Exhibit 4.6
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of July 29, 1997
by and among
Tower Automotive, Inc.
and
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Securities Corporation
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated
PaineWebber Incorporated
BT Securities Corporation
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is made and entered
into as of July 29, 1997 by and among Tower Automotive, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY") and ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Securities
Corporation, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ & Co. Incorporated, PaineWebber Incorporated and BT
Securities Corporation (each an "INITIAL PURCHASER" and, collectively, the
"INITIAL PURCHASERS"), each of whom has agreed to purchase the Company's 5%
Convertible Subordinated Notes due 2004 (the "NOTES") pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement (as defined below).
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated July 23,
1997 (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), by and among the Company and the Initial
Purchasers. In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to purchase the Notes,
the Company has agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this
Agreement. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to the
obligations of the Initial Purchasers set forth in Section 9 of the Purchase
Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the
following meanings:
ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
BUSINESS DAY: Any day except a Saturday, Sunday or other day in the City
of New York, or in the city of the corporate trust office of the Trustee, on
which banks are authorized to close.
CLOSING DATE: The date hereof.
COMMISSION: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
DAMAGES PAYMENT DATE: With respect to the Notes, each Interest Payment
Date.
DEFINITIVE SECURITIES: As defined in the Indenture.
EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
FILING DATE: The 90th day after the Closing Date.
GLOBAL NOTEHOLDER: Means each holder of a Global Security (as defined in
the Indenture).
HOLDERS: As defined in Section 2 hereof.
INDEMNIFIED HOLDER: As defined in Section 7(a) hereof.
INDENTURE: The Indenture, dated the Closing Date, between the Company and
Bank of New York, as trustee (the "TRUSTEE"), pursuant to which the Notes are to
be issued, as such Indenture is amended or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with the terms thereof.
INTEREST PAYMENT DATE: As defined in the Indenture and the Notes.
NASD: National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
NOTES: Up to $200,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5% Convertible
Subordinated Notes due 2004 of the Company being issued (or authorized to be
issued) pursuant to the Indenture.
PERSON: An individual, partnership, corporation, trust, unincorporated
organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.
PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in a Registration Statement at the
time such Registration Statement is declared effective, as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement and by all other amendments thereto,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
into such Prospectus.
RECORD HOLDER: With respect to any Damages Payment Date, each Person who
is a Holder of Notes on the record date with respect to the Interest Payment
Date on which such Damages Payment Date shall occur.
REGISTRATION DEFAULT: As defined in Section 4 hereof.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Company that
covers any of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the provisions of
this Agreement, including the Prospectus included therein, all amendments and
supplements thereto (including post-effective amendments) and all exhibits and
material incorporated by reference therein.
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: As defined in Section 3 hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbbb) as
in effect on the date of the Indenture.
TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES: The Notes and the shares of Common Stock
into which the Notes are convertible, upon original issuance thereof, and at all
times subsequent thereto, until in the case of any such Note or share, (a) the
date on which it has been registered effectively pursuant to the Securities Act
and disposed of in accordance with the Registration Statement relating to it,
(b) the date on which either such Note or the shares of Common Stock issued upon
conversion of such Note are distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or
any similar provisions then in effect) or are salable pursuant to Rule 144(k)
promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act or (c) the date on
which it ceases to be outstanding.
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UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION or UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING: A registration in
which securities of the Company are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to the
public.
SECTION 2. HOLDERS
A Person is deemed to be a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities (each,
a "HOLDER") whenever such Person owns Transfer Restricted Securities.
SECTION 3. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) SHELF REGISTRATION. The Company agrees to file with the Commission as
promptly as reasonably practicable after the Closing Date, but in no event later
than the Filing Date, a Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a
continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act covering all of the Transfer
Restricted Securities (the "Shelf Registration Statement"). The Company shall
use its best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to become
effective on or prior to 90 days after the Filing Date. The Company shall use
its best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement discussed in this
Section 3(a) continuously effective, supplemented and amended as required by and
subject to the provisions of Sections 5(b) and (c) hereof to the extent
necessary to ensure that it is available for sales of Transfer Restricted
Securities by the Holders thereof entitled to the benefit of this Section 3(a),
and to ensure that it conforms with the requirements of this Agreement, the Act
and the policies, rules and regulations of the Commission as announced from time
to time, for a period of at least two years (as extended pursuant to Section
5(c)) following the Closing Date; provided, however, that the Company shall not
be required to maintain the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement
beyond the period set forth in subparagraph (k) of Rule 144 under the Act.
(b) PROVISION BY HOLDERS OF CERTAIN INFORMATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may
include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and until such Holder furnishes to
the Company in writing, within 20 days after receipt of a request therefor, such
information specified in item 507 of Regulation S-K under the Act for use in
connection with any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or preliminary
Prospectus included therein. No Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall
be entitled to include any of its Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf
Registration Statement or receive Liquidated Damages pursuant to Section 4
hereof in the event that such Holder fails to deliver such information within
the specified period; provided, however, that when such Holder furnishes such
information to the Company, such Holder shall be entitled to receive Liquidated
Damages, if any, from the date such Holder furnished such information and shall
be entitled to include its Transfer Restricted Securities in the Registration
Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to
file a post-effective amendment to its Registration Statement to permit a Holder
to include its Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to the preceding sentence
more than twice annually. Each Holder as to which any Shelf Registration
Statement is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Company all
information required to be disclosed in
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order to make the information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder
not materially misleading.
(c) Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer
Restricted Securities shall have the right to sell their transfer Restricted
Securities pursuant to an Underwritten Offering on one occasion.
SECTION 4. LIQUIDATED DAMAGES
If (i) any Shelf Registration Statement required by this Agreement is not
filed with the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such filing in
this Agreement, (ii) any such Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared
effective by the Commission on or prior to the date specified for such
effectiveness in this Agreement, or (iii) any Shelf Registration Statement
required by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but shall thereafter
cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without
being succeeded immediately by a post-effective amendment to such Registration
Statement that cures such failure and that is itself declared effective
immediately (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a
"REGISTRATION DEFAULT"), then the Company agrees to pay liquidated damages to
each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to the first 90-day
period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration Default, in an
amount equal to $.05 per week per $1,000 principal amount of Notes and, if
applicable, an equivalent amount per week per share (subject to adjustments in
the event of stock splits, stock recombinations, stock dividends and the like)
of Common Stock constituting Transfer Restricted Securities held by such Holder
for each week or portion thereof that the Registration Default continues. The
amount of the liquidated damages shall increase by an additional $.05 per week
per $1,000 in principal amount of Notes and, if applicable, by an equivalent
amount per week per share (subject to adjustment as set forth above) of Common
Stock constituting Transfer Restricted Securities with respect to each
subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to
a maximum amount of liquidated damages of $.25 per week per $1,000 principal
amount of Notes or, if applicable, by an equivalent amount per week per share
(subject to adjustment as set forth above) of Common Stock constituting Transfer
Restricted Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth
herein, (1) upon filing of the Shelf Registration Statement, in the case of (i)
above, (2) upon the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement, in the
case of (ii) above, or (3) upon the filing of a prospectus supplement, a
post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement, an additional
Registration Statement or any other document with the Commission that causes the
Shelf Registration Statement to again be declared effective or made usable in
the case of (iii) above, the liquidated damages payable with respect to the
Transfer Restricted Securities as a result of such clause (i), (ii), or (iii),
as applicable, shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Liquidated Damages
shall not accrue under (iii) above if management of the Company shall have in
good faith determined that there are valid business reasons to withdraw or
suspend the use of the Shelf Registration Statement for a period of no more than
90 days within any 365 day period and a new Registration Statement shall have
been declared effective or the use of the Shelf Registration Statement shall be
restored no later than the end of such period.
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All accrued liquidated damages shall be paid to the Global Noteholder by
wire transfer of immediately available funds or by federal funds check and to
Holders of Definitive Securities by mailing checks to their registered addresses
on each Damages Payment Date. All obligations of the Company set forth in the
preceding paragraph that are outstanding with respect to any Transfer Restricted
Security at the time such security ceases to be a Transfer Restricted Security
shall survive until such time as all such obligations with respect to such
security shall have been satisfied in full.
SECTION 5. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
(a) SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT. In connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company shall comply with all the provisions of
Section 5(b) below and shall use its best efforts to effect such registration to
permit the sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold in accordance
with the intended method or methods of distribution thereof (as indicated in the
information furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof), and
pursuant thereto the Company will prepare and file with the Commission a
Registration Statement relating to the registration on any appropriate form
under the Act, which form shall be available for the sale of the Transfer
Restricted Securities in accordance with the intended method or methods of
distribution thereof within the time periods and otherwise in accordance with
the provisions hereof.
(b) GENERAL PROVISIONS. In connection with any Registration Statement and
any related Prospectus required by this Agreement to permit the sale or resale
of Transfer Restricted Securities, the Company shall:
(i) use its best efforts to keep such Registration Statement
continuously effective and provide all requisite financial statements for
the period specified in Section 3 of this Agreement, as applicable. Upon
the occurrence of any event that would cause any such Registration
Statement or the Prospectus contained therein (A) to contain a material
misstatement or omission or (B) not to be effective and usable for resale
of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period required by this
Agreement, the Company shall file promptly an appropriate amendment to such
Registration Statement, (1) in the case of clause (A), correcting any such
misstatement or omission, and (2) in the case of clauses (A) and (B), use
its best efforts to cause such amendment to be declared effective and such
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus to become usable for
their intended purpose(s) as soon as practicable thereafter; provided,
however, that the Company may also file any other document with the
Commission that causes the Shelf Registration Statement to again be
declared effective or made usable for resale of Transfer Restricted
Securities.
(ii) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and
post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement as may be necessary
to keep the Registration Statement effective for the applicable period set
forth in Section 3 hereof, or such shorter period as will terminate when
all Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement
have been sold; cause the Prospectus to be supplemented by any required
Prospectus supplement, and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule
424
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under the Act, and to comply fully with Rules 424, 430A and 462, as
applicable, under the Act in a timely manner; and comply with the
provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all securities
covered by such Registration Statement during the applicable period in
accordance with the intended method or methods of distribution by the
sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to
the Prospectus;
(iii) advise the underwriter(s), if any, and selling Holders
promptly and, if requested by such Persons, confirm such advice in writing,
(A) when the Prospectus or any Prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any Registration Statement
or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become
effective, (B) of any request by the Commission for amendments to the
Registration Statement or amendments or supplements to the Prospectus or
for additional information relating thereto, (C) of the issuance by the
Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement under the Act or of the suspension by any state
securities commission of the qualification of the Transfer Restricted
Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation of
any proceeding for any of the preceding purposes, (D) of the existence of
any fact or the happening of any event that makes any statement of a
material fact made in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, any
amendment or supplement thereto or any document incorporated by reference
therein untrue, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes
in the Registration Statement in order to make the statements therein not
misleading, or that requires the making of any additions to or changes in
the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If at any time
the Commission shall issue any stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement, or any state securities commission or other
regulatory authority shall issue an order suspending the qualification or
exemption from qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under
state securities or Blue Sky laws, the Company shall use its best efforts
to obtain the withdrawal or lifting of such order at the earliest possible
time;
(iv) furnish to the Initial Purchaser(s), each selling Holder
named in any Registration Statement or Prospectus and each of the
underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, before filing with the
Commission, copies of any Registration Statement or any Prospectus included
therein or any amendments or supplements to any such Registration Statement
or Prospectus, which documents will be subject to the review and comment of
such Holders and underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, for a
period of at least five Business Days, and the Company will not file any
such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to
any such Registration Statement or Prospectus to which the selling Holders
of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration
Statement or the underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, shall
reasonably object within five Business Days after the receipt thereof. A
selling Holder or underwriter, if any, shall be deemed to have reasonably
objected to such filing if such Registration Statement, amendment,
Prospectus or supplement, as applicable, as proposed to be filed, contains
a material misstatement or omission or fails to comply with the applicable
requirements of the Act;
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(v) provide copies of any document that has been incorporated by
reference into a Registration Statement or Prospectus to the Initial
Purchasers and selling Holders;
(vi) make available at reasonable times for inspection by the
selling Holders, any managing underwriter participating in any disposition
pursuant to such Registration Statement and any attorney or accountant
retained by such selling Holders or any of such underwriter(s) in
connection with an Underwritten Offering, all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and cause the
Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information
reasonably requested by any such Holder, underwriter, attorney or
accountant in connection with such Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment thereto subsequent to the filing thereof and prior
to its effectiveness, subject to an undertaking to maintain the
confidentiality of such information;
(vii) if requested by any selling Holders or the underwriter(s) in
connection with such sale, if any, promptly include in any Registration
Statement or Prospectus, pursuant to a supplement or post-effective
amendment if necessary, such information as such selling Holders and
underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request to have included therein,
including, without limitation, information relating to the "Plan of
Distribution" of the Transfer Restricted Securities, information with
respect to the principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities being
sold to such underwriter(s), the purchase price being paid therefor and any
other terms of the offering of the Transfer Restricted Securities to be
sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after the
Company is notified of the matters to be included in such Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment;
(viii) furnish to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s) in connection with such sale, if any, without charge, at
least one copy of the Registration Statement, as first filed with the
Commission, and of each amendment thereto, including all documents
incorporated by reference therein and all exhibits (including exhibits
incorporated therein by reference);
(ix) deliver to each selling Holder and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus
(including each preliminary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement
thereto as such Persons reasonably may request; the Company hereby consents
to the use (in accordance with law) of the Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders and each of the
underwriter(s), if any, in connection with the offering and the sale of the
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Prospectus or any amendment
or supplement thereto;
(x) enter into such agreements (including an underwriting
agreement) and make such representations and warranties and take all such
other actions in connection therewith in order to expedite or facilitate
the disposition of the Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to any
Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement as may be reasonably
requested by any underwriter in connection with any sale or resale pursuant
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to any Registration Statement contemplated by this Agreement in connection
with an Underwritten Offering, and in such connection, the Company shall:
(A) furnish (or in the case of paragraphs (2) and (3), use its best
efforts to furnish) to each underwriter, if any, upon the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement:
(1) a certificate, dated the date of effectiveness of the
Shelf Registration Statement signed on behalf of the Company by (x)
the President or any Vice President and (y) a principal financial or
accounting officer of the Company, confirming, as of the date thereof,
the matters set forth in paragraphs (a) through (d) of Section 9 of
the Purchase Agreement and such other similar matters as the
underwriter(s) may reasonably request;
(2) an opinion, dated the date of effectiveness of the
Registration Statement of counsel for the Company covering matters
similar to those set forth in paragraph (e) of Section 9 of the
Purchase Agreement and such other matter as the underwriters may
reasonably request, and in any event including a statement to the
effect that such counsel has participated in conferences with officers
and other representatives of the Company, representatives of the
independent public accountants for the Company and have considered the
matters required to be stated therein and the statements contained
therein, although such counsel has not independently verified the
accuracy, completeness or fairness of such statements; and that such
counsel advises that, on the basis of the foregoing, no facts came to
such counsel's attention that caused such counsel to believe that the
Registration Statement, at the time such Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment thereto became effective, contained an untrue
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, or that the Prospectus contained in such
Registration Statement as of its date contained an untrue statement of
a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading. Without limiting the
foregoing, such counsel may state further that such counsel assumes no
responsibility for, and has not independently verified, the accuracy,
completeness or fairness of the financial statements, notes and
schedules and other financial data included in any Registration
Statement contemplated by this Agreement or the related Prospectus;
and
(3) a customary comfort letter, dated as of the date of
effectiveness of the Registration Statement from the Company's
independent accountants, in the customary form and covering matters of
the type customarily covered in comfort letters to underwriters in
connection with primary underwritten offerings, and affirming the
matters set forth in the comfort letters delivered pursuant to Section
9 of the Purchase Agreement, without exception;
(B) set forth in full or incorporate by reference in the underwriting
agreement, if any, in connection with any sale or resale pursuant to any
Registration Statement
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the indemnification provisions and procedures of Section 7 hereof with
respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to said Section; and
(C) deliver such other documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by the underwriter(s), if any, to evidence compliance
with clause (A) above and with any customary conditions contained in the
underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company
pursuant to this clause (x).
The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting or similar
agreement, as and to the extent required thereunder, and if at any time the
representations and warranties of the Company contemplated in (A)(1) above cease
to be true and correct, the Company shall so advise the underwriter(s) promptly
and if requested by such Persons, shall confirm such advice in writing;
(xi) prior to any public offering of Transfer Restricted
Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders, the underwriter(s), if any,
and their respective counsel in connection with the registration and
qualification of the Transfer Restricted Securities under the securities or
Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the selling Holders or
underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request and do any and all other
acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the disposition in such
jurisdictions of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the
applicable Registration Statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company
shall not be required to register or qualify as a foreign corporation where
it is not now so qualified or to take any action that would subject it to
the service of process in suits or to taxation, other than as to matters
and transactions relating to the Registration Statement, in any
jurisdiction where it is not now so subject;
(xii) in connection with any sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer
Restricted Securities, cooperate with the selling Holders and the
underwriter(s), if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery
of certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold and
not bearing any restrictive legends; and to register such Transfer
Restricted Securities in such denominations and such names as the Holders
or the underwriter(s), if any, may reasonably request at least two Business
Days prior to such sale of Transfer Restricted Securities;
(xiii) use its best efforts to cause the disposition of the
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be
registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or
authorities as may be necessary to enable the seller or sellers thereof or
the underwriter(s), if any, to consummate the disposition of such Transfer
Restricted Securities, subject to the proviso contained in clause (xi)
above;
(xiv) subject to Section 5(b)(i), if any fact or event
contemplated by Section 5(b)(iii)(D) above shall exist or have occurred,
prepare a supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement or related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by
reference or file any other required document so that, as thereafter
delivered to the purchasers of Transfer Restricted Securities, the
Prospectus will not
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contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(xv) provide a CUSIP number for all Transfer Restricted
Securities not later than the effective date of a Registration Statement
covering such Transfer Restricted Securities and provide the Trustee under
the Indenture with printed certificates for the Transfer Restricted
Securities which are in a form eligible for deposit with the Depository
Trust Company;
(xvi) cooperate and assist in any filings required to be made with
the NASD and in the performance of any due diligence investigation by any
underwriter (including any "qualified independent underwriter") that is
required to be retained in accordance with the rules and regulations of the
NASD, and use its best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to
become effective and approved by such governmental agencies or authorities
as may be necessary to enable the Holders selling Transfer Restricted
Securities to consummate the disposition of such Transfer Restricted
Securities;
(xvii) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with all applicable
rules and regulations of the Commission, and make generally available to
its security holders with regard to any applicable Registration Statement,
as soon as practicable, a consolidated earnings statement meeting the
requirements of Rule 158 (which need not be audited) covering a
twelve-month period beginning after the effective date of the Registration
Statement (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Rule 158 under the
Act);
(xviii) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later
than the effective date of the first Registration Statement required by
this Agreement and, in connection therewith, cooperate with the Trustee and
the Holders of Notes to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be
required for such Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms
of the TIA; and execute and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to
execute, all documents that 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;
(xix) provide promptly to each Holder upon request each document
filed with the Commission pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and
(xx) concurrently with the effectiveness of the Shelf
Registration Agreement, list all Common Stock covered by such Registration
Statement on any securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then
listed.
(c) RESTRICTIONS ON HOLDERS. Each Holder agrees by acquisition of a
Transfer Restricted Security that, upon receipt of the notice referred to in
Section 5(b)(i) or any notice from the Company of the existence of any fact of
the kind described in Section 5(b)(iii)(D) hereof, such Holder will forthwith
discontinue disposition of Transfer Restricted Securities
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pursuant to the Registration Statement until such Holder's receipt of the copies
of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(b)(xiv)
hereof, or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the
Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or
supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (the
"Advice"). If so directed by the Company, each Holder will deliver to the
Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies
then in such Holder's possession, of the Prospectus covering such Transfer
Restricted Securities that was current at the time of receipt of either such
notice. In the event the Company shall give any such notice, the time period
regarding the effectiveness of such Registration Statement set forth in Section
3, as applicable, shall be extended by the number of days during the period from
and including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to Section 5(b)(i)
or Section 5(b)(iii)(D) hereof to and including the date when each selling
Holder covered by such Registration Statement shall have received the copies of
the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(b)(xv) hereof
or shall have received the Advice.
SECTION 6. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All expenses incident to the Company's performance of or compliance
with this Agreement will be borne by the Company, regardless of whether a
Registration Statement becomes effective, including without limitation: (i) all
registration and filing fees and expenses (including filings made by any Holder
with the NASD (and, if applicable, the reasonable fees and expenses of any
"qualified independent underwriter") and its counsel that may be required by the
rules and regulations of the NASD); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance
with federal securities and state Blue Sky or securities laws; (iii) all
expenses of printing, messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and one designated counsel for
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; (v) all application and filing fees
in connection with listing the Notes and Common Stock on a national securities
exchange pursuant to the requirements hereof; and (vi) all fees and
disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company
(including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or
incident to such performance).
The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including,
without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees
performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the
fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the
Company.
(b) In connection with the Shelf Registration Statement required by this
Agreement, the Company will reimburse the Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities being registered pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement for the
reasonable fees and disbursements of not more than one counsel, who shall be
chosen by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Transfer
Restricted Securities for whose benefit such Registration Statement is being
prepared.
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SECTION 7. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder and
(ii) each person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Holder (any of the persons referred
to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a "controlling person")
and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees,
representatives and agents of any Holder or any controlling person (any person
referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred to as an
"INDEMNIFIED HOLDER"), to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and expenses
(including without limitation and as incurred, reimbursement of all reasonable
costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing or defending any claim or action, or
any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to any
Indemnified Holder) directly or indirectly caused by, related to, based upon,
arising out of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement,
preliminary prospectus or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto),
or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are
caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or
omission that is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company by any of the
Holders expressly for use therein. No indemnification shall be made under this
Section 7(a) if the Prospectus is used after notice is given by the Company
pursuant to 5(c) or with respect to a preliminary Prospectus if a copy of the
final Prospectus was not sent or given by the Indemnified Holder or his agent if
required by law to be so delivered and if such final Prospectus had been
delivered, such delivery would have completely cured the defect giving rise to
such loss, claim, damage, liability, judgment, action or expense.
In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory
investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any of the
Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the
Company, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by such
controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company in writing (PROVIDED, that
the failure to give such notice shall not relieve the Company of its obligations
pursuant to this Agreement). Such Indemnified Holder shall have the right to
employ its own counsel in any such action and the reasonable fees and expenses
of such counsel shall be paid, as incurred, by the Company. The Company shall
not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but
substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction
arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the
reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in
addition to any local counsel) at any time for such Indemnified Holders, which
firm shall be designated by the Holders. The Company shall not be liable for
any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected without the Company's
prior written consent, which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably, and the
Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Holder from and
against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of any
settlement of any action effected with the written consent of the Company. The
Company shall not, without the prior written consent of each
12
Indemnified Holder, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in
or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action, claim,
litigation or proceeding involving an Indemnified Holder unless such settlement,
compromise, consent or termination includes an unconditional release of such
Indemnified Holder from all liability arising out of such action, claim,
litigation or proceeding.
(b) Each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees, severally and
not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and its directors,
officers, and any person controlling (within the meaning of Section 15 of the
Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, and its officers, directors,
partners, employees, representatives and agents of each such person, to the same
extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each of the Indemnified
Holders, but only with respect to claims and actions based on information
relating to such Holder furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use in
any Registration Statement. In case any action or proceeding shall be brought
against the Company or its directors or officers or any such controlling person
in respect of which indemnity may be sought against a Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities, such Holder shall have the rights and duties given the
Company, and the Company, such directors or officers or such controlling person
shall have the rights and duties given to each Holder by the preceding
paragraph. In no event shall any Holder be liable or responsible for any amount
in excess of the amount by which the total received by such Holder with respect
to its sale of Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to a Registration
Statement exceeds (i) the amount paid by such Holder for such Transfer
Restricted Securities and (ii) the amount of any damages which such Holder has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable
to an indemnified party under Section 7(a) or Section 7(b) hereof (other than
by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each
applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified
party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified
party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
by the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from
their sale of Transfer Restricted Securities or if such allocation is not
permitted by applicable law, the relative fault of the Company, on the one
hand, and of the Indemnified Holder, on the other hand, in connection with
the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of
the Indemnified Holder, on the other hand, 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 Company or by the Indemnified Holder
and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid
or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities
and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 7(a), any legal or
other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with
investigating or defending any action or claim.
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The Company and each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(c)
were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to in
the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the
limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Holder or
its related Indemnified Holders shall be required to contribute, in the
aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total received by
such Holder with respect to the sale of its Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to a Registration Statement exceeds the sum of (A) the amount paid by
such Holder for such Transfer Restricted Securities PLUS (B) the amount of any
damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of
such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders' obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 7(c) are several in proportion to the respective
principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities and not joint.
SECTION 8. RULE 144A
The Company hereby agrees with each Holder, for so long as any Transfer
Restricted Securities remain outstanding and during any period in which the
Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, to make available, upon request of any Holder or beneficial owner of
Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any
prospective purchaser of such Transfer Restricted Securities designated by such
Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under
the Act in order to permit resales of such Transfer Restricted Securities
pursuant to Rule 144A.
SECTION 9. UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS
No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless
such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's Transfer Restricted Securities on
the basis provided in customary underwriting arrangements entered into in
connection therewith and (b) completes and executes all reasonable
questionnaires, powers of attorney, and other documents required under the terms
of such underwriting arrangements.
SECTION 10. SELECTION OF UNDERWRITERS
For any Underwritten Offering, the investment banker or investment bankers
and manager or managers for any Underwritten Offering that will administer such
offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering and must
be reasonably acceptable to the Company. Such investment bankers and managers
are referred to herein as the "underwriters."
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SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) REMEDIES. Each Holder, in addition to being entitled to exercise all
rights provided herein, in the Indenture, the Purchase Agreement or granted by
law, including recovery of liquidated or other damages, will be entitled to
specific performance of its rights under this Agreement. The Company agrees
that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred
by reason of a breach by them of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby
agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy
at law would be adequate.
(b) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Company will not, on or after the date
of this Agreement, enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that
is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the
Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with
the rights granted to the holders of the Company's securities under any
agreement in effect on the date hereof.
(c) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement may not be
amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given unless (i) in the case of Section 4
hereof and this Section 11(c)(i), the Company has obtained the written consent
of Holders of all outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities and (ii) in the
case of all other provisions hereof, the Company has obtained the written
consent of Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Transfer Restricted
Securities (on a fully diluted basis). 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 Transfer Restricted Securities
whose securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that
does not directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities may be given by Holders of a majority of the Transfer
Restricted Securities (on a fully converted basis) being sold by such Holders
pursuant to such Registration Statement; provided, however, that the provisions
of this sentence may not be amended, modified, or supplemented except in
accordance with the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence.
(d) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail
(registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex, telecopier, or air
courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
(i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of
the Registrar (as defined in the Indenture) under the Indenture, with a
copy to the Registrar under the Indenture; and
15
(ii) if to the Company:
Tower Automotive, Inc.
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopier No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
With a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopier No.: ▇▇▇-▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business
Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
acknowledged, 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 specified in the Indenture.
(e) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including
without limitation and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities; 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 acquired
Transfer Restricted Securities directly from such Holder.
(f) 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.
(g) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(h) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
CONFLICT OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(i) SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the
16
validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other
respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected
or impaired thereby.
(j) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement is intended by the parties as a
final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises,
warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein
with respect to the registration rights granted with respect to the Transfer
Restricted Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date
first written above.
TOWER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
By: /S/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------
Title: Assistant Secretary
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
SECURITIES CORPORATION
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ & CO. INCORPORATED
PAINEWEBBER INCORPORATED
BT SECURITIES CORPORATION
------------------------------------
By: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Securities Corporation
By: /S/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇
---------------------------------
Title: Managing Director