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Exhibit 10(iii)
COMMERCIAL GUARANTY
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PRINCIPAL LOAN DATE MATURITY LOAN NO CALL COLLATERAL ACCOUNT OFFICER INITIALS
UCC JVC
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References in the shaded area are for Lender's use only and do not limit the
applicable of this document to any particular loan or item.
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Borrower: RVM Industries, Inc.; Ravens, Inc.; Signs Lender: FirstMerit Bank, N.A.
and Blanks, Inc.; Albex Aluminum, Inc. Asset Based Lending
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Guarantor: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇. #▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
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AMOUNT OF GUARANTY. The amount of this Guaranty is Two Million Five Hundred
Thousand & 00/100 Dollars ($2,500,000.00).
CONTINUING GUARANTY. For good and valuable consideration, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
("Guarantor") absolutely and unconditionally guarantees and promises to pay to
FirstMerit Bank, N.A. ("Lender") or its order, in legal tender of the United
States of America, the Indebtedness, (as that term is defined below) of RVM
Industries, Inc.; Ravens, Inc.; Signs and Blanks, Inc.; Albex Aluminum, Inc.
("Borrower") to Lender on the terms and conditions set forth in this Guaranty.
The obligations of Guarantor under this Guaranty are continuing.
DEFINITIONS. The following words shall have the following meanings when used in
this Guaranty:
BORROWER. The word "Borrower" means RVM Industries, Inc.; Ravens, Inc.;
Signs and Blanks, Inc.; Albex Aluminum, Inc..
GUARANTOR. The word "Guarantor" means ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
GUARANTY. The word "Guaranty" means this Guaranty made by Guarantor for the
benefit of Lender dated September 30, 1997.
INDEBTEDNESS. The word "Indebtedness" is used in its most comprehensive
sense and means and includes any and all of Borrower's liabilities,
obligations, debts, and indebtedness to Lender, now existing or hereinafter
incurred or created, including, without limitation, all loans, advances,
interest, costs, debts, overdraft indebtedness, credit card indebtedness,
lease obligations, other obligations, and liabilities of Borrower, or any
of them, and any present or future judgments against Borrower, or any of
them; and whether any such Indebtedness is voluntarily or involuntarily
incurred, due or not due, absolute or contingent, liquidated or
unliquidated, determined or undetermined; whether Borrower may be liable
individually or jointly with others, or primarily or secondarily, or as
guarantor or surety; whether recovery on the Indebtedness may be or may
become barred or unenforceable against Borrower for any reason whatsoever;
and whether the Indebtedness arises from transactions which may be voidable
on account of infancy, insanity, ultra ▇▇▇▇▇, or otherwise.
LENDER. The word "Lender" means FirstMerit Bank, N.A., its successors and
assigns.
RELATED DOCUMENTS. The words "Related Documents" mean and include without
limitation all promissory notes, credit agreements, loan agreements,
environmental agreements, guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, deeds
of trust, and all other instruments, agreements and documents, whether now
or hereafter existing, executed in connection with the Indebtedness.
MAXIMUM LIABILITY. THE MAXIMUM LIABILITY OF GUARANTOR UNDER THIS GUARANTY SHALL
NOT EXCEED AT ANY ONE TIME $2,500,000.00 PLUS ALL COSTS AND EXPENSES OF (a)
ENFORCEMENT OF THIS GUARANTY AND (b) COLLECTION AND SALE OF ANY COLLATERAL
SECURING THIS GUARANTY.
The above limitation on liability is not a restriction on the amount of the
Indebtedness of Borrower to Lender either in the aggregate or at any one time.
If Lender presently holds one or more guaranties, or hereafter receives
additional guaranties from Guarantor, the rights of Lender under all guaranties
shall be cumulative. This Guaranty shall not (unless specifically provided below
to the contrary) affect or invalidate any such other guaranties. The liability
of Guarantor will be the aggregate liability of Guarantor under the terms of
this Guaranty and any such other unterminated guaranties.
NATURE OF GUARANTY. Guarantor's liability under this Guaranty shall be open and
continuous for so long as this Guaranty remains in force. Guarantor intends to
guarantee at all times the performance and prompt payment when due, whether at
maturity or earlier by reason of acceleration or otherwise, of all Indebtedness
within the limits set forth in the preceding section of this Guaranty.
Accordingly, no payments made upon the Indebtedness will discharge or diminish
the continuing liability of Guarantor in connection with any remaining portions
of the Indebtedness or any of the Indebtedness which subsequently arises or is
thereafter incurred or contracted.
DURATION OF GUARANTY. This Guaranty will take effect when received by Lender
without the necessity of any acceptance by Lender, or any notice to Guarantor or
to Borrower, and will continue in full force until all Indebtedness incurred or
contracted shall have been fully and finally paid and satisfied and all other
obligations of Guarantor under this Guaranty shall have been performed in full.
This Guaranty will continue to bind Guarantor for all Indebtedness incurred by
Borrower or committed by Lender, including any extensions renewals,
substitutions or modifications of the Indebtedness. This Guaranty shall bind the
estate of Guarantor as to Indebtedness created both before and after the death
or incapacity of Guarantor, regardless of Lender's actual notice of Guarantor's
death. Release of any other guarantor or termination of any other guaranty of
the Indebtedness shall not affect the liability of Guarantor under this
Guaranty. It is anticipated that fluctuations may occur in the aggregate amount
of Indebtedness covered by this Guaranty, and it is specifically acknowledged
and agreed by Guarantor that reductions in the amount of Indebtedness, even to
zero dollars ($0.00), shall not constitute a termination of this Guaranty. This
Guaranty is binding upon Guarantor and Guarantor's heirs, successors and assigns
so long as any of the guaranteed Indebtedness remains unpaid and even though
the Indebtedness guaranteed may from time to time be zero dollars ($0.00).
GUARANTOR'S AUTHORIZATION TO LENDER. Guarantor authorizes Lender, without notice
or demand and without lessening Guarantor's liability under this Guaranty, from
time to time: (a) to make one or more additional secured or unsecured loans to
Borrower, to lease equipment or other goods to Borrower, or otherwise to extend
additional credit to Borrower; (b) to alter, compromise, renew, extend,
accelerate, or otherwise change one or more times the time for payment or other
terms of the Indebtedness or any part of the Indebtedness, including increases
and decreases of the rate of interest on the Indebtedness; extensions may be
repeated and may be for longer than the original loan term; (c) to take and hold
security for the payment of
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09-30-1997 COMMERCIAL GUARANTY PAGE 2
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this Guaranty or the Indebtedness, and exchange, enforce, waive, subordinate,
fail or decide not to perfect, and release any such security, with or without
the substitution of new collateral; (d) to release, substitute, agree not to
▇▇▇, or deal with any one or more of Borrower's sureties, endorsers, or other
guarantors on any terms or in any manner Lender may choose; (e) to determine
how, when and what application of payments and credits shall be made on the
Indebtedness; (f) to apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale
thereof, including without limitation, any nonjudicial sale permitted by the
terms of the controlling security agreement or deed of trust, as Lender in its
discretion may determine; (g) to sell, transfer, assign, or grant participations
in all or any part of the Indebtedness; and (h) to assign or transfer this
Guaranty in whole or in part.
GUARANTOR'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Guarantor represents and warrants to
Lender that (a) no representations or agreements of any kind have been made to
Guarantor which would limit or qualify in any way the terms of this Guaranty;
(b) this Guaranty is executed at Borrower's request and not at the request of
Lender; (c) Guarantor has full power, right and authority to enter into this
Guaranty; (d) the provisions of this Guaranty do not conflict with or result in
a default under any agreement or other instrument binding upon Guarantor and do
not result in a violation of any law, regulation, court decree or order
applicable to Guarantor; (e) Guarantor has not and will not, without the prior
written consent of Lender, sell, lease, assign, encumber, hypothecate, transfer,
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of Guarantor's assets, or any
interest therein; (f) upon Lender's request, Guarantor will provide to Lender
financial and credit information in form acceptable to Lender, and all such
financial information which currently has been, and all future financial
information which will be provided to Lender is and will be true and correct in
all material respects and fairly present the financial condition of Guarantor as
of the dates the financial information is provided; (g) no material adverse
change has occurred in Guarantor's financial condition since the date of the
most recent financial statements provided to Lender and no event has occurred
which may materially adversely affect Guarantor's financial condition; (h) no
litigation, claim, investigation, administrative proceeding or similar action
(including those for unpaid taxes) against Guarantor is pending or threatened;
(i) Lender has made no representation to Guarantor as to the creditworthiness of
Borrower; and (j) Guarantor has established adequate means of obtaining from
Borrower on a continuing basis information regarding Borrower's financial
condition. Guarantor agrees to keep adequately informed from such means of any
facts, events, or circumstances which might in any way affect Guarantor's risks
under this Guaranty, and Guarantor further agrees that, absent a request for
information, Lender shall have no obligation to disclose to Guarantor any
information or documents acquired by Lender in the course of its relationship
with Borrower.
GUARANTOR'S WAIVERS. Except as prohibited by applicable law, Guarantor waives
any right to require Lender (a) to continue lending money or to extend other
credit to Borrower; (b) to make any presentment, protest, demand, or notice of
any kind, including notice of any nonpayment of the Indebtedness or of any
nonpayment related to any collateral, or notice of any action or nonaction on
the part of Borrower, Lender, any surety, endorser, or other guarantor in
connection with the Indebtedness or in connection with the creation of new or
additional loans or obligations; (c) to resort for payment or to proceed
directly or at once against any person, including Borrower or any other
guarantor; (d) to proceed directly against or exhaust any collateral held by
Lender from Borrower, any other guarantor, or any other person; (e) to give
notice of the terms, time, and place of any public or private sale of personal
property security held by Lender from Borrower or to comply with any other
applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code; (f) to pursue any other
remedy within Lender's power; or (g) to commit any act or omission of any kind,
or at any time, with respect to any matter whatsoever.
If now or hereafter (a) Borrower shall be or become insolvent, and (b) the
Indebtedness shall not at all times until paid be fully secured by collateral
pledged by Borrower, Guarantor hereby forever waives and relinquishes in favor
of Lender and Borrower, and their respective successors, any claim or right to
payment Guarantor may now have or hereafter have or acquire against Borrower, by
subrogation or otherwise, so that at no time shall Guarantor be or become a
"creditor" of Borrower within the meaning of 11 U.S.C. section 547(b), or any
successor provision of the Federal bankruptcy laws.
Guarantor also waives any and all rights or defenses arising by reason of (a)
any "one action" or "anti-deficiency" law or any other law which may prevent
Lender from bringing any action, including a claim for deficiency, against
Guarantor, before or after Lender's commencement or completion of any
foreclosure action, either judicially or by exercise of a power of sale; (b) any
election of remedies by Lender which destroys or otherwise adversely affects
Guarantor's subrogation rights or Guarantor's rights to proceed against Borrower
for reimbursement, including without limitation, any loss of rights Guarantor
may suffer by reason of any law limiting, qualifying, or discharging the
Indebtedness; (c) any disability or other defense of Borrower, of any other
guarantor, or of any other person, or by reason of the cessation of Borrower's
liability from any cause whatsoever, other than payment in full in legal tender,
of the Indebtedness; (d) any right to claim discharge of the Indebtedness on
the basis of unjustified impairment of any collateral for the Indebtedness; (e)
any statute of limitations, if at any time any action or suit brought by Lender
against Guarantor is commenced there is outstanding Indebtedness of Borrower to
Lender which is not barred by any applicable statute of limitations; or (f) any
defenses given to guarantors at law or in equity other than actual payment and
performance of the Indebtedness. If payment is made by Borrower, whether
voluntarily or otherwise, or by any third party, on the Indebtedness and
thereafter Lender is forced to remit the amount of that payment to Borrower's
trustee in bankruptcy or to any similar person under any federal or state
bankruptcy law or law for the relief of debtors, the Indebtedness shall be
considered unpaid for the purpose of enforcement of this Guaranty.
Guarantor further waives and agrees not to assert or claim at any time any
deductions to the amount guaranteed under this Guaranty for any claim of setoff,
counterclaim, counter demand, recoupment or similar right, whether such claim,
demand or right may be asserted by the Borrower, the Guarantor, or both.
GUARANTOR'S UNDERSTANDING WITH RESPECT TO WAIVERS. Guarantor warrants and agrees
that each of the waivers set forth above is made with Guarantor's full knowledge
of its significance and consequences and that, under the circumstances, the
waivers are reasonable and not contrary to public policy or law. If any such
waiver is determined to be contrary to any applicable law or public policy, such
waiver shall be effective only to the extent permitted by law or public policy.
SUBORDINATION OF BORROWER'S DEBTS TO GUARANTOR. Guarantor agrees that the
Indebtedness of Borrower to Lender, whether now existing or hereafter created,
shall be prior to any claim that Guarantor may now have or hereafter acquire
against Borrower, whether or not Borrower becomes insolvent. Guarantor hereby
expressly subordinates any claim Guarantor may have against Borrower, upon any
account whatsoever, to any claim that Lender may now or hereafter have against
Borrower. In the event of insolvency and consequent liquidation of the assets of
Borrower, through bankruptcy, by an assignment for the benefit of creditors, by
voluntary liquidation, or otherwise, the assets of Borrower applicable to the
payment of the claims of both Lender and Guarantor shall be paid to Lender and
shall be first applied by Lender to the Indebtedness of Borrower to Lender.
Guarantor does hereby assign to Lender all claims which it may have or acquire
against Borrower or against any assignee or trustee in bankruptcy of Borrower;
provided however, that such assignment shall be effective only for the purpose
of assuring to Lender full payment in legal tender of the Indebtedness. If
Lender so requests, any notes or credit agreements now or hereafter evidencing
any debts or obligations of Borrower to Guarantor shall be marked with a legend
that the same are subject to this Guaranty and shall be delivered to Lender.
Guarantor agrees, and Lender hereby is authorized, in the name of Guarantor,
from time to time to execute and file financing statements and continuation
statements and to execute such other documents and to take such other actions as
Lender deems necessary or appropriate to perfect, preserve and enforce its
rights under this Guaranty.
CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT. Guarantor hereby irrevocably authorizes and empowers any
attorney-at-law, including an attorney hired by Lender, to appear in any court
of record and to confess judgment against Guarantor for the unpaid amount of
this Guaranty as evidenced by an affidavit signed by an officer of Lender
setting forth the amount then due, plus attorneys' fees as provided in this
Guaranty, plus costs of suit, and to release all errors, and waive all rights of
appeal. If a copy of this Guaranty, verified by an affidavit, shall have been
filed in the proceeding, it will not be necessary to file the original as a
warrant of attorney. Guarantor waives the right to any stay of execution and the
benefit of all exemption laws now or hereafter in effect.
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09-30-1997 COMMERCIAL GUARANTY Page 3
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No single exercise of the foregoing warrant and power to confess judgment will
be deemed to exhaust the power, whether or not any such exercise shall be held
by any court to be invalid, voidable, or void; but the power will continue
undiminished and may be exercised from time to time as Lender may elect until
all amounts owing on this Guaranty have been paid in full. Guarantor waives any
conflict of interest that an attorney hired by Lender may have in acting on
behalf of Guarantor in confessing judgment against Guarantor while such attorney
is retained by Lender. Guarantor expressly consents to such attorney acting for
Guarantor in confessing judgment.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS. The following miscellaneous provisions are a part of
this Guaranty:
AMENDMENTS. This Guaranty, together with any Related Documents, constitutes
the entire understanding and agreement of the parties as to the matters set
forth in this Guaranty. No alteration of or amendment to this Guaranty
shall be effective unless given in writing and signed by the party or
parties sought to be charged or bound by the alteration or amendment.
APPLICABLE LAW. This Guaranty has been delivered to Lender and accepted by
Lender in the State of Ohio. if there is a lawsuit, Guarantor agrees upon
Lender's request to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Summit
County, State of Ohio. This Guaranty shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.
ATTORNEYS' FEES; EXPENSES. Guarantor agrees to pay upon demand all of
Lender's costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees and Lender's legal
expenses, incurred in connection with the enforcement of this Guaranty.
Lender may pay someone else to help enforce this Guaranty, and Guarantor
shall pay the costs and expenses of such enforcement. Costs and expenses
include Lender's attorneys' fees and legal expenses whether or not there is
a lawsuit, including attorneys' fees and legal expenses for bankruptcy
proceedings (and including efforts to modify or vacate any automatic stay
or injunction), appeals, and any anticipated post-judgment collection
services. Guarantor also shall pay all court costs and such additional fees
as may be directed by the court.
NOTICES. All notices required to be given by either party to the other
under this Guaranty shall be in writing, may be sent by telefacsimile, and,
except for revocation notices by Guarantor, shall be effective when
actually delivered or when deposited with a nationally recognized overnight
courier, or when deposited in the United States mail, first class postage
prepaid, addressed to the party to whom the notice is to be given at the
address shown above or to such other addresses as either party may
designate to the other in writing. If there is more than one Guarantor,
notice to any Guarantor will constitute notice to all Guarantors. For
notice purposes, Guarantor agrees to keep Lender informed at all times of
Guarantor's current address.
INTERPRETATION. In all cases where there is more than one Borrower or
Guarantor, then all words used in this Guaranty in the singular shall be
deemed to have been used in the plural where the context and construction
so require; and where there is more than one Borrower named in this
Guaranty or when this Guaranty is executed by more than one Guarantor, the
words "Borrower" and "Guarantor" respectively shall mean all and any one or
more of them. The words "Guarantor," "Borrower," and "Lender" include the
heirs, successors, assigns, and transferees of each of them. Caption
headings in this Guaranty are for convenience purposes only and are not to
be used to interpret or define the provisions of this Guaranty. If a court
of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this Guaranty to be
invalid or unenforceable as to any person or circumstance, such finding
shall not render that provision invalid or unenforceable as to any other
persons or circumstances, and all provisions of this Guaranty in all other
respects shall remain valid and enforceable. If any one or more of Borrower
or Guarantor are corporations or partnerships, it is not necessary for
Lender to inquire into the powers of Borrower or Guarantor or of the
officers, directors, partners, or agents acting or purporting to act on
their behalf, and any Indebtedness made or created in reliance upon the
professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed under this Guaranty.
WAIVER. Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any rights under this
Guaranty unless such waiver is given in writing and signed by Lender. No
delay or omission on the part of Lender in exercising any right shall
operate as a waiver of such right or any other right. A waiver by Lender of
a provision of this Guaranty shall not prejudice or constitute a waiver of
Lender's right otherwise to demand strict compliance with that provision or
any other provision of this Guaranty. No prior waiver by Lender, nor any
course of dealing between Lender and Guarantor, shall constitute a waiver
of any of Lender's rights or of any of Guarantor's obligations as to any
future transactions. Whenever the consent of Lender is required under this
Guaranty, the granting of such consent by Lender in any instance shall not
constitute continuing consent to subsequent instances where such consent is
required and in all cases such consent may be granted or withheld in the
sole discretion of Lender.
EACH UNDERSIGNED GUARANTOR ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
GUARANTY AND AGREES TO ITS TERMS. IN ADDITION, EACH GUARANTOR UNDERSTANDS THAT
THIS GUARANTY IS EFFECTIVE UPON GUARANTOR'S EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS
GUARANTY TO LENDER AND THAT THE GUARANTY WILL CONTINUE UNTIL TERMINATED IN
THE MANNER SET FORTH IN THE SECTION TITLED "DURATION OF GUARANTY." NO FORMAL
ACCEPTANCE BY LENDER IS NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS GUARANTY EFFECTIVE. THIS GUARANTY
IS DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997.
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NOTICE: FOR THIS NOTICE "YOU" MEANS THE GUARANTOR AND "HIS" MEANS LENDER.
WARNING - BY SIGNING THIS PAPER YOU GIVE UP YOUR RIGHT TO NOTICE AND COURT
TRIAL. IF YOU DO NOT PAY ON TIME A COURT JUDGMENT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU
WITHOUT YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE AND THE POWERS OF A COURT CAN BE USED TO COLLECT
FROM YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY CLAIMS YOU MAY HAVE AGAINST THE CREDITOR WHETHER FOR
RETURNED GOODS, FAULTY GOODS, FAILURE ON HIS PART TO COMPLY WITH THE AGREEMENT,
OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.
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GUARANTOR:
x /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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