Exhibit 10.3
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 21, 2003
By and Among
NORCRAFT COMPANIES, L.P.,
NORCRAFT FINANCE CORP.,
the GUARANTORS named herein
and
UBS SECURITIES LLC
and
WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
as Initial Purchasers
9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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Section 1. Definitions......................................................1
Section 2. Exchange Offer...................................................4
Section 3. Shelf Registration...............................................8
Section 4. Additional Interest..............................................9
Section 5. Registration Procedures.........................................10
Section 6. Registration Expenses...........................................18
Section 7. Indemnification.................................................19
Section 8. Rules 144 and 144A..............................................22
Section 9. Underwritten Registrations......................................22
Section 10. Miscellaneous...................................................22
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements......................................22
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes.........................22
(c) Amendments and Waivers..........................................23
(d) Notices.........................................................23
(e) Guarantors......................................................24
(f) Successors and Assigns..........................................24
(g) Counterparts....................................................24
(h) Headings........................................................24
(i) Governing Law...................................................24
(j) Severability....................................................24
(k) Securities Held by the Issuers or Their Affiliates..............25
(l) Third-Party Beneficiaries.......................................25
(m) Entire Agreement................................................25
SIGNATURES...................................................................S-1
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is dated as of
October 21, 2003, by and among NORCRAFT COMPANIES, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (the "Company"), NORCRAFT FINANCE CO., a Delaware corporation (the
"Co-Issuer"), and each of the Guarantors (as defined herein) (the Company, the
Co-Issuer and the Guarantors are referred to collectively herein as the
"Issuers"), on the one hand, and UBS SECURITIES LLC (the "Representative") and
WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC (together with the Representative, the "Initial
Purchasers"), on the other hand.
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of October 10, 2003, by and among the Issuers and the
Initial Purchasers (the "Purchase Agreement"), relating to the offering of
$150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2011
of the Company and the Co-Issuer (including the guarantees thereof by the
Guarantors, the "Notes"). The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a
condition to the Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase the Notes under the
Purchase Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
"action" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(c) hereof.
"Additional Interest" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a)
hereof.
"Advice" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5 hereof.
"Additional Interest Payment Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4(b) hereof.
"Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the first introductory
paragraph hereto.
"Applicable Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)
hereof.
"Board of Managers" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5
hereof.
"Business Day" shall mean a day that is not a Legal Holiday.
"Co-Issuer" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph hereto and shall also include the Co-Issuer's permitted successors and
assigns.
"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph hereto and shall also include the Company's permitted successors and
assigns.
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"Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"day" shall mean a calendar day.
"Delay Period" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5 hereof.
"Effectiveness Period" shall have the meaning set forth in the second
paragraph of Section 3(b) hereof.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
"Exchange Notes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)
hereof.
"Exchange Offer" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)
hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2(a) hereof.
"Guarantors" means Norcraft Canada Corporation, a Nova Scotia
unlimited liability company, on the date hereof and each Person who executes and
delivers a counterpart of this Agreement hereafter pursuant to Section 10(e)
hereof.
"Holder" shall mean any holder of a Registrable Note or Registrable
Notes.
"Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(c)
hereof.
"Indemnifying Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(c)
hereof.
"Indenture" shall mean the Indenture, dated as of October 21, 2003, by
and among the Issuers and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, pursuant
to which the Notes are being issued, as amended or supplemented from time to
time in accordance with the terms thereof.
"Initial Purchasers" shall have the meaning set forth in the first
introductory paragraph hereof.
"Inspectors" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(n) hereof.
"Issue Date" shall mean October 21, 2003, the date of original
issuance of the Notes.
"Issuers" shall have the meaning set forth in the first introductory
paragraph hereto.
"Legal Holiday" shall mean a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which
banking institutions in New York, New York are required by law, regulation or
executive order to remain closed.
"Losses" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.
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"NASD" shall have the meaning set forth on Section 5(s) hereof.
"Notes" shall have the meaning set forth in the second introductory
paragraph hereto.
"Participant" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a) hereof.
"Participating Broker-Dealer" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2(b) hereof.
"Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated limited
liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or
any other entity.
"Private Exchange" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(b)
hereof.
"Private Exchange Notes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2(b) hereof.
"Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration
Statement (including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion
and a prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a
prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon
Rule 430A promulgated under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by
any prospectus supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated
by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
"Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the second
introductory paragraph hereof.
"Records" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(n) hereof.
"Registrable Notes" shall mean each Note upon its original issuance
and at all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which Section
2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable upon original issuance and at all times subsequent
thereto and each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof and at all
times subsequent thereto, in each case until (i) a Registration Statement (other
than, with respect to any Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is
applicable, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement) covering such Note,
Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note has been declared effective by the
Commission and such Note, Exchange Note or such Private Exchange Note, as the
case may be, has been disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration
Statement, (ii) such Note has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer for
an Exchange Note or Exchange Notes that may be resold without restriction under
state and federal securities laws, (iii) such Note, Exchange Note or Private
Exchange Note, as the case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the
Indenture or (iv) such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note has been
sold in compliance with Rule 144 or is salable pursuant to Rule 144(k).
"Registration Default" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4(a) hereof.
"Registration Statement" shall mean any appropriate registration
statement of the Issuers covering any of the Registrable Notes filed with the
Commission under the Securities Act, and
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all amendments and supplements to any such Registration Statement, including
post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained
therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by reference
therein.
"Representative" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph hereto.
"Requesting Participating Broker-Dealer" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2(b) hereof.
"Rule 144" shall mean Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act,
as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than
Rule 144A) or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission providing for
offers and sales of securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers
and sales by subsequent holders that are not affiliates of an issuer of such
securities being free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act.
"Rule 144A" shall mean Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act,
as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than
Rule 144) or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.
"Rule 415" shall mean Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act,
as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the Commission.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
"Shelf Filing Event" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)
hereof.
"Shelf Registration" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)
hereof.
"Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a Registration Statement
filed in connection with a Shelf Registration.
"TIA" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
"Trustee" shall mean the trustee under the Indenture and the trustee
(if any) under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange
Notes.
"Underwritten registration or underwritten offering" shall mean a
registration in which securities of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.
Section 2. Exchange Offer
(a) Unless the Exchange Offer would violate applicable law or
interpretation of the staff of the Commission, the Issuers shall (i) file a
Registration Statement (the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement") within 210
days after the Issue Date with the Commission on an appropriate
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registration form with respect to a registered offer (the "Exchange Offer") to
exchange any and all of the Registrable Notes for a like aggregate principal
amount of notes (including the guarantees with respect thereto, the "Exchange
Notes") that are identical in all material respects to the Notes (except that
the Exchange Notes shall not contain restrictive legends, terms with respect to
transfer restrictions or Additional Interest upon a Registration Default), (ii)
use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act within 270 days
after the Issue Date and (iii) use their reasonable best efforts to consummate
the Exchange Offer within 310 days after the Issue Date. Upon the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement being declared effective by the Commission, the Issuers
will offer the Exchange Notes in exchange for surrender of the Notes. The
Issuers shall keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 30 days (or longer
if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the Exchange Offer is
mailed to Holders.
Each Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer will be required
to represent to the Issuers in writing that (i) any Exchange Notes to be
received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) it
has no arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the
distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes in
violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) it is not an affiliate
of the Company, the Co-Issuer or any Guarantor as defined by Rule 405 of the
Securities Act, or if it is an affiliate, it will comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent
applicable, (iv) if such Holder is not a broker-dealer, it is not engaged in,
and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange Notes, (v) if such
Holder is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account
in exchange for Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making or other
trading activities, it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale
of such Exchange Notes, and (vi) such Holder has full power and authority to
transfer the Notes in exchange for the Exchange Notes and that the Issuers will
acquire good and unencumbered title thereto (other than restrictions on transfer
imposed by applicable law) and not subject to any adverse claims.
(b) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers acknowledge that the staff
of the Commission has taken the position that any broker-dealer that elects to
exchange Notes that were acquired by such broker-dealer for its own account as a
result of market-making or other trading activities for Exchange Notes in the
Exchange Offer (a "Participating Broker-Dealer") may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Notes (other than a resale of an unsold allotment
resulting from the original offering of the Notes).
The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers also acknowledge that the staff
of the Commission has taken the position that if the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing
a statement to the above effect and the means by which Participating
Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes, without naming the Participating
Broker-Dealers or specifying the amount of Exchange Notes owned by them, such
Prospectus may be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers to satisfy their
prospectus delivery obligations under the Securities Act in connection with
resales of Exchange Notes for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus
otherwise meets the requirements of the Securities Act.
In light of the foregoing, if requested by a Participating
Broker-Dealer (a "Requesting Participating Broker-Dealer"), the Issuers agree to
use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Ex-
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change Offer Registration Statement continuously effective for a period
necessary to comply with applicable law in connection with such resales but in
no event more than 180 days after the date on which the Exchange Registration
Statement is declared effective, or such longer period if extended pursuant to
any Delay Period in accordance with the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof (such
period, the "Applicable Period"), or such earlier date as each Requesting
Participating Broker-Dealer shall have notified the Company in writing that such
Requesting Participating Broker-Dealer has resold all Exchange Notes acquired by
it in the Exchange Offer. The Issuers shall include a plan of distribution in
such Exchange Offer Registration Statement that meets the requirements set forth
in the preceding paragraph.
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Initial
Purchasers or any Holder, as the case may be, holds any Notes acquired by it
that have, or that are reasonably likely to be determined to have, the status of
an unsold allotment in an initial distribution, or if any Holder is not entitled
to participate in the Exchange Offer, the Issuers upon the request of the
Initial Purchasers or any such Holder, as the case may be, shall simultaneously
with the delivery of the Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver
to the Initial Purchasers or any such Holder, as the case may be, in exchange
(the "Private Exchange") for such Notes held by the Initial Purchasers or any
such Holder, as the case may be, a like principal amount of notes (the "Private
Exchange Notes") of the Issuers that are identical in all material respects to
the Exchange Notes except that the Private Exchange Notes may be subject to
restrictions on transfer and bear a legend to such effect. The Private Exchange
Notes shall be issued pursuant to the same indenture as the Exchange Notes and
bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes (if permitted by the CUSIP
Service Bureau).
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this
Section 2, the Issuers shall have no further registration obligations other than
the Issuers' continuing registration obligations with respect to (i) Private
Exchange Notes, (ii) Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers and
(iii) Notes or Exchange Notes as to which clause (c)(iv) of this Section 2
applies.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:
(1) mail or cause to be mailed to each Holder entitled to participate
in the Exchange Offer a copy of the Prospectus forming part of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of
transmittal and related documents;
(2) utilize the services of a depositary for the Exchange Offer with
an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York;
(3) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time prior to the
close of business, New York time, on the last Business Day on which the
Exchange Offer shall remain open; and
(4) otherwise comply in all material respects with all applicable
laws, rules and regulations.
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As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and the
Private Exchange, if any, the Company shall:
(1) accept for exchange all Notes validly tendered and not validly
withdrawn by the Holders pursuant to the Exchange Offer and the Private
Exchange, if any;
(2) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
all Registrable Notes so accepted for exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to each
such Holder of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the case
may be, equal in principal amount to the Registrable Notes of such Holder
so accepted for exchange; provided, however, that in the case of any
Registrable Notes held in global form by a depository, authentication and
delivery to such depository of one or more Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes in global form in such amount shall satisfy such
requirement.
The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to
any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or Private Exchange, as
the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the Commission, (ii) no action or proceeding
shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental
agency which might materially impair the ability of the Issuers to proceed with
the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, and no material adverse development
shall have occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to the
Issuers and (iii) all governmental approvals shall have been obtained, which
approvals the Company deems necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer
or Private Exchange.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes shall be issued
under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects
to the Indenture (in either case, with such changes as are necessary to comply
with any requirements of the Commission to effect or maintain the qualification
thereof under the TIA) and which, in either case, has been qualified under the
TIA and shall provide that (a) the Exchange Notes shall not be subject to the
transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and (b) the Private Exchange
Notes shall be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Exchange Notes, the
Private Exchange Notes and the Notes shall vote and consent together on all
matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange
Notes or the Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on
any matter.
(c) In the event that (i) any changes in law or the applicable
interpretations of the staff of the Commission do not permit the Issuers to
effect the Exchange Offer, (ii) for any reason the Exchange Offer is not
consummated within 310 days of the Issue Date, (iii) any Holder, other than an
Initial Purchaser, notifies the Company prior to the 30th day following
consummation of the Exchange Offer that it is prohibited by law or the
applicable interpretations of the staff of the Commission from participating in
the Exchange Offer, (iv) in the case of any Holder who participates in the
Exchange offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the
exchange that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities
laws (other than due solely to the status of such holder as an affiliate of any
Issuer within the meaning of the Securities Act) or (v) the Initial Purchasers
so request with respect to Notes or Private Exchange Notes that have, or that
are reasonably likely
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to be determined to have, the status of unsold allotments in an initial
distribution (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of this
sentence, a "Shelf Filing Event"), then the Issuers shall file a Shelf
Registration pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
Section 3. Shelf Registration
If at any time a Shelf Filing Event shall occur, then:
(a) Shelf Registration. The Issuers shall file with the Commission a
Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Notes not exchanged in the Exchange
Offer, Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is
applicable (the "Shelf Registration"). The Issuers shall file the Shelf
Registration with the Commission prior to the later of (x) 210 days after the
Issue Date and (y) 60 days after the occurrence of the applicable Shelf Filing
Event. The Shelf Registration shall be on Form S-1 or another appropriate form
permitting registration of such Registrable Notes for resale by Holders in the
manner or manners designated by them (including, without limitation, one or more
underwritten offerings). The Issuers shall not permit any securities other than
the Registrable Notes to be included in the Shelf Registration.
(b) The Issuers shall use all their reasonable best efforts (x) to
cause the Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the Securities Act
on or prior to the later of (A) the 270th day after the Issue Date and (B) the
120th day after the occurrence of the applicable Shelf Filing Event and (y) to
keep the Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act for
the period ending on the date which is two years from the Issue Date, subject to
extension pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of Section 5 hereof (the
"Effectiveness Period"), or such shorter period ending when all Registrable
Notes covered by the Shelf Registration have been sold in the manner set forth
and as contemplated in the Shelf Registration; provided, however, that (i) the
Effectiveness Period in respect of the Shelf Registration shall be extended to
the extent required to permit dealers to comply with the applicable prospectus
delivery requirements of Rule 174 under the Securities Act and as otherwise
provided herein and (ii) the Company may suspend the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Statement by written notice to the Holders solely (A) as a result
of the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement
to incorporate annual audited financial information with respect to the Company
where such post-effective amendment is not yet effective and needs to be
declared effective to permit Holders to use the related Prospectus or (B) to the
extent and for so long as permitted by the penultimate paragraph of Section 5.
(c) Supplements and Amendments. The Issuers agree to supplement or
make amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement as and when required by the
rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for
such Shelf Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or rules and
regulations thereunder for shelf registration, or if reasonably requested by the
Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes
covered by such Registration Statement or by any underwriter of such Registrable
Notes.
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Section 4. Additional Interest
(a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders will
suffer damages if the Issuers fails to fulfill their obligations under Section 2
or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of
such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Issuers agree that if:
(i) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not filed with the
Commission on or prior to the 210th day following the Issue Date or, if
that day is not a Business Day, the next day that is a Business Day,
(ii) the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is not declared
effective on or prior to the 270th day following the Issue Date or, if that
day is not a Business Day, the next day that is a Business Day,
(iii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated or a Shelf Registration
Statement is not declared effective on or prior to the 310th day following
the Issue Date, or, if that day is not a Business Day, the next day that is
a Business Day; or
(iv) the Shelf Registration Statement is required to be filed but is
not filed within the time period specified in Section 3(a), is not declared
effective within the time period specified in Section 3(b)(x), or is
declared effective by such date but thereafter ceases to be effective or
usable, except if the Shelf Registration ceases to be effective or usable
as specifically permitted the penultimate paragraph of Section 5 hereof
(each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) a "Registration
Default"), additional interest in the form of additional cash interest
("Additional Interest") will accrue on the affected Registrable Notes. The rate
of Additional Interest will be 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period
immediately following the occurrence of a Registration Default, increasing by an
additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period up to a
maximum amount of Additional Interest of 1.00% per annum, from and including the
date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to, but excluding, the
earlier of (1) the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured or
(2) with respect to each Registrable Note, the date on which such Registrable
Note ceases to be a Registrable Note or otherwise become freely transferable by
Holders other than affiliates of the Issuers without further registration under
the Securities Act. If, after the cure of all Registration Defaults then in
effect, there is a subsequent Registration Default, the rate of Additional
Interest for such subsequent Registration Default shall initially be 0.25%
regardless of the rate in effect with respect to any prior Registration Default
at the time of cure of such Registration Default and shall increase in the
manner and be subject to the maximum Additional Interest rate contained in the
preceding sentence.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) the amount of Additional Interest
payable shall not increase because more than one Registration Default has
occurred and is pending and (2) a Holder of Registrable Notes that is not
entitled to the benefits of the Shelf Registration Statement (e.g., such Holder
has not elected to include information) shall not be entitled to Additional
Interest with respect to a Registration Default that pertains to the Shelf
Registration Statement.
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(b) So long as Notes remain outstanding, the Company shall notify the
Trustee within five Business Days after each and every date on which an event
occurs in respect of which Additional Interest is required to be paid. Any
amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to clauses (a)(i), (a)(ii), (a)(iii)
or (a)(iv) of this Section 4 will be payable in cash semi-annually on each May 1
and November 1 (each a "Additional Payment Date"), commencing with the first
such date occurring after any such Additional Interest commences to accrue, to
Holders to whom regular interest is payable on such Additional Interest Payment
Date with respect to Notes that are Registrable Notes. The amount of Additional
Interest for Registrable Notes will be determined by multiplying the applicable
rate of Additional Interest by the aggregate principal amount of all such
Registrable Notes outstanding on the Additional Interest Payment Date following
such Registration Default in the case of the first such payment of Additional
Interest with respect to a Registration Default (and thereafter at the next
succeeding Additional Interest Payment Date until the cure of such Registration
Default), multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days
such Additional Interest rate was applicable during such period (determined on
the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the case
of a partial month, the actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of
which is 360.
Section 5. Registration Procedures
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant
to Section 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuers shall effect such registrations to permit
the sale of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended
method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection
with any Registration Statement filed by the Issuers hereunder, the Issuers
shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the Commission the Registration Statement or
Registration Statements prescribed by Section 2 or 3 hereof, and use their
reasonable best efforts to cause each such Registration Statement to become
effective and remain effective as provided herein; provided, however, that,
if (1) such filing is pursuant to Section 3 hereof, or (2) a Prospectus
contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement filed pursuant to
Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the Securities Act by
any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period relating thereto, before filing any Registration
Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto, the
Issuers shall furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes
covered by such Registration Statement or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel (if requested by any such
person) and the managing underwriters, if any, a reasonable opportunity to
review copies of all such documents (including copies of any documents to
be incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits thereto) proposed to
be filed (in each case at least five Business Days prior to such filing or
such later date as is reasonable under the circumstances). The Issuers
shall not file any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments
or supplements thereto if the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement, or
any such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel, or
the managing underwriters, if any, shall reasonably object on a timely
basis.
(b) Prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to each Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange
Offer Registration Statement,
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as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable
Period, as the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented
by any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as so
supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions
then in force) promulgated under the Securities Act; and comply with the
applicable provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with
respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration
Statement as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented and with
respect to the subsequent resale of any securities being sold by a
Participating Broker-Dealer covered by any such Prospectus, in each case,
in accordance with the intended methods of distribution set forth in such
Registration Statement or Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto from whom the
Company has received written notice that such Broker-Dealer will be a
Participating Broker-Dealer in the applicable Exchange Offer, notify the
selling Holders of Registrable Notes, or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel (if such counsel is known
to the Issuers) and the managing underwriters, if any, as promptly as
possible, and, if requested by any such Person, confirm such notice in
writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to a
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same has
become effective under the Securities Act (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon request, obtain, at the sole
expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy of such Registration Statement
or post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules,
documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and
exhibits), (ii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order
preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus or the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iii) if at any time when a
Prospectus is required by the Securities Act to be delivered in connection
with sales of the Registrable Notes or resales of Exchange Notes by
Participating Broker-Dealers the representations and warranties of the
Issuers contained in any agreement (including any underwriting agreement)
contemplated by Section 5(m) hereof cease to be true and correct in all
material respects, (iv) of the receipt by any of the Issuers of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or
exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the
Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes for offer or sale in any
jurisdiction, or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose, (v) of the happening of any event, the existence of any condition
or any information becoming known to any Issuer that makes any statement
made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference untrue in
any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in or
amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or
documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact
-12-
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading, and (vi) of the Company's determination that a post-effective
amendment to a Registration Statement would be appropriate.
(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, if any order suspending the
effectiveness of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or
suspending the use of a Prospectus or suspending the qualification (or
exemption from qualification) of any of the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, for sale in any jurisdiction, to use
their reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at
the earliest practicable moment.
(e) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof
or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period and if reasonably requested by
the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes covered by
such Registration Statement or any Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case
may be, (i) promptly incorporate in such Registration Statement or
Prospectus a prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment such
information as the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), such
Holders or any Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be (based upon
advice of counsel), as is reasonably required to be included therein and
(ii) make all required filings of such prospectus supplement or such
post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the Company has
received notification of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment; provided, however, that the Issuers
shall not be required to take any action hereunder that would, in the
written opinion of counsel to the Issuers, violate applicable laws.
(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof
or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, furnish to each selling Holder
of Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case
may be, who so requests, their counsel (if requested by any such person)
and each managing underwriter, if any, at the sole expense of the Issuers,
one conformed copy of the Registration Statement or Registration Statements
and each post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements
and schedules, and, if requested, all documents incorporated or deemed to
be incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, deliver to each selling Holder
of Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case
may be, their re-
-13-
spective counsel (if requested) and the underwriters, if any, at the sole
expense of the Issuers, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses
(including each form of preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or
supplement thereto and any documents incorporated by reference therein as
such Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the last paragraph of
this Section 5, the Issuers hereby consent to the use of such Prospectus
and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of
Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may
be, and the underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers (if any), in
connection with the offering and sale of the Registrable Notes covered by,
or the sale by Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes pursuant
to, such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes or any delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, use their reasonable best
efforts to register or qualify, and to cooperate with the selling Holders
of Registrable Notes or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case
may be, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, and their
respective counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or
exemption from such registration or qualification) of such Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case may be, for offer and sale under the
securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States
as any selling Holder, Participating Broker-Dealer, or the managing
underwriter or underwriters reasonably request; provided, however, that
where Exchange Notes or Registrable Notes are offered other than through an
underwritten offering, the Issuers agrees to use their reasonable best
efforts to cause the Issuers' counsel to perform Blue Sky investigations
and file registrations and qualifications required to be filed pursuant to
this Section 5(h); keep each such registration or qualification (or
exemption therefrom) effective during the period such Registration
Statement is required to be kept effective and do any and all other acts or
things reasonably necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of such Exchange Notes or Registrable Notes covered by the
applicable Registration Statement; provided, however, that no Issuer shall
be required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction
where it is not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject
it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not
then so subject or (C) subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal
dollar amount in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation
and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold,
which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a
form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; and enable
such Registrable Notes to be in such denominations and registered in such
names as the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or selling
Holders may request at least five Business Days prior to any sale of such
Registrable Notes.
(j) Use their reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Notes
or Exchange Notes covered by any Registration Statement to be registered
with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may
be reasonably necessary to enable the seller or
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sellers thereof or the underwriter or underwriters, if any, to consummate
the disposition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, except as may
be required solely as a consequence of the nature of such selling Holder's
business, in which case the Issuers will cooperate in all reasonable
respects with the filing of such Registration Statement and the granting of
such approvals.
(k) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any
event contemplated by Section 5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as
practicable prepare and (subject to Section 5(a) and the penultimate
paragraph of this Section 5) file with the Commission, at the sole expense
of the Issuers, a supplement or post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or
file any other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the
purchasers of the Registrable Notes being sold thereunder or to the
purchasers of the Exchange Notes to whom such Prospectus will be delivered
by a Participating Broker-Dealer, any such Prospectus will not contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
(l) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with
certificates for the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with
The Depository Trust Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the
Registrable Notes.
(m) In connection with any underwritten offering of Registrable Notes
pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting agreement as
is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the
Notes and take all such other actions as are reasonably requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the
registration or the disposition of such Registrable Notes and, in such
connection, (i) make such representations and warranties to, and covenants
with, the underwriters with respect to the business of the Issuers and
their subsidiaries, as then conducted (including any acquired business,
properties or entity, if applicable), and the Registration Statement,
Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
by reference therein, in each case, as are customarily made by issuers to
underwriters in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the
Notes, and confirm the same in writing if and when requested; (ii) use
their reasonable best efforts to obtain the written opinions of counsel to
the Issuers and written updates thereof in form, scope and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters,
addressed to the underwriters covering the matters customarily covered in
opinions requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may
be reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters; (iii)
use their reasonable best efforts to obtain "cold comfort" letters and
updates thereof in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
managing underwriter or underwriters from the independent certified public
accountants of the Issuers (and, if necessary, any other independent
certified public account-
-15-
ants of any subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the
Company for which financial statements and financial data are, or are
required to be, included or incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement), addressed to each of the underwriters, such letters to be in
customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in
"cold comfort" letters in connection with underwritten offerings; and (iv)
if an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain
indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable than those set
forth in Section 7 hereof (or such other provisions and procedures
acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement and the managing
underwriter or underwriters or agents) with respect to all parties to be
indemnified pursuant to said Section; provided that the Issuers shall not
be required to provide indemnification to any underwriter selected in
accordance with the provisions of Section 9 hereof with respect to
information relating to such underwriter furnished in writing to the
Company by or on behalf of such underwriter expressly for inclusion in such
Registration Statement. The above shall be done at each closing under such
underwriting agreement, or as and to the extent required thereunder.
(n) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof
or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under the
Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell
Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for inspection
by any selling Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter
participating in any such disposition of Registrable Notes, if any, and any
attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such selling Holder or
each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter
(collectively, the "Inspectors"), at the offices where normally kept,
during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and instruments of the Company and its
subsidiaries (collectively, the "Records") as shall be reasonably necessary
to enable them to exercise any applicable due diligence responsibilities,
and cause the officers, directors and employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries to supply all information reasonably requested by any such
Inspector in connection with such Registration Statement and Prospectus.
Each Inspector shall agree in writing that it will keep the Records
confidential and that it will not disclose, or use in connection with any
market transactions in violation of any applicable securities laws, any
Records that the Company determines, in good faith, to be confidential and
that it notifies the Inspectors in writing are confidential unless (i) the
disclosure of such Records is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement
or omission in such Registration Statement or Prospectus, (ii) the release
of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a
court of competent jurisdiction, (iii) disclosure of such information is
necessary or advisable in the opinion of counsel for an Inspector in
connection with any action, claim, suit or proceeding, directly or
indirectly, involving or potentially involving such Inspector and arising
out of, based upon, relating to, or involving this Agreement or the
Purchase Agreement, or any transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or
arising hereunder or thereunder, or (iv) the information in such Records
has been made generally available to the public; provided, however, that
(i) each Inspector shall agree to use reasonable best efforts to provide
notice to the Company of the potential disclosure of any information by
such Inspector pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this sentence to
permit the Issuers to obtain a protective order (or waive the provisions of
this paragraph (n)) and (ii) each such Inspector shall take such ac-
-16-
tions as are reasonably necessary to protect the confidentiality of such
information (if practicable) to the extent such action is otherwise not
inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights and
interests of the Holder or any Inspector.
(o) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust
indenture provided for in Section 2(a) hereof to be qualified under the TIA
not later than the effective date of the Exchange Offer or the first
Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes; and in connection
therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture and the
Holders of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as applicable, to
effect such changes to such indenture as may be required for such indenture
to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of the TIA; and execute,
and use their reasonable best efforts to cause such trustee to execute, all
documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms
and documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such
indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.
(p) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission
and make generally available to the Company's securityholders earnings
statements satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act
and Rule 158 thereunder (or any similar rule promulgated under the
Securities Act) no later than 50 days after the end of any 12-month period
(or 105 days after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a
fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes are sold to underwriters in a firm
commitment or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to
underwriters in such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first
fiscal quarter of the Company after the effective date of a Registration
Statement, which statements shall cover said 12-month periods consistent
with the requirements of Rule 158.
(q) Upon the request of a Holder, upon consummation of the Exchange
Offer or a Private Exchange, use their reasonable best efforts to obtain an
opinion of counsel to the Issuers, in a form customary for underwritten
transactions, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all Holders of
Registrable Notes participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange, as the case may be, that the Exchange Notes or Private Exchange
Notes, as the case may be, and the related indenture constitute legal,
valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against the
Issuers in accordance with its respective terms, subject to customary
exceptions and qualifications.
(r) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be consummated,
upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the Company (or to
such other Person as directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange
Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, ▇▇▇▇, or cause to
be marked, on such Registrable Notes that such Registrable Notes are being
cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes,
as the case may be; provided that in no event shall such Registrable Notes
be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.
(s) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any
Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable
-17-
Notes and their respective counsel in connection with any filings required
to be made with the NASD.
(t) Use their reasonable best efforts to take all other steps
reasonably necessary or advisable to effect the registration of the
Exchange Notes and/or Registrable Notes covered by a Registration Statement
contemplated hereby.
The Company may require each seller of Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes as to which any registration is being effected to furnish to the Company
such information regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes as the Company may, from time to time, reasonably
request. The Company may exclude from such registration the Registrable Notes of
any seller so long as such seller fails to furnish such information within a
reasonable time after receiving such request and in the event of such an
exclusion, the Issuers shall have no further obligation under this Agreement
(including, without limitation, the obligations under Section 4) with respect to
such seller or any subsequent Holder of such Registrable Notes. Each seller as
to which any Shelf Registration is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to
the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to make any
information previously furnished to the Company by such seller not materially
misleading.
If any such Registration Statement refers to any Holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of the Company, the Co-Issuer or the
Guarantors, then such Holder shall have the right to require (i) the insertion
therein of language, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such
Holder, to the effect that the holding by such Holder of such securities is not
to be construed as a recommendation by such Holder of the investment quality of
the securities covered thereby and that such holding does not imply that such
Holder will assist in meeting any future financial requirements of the Company,
the Co-Issuer or the Guarantors, or (ii) in the event that such reference to
such Holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities Act or any
similar federal statute then in force, the deletion of the reference to such
Holder in any amendment or supplement to the applicable Registration Statement
filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such reference ceases to be
required.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer
agrees by acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes that, upon the
Company providing notice to such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
case may be, (x) of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section
5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iii), 5(c)(iv), or 5(c)(v) hereof, or (y) that the Board of
Managers of the general partner of the Company (the "Board of Managers") has
resolved that the Company has a bona fide business purpose for doing so, then,
upon providing such notice (which shall refer to the penultimate paragraph of
this Section 5), the Issuers may delay the filing or the effectiveness of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement (if
not then filed or effective, as applicable) and shall not be required to
maintain the effectiveness thereof or amend or supplement the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration, in all cases, for a period (a
"Delay Period") expiring upon the earlier to occur of (i) in the case of the
immediately preceding clause (x), such Holder's or Participating Broker-Dealer's
receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by
Section 5(k) hereof or until it is advised in writing (the "Advice") by the
Company that the use of the applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has
received copies of any amendments or supplements thereto or (ii) in the case of
the immediately preceding clause (y), the date which is the earlier of (A) the
date on which such business purpose
-18-
ceases to interfere with the Issuer's obligations to file or maintain the
effectiveness of any such Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement or
(B) 60 days after the Company notifies the Holders of such good faith
determination. There shall not be more than 60 days of Delay Periods during any
12-month period. The maximum length of the Applicable Period set forth in
Section 2(b) shall be extended by a number of days equal to the number of days
during any Delay Period. Any Delay Period will not alter the obligations of the
Issuers to pay Additional Interest under the circumstances set forth in Section
4 hereof.
Each Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, by its acceptance of any
Registrable Note, agrees that during any Delay Period, each Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer will discontinue disposition of such Notes or
Exchange Notes covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus or Exchange
Notes to be sold by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may
be.
Section 6. Registration Expenses
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuers (other than any underwriting discounts or
commissions) shall be borne by the Issuers, whether or not the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration is filed or becomes effective
or the Exchange Offer is consummated, including, without limitation, (i) all
registration and filing fees (including, without limitation, fees and expenses
of compliance with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without
limitation, fees and disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue Sky
qualifications of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes and determination of
the eligibility of the Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes for investment under
the laws of such jurisdictions (x) where the holders of Registrable Notes are
located, in the case of an Exchange Offer, or (y) as provided in Section 5(h)
hereof, in the case of a Shelf Registration or in the case of Exchange Notes to
be sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii)
printing expenses, including, without limitation, expenses of printing
certificates for Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes in a form eligible for
deposit with The Depository Trust Company and of printing prospectuses if the
printing of prospectuses is requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters, if any, or by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Registrable Notes included in any Registration Statement or in
respect of Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer during
the Applicable Period, as the case may be, (iii) messenger, telephone and
delivery expenses, (iv) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and
the reasonable fees and disbursements of one special counsel for all of the
sellers of Registrable Notes (exclusive of any counsel retained pursuant to
Section 7 hereof) selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of Notes, Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes being registered and
reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers, (v) fees and disbursements of all
independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 5(m)(iii) hereof
(including, without limitation, the expenses of any special audit and "cold
comfort" letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi) Securities
Act liability insurance, if the Issuers desires such insurance, (vii) fees and
expenses of all other Persons retained by any of the Issuers, (viii) internal
expenses of the Issuers (including, without limitation, all salaries and
expenses of officers and employees of the Company performing legal or accounting
duties), (ix) the expense of any annual audit, (x) the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on
any securities exchange, and the obtaining of a rating of the securities, in
each case, if applicable, (xi) any required fees and expenses incurred in
connection with any filing required to be made with the NASD and (xii) the
expenses relating to printing, word processing and distributing all Registration
State-
-19-
ments, underwriting agreements, indentures and any other documents necessary in
order to comply with this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything
to the contrary, each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and
commissions of any underwriters with respect to any Registrable Notes sold by or
on behalf of it.
Section 7. Indemnification
(a) Each Issuer, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer
selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, each Person, if any, who
controls any such Person within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act
or Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, the agents, employees, officers and
directors of each Holder and each such Participating Broker-Dealer and the
agents, partners, members, employees, officers, managers and directors of any
such controlling Person (each, a "Participant") from and against any and all
losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses (including, but not limited
to, reasonable attorneys' fees and any and all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
actually incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any
litigation, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever, and any and all
reasonable amounts paid in settlement of any claim or litigation (in the manner
set forth in clause (c) below)) (collectively, "Losses") to which they or any of
them may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise
insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or Prospectus
(as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments
or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused by, arising out
of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, provided that (i) the foregoing indemnity shall
not be available to any Participant insofar as such Losses are caused by any
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to such Participant
furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of such Participant
expressly for use therein, and (ii) that the foregoing indemnity with respect to
any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Participant
from whom the Person asserting such Losses purchased Registrable Notes if (x) it
is established in the related proceeding that such Participant failed to send or
give a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if such amendment or
supplement was furnished to such Participant prior to the written confirmation
of such sale) to such Person with or prior to the written confirmation of such
sale, if required by applicable law, and (y) the untrue statement or omission or
alleged untrue statement or omission was completely corrected in the Prospectus
(as amended or supplemented if amended or supplemented as aforesaid) and such
Prospectus does not contain any other untrue statement or omission or alleged
untrue statement or omission that was the subject matter of the related
proceeding. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability that
the Issuers may otherwise have, including, but not limited to, liability under
this Agreement.
(b) Each Participant agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify
and hold harmless each Issuer, each Person, if any, who controls any Issuer
within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20(a) of the
Exchange Act, and each of their respective agents, partners, members, employees,
officers, members of the board of managers and directors from and against any
Losses to which they or any of them may become subject under the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act
-20-
or otherwise insofar as such Losses (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of
or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused by,
arising out of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in the case of the Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to
the extent, that any such Loss arises out of or is based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to such Participant
furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Participant
expressly for use therein.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection
7(a) or 7(b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or
proceeding (collectively, an "action"), such indemnified party shall, if a claim
in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such
subsection, notify each party against whom indemnification is to be sought in
writing of the commencement of such action (but the failure so to notify an
indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability
that it may have under this Section 7 except to the extent that it has been
prejudiced in any material respect by such failure). In case any such action is
brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies an indemnifying party of
the commencement of such action, the indemnifying party will be entitled to
participate in such action, and to the extent it may elect by written notice
delivered to the indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice
from such indemnified party, to assume the defense of such action with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the indemnified party or parties shall have the right to employ its
or their own counsel in any such action, but the reasonable fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party or parties unless
(i) the employment of such counsel shall have been authorized in writing by the
indemnifying parties in connection with the defense of such action, (ii) the
indemnifying parties shall not have employed counsel to take charge of the
defense of such action within a reasonable time after notice of commencement of
the action, or (iii) the named parties to such action (including any impleaded
parties) include such indemnified party and the indemnifying party or parties
(or such indemnifying parties have assumed the defense of such action), and such
indemnified party or parties shall have reasonably concluded, after consultation
with counsel, that there may be defenses available to it or them that are
different from or additional to those available to one or all of the
indemnifying parties (in which case the indemnifying parties shall not have the
right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of the indemnified party or
parties), in any of which events such reasonable fees and expenses of counsel
shall be borne by the indemnifying parties. In no event shall the indemnifying
party be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one counsel
(together with appropriate local counsel) at any time for all indemnified
parties in connection with any one action or separate but substantially similar
or related actions arising in the same jurisdiction out of the same general
allegations or circumstances. Any such separate firm for the Participants shall
be designated in writing by Participants who sold a majority in interest of
Registrable Notes sold by all such Participants and shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Company and any such separate firm for the Issuers, their
affiliates, officers, directors, representatives, employees and agents and such
control Person of such Issuers shall be designated in writing by such Issuers
and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Holders. An indemnifying party shall
not be liable for any settlement of any claim or action effected without its
written consent, which consent may not
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be unreasonably withheld. 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) In order to provide for contribution in circumstances in which the
indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is for any reason held to be
unavailable from the indemnifying party for any Losses referred to therein, or
is insufficient to hold harmless a party indemnified under this Section 7 for
any Losses referred to therein, each indemnifying party shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such aggregate
Losses (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits
received by each indemnifying party, on the one hand, and each indemnified
party, on the other hand, from the sale of the Notes to the Initial Purchasers
or the resale of the Registrable Notes by such Holder, as applicable, or (ii) if
such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i)
above but also the relative fault of each indemnified party, on the one hand,
and each indemnifying party, on the other hand, in connection with the
statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the
Issuers, on the one hand, and each Participant, on the other hand, shall be
deemed to be in the same proportion as (x) the total proceeds from the sale of
the Notes to the Initial Purchasers (net of discounts and commissions but before
deducting expenses) received by the Issuers are to (y) the total net profit
received by such Participant in connection with the sale of the Registrable
Notes. The relative fault of the parties shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to
information supplied by the Issuers or such Participant and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission or alleged statement or omission.
(e) The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation
or by any other method of allocation that does not take into account the
equitable considerations referred to above. Notwithstanding the provisions of
this Section 7, (i) in no case shall any Participant be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which the net profit received by such
Participant in connection with the sale of the Registrable Notes exceeds the
amount of any damages that such Participant has otherwise been required to pay
by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged
omission and (ii) no person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the
meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after
receipt of notice of commencement of any action against such party in respect of
which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties
under this Section 7, notify such party or parties from whom contribution may be
sought, but the omission to so notify such party or parties shall not relieve
the party or parties from whom contribution may be sought from any obligation it
or they may have under this Section 7 or otherwise, except to the extent that it
has been prejudiced in any material respect by such failure; provided, however,
that no additional notice shall be required with respect to any action for which
notice has been given under this Section 7 for purposes of indemnification.
Anything in this section to the contrary notwithstanding, no party shall be
liable for contribution with respect to any
-22-
action or claim settled without its written consent, provided, however, that
such written consent was not unreasonably withheld.
Section 8. Rules 144 and 144A
The Issuers covenant that they will file the reports required, if any,
to be filed by them under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations adopted by the Commission thereunder in a timely manner in
accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and,
if at any time the Issuers are not required to file such reports, they will,
upon the request of any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Notes, make
available such information necessary to permit sales pursuant to Rule 144A under
the Securities Act. The Issuers further covenant that for so long as any
Registrable Notes remain outstanding they will take such further action as any
Holder of Registrable Notes may reasonably request from time to time to enable
such Holder to sell Registrable Notes without registration under the Securities
Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by (a) Rule 144(k) and Rule
144A under the Securities Act, as such Rules may be amended from time to time,
or (b) any similar rule or regulation hereafter adopted by the Commission.
Section 9. Underwritten Registrations
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration are
to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable
Notes included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Company.
No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder if such Holder does not (a) agree to sell such Holder's
Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
complete and execute all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
Section 10. Miscellaneous
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Issuers have not, as of the date
hereof, and shall not, after the date of this Agreement, enter into any
agreement with respect to any of their securities that is inconsistent with the
rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the
Holders hereunder do not conflict with and are not inconsistent with, in any
material respect, the rights granted to the holders of any of the Issuers' other
issued and outstanding securities under any such agreements. The Issuers have
not entered and will not enter into any agreement with respect to any of their
securities which will grant to any Person piggy-back registration rights with
respect to any Registration Statement.
(b) Adjustments Affecting Registrable Notes. The Issuers shall not,
directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable Notes as
a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of Registrable
Notes to include such Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken pursuant to
this Agreement.
-23-
(c) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given except pursuant to a written agreement
duly signed and delivered by (I) the Company (on behalf of all Issuers) and
(II)(A) the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the then outstanding Registrable Notes and (B) in circumstances that would
adversely affect the Participating Broker-Dealers, the Participating
Broker-Dealers holding not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Exchange Notes held by all Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however,
that Section 7 and this Section 10(c) may not be amended, modified or
supplemented except pursuant to a written agreement duly signed and delivered by
the Issuers and each Holder and each Participating Broker-Dealer (including any
Person who was a Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration
Statement) affected by any such amendment, modification, waiver or supplement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from the provisions
hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the rights of
Holders of Registrable Notes whose securities are being sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly affect, impair,
limit or compromise the rights of other Holders of Registrable Notes may be
given by Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes being sold pursuant to such Registration Statement.
(d) Notices. All notices and other communications (including, without
limitation, any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or telecopier:
(i) if to a Holder of the Registrable Notes or any Participating
Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such Holder or Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth on the records of the
registrar under the Indenture.
(ii) if to any Issuer, to it
c/o Norcraft Companies, L.P.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇,
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
with a copy to:
Ropes & ▇▇▇▇, LLP
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇
Fax: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
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(iii) if to the Initial Purchasers, at the address as follows:
UBS Securities LLC
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Fax number: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: High Yield Syndicate Department
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt is
acknowledged by the recipient's telecopier machine, if telecopied; and on the
next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address and in the manner specified in such Indenture.
(e) Guarantors. So long as any Registrable Notes remain outstanding,
the Issuers shall cause each Person that becomes a guarantor of the Notes under
the Indenture to execute and deliver a counterpart to this Agreement which
subjects such Person to the provisions of this Agreement as a Guarantor. Each of
the Guarantors agrees to join the Issuers in all of their undertakings hereunder
to effect the Exchange Offer for the Exchange Notes and the filing of any Shelf
Registration Statement required hereunder.
(f) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto,
the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers; provided, however, that this
Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or
assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign holds
Registrable Notes.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS
MADE AND PERFORMED WHOLLY WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW.
(j) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder
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of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall
remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or
invalidated, and the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and
employ an alternative means to achieve the same or substantially the same result
as that contemplated by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is
hereby stipulated and declared to be the intention of the parties that they
would have executed the remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions
without including any of such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal,
void or unenforceable.
(k) Securities Held by the Issuers or Their Affiliates. Whenever the
consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Notes is
required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by the Issuers or any of their
affiliates (as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall
not be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the
Holders of such required percentage.
(l) Third-Party Beneficiaries. Holders and beneficial owners of
Registrable Notes and Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third-party
beneficiaries of this Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such
Persons. No other Person is intended to be, or shall be construed as, a
third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.
(m) Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Purchase
Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or
written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings,
correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Holders on the one hand
and the Issuers on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives,
parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in
interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are merged herein
and replaced hereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
NORCRAFT COMPANIES, L.P.
By: NORCRAFT GP, L.L.C., its general partner
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
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Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Authorized Person
NORCRAFT FINANCE CORP.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
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Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
NORCRAFT CANADA CORPORATION,
as Guarantor
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Vice President
UBS SECURITIES LLC
WACHOVIA CAPITAL MARKETS, LLC
By: UBS SECURITIES LLC, as Representative
of the Initial Purchasers
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Executive Director
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Director