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EXHIBIT 4-A
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HERCULES INCORPORATED
THE GUARANTORS LISTED
ON SCHEDULE I HERETO
11 1/8% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2007
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INDENTURE
Dated as of November 14, 2000
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▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
Trustee
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CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Trust Indenture
Act Section Indenture Section
--------------- -----------------
310(a)(1)................................................................... 7.10
(a)(2)................................................................. 7.10
(a)(3)................................................................. N.A.
(a)(4)................................................................. N.A.
(a)(5)................................................................. 7.10
(b).................................................................... 7.10
(c).................................................................... N.A.
311(a)...................................................................... 7.11
(b).................................................................... 7.11
(c).................................................................... N.A.
312(a)...................................................................... 2.05
(b).................................................................... 12.03
(c).................................................................... 12.03
313(a)...................................................................... 7.06
(b)(1)................................................................. N.A.
(b)(2)................................................................. 7.06;7.07
(c).................................................................... 7.06;12.02
(d).................................................................... 7.06
314(a)...................................................................... 4.03;12.02;12.05
(b).................................................................... N.A.
(c)(1)................................................................. 8.04;10.01;12.04
(c)(2)................................................................. 8.04;10.01;12.04
(c)(3)................................................................. N.A.
(d).................................................................... N.A.
(e).................................................................... 12.05
(f).................................................................... N.A.
315(a)...................................................................... 7.01
(b).................................................................... 7.05,12.02
(c).................................................................... 7.01
(d).................................................................... 7.01
(e).................................................................... 6.11
316(a)(last sentence)....................................................... 2.09
(a)(1)(A).............................................................. 6.05
(a)(1)(B).............................................................. 6.04
(a)(2)................................................................. N.A.
(b).................................................................... 6.07
(c).................................................................... 2.12
317(a)(1)................................................................... 6.08
(a)(2)................................................................. 6.09
(b).................................................................... 2.04
318(a)...................................................................... 12.01
(b).................................................................... N.A.
(c).................................................................... 12.01
N.A. means not applicable.
* This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
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ARTICLE 1.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01. Definitions....................................................... 1
Section 1.02. Other Definitions................................................. 18
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act................. 18
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction............................................. 19
ARTICLE 2.
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Form and Dating................................................... 19
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication...................................... 20
Section 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent........................................ 20
Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust............................... 21
Section 2.05. Holder Lists...................................................... 21
Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange............................................. 21
Section 2.07. Replacement Notes................................................. 32
Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes................................................. 32
Section 2.09. Treasury Notes.................................................... 33
Section 2.10. Temporary Notes................................................... 33
Section 2.11. Cancellation...................................................... 33
Section 2.12. Defaulted Interest................................................ 33
ARTICLE 3.
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee................................................ 33
Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed................................. 34
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption.............................................. 34
Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.................................... 35
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price....................................... 35
Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part............................................ 35
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption............................................... 35
Section 3.08. Mandatory Redemption.............................................. 36
Section 3.09. Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds............... 36
ARTICLE 4.
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes.................................................. 37
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency................................... 38
Section 4.03. Reports........................................................... 38
Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate............................................ 39
Section 4.05. Taxes............................................................. 40
Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.................................... 40
Section 4.07. Restricted Payments............................................... 40
Section 4.08. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.... 42
Section 4.09. Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock........ 43
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Section 4.10. Asset Sales....................................................... 46
Section 4.11. Transactions with Affiliates...................................... 47
Section 4.12. Liens............................................................. 48
Section 4.13. Business Activities............................................... 48
Section 4.14. Corporate Existence............................................... 48
Section 4.15. Change of Control................................................. 49
Section 4.16. No Senior Subordinated Debt....................................... 50
Section 4.17. ▇▇▇▇ and Leaseback Transactions................................... 50
Section 4.18. Note Guarantees................................................... 50
Section 4.19. Payments for Consent.............................................. 51
Section 4.20. Additional Note Guarantees........................................ 51
Section 4.21. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries........... 52
ARTICLE 5.
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.......................... 52
Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted................................. 53
ARTICLE 6.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default................................................. 53
Section 6.02. Acceleration...................................................... 55
Section 6.03. Other Remedies.................................................... 55
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults........................................... 55
Section 6.05. Control by Majority............................................... 55
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits............................................... 55
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment..................... 56
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee........................................ 56
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.................................. 56
Section 6.10. Priorities........................................................ 57
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs............................................. 57
ARTICLE 7.
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee................................................. 57
Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee................................................. 58
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee...................................... 59
Section 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer.............................................. 59
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults................................................ 59
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes........................ 59
Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity........................................ 60
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee............................................ 60
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by ▇▇▇▇▇▇, etc.................................. 61
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification..................................... 61
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company................. 61
ARTICLE 8.
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.......... 62
Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.................................... 62
Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance............................................... 62
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Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance........................ 63
Section 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust;
Other Miscellaneous Provisions.................................... 64
Section 8.06. Repayment to Company.............................................. 64
Section 8.07. Reinstatement..................................................... 64
ARTICLE 9.
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes............................... 65
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.................................. 65
Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act............................... 67
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents................................. 67
Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes.................................. 67
Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc................................... 67
ARTICLE 10.
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 10.01. Guarantee...................................................... 67
Section 10.02. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.............................. 68
Section 10.03. Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee....................... 68
Section 10.04. Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms............. 69
Section 10.05. Releases Following Sale of Assets.............................. 70
ARTICLE 11.
satisfaction and discharge
Section 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge..................................... 70
Section 11.02. Application of Trust Money..................................... 71
ARTICLE 12.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls................................... 71
Section 12.02. Notices........................................................ 71
Section 12.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.. 72
Section 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent............. 73
Section 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.................. 73
Section 12.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.................................... 73
Section 12.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees
and Stockholders............................................... 73
Section 12.08. Governing Law.................................................. 73
Section 12.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.................. 74
Section 12.10. Successors..................................................... 74
Section 12.11. Severability................................................... 74
Section 12.12. Counterpart Originals.......................................... 74
Section 12.13. Table of Contents, Headings, etc............................... 74
EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
Exhibit A FORM OF NOTE
Exhibit B FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
INVESTOR
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Exhibit E FORM OF NOTE GUARANTEE
Exhibit F FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
Schedule I SCHEDULE OF GUARANTORS
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INDENTURE dated as of November 14, 2000 by and among Hercules
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), the guarantors listed on
Schedule I hereto (the "Guarantors") and ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as
trustee (the "Trustee").
The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the
benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of
the 11 1/8% Series A Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Series A Notes") and the 11
1/8% Series B Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Series B Notes" and, together with the
Series A Notes, the "Notes"):
ARTICLE 1.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01. Definitions.
"144A Global Note" means a global note substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend
and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the
Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the
outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
"Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other
Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person,
whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a
Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by
such specified Person.
"Additional Notes" means up to $100.0 million aggregate principal
amount of Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in
accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part of the same series as the
Initial Notes.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control,"
as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the
Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this
definition, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control
with" have correlative meanings.
"Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.
"Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or exchange
of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of
the Depositary, Euroclear and Cedel that apply to such transfer or exchange.
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"Asset Sale" means:
(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or
rights, other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
provided that the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be
governed by the provisions of this Indenture described in Section 4.15 hereof
and/or the provisions described in Section 5.01 hereof and not by the provisions
of Section 4.10 hereof; and
(2) the issuance of Equity Interests by any of the Company's Restricted
Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items will not be deemed
to be Asset Sales:
(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that
involves assets having a fair market value of less than $5.0 million;
(2) a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its
Subsidiaries,
(3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary to the Company or
to another Subsidiary;
(4) the sale or lease of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or
other assets in the ordinary course of business;
(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents; and
(6) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted by
Section 4.07 hereof.
"Asset Swap" means an exchange of assets by the Company or one or more
of its Restricted Subsidiaries for:
(1) one or more Permitted Businesses;
(2) a controlling interest in any Person whose assets consist primarily
of one or more Permitted Businesses; and/or
(3) long-term assets that are used in a Permitted Business in a
like-kind exchange pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code or any
similar or successor provision to the Internal Revenue Code.
"Attributable Debt" in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction
means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the
lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included
in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease
has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present
value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest
implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or
state law for the relief of debtors.
"Beneficial Owner" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3
and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial
ownership of any particular "person" (as that term is used in Section 13 (d)(3)
of the Exchange Act), such "person" will be deemed to have beneficial
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ownership of all securities that such "person" has the right to acquire by
conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently
exercisable or is exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent
condition. The terms "Beneficially Owns" and "Beneficially Owned" have a
corresponding meaning.
"Board of Directors" means:
(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the
corporation;
(2) with respect to a partnership, the board of directors of the
general partner of the partnership; and
(3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such
Person serving a similar function.
"Borrowing Base" means, as of any date, an amount equal to:
(1) 85% of the face amount of all accounts receivable owned by the
Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter
preceding such date that were not more than 90 days past due; plus
(2) 50% of the book value of all inventory (whether raw material,
in-process finished product or other) owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries
as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter preceding such date; minus
(3) the aggregate amount of trade payables of the Company and its
Subsidiaries outstanding as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter
preceding such date to the extent that such amount is incurred to acquire
inventory, all calculated on a consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
"Broker-Dealer" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
"Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination is to
be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at
that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in accordance with
GAAP.
"Capital Stock" means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all
shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however
designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company,
partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the
right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of
assets of, the issuing Person.
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"Cash Equivalents" means:
(1) United States dollars;
(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by
the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United
States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States
is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than
six months from the date of acquisition;
(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with
maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers'
acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank
deposits, in each case, with any lender party to the Credit Agreement or with
any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0
million or a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of "B" or better;
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for
underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above
entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified
in clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable from ▇▇▇▇▇'▇
Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Rating Services and in each case
maturing within six months after the date of acquisition; and
(6) money market funds at least 90% of the assets of which constitute
Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this
definition.
"Cedel" means Cedel Bank, SA.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series
of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets
of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any "person"
(as that term is used in Section 13 (d)(3) of the Exchange Act);
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution
of the Company;
(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation,
any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any "person" (as
defined above), becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more
than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company, measured by voting power rather
than number of shares; or
(4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors.
"Company" means Hercules Incorporated, and any and all successors
thereto.
"Consolidated Cash Flow" means, with respect to any specified Person
for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus:
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(1) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss
realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with
an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted in computing such
Consolidated Net Income; plus
(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and
its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision
for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(3) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and whether or not
capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs
and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component
of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments
associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to
Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in
respect of letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the
effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations), to the
extent that any such expense was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net
Income; plus
(4) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill and
other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were
paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash
expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash
expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was
paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash
expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus
(5) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such
period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business,
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with
GAAP.
"Consolidated Lease Expense" means, with respect to any specified
Person for any period, the aggregate rental obligations of the specified Person
and its consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis
in accordance with GAAP payable in respect of such period under leases of real
and/or personal property (net of income from subleases of such properties, but
including taxes, insurance, maintenance and similar expenses that the lessee is
obligated to pay under the terms of such leases), whether or not such
obligations are reflected as liabilities or commitments on a consolidated
balance sheet of the specified Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries or in the
notes thereto.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any specified Person
for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in
accordance with GAAP; provided that:
(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a
Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of
accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or
distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiary of the Person;
(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the
extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by
that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of
determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (that has not
been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its
charter or any agreement,
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instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation
applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders;
(3) the Net Income of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests
transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition will be
excluded;
(4) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be
excluded;
(5) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Unrestricted Subsidiary will
be excluded, whether or not distributed to the specified Person or one of its
Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, with respect to any specified Person as
of any date, the sum of:
(1) the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of such Person
and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date; plus
(2) the respective amounts reported on such Person's balance sheet as
of such date with respect to any series of preferred stock (other than
Disqualified Stock) that by its terms is not entitled to the payment of
dividends unless such dividends may be declared and paid only out of net
earnings in respect of the year of such declaration and payment, but only to the
extent of any cash received by such Person upon issuance of such preferred
stock.
"Consolidated Tangible Assets" means, as of any date of determination,
the total assets, less goodwill, deferred financing costs and other intangibles
(in each case net of accumulated amortization) shown on the balance sheet of the
Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the most recent date for which
such balance sheet is available, determined on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP.
"Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any
member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:
(1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of this
Indenture; or
(2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of Directors
with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors who were members of
such Board at the time of such nomination or election.
"Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee" shall be at the address of the
Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the
Trustee may give notice to the Company.
"Credit Agreement" means that certain Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement, dated as of April 19, 1999, as amended from time to time, by and
among the Company, the subsidiaries of the Company as may from time to time be
borrowers and/or guarantors thereunder in accordance with the provisions
thereof, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time
parties thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders,
Bank of America Canada, as Canadian administrative agent for the lenders, and
The Chase Manhattan Bank, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Guaranty Trust Company of New York and
Citibank, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents, providing for term and revolving
credit borrowings, including any related notes, guarantees, collateral
documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in
each case as amended, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced from
time to time.
"Credit Facilities" means, one or more debt facilities (including,
without limitation, the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities, in
each case with banks or other institutional lenders
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providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing
(including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose
entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters
of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded,
replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.
"Custodian" means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes
in global form, or any successor entity thereto.
"Default" means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Definitive Note" means a certificated Note registered in the name of
the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that such Note shall not
bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the "Schedule of Exchanges of
Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto.
"Depositary" means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in
whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as
the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto
appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the
applicable provision of this Indenture.
"Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by
the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is
exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or
upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant
to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the
holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that
is 91 days after the date on which the notes mature. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock
solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the
Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of
control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of
such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any
such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or
redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof.
"Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company that was
formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or
the District of Columbia or that guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit
support for any Indebtedness of the Company.
"Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or
other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
"Euroclear" means ▇▇▇▇▇▇ Guaranty Trust Company of New York, Brussels
office, as operator of the Euroclear system.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Exchange Notes" means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant
to Section 2.06(f) hereof.
"Exchange Offer" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement.
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"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in
the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Existing Indebtedness" means the Indebtedness of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in existence
on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.
"Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any specified Person for any
period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without
limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount,
non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment
obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital
Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt,
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter
of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all
payments made or received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus
(2) the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus
(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that is
Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a
Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or
not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
(4) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and
whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable
solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, times (b) a fraction, the
numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then
current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person and
its Restricted Subsidiaries, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a
consolidated basis and in accordance with GAAP.
"Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means with respect to any specified
Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person
and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the Fixed Charges of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period. In the event that the
specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes,
Guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than ordinary
working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock
subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for
which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the
"Calculation Date"), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated
giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment,
repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or
redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the
same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference
period.
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio:
(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations and
including any related financing transactions, during the four-quarter reference
period or subsequent to such reference period and on or
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prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had
occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period and Consolidated
Cash Flow for such reference period will be calculated on a pro forma basis
under the Securities Act, but without giving effect to clause (3) of the proviso
set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income;
(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations,
as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of
prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded; and
(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as
determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses disposed of
prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the
obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the
specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation
Date.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, which are in effect from time to time.
"Global Notes" means, individually and collectively, each of the
Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the
form of Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(iv),
2.06(d)(ii) or 2.06(f) hereof.
"Global Note Legend" means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(ii),
which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
"Government Securities" means direct obligations of, or obligations
guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the
United States pledges its full faith and credit.
"Guarantee" means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or
indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of
assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
"Guarantors" means each of:
(1) the wholly owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company;
and
(2) any other subsidiary that executes a Subsidiary Guarantee in
accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;
and their respective successors and assigns.
"Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any specified Person, the
obligations of such Person under:
(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and
interest rate collar agreements; and
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(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person
against fluctuations in interest rates.
"IAI Global Note" means the global Note substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend
and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary
or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding
principal amount of the Notes sold to Institutional Accredited Investors.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any specified Person, any
indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or
letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(3) in respect of banker's acceptances;
(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price
of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or
trade payable; or
(6) representing any Hedging Obligations,
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of
credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet
of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term
"Indebtedness" includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any
asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by
the specified Person) and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee
by the specified Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:
(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any
Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and
(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any
interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the case of
any other Indebtedness.
"Indenture" means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time
to time.
"Indirect Participant" means a Person who holds a beneficial interest
in a Global Note through a Participant.
"Initial Notes" means the first $400 million aggregate principal amount
of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an
"accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.
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"Investments" means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect
investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms
of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital
contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and
employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other
acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other
securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as
investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity
Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such that, after
giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a
Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment
on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market value of
the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary not sold or disposed of in an amount
determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. The
acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that
holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the
Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the fair
market value of the Investment held by the acquired Person in such third Person
in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07
hereof.
"Legal Holiday" means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking
institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by
law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a
Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the
next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on
such payment for the intervening period.
"Letter of Transmittal" means the letter of transmittal to be prepared
by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in
connection with the Exchange Offer.
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset,
whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law,
including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in
the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security
interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under
the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
"Liquidated Damages" means all liquidated damages then owing pursuant
to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement
"Net Income" means, with respect to any specified Person, the net
income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any
reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:
(1) any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on
such gain or loss, realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the
disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(2) any extraordinary gain or loss, together with any related provision
for taxes on such extraordinary gain or loss.
"Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale
(including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other
disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of
the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation,
legal, accounting and investment banking
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fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of
the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each
case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any
tax sharing arrangements, and amounts required to be applied to the repayment of
Indebtedness, other than Senior Debt/Indebtedness under a Credit Facility,
secured by a Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Asset
Sale and any reserve for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset
or assets established in accordance with GAAP.
"Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness:
(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking,
agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or
indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender;
(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the
holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an
Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any
holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the
payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated
maturity; and
(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they
will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Non-U.S. Person" means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.
"Note Guarantee" means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company's
payment obligations under this Indenture and on the Notes, executed pursuant to
the provisions of this Indenture.
"Notes" has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this
Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a
single class for all purposes under this Indenture.
"Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under
the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
"Offering" means the offering of the Notes by the Company.
"Officer" means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board,
the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the
Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller,
the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the
Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal
executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the
principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of
Section 12.05 hereof.
"Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion from legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section
12.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.
"Participant" means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or
Cedel, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Cedel,
respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Cedel).
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"Permitted Business" means the research, development, distribution,
manufacturing, sales and/or marketing of chemicals and/or related products,
services and businesses.
"Permitted Investments" means:
(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company;
(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(3) any Investment by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in a
Person, if as a result of such Investment:
(a) such Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Company; or
(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or
transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into,
the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor;
(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash
consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance
with Section 4.10 hereof;
(5) any acquisition of assets solely in exchange for the issuance of
Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company;
(6) any Investments received in compromise of obligations of such
persons incurred in the ordinary course of trade creditors or customers that
were incurred in the ordinary course of business, including pursuant to any plan
of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of
any trade creditor or customer;
(7) Investments made after the original issuance of the Notes in a
Permitted Business in the form of joint ventures, operating agreements,
partnership agreements or other similar or customary agreements, interests or
arrangements with unaffiliated third parties, the aggregate outstanding amount
of which does not exceed 5.0% of Consolidated Tangible Assets at any time;
(8) Hedging Obligations; and
(9) other Investments in any Person that is not also a Subsidiary of
the Company having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each
such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in
value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this
clause (9) since the date of this Indenture not to exceed $50.0 million.
"Permitted Liens" means:
(1) Liens securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under Credit
Facilities that were permitted by clause (a) of the second paragraph of Section
4.09;
(2) Liens securing Indebtedness outstanding with respect to (a) that
certain Indenture dated May 15, 1993 evidencing 6.625% Notes due 2003 issued by
the Company in the original face amount of $125 million and evidencing 6.60%
Notes due 2007 issued by the Company in the original face amount of $100 million
and (b) that certain Note Purchase Agreement dated as of June 19, 1989
evidencing 9.48% Guaranteed ESOT Notes due June 19, 2009 issued by The
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▇▇▇▇ Laboratories, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Trust established by the ▇▇▇▇
Laboratories, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and guaranteed by ▇▇▇▇
laboratories, Inc., in the original face amount of $100,000,000;
(3) Liens in favor of the Company or the Guarantors;
(4) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is
merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation
of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those
of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary;
(5) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the
property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, provided that such
Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition;
(6) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations, surety or
appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred
in the ordinary course of business;
(7) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations)
permitted by clause (d) and (l) of the second paragraph of Section 4.09 covering
only the assets acquired with such Indebtedness;
(8) Liens existing on the date of this Indenture;
(9) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that
are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently concluded, provided that any
reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP
has been made therefor;
(10) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company
or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to obligations that do not exceed
$5.0 million at any one time outstanding; and
(11) Liens on assets of Unrestricted Subsidiaries that secure
Non-Recourse Debt of Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
"Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net
proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or
refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
(other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:
(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or
accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness extended, refinanced,
renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued interest on the
Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums incurred in connection
therewith);
(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date
later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to
Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded;
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(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced,
defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, such
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity date later than the
final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right of payment to, the Notes on
terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the
documentation governing the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded; and
(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by the
Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited
liability company or government or other entity.
"Private Placement Legend" means the legend set forth in Section
2.06(g)(i) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where
otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
"Qualified Proceeds" means cash, Cash Equivalents and the fair market
value of other property, the fair market value of which will be determined by
(A) for property valued at less than $5.0 million, the Board of Directors, which
determination shall be evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors set
forth in an Officer's Certificate delivered to the Trustee and (B) for property
valued at $5.0 million or more, an accounting, appraisal or investment banking
firm of national standing and evidenced by an opinion or appraisal issued by
such accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights
Agreement, dated as of November 14, 2000, by and among the Company and the other
parties named on the signature pages thereof, as such agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional
Notes, one or more registration rights agreements between the Company and the
other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Company to the
purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the
Securities Act."
"Regulation S" means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Regulation S Global Note" means a global Note bearing the Private
Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary and
registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a
denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially
sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
"Related Party" means:
(1) any controlling stockholder, 80% (or more) owned Subsidiary, or
immediate family member (in the case of an individual) of any Principal; or
(2) any trust, corporation, partnership or other entity, the
beneficiaries, stockholders, partners, owners or Persons beneficially holding an
80% or more controlling interest of which consist of any one or more Principals
and/or such other Persons referred to in the immediately preceding clause (1).
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any
officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any
successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above
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designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust
matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his
knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
"Restricted Definitive Note" means a Definitive Note bearing the
Private Placement Legend.
"Restricted Global Note" means a Global Note bearing the Private
Placement Legend.
"Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
"Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary of the
referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 903" means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 904" means Rule 904 promulgated the Securities Act.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Shelf Registration Statement" means the Shelf Registration Statement
as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a
"significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on
the date hereof.
"Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any installment of interest or
principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of
interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to
repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date
originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more
than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without
regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of
directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other
business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by
that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a
combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing
general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b)
the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries
of that Person (or any combination thereof).
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. ▇▇.▇▇.
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified
under the TIA.
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"Trustee" means the party named as such above until a successor
replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and
thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.
"Unrestricted Global Note" means a permanent global Note substantially
in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and
that has the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached
thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name
of the Depositary, representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Private
Placement Legend.
"Unrestricted Definitive Note" means one or more Definitive Notes that
do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company that is
designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a
Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding
are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those
that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the
Company;
(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to
subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such
Person's financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified
levels of operating results;
(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided
credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; and
(5) has at least one director on its Board of Directors that is not a
director or executive officer of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries and has at least one executive officer that is not a director or
executive officer of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a
certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an
officers' certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time,
any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be
incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 of this Indenture, the Company will
be in default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any
time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary;
provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of
Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding
Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be
permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 of this
Indenture, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred
at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period; and (2) no Default or
Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.
"U.S. Person" means a U.S. person as defined in Rule 902(o) under the
Securities Act.
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"Voting Stock" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of
such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of
Directors of such Person.
"Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any
Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of
each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required
payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the
Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth)
that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
"Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary" of any specified Person means a
Restricted Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or
other ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares)
will at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned
Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person and one or more Wholly Owned Restricted
Subsidiaries of such Person.
Section 1.02. Other Definitions.
Defined in
Term Section
---- -------
"Affiliate Transaction"............................................................. 4.11
"Asset Sale"........................................................................ 4.10
"Asset Sale Offer".................................................................. 3.09
"Authentication Order".............................................................. 2.02
"Bankruptcy Law".................................................................... 4.01
"Change of Control Offer"........................................................... 4.15
"Change of Control Payment"......................................................... 4.15
"Change of Control Payment Date".................................................... 4.15
"Covenant Defeasance"............................................................... 8.03
"Event of Default".................................................................. 6.01
"Excess Proceeds"................................................................... 4.10
"incur"............................................................................. 4.09
"Legal Defeasance".................................................................. 8.02
"Offer Amount"...................................................................... 3.09
"Offer Period"...................................................................... 3.09
"Paying Agent"...................................................................... 2.03
"Permitted Debt".................................................................... 4.09
"Purchase Date"..................................................................... 3.09
"Registrar"......................................................................... 2.03
"Restricted Payments"............................................................... 4.07
"Unit Legend"....................................................................... 2.06
Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision
is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following
meanings:
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"indenture securities" means the Notes;
"indenture security Holder" means a Holder of a Note;
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee; and
"obligor" on the Notes and the Note Guarantees means the Company and
the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the
Note Guarantees, respectively.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA
have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.04. Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned
to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) "or" is not exclusive;
(d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural
include the singular;
(e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
(f) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act shall
be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules
adopted by the SEC from time to time.
ARTICLE 2.
THE NOTES
Section 2.01. Form and Dating.
(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication
shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have
notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or
usage. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall
be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and
are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the
Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture,
expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However,
to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of
this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be
controlling.
(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form shall be substantially
in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend
thereon and the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached
thereto). Notes issued in definitive form shall be substantially in the form of
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Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and
without the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached
thereto). Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as
shall be specified therein and each shall provide that it shall represent the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed
thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented
thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to
reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect
the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the
Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions
given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.
(c) Euroclear and Cedel Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the
"Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System" and "Terms and Conditions
Governing Use of Euroclear" and the "General Terms and Conditions of Cedel Bank"
and "Customer Handbook" of Cedel Bank shall be applicable to transfers of
beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes that are held by
Participants through Euroclear or Cedel Bank.
Section 2.02. Execution and Authentication.
Two Officers shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature. The Company's seal shall be reproduced on the Notes and may
be in facsimile form.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office
at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.
A Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature
of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has
been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee shall, upon a written order of the Company signed by two
Officers (an "Authentication Order"), authenticate Notes for original issue up
to the aggregate principal amount stated in paragraph 4 of the Notes. The
aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed such
amount except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the
Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes
whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An
authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an
Affiliate of the Company.
Section 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be
presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar") and an
office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent"). The
Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange.
The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional
paying agents. The term "Registrar" includes any co-registrar and the term
"Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any
Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify
the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this
Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as
Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of
its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
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The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to
act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and
Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
Section 2.04. Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of
Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of
principal, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on the Notes, and
will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such
payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying
Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may
require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment
over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a
Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a
Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust
fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon
any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the
Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
Section 2.05. Holder Lists.
The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA ss. 312(a). If the Trustee is
not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least seven
Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of
Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA ss. 312(a).
Section 2.06. Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be
transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary,
by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the
Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary
or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by
the Company for Definitive Notes if (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee
notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as
Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the
Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the
Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary, (ii)
the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole
but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written
notice to such effect to the Trustee or (iii) there has occurred and is
continuing for a period of 120 days a Default or Event of Default with respect
to the Notes. Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (i) or
(ii) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary
shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in
whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note
authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any
portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof,
shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global
Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided
in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be
transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.
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(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes.
The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be
effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted
Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those
set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of
beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with
either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of
the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note.
Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred
to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial
interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the
transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend;
provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted
Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global
Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of
a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests
in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take
delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an
Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be
required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers
described in this Section 2.06(b)(i).
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in
Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of
beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(i) above,
the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the
Registrar either (A)(1) a written order from a Participant or an
Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the
Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be
credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount
equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2)
instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures
containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited
with such increase or (B)(1) a written order from a Participant or an
Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the
Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a
Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be
transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given by the Depositary
to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose
name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or
exchange referred to in (1) above. Upon consummation of an Exchange
Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the
requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(ii) shall be deemed to have been
satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained
in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial
interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of
the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in
Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise
applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the
principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section
2.06(h) hereof.
(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global
Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be
transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a
beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer
complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above and the
Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a
beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor
must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto,
including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
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(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a
beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the
transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B
hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and
(C) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a
beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the transferor
must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto,
including the certifications and certificates and Opinion of
Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted
Global Note for Beneficial Interests in the Unrestricted Global Note. A
beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by
any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global
Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form
of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange
or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(ii) above
and:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the
Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement
and the holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the
case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer,
certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not
(1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution
of the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as
defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the
Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial
interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global
Note, a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit C
hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof;
or
(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial
interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the
form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note,
a certificate from such holder in the form of Exhibit B
hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the
Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require,
an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the
Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on
transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are
no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the
Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D)
above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the
Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an
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Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall
authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests
transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged
for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a
beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.
(i) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted
Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest
for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial
interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a
Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the
following documentation:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted
Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a
Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the
form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item
(2)(a) thereof;
(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB
in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a
certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including
the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a
Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule
903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the
effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications
in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant
to an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto,
including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an
Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than
those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate
to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the
certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by
item (3) thereof, if applicable;
(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set
forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item
(3)(b) thereof; or
(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant
to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a
certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including
the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the
applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section
2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a
Definitive
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Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in
exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant
to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and
in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such
beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions
from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The
Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose
names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in
exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant
to this Section 2.06(c)(i) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and
shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.
(ii) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to
Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an
Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest
to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted
Definitive Note only if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the
Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement
and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an
exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies
in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (1) a
broker-dealer, (2) a Person participating in the distribution of
the Exchange Notes or (3) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined
in Rule 144) of the Company;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the
Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial
interest for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private
Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form
of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item
(1)(b) thereof; or
(2) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial
interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the
form of a Definitive Note that does not bear the Private
Placement Legend, a certificate from such holder in the form
of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4)
thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the
Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require,
an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the
Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on
transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are
no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the
Securities Act.
(iii) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to
Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest
in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial
interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest
to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive
Note, then, upon satisfaction of the
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conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(ii) hereof, the Trustee
shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global
Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note
in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in
exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section
2.06(c)(iii) shall be registered in such name or names and in such
authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such
beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions
from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The
Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose
names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in
exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section
2.06(c)(iii) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in
Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note
proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes
to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial
interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the
Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes
to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted
Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit
C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;
(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to
a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a
certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including
the certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to
a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with
Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate to the
effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications
in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred
pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities
Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto,
including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to
an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than
those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate
to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the
certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by
item (3) thereof, if applicable;
(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect
set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item
(3)(b) thereof; or
(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B
hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,
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the Trustee shall cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or
cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of
clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case
of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C)
above, the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the IAI
Global Note.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in
Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may
exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global
Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes
delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an
Unrestricted Global Note only if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the
Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement
and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in
the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of
Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person
participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a
Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the
Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to
exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the
Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in
the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in
item (1)(c) thereof; or
(2) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to
transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery
thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the
Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in
the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in
item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the
Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require,
an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the
Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on
transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are
no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the
Securities Act.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the
subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(ii), the Trustee shall cancel the
Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate
principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in
Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note
may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted
Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes
delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an
Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for
such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable
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Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the
aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a
beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (ii)(B),
(ii)(D) or (iii) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has
not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an
Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the
Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive
Notes so transferred.
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes.
Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder's compliance with
the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar shall register the
transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer
or exchange, the requesting Holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar
the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or
by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder
shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as
applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section
2.06(e).
(i) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any
Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the
name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted
Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under
the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate
in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in
item (1) thereof;
(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule
904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of
Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;
and
(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act,
then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of
Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and
Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(ii) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes.
Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof
for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or
Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted
Definitive Note if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the
Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement
and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in
the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of
Transmittal that it is not (1) a broker-dealer, (2) a Person
participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (3) a
Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement;
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(C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant
to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the
Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(1) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes
proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive
Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C
hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof;
or
(2) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes
proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take
delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive
Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B
hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the
Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably
acceptable to the Company to the effect that such exchange or
transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the
restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private
Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain
compliance with the Securities Act.
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive
Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such
Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an
Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register
such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted
Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company shall issue and,
upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02, the
Trustee shall authenticate (i) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial
interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered for acceptance by Persons that
certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (x) they are not
broker-dealers, (y) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange
Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company,
and accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer and (ii) Definitive Notes in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted
Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer. Concurrently with
the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal
amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the
Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Definitive
Notes in the appropriate principal amount.
(g) Legends. The following legends shall appear on the face of all
Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless
specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
(i) Private Placement Legend.
(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global
Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange
therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in
substantially the following form:
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"THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S.
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "SECURITIES ACT") AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY
NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES
OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S. PERSONS, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN
THE NEXT SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN,
THE HOLDER:
(a) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (A "QIB"), (B) IT HAS ACQUIRED
THIS NOTE IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OR (C) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED
IN RULE 501(A)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN
"IAI"),
(b) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT RESELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE
EXCEPT (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) TO A PERSON WHOM THE
SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QIB PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE
ACCOUNT OF A QIB IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (C) IN
AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 903 OR 904 OF
REGULATION S OF THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE
REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN IAI THAT, PRIOR TO
SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN
REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF THIS
NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND, IF SUCH
TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES LESS THAN
$250,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS
IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, (F) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANOTHER EXEMPTION
FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT (AND BASED UPON AN
OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY) OR (G) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE
REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND, IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE
SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER APPLICABLE
JURISDICTION, AND
(c) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO EACH PERSON TO WHOM THIS NOTE OR AN
INTEREST ▇▇▇▇▇▇ IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS
LEGEND.
AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION," "UNITED STATES" AND "U.S.
PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY RULE 902 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT. THE INDENTURE CONTAINS A PROVISION REQUIRING THE TRUSTEE TO
REFUSE TO REGISTER ANY TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE IN VIOLATION OF THE FOREGOING
RESTRICTIONS."
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or
Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(iv), (c)(ii),
(c)(iii), (d)(ii), (d)(iii), (e)(ii), (e)(iii) or (f) to this
Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or
substitution thereof) shall not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(ii) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note shall bear a legend in
substantially the following form:
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"THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE
GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL
OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
EXCEPT THAT (I) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.07 OF THE INDENTURE, (II) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE
EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE,
(III) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT
TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO
A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF HERCULES INCORPORATED."
(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all
beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for
Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or
canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or
retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At
any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note
is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in
the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive
Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be
reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the
Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such
reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred
to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest
in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly
and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the
Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and
Definitive Notes upon the Company's order or at the Registrar's
request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made to a holder of a beneficial
interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any
registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar
governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any
such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon
exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15
and 9.05 hereof).
(iii) The Registrar shall not be required to register the transfer
of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
(iv) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any
registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive
Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the
same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as
the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration
of transfer or exchange.
(v) The Company shall not be required (A) to issue, to register the
transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the
opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes
for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of
business on the day of selection, (B) to register the transfer of or to
exchange any Note so selected for redemption in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed portion of any Note being
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redeemed in part or (C) to register the transfer of or to exchange
a Note between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment
Date.
(vi) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of
any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the
Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of
such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and
interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the
Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.
(vii) The Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive
Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.
(viii) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel
required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06
to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by
facsimile.
Section 2.07. Replacement Notes.
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and
the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or
theft of any Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an
Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee's
requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity
bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the
Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any
authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is
replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and
shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.08. Outstanding Notes.
The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by
the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for
cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the
Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this
Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note
does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of
the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section
3.07(b) hereof.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section
4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an
Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money
sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such
Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue
interest.
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Section 2.09. Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the
Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with the Company, shall be considered as
though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the
Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent,
only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.
Section 2.10. Temporary Notes.
Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the
Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order,
shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in
the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company
considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable
to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the
Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits of
this Indenture.
Section 2.11. Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for
cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any
Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The
Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of
transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy
canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange
Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes shall be delivered
to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has
paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.12. Defaulted Interest.
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall
pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful,
interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a
subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes
and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of
the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date
of the proposed payment. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such
special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date
shall be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted
interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon
the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense
of the Company) shall mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states
the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such
interest to be paid.
ARTICLE 3.
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee.
If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional
redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it shall furnish to the Trustee,
at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an
Officers' Certificate setting forth (i) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to
which the redemption
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shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be
redeemed and (iv) the redemption price.
Section 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the
Trustee will select Notes for redemption as follows:
(a) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange, in
compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange
on which the Notes are listed; or
(b) if the Notes are not listed on any national securities exchange, on
a pro rata basis.
No Notes of $1,000 or less can be redeemed in part.
Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption.
Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09, notices of redemption will
be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the
redemption date to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered
address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to
a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the
Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(a) the redemption date;
(b) the redemption price;
(c) if any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of
redemption that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal
amount of that Note that is to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal
to the unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued in the name of the
Holder of Notes upon cancellation of the original Note.
(d) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(e) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying
Agent to collect the redemption price;
(f) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption
payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after
the redemption date;
(g) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture
pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and
(h) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of
the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.
At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at its expense; provided, however, that the
Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the
redemption date, an Officers' Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such
notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided
in the preceding paragraph.
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Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for
redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes
or portions of them called for redemption. Notices of redemption may not be
conditional.
Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price.
One Business Day prior to the redemption date, the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the
redemption price of and accrued interest on all Notes to be redeemed on that
date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any
money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of
the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest on,
all Notes to be redeemed.
If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph,
on and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or
the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after
an interest record date but on or prior to the related interest payment date,
then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name
such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any
Note called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption
because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph,
interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until
such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on
such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in
Section 4.01 hereof.
Section 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part.
If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption
that relates to that Note will state the portion of the principal amount of that
Note that is to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the
unredeemed portion of the original Note will be issued in the name of the Holder
of Notes upon cancellation of the original Note.
Section 3.07. Optional Redemption.
At any time prior to November 15, 2003, the Company may on any one or
more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes
issued under this Indenture at a redemption price of 111.125% of the principal
amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Public Equity
Offerings; provided that:
(a) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued
under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of
such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and
(b) the redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of
such Public Equity Offering.
At any time prior to November 15, 2001, the Company may also redeem all
or a part of the Notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice (but in no event may any such
redemption occur more than 90 days after the occurrence of such Change of
Control) mailed by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, at a
redemption price equal to
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111.125% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of redemption (the
"Redemption Date").
Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs, the Notes will not be
redeemable at the Company's option prior to maturity.
Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to
the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.
Section 3.08. Mandatory Redemption.
The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking
fund payments with respect to the Notes.
Section 3.09. Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.
In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company shall
be required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an "Asset
Sale Offer"), it shall follow the procedures specified below.
The Asset Sale Offer shall remain open for a period of 20 Business Days
following its commencement and no longer, except to the extent that a longer
period is required by applicable law (the "Offer Period"). No later than five
Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the "Purchase Date"),
the Company shall purchase the principal amount of Notes required to be
purchased pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof (the "Offer Amount") or, if less than
the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered in response to the Asset
Sale Offer. Payment for any Notes so purchased shall be made in the same manner
as interest payments are made.
If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or
before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall
be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of
business on such record date, and no additional interest shall be payable to
Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer.
Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company shall send,
by first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a
copy to the Trustee. The notice shall contain all instructions and materials
necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale
Offer. The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders. The notice, which
shall govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, shall state:
(a) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this Section
3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer shall
remain open;
(b) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;
(c) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment shall continue
to accrete or accrue interest;
(d) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note
accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer shall cease to accrete or
accrue interest after the Purchase Date;
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(e) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset
Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in integral multiples of $1,000
only;
(f) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to any
Asset Sale Offer shall be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled
"Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Note completed, or
transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by
the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least
three days before the Purchase Date;
(g) that Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the
Company, the depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not
later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile
transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal
amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such
▇▇▇▇▇▇ is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;
(h) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by
Holders exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company shall select the Notes to be
purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed
appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of $1,000, or
integral multiples thereof, shall be purchased); and
(i) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part shall be
issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the
Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).
On or before the Purchase Date, the Company shall, to the extent
lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the
Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale
Offer, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered,
and shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such
Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance
with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying
Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly (but in any case not later than five
days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount
equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by
the Company for purchase, and the Company shall promptly issue a new Note, and
the Trustee, upon written request from the Company shall authenticate and mail
or deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any
unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be
promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company
shall publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase
Date.
Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase
pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of
Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.
ARTICLE 4.
COVENANTS
Section 4.01. Payment of Notes.
The Company shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the
Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the
date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof,
holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the
Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay
all principal, premium, if any, and interest then
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due. The Company shall pay all Liquidated Damages, if any, in the same manner on
the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any
proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to
1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the
extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any
proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and
Liquidated Damages (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same
rate to the extent lawful.
Section 4.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New
York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate
of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for
registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The
Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any
change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company
shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to
furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders,
notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or
all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any
change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee
as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.
Section 4.03. Reports.
Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, so
long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall furnish to the Holders of
Notes, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and regulations:
(a) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be
required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K
(including all exhibits) if the Company were required to file such Forms,
including a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and, with respect to the annual information only, a
report on the annual financial statements by the Company's certified independent
accountants; and
(b) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC
on Form 8-K if the Company were required to file such reports.
If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted
Subsidiaries, then the quarterly and annual financial information required by
the preceding paragraph shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either
on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and
results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.
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In addition, following the consummation of the Exchange Offer
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, whether or not required by
the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company shall file a copy of all of
the information and reports referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above with the
SEC for public availability within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules
and regulations (unless the SEC will not accept such a filing) and make such
information available to securities analysts and prospective investors upon
request. In addition, the Company and the Note Guarantors have agreed that, for
so long as any Notes remain outstanding, they shall furnish to the Holders and
to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their request, the
information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the
Securities Act. The Company shall at all times comply with TIA ss. 314(a).
So long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company shall:
(a) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company, as the
case may be, is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the
annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of
such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by
rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the
Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if
the Company, as the case may be, is not required to file information, documents
or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall (i) deliver to the
Trustee annual audited financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
prepared on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP, within 120 days after
the end of each fiscal year of the Company, and (ii) file with the Trustee and
the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to
time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information,
documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the
Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national
securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and
regulations;
(b) file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with the
rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such
additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the
Company, as the case may be, with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture
as is required from time to time by such rules and regulations (including such
rules and regulations, if any, referred to in Trust Indenture Act Section
314(a)); and
(c) transmit by mail to all Holders or any other persons entitled to
receive a report pursuant to Trust Indenture Act Section 313(c), within 30 days
after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent
provided in Trust Indenture Act Section 313 (c), such summaries of any
information, documents and reports required to by filed by the Company, as the
case may be, pursuant to Section 12.02 hereunder and Subsections (a) and (b) of
this Section as is required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to
time by the Commission.
Section 4.04. Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor
is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after
the end of each fiscal year, an Officers' Certificate stating that a review of
the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal
year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to
determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its
obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer
signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company
has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in
this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of
the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or
Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of
Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is
taking or
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proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her
knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which
payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is
prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what
action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
(b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Notes are outstanding,
deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default
or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying such Default or Event
of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with
respect thereto.
Section 4.05. Taxes.
The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay,
prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental levies
except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings or
where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect
to the Holders of the Notes.
Section 4.06. Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
The Company and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it
may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any
manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension
or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may
affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and
each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby
expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it
shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of
any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the
execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
Section 4.07. Restricted Payments.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(a) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or
distribution on account of the Company's or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries'
Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with
any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company's or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries' Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other
than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company);
(b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value
(including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation
involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or
indirect parent of the Company;
(c) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem,
defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that is
subordinated to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, except a payment of interest
or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or
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(d) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions
set forth in these clauses (a) through (d) above being collectively referred to
as "Restricted Payments"), unless, at the time of and after giving effect to
such Restricted Payment:
(i) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing
or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment; and
(ii) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and
after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had
been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have
been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first
paragraph of Section 4.09, and
(iii) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount
of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture (excluding Restricted
Payments permitted by clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the next succeeding
paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication, of:
(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the
period (taken as one accounting period) from the beginning of the
first fiscal quarter commencing after the date of this Indenture to
the end of the Company's most recently ended fiscal quarter for
which internal financial statements are available at the time of
such Restricted Payment (or, if such Consolidated Net Income for
such period is a deficit, less 100% of such deficit), plus
(B) 100% of the aggregate Qualified Proceeds received by the
Company since the date of this Indenture as a contribution to its
common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity Interests
of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from the issue or
sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified Stock or
convertible or exchangeable debt securities of the Company that
have been converted into or exchanged for such Equity Interests
(other than Equity Interests (or Disqualified Stock or debt
securities) sold to a Subsidiary of the Company), plus
(C) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that was made
after the date of this Indenture is sold for cash or otherwise
liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of (i) the cash return of
capital with respect to such Restricted Investment (less the cost
of disposition, if any) and (ii) the initial amount of such
Restricted Investment.
So long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused
thereby, the preceding provisions shall not prohibit:
(a) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of
declaration of the dividend, if at the date of declaration the dividend payment
would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
(b) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other
acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor or
of any Equity Interests of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash
proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than
Disqualified Stock); provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that
are utilized for any such redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or
other acquisition shall be excluded from clause (3)(b) of the preceding
paragraph;
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(c) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of
subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor with the net cash
proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness;
(d) the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
(e) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for
value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company held by any member of the Company's (or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries') management pursuant to any management equity subscription
agreement, stock option agreement, employee benefit plan or similar agreement;
provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed,
acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $10.0 million in any
twelve-month period; and
(f) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$100.0 million.
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the
fair market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or
securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment.
The fair market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued
by this covenant and have a fair market value that exceeds (i) $5.0 million
shall be evidenced by a certificate issued by the chief executive officer, chief
financial officer or general counsel and shall be delivered to the Trustee or
(ii) $20.0 million shall be approved by a majority of disinterested members of
the Board of Directors whose resolution with respect thereto shall be delivered
to the Trustee. The approval by a majority of disinterested members of the Board
of Directors' must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an
accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing. A copy of
any fairness opinion or appraisal required by this Indenture, together with the
resolution of the Board of Directors, must be delivered to the Trustee no later
than the date of making any Restricted Payment.
Section 4.08. Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary to:
(a) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock
to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any
other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any
indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(b) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; or
(c) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, the preceding restrictions shall not apply to encumbrances or
restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(a) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit Facilities as
in effect on the date of this Indenture and any amendments, modifications,
restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or
refinancings of those agreements, provided that the amendments, modifications,
restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacement or
refinancings
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are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and
other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements on the date
of this Indenture;
(b) this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;
(c) applicable law;
(d) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person
acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at
the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Indebtedness or Capital
Stock was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition),
which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the
properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or
assets of the Person, so acquired, provided that, in the case of Indebtedness,
such Indebtedness was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;
(e) customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the
ordinary course of business;
(f) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary
course of business that impose restrictions on that property of the nature
described in clause (3) of the preceding paragraph;
(g) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted
Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending
its sale or other disposition;
(h) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the restrictions
contained in the agreements governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness
are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the
agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;
(i) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be incurred
under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor
to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;
(j) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of
assets or property in joint venture agreements, assets sale agreements, stock
sale agreements and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course
of business; and
(k) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by
customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.
Section 4.09. Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise
become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to
(collectively, "incur") any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the
Company shall not issue any Disqualified Stock and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the
Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) or issue Disqualified
Stock, and the Guarantors may incur Indebtedness or issue preferred stock, if
the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company's most recently ended four full
fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available
immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is incurred
or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued would have been at least
2.0 to 1 for any incurrence on or prior to November 15, 2002 and 2.5 to 1 any
time thereafter, in each case, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro
forma application of the net
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proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the
preferred stock or Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at
the beginning of such four-quarter period.
The first paragraph of this covenant shall not prohibit the incurrence
of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, "Permitted Debt"):
(a) the incurrence by the Company and any of its Subsidiaries of
additional Indebtedness and letters of credit under Credit Facilities in an
aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding under this clause
(a)(with letters of credit being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the
maximum potential liability of the Company and its Subsidiaries thereunder) not
to exceed the greater of (1) $2.2 billion and (2) the Borrowing Base less the
aggregate amount of all repayments, optional or mandatory, of the principal of
any term Indebtedness under a Credit Facility that have been made by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture and less the
aggregate amount of all commitment reductions with respect to any revolving
credit borrowings under a Credit Facility that have been made by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries since the date of this Indenture;
(b) the incurrence by the Company and its Subsidiaries of the Existing
Indebtedness;
(c) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness
represented by the Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued on the
date of this Indenture and the Exchange Notes and the related Note Guarantees to
be issued pursuant to the registration rights agreement;
(d) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations, mortgage financings or
purchase money obligations, in each case, incurred for the purpose of financing
all or any part of the purchase price or cost of construction or improvement of
property, plant or equipment used in the business of the Company or such
Subsidiary or in a Permitted Business, in an aggregate principal amount,
including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance
or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (d), not to exceed
$25.0 million at any time outstanding;
(e) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which
are used to refund, refinance or replace Indebtedness (other than intercompany
Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under the
first paragraph of this covenant or clauses (b), (c), (d), (e), (j) or (l) of
this paragraph;
(f) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:
(i) if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on such
Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly subordinated to the
prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations with respect to the
Notes, in the case of the Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case
of a Guarantor; and
(ii) (1) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests
that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than
the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company and (2) any sale or other
transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person that is not either the
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; shall be deemed, in
each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the
Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not permitted
by this clause (f);
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(g) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Hedging
Obligations that are incurred for the purpose of fixing or hedging interest rate
risk with respect to any floating rate Indebtedness that is permitted by the
terms of this Indenture to be outstanding;
(h) the guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors of
Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to
be incurred by another provision of this covenant;
(i) the accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original
issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of
additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment of dividends on
Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of
Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an
issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this covenant; provided, in each
such case, that the amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company
as accrued;
(j) the incurrence by the Company's Unrestricted Subsidiaries of
Non-Recourse Debt, provided, however, that if any such Indebtedness ceases to be
Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, such event shall be deemed to
constitute an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company that was not permitted by this clause (j);
(k) Indebtedness in respect of performance and surety bonds, terminable
guarantees and completion guarantees or other similar forms of Indebtedness
provided by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of
business; and
(l) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of
additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as
applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred
pursuant to this clause (l), not to exceed $100.0 million.
The Company shall not incur any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt)
that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness
of the Company unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in
right of payment to the Notes on substantially identical terms; provided,
however, that no Indebtedness of the Company shall be deemed to be contractually
subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company solely
by virtue of being unsecured.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the
event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one
of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (a) through (l) above,
or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant,
the Company shall be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date
of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of
Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this covenant. Indebtedness under
Credit Facilities outstanding on the date on which Notes are first issued and
authenticated under this Indenture shall be deemed to have been incurred on such
date in reliance on the exception provided by clause (a) of the definition of
Permitted Debt.
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Section 4.10. Asset Sales.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(a) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be)
receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the fair
market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise
disposed of;
(b) the fair market value is determined by (i) in the case of property
valued at less than $5.0 million, the Company's principal financial or
accounting officer and evidenced by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the
Trustee and (ii) in the case of property valued at $5.0 million or more, the
Company's Board of Directors and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of
Directors set forth in an officers' certificate delivered to the Trustee; and
(c) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash. For purposes of
this provision, each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:
(i) any liabilities, as shown on the Company's or such Restricted
Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet, of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and
liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any
Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets
pursuant to a customary novation or an assignment agreement that
releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further
liability; and
(ii) any securities, Notes or other obligations received by the
Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are
contemporaneously, subject to ordinary settlement periods, converted by
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of
the cash received in that conversion.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we and our Restricted Subsidiaries may
engage in Asset Swaps; provided that, (1) immediately after giving effect to
such Asset Swap, we would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of Indebtedness
pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first
paragraph of Section 4.09 and (2) our or the Restricted Subsidiary's Board of
Directors, as the case may be, determines that such Asset Swap is fair to us or
such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, from a financial point of view
and such determination is (A) in the case of Asset Swaps valued at less than
$5.0 million, the Company's principal financial or accounting officer and
evidenced by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee, (B) for Asset
Swaps valued at $5.0 million or more but less than $10.0 million, evidenced by a
resolution of such Board of Directors set forth in an Officer's Certificate
delivered to the Trustee and (C) for Asset Swaps valued at $10.0 million or
more, evidenced by an opinion or appraisal issued by an accounting, appraisal or
investment banking firm of national standing.
Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset
Sale, the Company may apply those Net Proceeds:
(a) to repay Indebtedness and/or other Obligations under a Credit
Facility and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to
correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto;
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(b) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or a majority
of the Voting Stock of, another Permitted Business; or
(c) to acquire or obtain other long-term assets that are used or useful
in a Permitted Business.
Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may
temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net
Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.
Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as
provided in the preceding paragraph shall constitute "Excess Proceeds." When the
aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10.0 million, the Company shall
make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other
Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to
those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem
with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount of
Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the
Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer shall be equal to 100%
of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if
any, to the date of purchase, and shall be payable in cash. If any Excess
Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use
those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this
Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu
Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess
Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and such other pari passu
Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Upon completion of each Asset
Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
The Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule l4e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each
repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale
provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such
conflict.
Section 4.11. Transactions with Affiliates.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or
assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract,
agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit
of, any Affiliate (each, an "Affiliate Transaction"), unless:
(a) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to
the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have
been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
(b) The Company delivers to the Trustee:
(i) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related
Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of
$5.0 million, a certificate issued by the chief executive officer,
chief financial officer or general counsel certifying that such
Affiliate Transaction complies with this covenant; and
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(ii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related
Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of
$25.0 million, a resolution by the Board of Directors, that is approved
by a majority of disinterested members, accompanied by an opinion
issued by an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of
national standing, as to the fairness to the Holders of such Affiliate
Transaction from a financial point of view.
The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions
and, therefore, shall not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:
(a) any employment agreement entered into by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;
(b) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted
Subsidiaries;
(c) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the Company
solely because the Company owns an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;
(d) payment of reasonable directors fees to Persons who are not
otherwise Affiliates of the Company;
(e) sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to
Affiliates of the Company; and
(f) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of this
Indenture described above in Section 4.07.
Section 4.12. Liens.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien of any
kind securing Indebtedness, Attributable Debt or trade payables on any asset now
owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens.
Section 4.13. Business Activities.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary
to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such
extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
taken as a whole.
Section 4.14. Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done
all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (i) its
corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each
of its Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents
(as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such
Subsidiary and (ii) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises
of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the
corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its Subsidiaries, if the
Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer
desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material
respect to the Holders of the Notes.
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Section 4.15. Change of Control.
If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of Notes shall have the
right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or
an integral multiple of $1,000) of that Holder's Notes pursuant to a Change of
Control Offer on the terms set forth in this Indenture. In the Change of Control
Offer, the Company shall offer a Change of Control Payment in cash equal to (i)
if such Change of Control is prior to November 15, 2001, 111.125% of the
aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased and (ii) if such Change of
Control is on or after November 15, 2001, 101% of the aggregate principal amount
of Notes repurchased plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes repurchased, to the date of purchase.
Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice
to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the
Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes on the Change of Control
Payment Date specified in the notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30
days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to
the procedures required by this Indenture and described in such notice. the
Company shall comply with the requirements of Rule l4e-1 under the Exchange Act
and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those
laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the
Notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of
any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Change of Control
provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under the Change of Control provisions of this Indenture by virtue
of such conflict.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent
lawful:
(a) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered
pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(b) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of
Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered;
and
(c) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly
accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal
amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.
The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder of Notes properly
tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee shall
promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to
each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of
the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note shall be in a
principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000.
The Company shall publicly announce the results of the Change of
Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment
Date.
The provisions described above that require the Company to make a
Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control shall be applicable
whether or not any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable. Except as
described above with respect to a Change of Control, this Indenture does not
contain provisions that permit the Holders of the Notes to require that the
Company repurchase or redeem the Notes in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or similar transaction.
The Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer
upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in
the manner, at the times and otherwise in
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compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a
Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes properly
tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer.
The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the
direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of
"all or substantially all" of the properties or assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of case law
interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established
definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the ability of a
Holder of Notes to require the Company to repurchase its Notes as a result of a
sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less than all of the
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to another Person or
group may be uncertain.
Section 4.16. No Senior Subordinated Debt.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.09 hereof, (i) the Company
shall not incur any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of
payment to any Senior Debt and senior in any respect in right of payment to the
Notes, and (ii) no Guarantor shall incur any Indebtedness that is subordinated
or junior in right of payment to any Guarantees of Senior Debt and senior in any
respect in right of payment to the Note Guarantees.
Section 4.17. Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that
the Company or any Guarantor may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if:
(a) The Company or that Guarantor, as applicable, could have (a)
incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to
such sale and leaseback transaction under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test
in the first paragraph of Section 4.09 and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such
Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.12.
(b) the gross cash proceeds of that sale and leaseback transaction are
at least equal to the fair market value, as determined in good faith by (i) in
the case of property valued at less than $5.0 million, the Company's principal
financial or accounting officer and evidenced by an Officers' Certificate
delivered to the Trustee and (ii) in the case of property valued at $5.0 million
or more, the Board of Directors and set forth in an officers' certificate
delivered to the Trustee, of the property that is the subject of that sale and
leaseback transaction; and
(c) the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback transaction is
permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in
compliance with, Section 4.10.
Section 4.18. Note Guarantees.
The Notes shall be guaranteed by each of the Company's current
wholly-owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries no later than February 15, 2001
and each of the Company's future wholly-owned Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries.
These Note Guarantees shall be joint and several obligations of the Guarantors.
The obligations of each Guarantor under its Note Guarantee shall be limited as
necessary to prevent that Note Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent
conveyance under applicable law.
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A Guarantor shall not sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially
all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not
such Guarantor is the surviving Person), another Person, other than the Company
or another Guarantor, unless:
(a) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or
Event of Default exists; and
(b) either:
(i) the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or
disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation
or merger assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this
Indenture, its Note Guarantee and the registration rights agreement
pursuant to a supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee; or
(ii) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied
in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
The Note Guarantee of a Guarantor shall be released:
(a) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of that Guarantor (including by way of merger or
consolidation) to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to
such transaction) a Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale or other disposition
complies with Section 4.10 hereof;
(b) in connection with any sale of all of the Capital Stock of a
Guarantor to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such
transaction) a Subsidiary of the Company, if the sale complies with Section 4.10
hereof; or
(c) if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a
Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the applicable
provisions of this Indenture.
Section 4.19. Payments for Consent.
The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any
consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an
inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions
of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid
and is paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in
the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent,
waiver or agreement.
Section 4.20. Additional Note Guarantees.
If the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acquires or creates another
wholly-owned Restricted Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture,
then that newly acquired or created Domestic Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor
and execute a supplemental indenture and deliver an opinion of counsel
satisfactory to the Trustee within 15 Business Days of the date on which it was
acquired or created; provided, however, that this covenant shall not apply to
any Subsidiary that has properly been designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary
in accordance with this Indenture for so long as it continues to constitute an
Unrestricted Subsidiary.
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Section 4.21. Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a
Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate
fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary properly designated shall be deemed to
be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the
amount available for Restricted Payments under the first paragraph of Section
4.07 hereof or Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That
designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that
time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an
Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may redesignate any Unrestricted
Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the redesignation would not cause a
Default.
ARTICLE 5.
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01. Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.
The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge
with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving
corporation); or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all
or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions,
to another Person; unless:
(a) either: (i) the Company is the surviving corporation; or (ii) the
Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than
the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition has been made is a corporation organized or existing under the laws
of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of
Columbia;
(b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger
(if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment,
transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the
obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration
Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(c) immediately after such transaction no Default or Event of Default
exists; and
(d) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made:
(i) shall have Consolidated Net Worth immediately after the
transaction equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of the
Company immediately preceding the transaction; and
(ii) shall, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma
effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same
had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be
permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant
to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first
paragraph of Section 4.09.
In addition, the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, lease all
or substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related
transactions, to any other Person. This Section 5.01 shall not
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apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets
between or among the Company and any of its Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiaries
which are Guarantors.
Section 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer,
lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01 hereof, the successor corporation
formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to
which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is
made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date
of such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the
provisions of this Indenture referring to the "Company" or "Hercules" shall
refer instead to the successor corporation and not to the Company or to
Hercules), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this
Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the
Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be
relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes
except in the case of a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition of all of the Company's assets that meets the requirements of
Section 5.01 hereof.
ARTICLE 6.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01. Events of Default.
Each of the following is an Event of Default:
(a) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or
Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Notes;
(b) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if
any, on the Notes;
(c) failure by (i) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to comply
with the provisions described under Sections 4.07, 4.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 5.01 of
this Indenture, or (ii) any of the Company's wholly owned Domestic Restricted
Subsidiaries to provide a Note Guarantee of the Notes by February 15, 2001.
(d) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for 60 days after
notice to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture;
(e) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which
there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any
Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or
the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries)
whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date
of this Indenture, if that default:
(i) is caused by a failure to pay when due (including any grace
period set forth in writing in the instruments governing such
Indebtedness) principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such
Indebtedness (a "Payment Default"); or
(ii) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its
express maturity,
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and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness,
together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under
which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has
been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more;
(f) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay final
judgments aggregating in excess of $50.0 million, which judgments are not paid,
discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;
(g) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee shall be
held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease
for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person
acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under
its Note Guarantee;
(h) The Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of
Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary
pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences a voluntary case,
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an
involuntary case,
(iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all
or substantially all of its property,
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors,
or
(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due;
(i) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under
any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(ii) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Significant
Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of
the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or
any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a
Significant Subsidiary; or
(iii) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a
whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
and
(j) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee is held
in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any
reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on
behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under such
Guarantor's Note Guarantee.
Holders of the Notes may not enforce this Indenture or the Notes except
as provided in this Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the then
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outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.
The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any continuing
Default or Event of Default if it determines that withholding notice is in their
interest, except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of
principal or interest or Liquidated Damages.
The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement
regarding compliance with this Indenture. Upon becoming aware of any Default or
Event of Default, the Company is required to deliver to the Trustee a statement
specifying such Default or Event of Default.
Section 6.02. Acceleration.
In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency, (clauses (h) or (i) of Section 6.01 above) with
respect to the Company, any Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any
group of Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately
without further action or notice. If any other Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable
immediately.
Section 6.03. Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue
any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and
interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the
Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any
of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or
remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are
cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of
the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences
under this Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the
payment of interest or Liquidated Damages on, or the principal of, the Notes.
Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose
of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.05. Control by Majority.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that
conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly
prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the
Trustee in personal liability.
Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits.
A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture
or the Notes only if:
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(a) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of a
continuing Event of Default;
(b) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(c) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if requested,
provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss,
liability or expense;
(d) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the provision of
indemnity; and
(e) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction
inconsistent with the request.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights
of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another
Holder of a Note.
Section 6.07. Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium and Liquidated
Damages, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates
expressed in the Note including in connection with an offer to purchase, or to
bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective
dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and
as Trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of
principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest remaining
unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful,
interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers
or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the
Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company
(or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall
be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other
property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such
judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to
the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of
such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to
it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and
any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in
any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall
be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions,
dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be
entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or
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under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein
contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or
accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement,
adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to
authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such
proceeding.
Section 6.10. Priorities.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article, it shall
pay out the money in the following order:
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due
under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation,
expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee
and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes
for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest,
ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the
amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium and
Liquidated Damages, if any and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent
jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.
Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party
litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the
court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to
the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.
This Section does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a
Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE 7.
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and
use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own
affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(i) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the
express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only
those duties that are specifically set forth in this
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Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read
into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of
this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and
opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements
of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of
this Section;
(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made
in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the
Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it
takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of
this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs
(a), (b), and (c) of this Section.
(e) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend
or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee shall be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the
request of any Holders, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee
security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or
expense.
(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received
by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in
trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.
Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it
to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The
Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be
liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on
such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with
counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall
be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of
any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in
reliance thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not
be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due
care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to
take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or
powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
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(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any
demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if
signed by an Officer of the Company.
(f) This Indenture provides that in case of an Event of Default occurs
and is continuing, the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power,
to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs.
Subject to such provisions, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise
any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or
direction of any of the Holders of Notes unless such Holders shall have offered
to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any
loss, liability or expense.
Section 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the
owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not
Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting
interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for
permission to continue as Trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like
rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
Section 7.04. Trustee's Disclaimer.
The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as
to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be
accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money
paid to the Company or upon the Company's direction under any provision of this
Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money
received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be
responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or
any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this
Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05. Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the
Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case
of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a
committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding
the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.
Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.
Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following
the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the
Trustee shall mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such
reporting date that complies with TIA ss. 313(a)(but if no event described in
TIA ss. 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting
date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA ss.
313(b)(2). The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports as required by
TIA ss. 313(c).
A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of
Notes shall be mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock
exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA ss. 313(d). The
Company shall promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock
exchange.
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Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity.
The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable
compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The
Trustee's compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a
Trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly
upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or
made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall
include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee's
agents and counsel.
The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses,
liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the
acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture, including the
costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including
this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by
the Company or any Holder or any other person) or liability in connection with
the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to
the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its
negligence or bad faith. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any
claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the
Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company
shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The
Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees
and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made
without its consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The obligations of the Company under this Section 7.07 shall survive
the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the
Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or
collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and
interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture.
When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 6.01(h) or (i) hereof occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and
counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any
Bankruptcy Law.
The Trustee shall comply with the provisions of TIA ss. 313(b)(2) to
the extent applicable.
Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee.
A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor
Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee's acceptance of
appointment as provided in this Section.
The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from
the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so
notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the
Trustee if:
(a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(b) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for
relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;
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(c) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
property; or
(d) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a
successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or
the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor Trustee.
If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a
Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee
and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the
successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its
succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property
held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the
Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section
7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
7.08, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 hereof shall continue for the
benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by ▇▇▇▇▇▇, etc.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all
or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation,
the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor
Trustee.
Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification.
There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or
of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
Trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state
authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million
as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the
requirements of TIA ss. 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA
ss. 310(b).
Section 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
The Trustee is subject to TIA ss. 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA ss. 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA ss. 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
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ARTICLE 8.
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03
hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions
set forth below in this Article Eight.
Section 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of
its obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding Notes and all
obligations of the Guarantors discharged with respect to their Note Guarantees
("Legal Defeasance") except for:
(a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in
respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Liquidated Damages, if
any, on such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;
(b) The Company's obligations with respect to the Notes concerning
issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money
for security payments held in trust;
(c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee,
and the Company's and the Guarantor's obligations in connection therewith; and
(d) the Legal Defeasance provisions of this Indenture.
For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be
deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the
outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be "outstanding" only for
the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture
referred to in (a) and (b) above, and to have satisfied all its other
obligations under such Notes and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of
and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments
acknowledging the same), except for the above provisions.
Section 8.03. Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option
applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction
of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from its
obligations under Sections 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16,
4.17, 4.18, 4.19, 4.20, 4.21 hereof and clause (iv) of Section 5.01 hereof with
respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth
in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, "Covenant Defeasance"), and the
Notes shall thereafter be deemed not "outstanding" for the purposes of any
direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the
consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall
continue to be deemed "outstanding" for all other purposes hereunder (it being
understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting
purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the
outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no
liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such
covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere
herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant
to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to
comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01
hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such
Notes shall
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be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company's exercise under Section
8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections
6.01(c) through 6.01(f) hereof shall not constitute Events of Default.
Section 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
The following shall be the conditions to the application of either
Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof to the outstanding Notes:
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(a) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust,
for the benefit of the Holders of Notes, cash in United States dollars,
non-callable Government Securities, or a combination of cash in United States
dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as will be
sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public
accountants, to pay the principal of, or interest and premium and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the outstanding Notes on the stated maturity or on the
applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify
whether the Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption
date;
(b) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered
to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee
confirming that (A) the Company has received from, or there has been published
by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this
Indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in
either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will
confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income,
gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal
Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the
same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal
Defeasance had not occurred;
(c) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have
delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(d) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default
resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
(e) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a
breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or
instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
bound;
(f) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent
of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with
the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the
Company or others; and
(g) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been
complied with.
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Section 8.05. Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust;
Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government
Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other
qualifying Trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the
"Trustee") pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes
shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the
provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or
through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the
Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to
become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but
such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required
by law.
The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government
Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and
interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other
charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request
of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as
provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under
Section 8.04(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be
required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant
Defeasance.
Section 8.06. Repayment to Company.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held
by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any,
or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such
principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be
paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be
discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look
only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or
such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the
Company as Trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the
Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment,
may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York
Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money
remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be
less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any
unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 8.07. Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States
dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or
8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court
or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such
application, then the Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Notes
shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to
Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is
permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03
hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any
payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the
reinstatement of its obligations, the
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Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to
receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 9.
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders of Notes.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the
Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Note
Guarantees or the Notes without the consent of any Holder of a Note:
(a) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(b) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of
certificated Notes;
(c) to provide for the assumption of the Company's or Guarantors'
obligations to Holders of Notes in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale
of all or substantially all of the Company's assets;
(d) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or
benefits to the Holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal
rights hereunder of any such Holder; or
(e) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(f) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with
the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof; or
(g) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture and/or a
Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its
Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental
Indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section
7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company and Guarantors in the
execution of any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized or permitted by
the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and
stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be
obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture that affects its
own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders of Notes.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, this Indenture or the
Notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least
a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without
limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer
or exchange offer for, Notes), and any existing default or compliance with any
provision of this Indenture or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
(including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase
of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes).
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its
Board of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental
Indenture, and upon the filing with the
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Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of
Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described
in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution
of such amended or supplemental Indenture unless such amended or supplemental
Indenture directly affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under
this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion,
but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental
Indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under
this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or
waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance
thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes
effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a
notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of
the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in
any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental
Indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (including Additional Notes,
if any) then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a
particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the
Notes. However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or
waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a
non-consenting Holder):
(a) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to
an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(b) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or
alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes
(other than provisions relating to Sections 4.10 and 4.15 hereof);
(c) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest,
including default interest, on any Note;
(d) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of,
or interest or premium, or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes (except a
rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (including Additional Notes,
if any) and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such
acceleration);
(e) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Notes;
(f) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to
waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments
of principal of, or interest or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
Notes;
(g) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other than a
payment required by Sections 4.10 and 4.15 hereof);
(h) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note
Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this
Indenture; or
(i) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.
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Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall be
set forth in a amended or supplemental Indenture that complies with the TIA as
then in effect.
Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent
to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and
every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same
debt as the consenting ▇▇▇▇▇▇'s Note, even if notation of the consent is not
made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a
Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written
notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes
effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance
with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment,
supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in
exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an
Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment,
supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not
affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
Section 9.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
The Trustee shall sign any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized
pursuant to this Article Nine if the amendment or supplement does not adversely
affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company
may not sign an amendment or supplemental Indenture until the Board of Directors
approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee
shall be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) shall be fully
protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section
12.04 hereof, an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that
the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or
permitted by this Indenture.
ARTICLE 10.
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 10.01. Guarantee.
Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby agrees,
jointly and severally, to unconditionally guarantee no later than February 15,
2001 to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to
the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and
enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company
hereunder or thereunder, that: (a) the principal of and interest on the Notes
will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration,
redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest
on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the
Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or
performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (b) in case
of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other
obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in
accordance with
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the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise. Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed
or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be
jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor
agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be
unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the
Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any
waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions
hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action
to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a
legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby
waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court
in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a
proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever
and covenant that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete
performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.
If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to
return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, Trustee, liquidator or
other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the
Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note
Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full
force and effect.
Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of
subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed
hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each
Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and
the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the
obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof
for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or
other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations
guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of
such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or
not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors
for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to
seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such
right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.
Section 10.02. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby
confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of
such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes
of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent
Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any
Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders
and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such
Guarantor will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other
contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such
laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive
contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in
respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result
in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a
fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
Section 10.03. Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.
To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each
Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in
the form included in Exhibit E shall be endorsed by an
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Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee and that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by
its President or one of its Vice Presidents.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in
Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure
to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.
If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Note
Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the
Note on which a Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee shall be valid
nevertheless.
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication
thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth
in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
In the event that the Company creates or acquires any new Subsidiaries
subsequent to the date of this Indenture, if required by Section 4.24 hereof,
the Company shall cause such Subsidiaries to execute supplemental indentures to
this Indenture and Note Guarantees in accordance with Section 4.24 hereof and
this Article 10, to the extent applicable.
Section 10.04. Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05, no Guarantor may
consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the
surviving Person) another Person whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor
unless:
(a) subject to Section 10.05 hereof, the Person formed by or surviving
any such consolidation or merger (if other than a Guarantor or the Company)
unconditionally assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor, pursuant to a
supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee, under the Notes, the Indenture and the Note Guarantee on the terms set
forth herein or therein; and
(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or
Event of Default exists.
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon
the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and
delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note
Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of
the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor,
such successor Person shall succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with
the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor
Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Note Guarantees to be
endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not
have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note
Guarantees so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit
under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note
Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding
clauses (a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the
Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the
Company or another Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of the
property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the
Company or another Guarantor.
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Section 10.05. Releases Following Sale of Assets or Designation as an
Unrestricted Guarantor.
In the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of any
Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other
disposition of all to the capital stock of any Guarantor, in each case to a
Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transactions) a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor (in the event of a
sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all
of the capital stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the
property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any
obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of such
sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable
provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof.
Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by
the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including
without limitation Section 4.10 hereof, the Trustee shall execute any documents
reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its
obligations under its Note Guarantee.
In the event of any designation of a Guarantor as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.07 hereof, such Guarantor will
automatically and unconditionally be released from all obligations under its
Note Guarantee.
Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note
Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest
on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture
as provided in this Article 10.
ARTICLE 11.
satisfaction and discharge
Section 11.01. Satisfaction and Discharge.
This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further
effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:
(1) either:
(a) all Notes that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or
destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for
whose payment money has been deposited in trust and thereafter
repaid to the Company) have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation; or
(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the
mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become
due and payable within one year and the Company or any
Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited
with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the
benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable
Government Securities, or a combination of cash in U.S.
dollars and non-callable Government Securities, in amounts as
will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment
of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on
the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for
principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and accrued
interest to the date of maturity or redemption;
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(2) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on
the date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and
such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute
a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any
Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;
(3) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums
payable by it under this Indenture; and
(4) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under
this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the
Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and
discharge have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if
money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of
clause (1) of this Section, the provisions of Section 12.02 and Section 8.06
shall survive.
Section 11.02. Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06, all money deposited with the
Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in
accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment,
either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its
own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto,
of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money
has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or
Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 by reason of any legal
proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental
authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the
Company's and any Guarantor's obligations under this Indenture and the Notes
shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to
Section 11.01; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal
of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of
its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of
such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held
by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 12.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
the duties imposed by TIA ss.318(c), the imposed duties shall control.
Section 12.02. Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company , any Guarantor or the
Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or
mailed by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested),
telex, telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to
the others' address:
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If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:
Hercules Incorporated
Hercules Plaza
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-0001
Attention: General Counsel
With a copy to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Anrews & Ingersoll, LLP
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopier No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
If to the Trustee:
▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
MAC N9303-▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Telecopier No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: Corporate Trust Services
The Company , any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others may
designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) 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 answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged,
if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier,
if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first class
mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air
courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept
by the Registrar. Any notice or communication shall also be so mailed to any
Person described in TIA ss. 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure
to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not
affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above
within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee
receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall
mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Section 12.03. Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA ss. 312(b) with other Holders
with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the
Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA ss.
312(c).
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Section 12.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take
any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(a) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in
Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all
conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture
relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.05
hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions
precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
Section 12.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided
pursuant to TIA ss. 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA ss.
314(e) and shall include:
(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has
read such covenant or condition;
(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;
(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made
such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
satisfied; and
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person,
such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
Section 12.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of
Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set
reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 12.07. No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and
Stockholders.
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator or
stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability
for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this
Indenture, the Note Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by
reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting
a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part
of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective
to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Section 12.08. Governing Law.
THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO
CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT
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GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT
THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
Section 12.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan
or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any
such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this
Indenture.
Section 12.10. Successors.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall
bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind
its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind
its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05.
Section 12.11. Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 12.12. Counterpart Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each
signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same
agreement.
Section 12.13. Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the
Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of
reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in
no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
[Signatures on following page]
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SIGNATURES
Dated as of November 14, 2000
HERCULES INCORPORATED
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest:
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE I
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
-----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Attest:
/s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------
Name:
Title:
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
----------------------------------
Name: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Title: Corporate Trust Officer
Attest:
/s/ Illegible
-----------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
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EXHIBIT A
[Face of Note]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUSIP/CINS ____________
11 1/8% Senior Notes due 2007
No. ___ $____________
HERCULES INCORPORATED
promises to pay to _______________________________________________________
or registered assigns,
the principal sum of _________________________________________
Dollars on November 15, 2007.
Interest Payment Dates: May 15 and November 15
Record Dates: May 1 and November 1
Dated: November 14, 2000
HERCULES INCORPORATED
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
(SEAL)
This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture:
▇▇▇▇▇ FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.,
as Trustee
By: _______________________________________
Authorized Signatory
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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[Back of Note]
11 1/8% Senior Notes due 2007
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of
the Indenture]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the
provisions of the Indenture]
Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them
in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
1. INTEREST. Hercules Incorporated, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 11 1/8% per
annum from November 14, 2000 until maturity and shall pay the Liquidated Damages
payable pursuant to Section 5 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to
below. The Company will pay interest and Liquidated Damages semi-annually in
arrears on May 15th and November 15th of each year, or if any such day is not a
Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each an "Interest Payment
Date"). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date on which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of
issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of
interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on
the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall
accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided, further, that
the first Interest Payment Date shall be May 15, 2001. The Company shall pay
interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any
Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on
demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it
shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any
Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated Damages
(without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at
the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except
defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages to the Persons who are registered
Holders of Notes at the close of business on the May 1 or November 1 next
preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such
record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in
Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will
be payable as to principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest
at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within or
without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company,
payment of interest and Liquidated Damages may be made by check mailed to the
Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders, and provided
that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required
with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Liquidated Damages on,
all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided
wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment
shall be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time
of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.,
the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The
Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holders
of the Notes. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such
capacity.
4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of
November 14, 2000 ("Indenture") between the Company and the Trustee. The terms
of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the
Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
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amended (15 U.S. Code ▇▇.▇▇. 77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such
terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of
such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express
provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be
controlling. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company limited to
$400,000,000 in aggregate principal amount, plus amounts, if any, issued to pay
Liquidated Damages on outstanding Notes as set forth in Paragraph 2 hereof.
5. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION. At any time prior to November 15, 2003, the Company
may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal
amount of Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of 111.125% of
the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages,
if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Public
Equity Offerings; provided that:
(a) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under
the Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such
redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and
(b) the redemption occurs within 45 days of the date of the closing of such
Public Equity Offering.
At any time prior to November 15, 2001, the Company may also redeem all or
a part of the Notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, upon not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice (but in no event may any such
redemption occur more than 90 days after the occurrence of such Change of
Control) mailed by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, at a
redemption price equal to 111.125% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of
redemption (the "Redemption Date").
Except pursuant to the preceding paragraphs, the Notes will not be
redeemable at the Company's option prior to maturity.
6. MANDATORY REDEMPTION. Except as set forth in paragraph 7 below, the
Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption payments or sinking
fund payments with respect to the Notes.
7. REPURCHASE AT OPTION OF HOLDER.
(a) If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of Notes shall have the
right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or
an integral multiple of $1,000) of that ▇▇▇▇▇▇'s Notes pursuant to a Change of
Control Offer on the terms set forth in the Indenture. In the Change of Control
Offer, the Company shall offer a Change of Control Payment in cash equal to (i)
if such Change of Control is prior to November 15, 2001, 111.125% of the
aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased and (ii) if such Change of
Control is on or after November 15, 2001, 101% of the aggregate principal amount
of Notes repurchased plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes repurchased, to the date of purchase.
Within ten days following any Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice
to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the
Change of Control and offering to repurchase Notes on the Change of Control
Payment Date specified in the notice, which date shall be no earlier than 30
days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, pursuant to
the procedures required by the Indenture and described in such notice.
(b) If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary consummates any Asset Sales,
within five days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds
exceeds $10 million, the Company shall commence an offer to all Holders of Notes
(as "Asset Sale Offer") pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture to purchase
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the maximum principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) that may
be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount
equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest,
if any, to the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount
of Notes (including any Additional Notes) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale
Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company (or such Restricted
Subsidiary) may use such deficiency for general corporate purposes. If the
aggregate principal amount of Notes surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the
amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be purchased on
a pro rata basis. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase
will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase
date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled
"Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the Notes.
8. NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30
days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose
Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations
larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of
$1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and
after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof
called for redemption.
9. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other
things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the
Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or
permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the
transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for
the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company
need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days
before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record
date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
10. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated
as its owner for all purposes.
11. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the
Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented with
the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the
then outstanding Notes and Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class,
and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture, the
Note Guarantees or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and Additional Notes,
if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note,
the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented
to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated
Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the
assumption of the Company's obligations to Holders of Notes in the case of a
merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of the Company's
assets, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits
to the Holders of Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights
hereunder of any such Holder or to comply with requirements of the SEC in order
to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust
Indenture Act, to provide for the Issuance of Additional Notes in accordance
with the limitations set forth in the Indenture, or to allow any Guarantor to
execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with
respect to the Notes.
12. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30
days in the payment when due of interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect
to, the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium,
if any, on the Notes; (iii) failure by (1) the Company or any of its
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Subsidiaries to comply with the provisions described under Sections 4.07, 4.09,
4.10, 4.15 and 5.01 of the Indenture, or (2) any of the Company's wholly owned
Domestic Restricted Subsidiaries to provide a Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes
by February 15, 2001; (iv) failure by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for
60 days after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the
Indenture; (v) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which
there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any
Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or
the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries)
whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date
of the Indenture, if that default: (1) is caused by a failure to pay when due
(including any grace period set forth in writing in the instruments governing
such Indebtedness) principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such
Indebtedness (a "Payment Default"); or (2) results in the acceleration of such
Indebtedness prior to its express maturity; and, in each case, the principal
amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity
of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $50.0 million or more; (vi) failure
by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in
excess of $50.0 million, which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for
a period of 60 days; (vii) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note
Guarantee shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or
invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any
Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny or
disaffirm its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee; (viii) the Company or
any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as
a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the
meaning of Bankruptcy Law: (1) commences a voluntary case, (2) consents to the
entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (3) consents to
the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its
property, (4) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or
(5) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; (ix) a court of
competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(1) is for relief against the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or
any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary in an involuntary case; (2) appoints a custodian of the Company or
any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as
a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially
all of the property of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any
group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary; or (3) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its
Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole,
would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; and the order or decree remains
unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; and (x) except as permitted by
the Indenture, any Note Guarantee is held in any judicial proceeding to be
unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and
effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall
deny or disaffirm its obligations under such Guarantor's Note Guarantee. If any
Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the
Notes to be due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an
Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all
outstanding Notes will become due and payable without further action or notice.
Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the
Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of
any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of
any continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default
relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that
withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on
behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of
Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or
Event of Default in the payment of interest on, or the principal of, the Notes.
The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement regarding
compliance with the Indenture, and the Company is required upon becoming aware
of any Default or Event of Default, to deliver to the Trustee a statement
specifying such Default or Event of Default.
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13. TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any
other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services
for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or
its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.
14. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee, incorporator
or stockholder, of the Company or Guarantor, as such, shall not have any
liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes,
the Indenture or the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by
reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note
waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
15. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be valid until authenticated by the
manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
16. ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT
(= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of
survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A
(= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).
17. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED
DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under
the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive
Notes shall have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement
dated as of November 14, 2000, between the Company and the parties named on the
signature pages thereof (the "Registration Rights Agreement").
18. CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers
in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made
as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as
contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement.
Requests may be made to:
Hercules Incorporated
Hercules Plaza
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-0001
Attention: General Counsel
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to: __________________________________
(Insert assignee's legal name)
________________________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint ________________________________________________________
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute
another to act for him.
Date: _______________
Your Signature: _________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name
appears on the face of this Note)
Signature Guarantee*: _________________________
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other
signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box
below:
_____ Section 4.10 _____ Section 4.15
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the
amount you elect to have purchased:
$_______________
Date: _______________
Your Signature: __________________________________
(Sign exactly as your name
appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.: ____________
Signature Guarantee*: _________________________
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other
signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest
in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of
another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have
been made:
Principal Amount
of this Global Note Signature of
Amount of decrease Amount of increase in following such authorized officer
in Principal Amount Principal Amount decrease of Trustee or Note
Date of Exchange of this Global Note of this Global Note (or increase) Custodian
---------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------- ------------------
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EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Hercules Incorporated
Hercules Plaza
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-0001
Attention: General Counsel
▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
MAC N9303-120
Sixth and Marquette
Minneapolis, MN 55479
Re: 11 1/8 % Senior Notes due 2007
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of November 14, 2000
(the "Indenture"), by and among Hercules Incorporated, as issuer (the "Company")
the Guarantors listed on Schedule I thereto, and ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota,
N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings given to them in the Indenture.
___________________, (the "Transferor") owns and proposes to transfer the
Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the
principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Transfer"),
to ___________________________ (the "Transferee"), as further specified in Annex
A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN
THE 144A GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A. The Transfer is
being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the United
States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and,
accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial
interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor
reasonably believed and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or
Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to
which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each
such account is a "qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule
144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is
in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the
United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note
will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private
Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and
in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
2. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN
THE REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. The
Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule
904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further
certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United
States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was
outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf
reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United
States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a
designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person
acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in
the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in
contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S
under the
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Securities Act and (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to
evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Upon consummation of
the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the
transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the
restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on
the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the Indenture and
the Securities Act.
3. [ ] CHECK AND COMPLETE IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL
INTEREST IN THE IAI GLOBAL NOTE OR A DEFINITIVE NOTE PURSUANT TO ANY PROVISION
OF THE SECURITIES ACT OTHER THAN RULE 144A OR REGULATION S. The Transfer is
being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to
beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes
and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable
blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the
Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
(a) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance
with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
or
(b) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary
thereof;
or
(c) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;
or
(d) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited
Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or Rule 904, and the
Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general
solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act
and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to
beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive
Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is
supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of
Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) if such Transfer is in respect of a
principal amount of Notes at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an
Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of
which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect
that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon
consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be
subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement
Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Definitive Notes and in
the Indenture and the Securities Act.
4. [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFEREE WILL TAKE DELIVERY OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN
AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE OR OF AN UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE.
(a) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO RULE 144. (i) The Transfer is
being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities
Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture
and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States
and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private
Placement
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Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities
Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of
the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no
longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private
Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted
Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO REGULATION S. (i) The Transfer is
being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the
Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the
Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United
States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the
Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with
the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance
with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or
Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer
enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global
Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
(c) [ ] CHECK IF TRANSFER IS PURSUANT TO OTHER EXEMPTION. (i) The Transfer
is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or
Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the
Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United
States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the
Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with
the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance
with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or
Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated
in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or
Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your
benefit and the benefit of the Company.
________________________________________
[Insert Name of Transferor]
By: ____________________________________
Name:
Title:
Dated: _______________________
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ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the:
(i) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
(ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
(iii) [ ] IAI Global Note (CUSIP _________); or
(b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note.
2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
[CHECK ONE]
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the:
(i) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
(ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
(iii) [ ] IAI Global Note (CUSIP _________); or
(iv) [ ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP _________); or
(b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or
(c) [ ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note,
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
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EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Hercules Incorporated
Hercules Plaza
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-0001
Attention: General Counsel
▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
MAC N9303-120
Sixth and Marquette
Minneapolis, MN 55479
Re: 11 1/8 % Senior Notes Due 2007
(CUSIP ____________)
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of November 14, 2000
(the "Indenture"), by and among Hercules Incorporated, as issuer (the "Company")
the Guarantors listed on Schedule I thereto, and ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota,
N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings given to them in the Indenture.
__________________________, (the "Owner") owns and proposes to exchange the
Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of
$____________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Exchange"). In connection with
the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN A
RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE FOR UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS
IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE
(a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED
GLOBAL NOTE TO BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection
with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note
for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal
amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired
for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been
effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global
Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the United States Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), (iii) the restrictions on transfer
contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in
order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial
interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any
applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED
GLOBAL NOTE TO UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of
the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted
Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being
acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has
been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the
Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities
Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the
Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with
the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance
with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
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EXHIBIT C
(c) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL
INTEREST IN AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Owner's Exchange
of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted
Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being
acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has
been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to
Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the
Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture
and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain
compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being
acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state
of the United States.
(d) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO
UNRESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a
Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby
certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's
own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance
with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and
pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on
transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not
required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the
Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable
blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. EXCHANGE OF RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS IN
RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES FOR RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES OR BENEFICIAL INTERESTS
IN RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES
(a) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM BENEFICIAL INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED
GLOBAL NOTE TO RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of
the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted
Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that
the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account
without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue
to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private
Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture
and the Securities Act.
(b) [ ] CHECK IF EXCHANGE IS FROM RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTE TO BENEFICIAL
INTEREST IN A RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE. In connection with the Exchange of the
Owner's Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE]
144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note, IAI Global Note with an equal
principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is
being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer and (ii) such
Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions
applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with
the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities
laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed
Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest
issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private
Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the
Indenture and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your
benefit and the benefit of the Company.
________________________________
[Insert Name of Transferor]
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EXHIBIT C
By: ____________________________
Name:
Title:
Dated: ______________________
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EXHIBIT D
FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM
ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR
Hercules Incorporated
Hercules Plaza
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-0001
Attention: General Counsel
▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A.
MAC N9303-120
Sixth and Marquette
Minneapolis, MN 55479
Re: 11 1/8 % Senior Notes Due 2007
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of November 14, 2000
(the "Indenture"), by and among Hercules Incorporated, as issuer (the "Company")
the Guarantors listed on Schedule I thereto, and ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota,
N.A., as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings given to them in the Indenture.
In connection with our proposed purchase of $____________ aggregate
principal amount of:
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or
(b) [ ] a Definitive Note,
we confirm that:
1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest
therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the
Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge
or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance
with, such restrictions and conditions and the United States Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been
registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein
may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We
agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting
as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein,
we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in
accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a "qualified institutional
buyer" (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional "accredited investor" (as
defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its
behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter
substantially in the form of this letter and, if such transfer is in respect of
a principal amount of Notes, at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an
Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect
that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the
United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities
Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or
(F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act,
and we further agree to provide to any person purchasing the Definitive Note or
beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the
requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such
purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.
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EXHIBIT D
3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial
interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such
certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the Company may
reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing
restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a
legend to the foregoing effect.
4. We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in Rule
501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have
such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable
of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and
any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of
our or its investment.
5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by
us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an
institutional "accredited investor") as to each of which we exercise sole
investment discretion.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby.
____________________________________
[Insert Name of Accredited Investor]
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
Dated: _______________________
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EXHIBIT E
[FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE]
For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor
Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally
guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the
provisions in the Indenture dated as of November 14, 2000 (the "Indenture") by
and among Hercules Incorporated, the Guarantors listed on Schedule I thereto and
▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as trustee (the "Trustee"), (a) the due and
punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
(as defined in the Indenture), whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption
or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal and
premium, and, to the extent permitted by law, interest, and the due and punctual
performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the
Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any
extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other
obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed
in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the
Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Note Guarantee and the
Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and reference
is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantee.
Each Holder of a Note, by accepting the same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound
by such provisions, (b) authorizes and directs the Trustee, on behalf of such
Holder, to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the
subordination as provided in the Indenture and (c) appoints the Trustee
attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such purpose; provided, however, that the
Indebtedness evidenced by this Note Guarantee shall cease to be so subordinated
and subject in right of payment upon any defeasance of this Note in accordance
with the provisions of the Indenture.
[NAME OF ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇(S)]
By: ________________________________________
Name:
Title:
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EXHIBIT F
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this "Supplemental Indenture"), dated as of
________________, among __________________ (the "Guaranteeing Subsidiary"), a
subsidiary of Hercules Incorporated (or its permitted successor), a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), the Company, the other Guarantors (as defined in
the Indenture referred to herein) and ▇▇▇▇▇ Fargo Bank Minnesota, N.A., as
trustee under the indenture referred to below (the "Trustee").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee
an indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of November 14, 2000 providing for the
issuance of an aggregate principal amount of up to $500,000,000 of 11 1/8%
Senior Notes due 2007 (the "Notes");
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the
Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental
indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally
guarantee all of the Company's Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on
the terms and conditions set forth herein (the "Note Guarantee"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is
authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the
Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the
equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:
1. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition
shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
2. AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees as
follows:
(a) Along with all Guarantors named in the Indenture, to jointly and
severally Guarantee to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the
Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, the Notes or the
obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:
(i) the principal of and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid
in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or
otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the
Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the
Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in
full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any
Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in
full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or
renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing
payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so
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guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and
severally obligated to pay the same immediately.
(b) The obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, subject to the
validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the
absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder
of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of
any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other
circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or
defense of a guarantor.
(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence presentment, demand of
payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy
of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company,
protest, notice and all demands whatsoever.
(d) This Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete
performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and the Indenture, and the
Guaranteeing Subsidiary accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the
Indenture.
(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to
return to the Company, the Guarantors, or any Custodian, Trustee, liquidator or
other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the
Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note
Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full
force and effect.
(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be entitled to any right of
subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed
hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.
(g) As between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the
Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed
hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the
purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other
prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations
guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of
such obligations as provided in Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations
(whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the
Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee.
(h) The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any
non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the
rights of the Holders under the Guarantee.
(i) Pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture, after giving effect to any
maximum amount and any other contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant
under any applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after giving
effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments
made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of
such other Guarantor under Article 10 of the Indenture, this new Note Guarantee
shall be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the obligations of
such Guarantor under this Note Guarantee will not constitute a fraudulent
transfer or conveyance.
3. EXECUTION AND DELIVERY. Each Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that the
Note Guarantees shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any
failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.
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4. GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC. ON CERTAIN TERMS.
(a) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not consolidate with or merge with or
into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another
corporation, Person or entity whether or not affiliated with such Guarantor
unless:
(i) subject to Sections 10.04 and 10.05 of the Indenture, the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than a
Guarantor or the Company) unconditionally assumes all the obligations of
such Guarantor, pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, under the Notes, the Indenture and
the Note Guarantee on the terms set forth herein or therein; and
(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default
or Event of Default exists.
(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon
the assumption by the successor corporation, by supplemental indenture, executed
and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the
Note Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of
all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be performed by the
Guarantor, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for
the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a
Guarantor. Such successor corporation thereupon may cause to be signed any or
all of the Note Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable
hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and
delivered to the Trustee. All the Note Guarantees so issued shall in all
respects have the same legal rank and benefit under the Indenture as the Note
Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of
the execution hereof.
(c) Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 and Section 10.04 of the
Indenture, and notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, nothing contained in
the Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any consolidation or merger
of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or shall prevent
any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or
substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.
5. RELEASES.
(a) In the event of a sale or other disposition of all of the assets of any
Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other
disposition of all to the capital stock of any Guarantor, in each case to a
Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor (in the event of a
sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all
of the capital stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the
property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any
obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of such
sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 of the
Indenture. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other
disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of the
Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 of the Indenture, the
Trustee shall execute any documents reasonably
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required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its
obligations under its Note Guarantee.
(b) In the event of any designation of a Guarantor as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.07 hereof, such Guarantor will
automatically and unconditionally be released from all obligations under its
Note Guarantee.
(c) Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note
Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest
on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under the Indenture
as provided in Article 10 of the Indenture.
6. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director,
officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or agent of the Guaranteeing
Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company
or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the
Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect
of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the
Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may
not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it
is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
7. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL
GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE BUT WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE
APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
8. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this
Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together represent the same agreement.
9. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only
and shall not affect the construction hereof.
10. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner
whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental
Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which
recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above
written.
Dated: _______________, ____
[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
Hercules Incorporated
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
[EXISTING GUARANTORS]
By: _______________________________
Name:
Title:
[TRUSTEE],
as Trustee
By: _______________________________
Authorized Signatory
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SCHEDULE I
SCHEDULE OF GUARANTORS
The following schedule lists each Guarantor under the Indenture as of
the Issue Date:
Aqualon Company
Athens Holding Inc.
BetzDearborn China, Ltd.
BetzDearborn Europe, Inc.
BetzDearborn Inc.
BetzDearborn International Inc.
BL Chemicals, Inc.
BL Technologies, Inc.
BLI Holdings Corp.
Chemical Technologies India, Ltd.
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Holdings Inc.
DRC, Ltd.
East Bay Realty Services, Inc.
FiberVisions Incorporated
FiberVisions, L.L.C.
FiberVisions L.P.
FiberVisions Products, Inc.
Hercules Chemical Corporation
Hercules Country Club, Inc.
Hercules Credit, Inc.
Hercules Euro Holdings, L.L.C.
Hercules Finance Company
Hercules Flavor, Inc.
Hercules International Limited
Hercules International Limited, L.L.C.
Hercules Investments LLC
Hercules Shared Services Corporation
HISPAN Corporation
WSP, Inc.