarantee notwithstanding any
extension or renewal of any Obligation.
2. The Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest
to the Company of any of the Obligations and also waives notice of protest
for nonpayment. The Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Note
or the Obligations. The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder are
primary, absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by (a) the
failure of the Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to
enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other person under
the Exchange Agreement, the Note or any other agreement or otherwise; (b)
any extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver,
amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of the
Exchange Agreement, the Note or any other agreement; (d) the release of
any security held by the Holder or the Trustee for the Obligations or any
of them; (e) the failure of the Holder or the Trustee to exercise any
right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Obligations; or (f) any
change in the ownership of the Guarantor.
3. The Guarantor further agrees that its guarantee herein constitutes a
guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a
guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort
be had by the Holder or the Trustee against the Company or any other
person or to any security held for payment of the Obligations.
4. This Note Guarantee is Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor and is equal
in right of payment to the payment in full of the principal of and
premium, if any, and interest on all Senior Indebtedness of the Guarantor.
A-1
5. The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any
reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including
any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and
shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or
termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability of the Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the obligations of the Guarantor herein shall
not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of the
Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any
remedy under the Exchange Agreement, the Note or any other agreement, by
any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or
delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations, or by
any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing
which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of the
Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of the Guarantor as a
matter of law or equity.
6. The Guarantor further agrees that this Note Guarantee shall continue to be
effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or
any part thereof, of principal or interest on any Obligation is rescinded
or must otherwise be restored by the Holder or the Trustee upon the
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company, the Guarantor or otherwise.
7. In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right
which the Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against the
Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the
principal or interest on any Obligation when and as the same shall become
due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or
to perform or comply with any other Obligation, the Guarantor hereby
promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee,
forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holder or the Trustee
an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid amount of such Obligations,
(ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Obligations (but only to the
extent not prohibited by law) and (iii) all other monetary Obligations of
the Company to the Holder and the Trustee.
8. The Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of
subrogation in respect of any Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment
in full of all Obligations. The Guarantor further agrees that, as between
it, on the one hand, and the Holder and the Trustee, on the other hand,
(x) the maturity of the Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated
after an Event of Default under the Note for the purposes of the
Guarantor's Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or
other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the
Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of
acceleration of such obligations as provided by the Note, such Obligations
(whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by
the Guarantor for the purposes of this Note Guarantee.
9. The Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees) incurred by the Holder or the Trustee in
enforcing any rights under this Note Guarantee;
10. This Note Guarantee shall be binding upon the Guarantor and its successors
and assigns and shall enure to the benefit of the successors, transferees
and assigns of the Holder and, the Trustee in the event of any transfer or
assignment of rights by the Holder or the Trustee, the
A-2
rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Note Guarantee and
in the Note shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee
or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Note
Guarantee.
11. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Holder or the
Trustee in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Note
Guarantee shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial
exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right,
power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Holder and
the Trustee herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of
any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this
Note Guarantee at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
12. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Note
Guarantee nor the consent to any departure by the Guarantor therefrom,
shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and
signed by the Holder and the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for
which given. No notice to or demand on the Guarantor in any case shall
entitle the Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the
same, similar or other circumstances.
A-3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has executed this Note Guarantee as of
the 26th day of August, 2004.
AVONDALE INCORPORATED
By:____________________________________
Name: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇.
Title:Vice Chairman, Chief Financial
Officer and Director
A-4
ANNEX B
TERM SHEET FOR REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Capitalized terms that are not defined below have the meanings assigned to
them in the Exchange Agreement.
Piggyback Registration Rights. If (a) the Company issues, in one or more
issuances, an aggregate of $25 million or more in principal amount of New Notes
and (b) thereafter, proposes to file a registration statement with respect to
the offer, sale or resale of at least $50 million in principal amount of debt
securities of the Company, the holders of the New Notes will have the right to
cause their New Notes to be included in the registration statement (a "Piggyback
Registration"), subject to the terms, conditions and other provisions outlined
in this term sheet and the definitive Registration Rights Agreement. Any New
Notes sold pursuant to any related registration statement are referred to in
this term sheet as "Registered Notes".
The Company will be required to enter into only one registration rights
agreement with respect to the registration of the offer, sale or resale of New
Notes, notwithstanding the number of holders of such New Notes. The terms and
other provisions of any Registration Rights Agreement outlined in this term
sheet will be subject to the approval of the majority in principal amount of
holders of New Notes outstanding at such time but will, in no event, be more
adverse to the Company than those reflected in this term sheet.
Notice & Other Conditions. The Company will give prompt written notice to all
holders of New Notes of the intended registration.
Each holder of New Notes will have 30 days from the date of the notice
referred to above to elect to have all, but not less than all, of such holder's
New Notes included in such registration statement, subject to the provisions
described below, and, as a condition of the exercise of such holder's piggyback
registration rights, will be required to provide such Company customary
information as the Company may reasonably request about themselves and to update
that information, as applicable, during the registration process and any periods
of applicable offer and sale. The Company will not be required to include any
New Notes in the Piggyback Registration unless the holders of at least $25
million aggregate principal amount of New Notes give the Company notice that
they wish to have their New Notes included in the Piggyback Registration;
provided, the holders of the New Notes shall be entitled to participate in a
further Piggyback Registration if holders of at least $25 million outstanding
New Notes give notice that they wish to participate.
Delayed or Abandoned Offering & Registration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if,
at any time after giving a notice of registration and prior to the effective
date of the registration statement filed in connection with such registration,
the Company determines for any reason not to register or to delay registration
of such debt securities, the Company may, at its election, give prompt written
notice of such determination to each applicable holder and, thereupon, (i) in
the case of a determination not to register, shall be relieved of its obligation
to register any New Notes in connection with such registration, but not in
connection with any future registration, and (ii) in
B-1
the case of a determination to delay registering, shall be permitted to delay
registering New Notes for the same period as the delay in registering such other
securities.
Suspension Periods. The Registration Rights Agreement will contain customary
provisions (i) requiring the Company to notify holders of New Notes of the
happening of any event as a result of which the applicable prospectus includes a
material misstatement or omission, (ii) requiring the Company to prepare, as
applicable, a correcting supplement or amendment to such prospectus and (iii)
requiring holders of New Notes to suspend the disposition of New Notes or
Exchange Notes pursuant to the registration statement until they receive the
correcting amendment or supplement.
Underwritten Offering. If the Company, at any time while New Notes are
outstanding, proposes to register any of its debt securities in a Piggyback
Registration and such securities are to be distributed by or through one or more
underwriters, the Company will, subject to the provisions described below in
"Cutback," use its commercially reasonable efforts to arrange for such
underwriters to include the New Notes to be offered and sold by the applicable
holders of the New Notes among the debt securities to be distributed by such
underwriters, and participating holders of New Notes shall be obligated to sell
their New Notes in such Piggyback Registration through such underwriters on the
same terms and conditions as apply to the other Company securities to be sold by
such underwriters in connection with such Piggyback Registration.
Cutback. If the managing underwriter with respect to a Piggyback Registration
advises the Company and the holders of the New Notes that, in its opinion, the
number of securities requested to be included in such registration (including
securities of the Company which are not New Notes) exceed the number which can
be sold in such offering without a reduction in the anticipated number of, or in
the selling price anticipated to be received for, the securities to be sold in
such public offering, then:
(1) (i) if such registration is a primary registration on
behalf of the Company, such reduction will be pro rata among (x) the
amount of securities to be included therein for the account of the
Company and (y) the New Notes proposed to be included by the
applicable holders; and
(2) (ii) if such registration is an underwritten secondary
registration on behalf of holders of debt securities of the Company,
the Company will include therein: (x) first, up to the full amount
of securities to be included therein for the account of the Company
and the New Notes proposed to be included by the applicable holders
and (y) second, all other securities proposed to be sold by any
other persons that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter, can
be sold without adversely affecting the success of the offering. If
any reduction is required in the number of securities to be
registered by the Company and the applicable holders as set forth in
the preceding sentence, such reduction will be pro rata among (x)
the amount of securities to be included therein for the account of
the Company and (y) the New Notes proposed to be included by the
applicable holders.
B-2
Holdback. Unless the managing underwriter agrees, no direct or indirect purchase
or sale of debt securities of the Company will be allowed (a) during the seven
days prior to the effective date of any registration statement filed by the
Company in connection with a public offering and (b) during the 120 days after
the effective date of any registration statement filed by the Company in
connection with a public offering, in either case except as part of such
registration statement, whether or not such holder participates in such
registration, unless the managing underwriter otherwise agrees.
Registration Expenses. The Company will pay all customary expenses in connection
with any Piggyback Registration, including the reasonable fees and expenses of
one counsel chosen by a majority of holders of New Notes.
Registration Procedures. The Registration Rights Agreement will contain
customary procedures regarding the Piggyback Registration.
Indemnification. The Registration Rights Agreement will contain customary
cross-indemnity provisions relating to information provided in registration
statement by the Company on one hand and by the applicable holders on the other.
Indenture & Trust Indenture Act of 1939. If registered and issued, the
Registered Notes will be issued pursuant to an indenture containing the terms
and other provisions contained in the New Notes issued on the date of the
Exchange Agreement and such other terms and provisions as are customary for a
comparable indenture (the "Indenture"). The Indenture will be qualified under
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
Governing Law. New York.
B-3
ANNEX C
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to:
________________________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee's social security or tax I.D. no.)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint ________________________ as agent to transfer this Note
on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
________________________________________________________________________________
Your Signature:_________________________________________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)
Your Name:______________________________________________________________________
Date:___________________
Signature Guarantee:____________________________________________________________
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