Exhibit 4.4
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated as of June 16, 2000
Among
DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION
and
THE GUARANTORS NAMED HEREIN,
as Issuers,
and
THE INITIAL PURCHASERS NAMED HEREIN,
13% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009
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REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This Registration Rights Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is dated as of
June 16, 2000, among DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION, an Ohio corporation (the
"COMPANY"), as issuer, and the other entities listed on the signature pages
hereto, as guarantors (the "GUARANTORS" and, together with the Company, the
"ISSUERS"), and the Initial Purchasers named herein, as initial purchasers (the
"INITIAL PURCHASERS").
This Agreement is entered into in connection with the Purchase
Agreement, dated as of June 9, 2000, among the Issuers and the Initial
Purchasers (the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT"), which provides for, among other things,
the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of $170,000,000 aggregate
principal amount of the Company's 13% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009 (the
"NOTES"), guaranteed by the Guarantors (the "GUARANTEES"). The Notes and the
Guarantees are collectively referred to herein as the "SECURITIES". In order to
induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers
have agreed to provide the registration rights set forth in this Agreement for
the benefit of the Initial Purchasers and any subsequent holder or holders of
the Securities. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a condition to
the Initial Purchasers' obligation to purchase the Securities under the Purchase
Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
ADDITIONAL INTEREST: See Section 4 hereof.
ADVICE: See the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof.
APPLICABLE PERIOD: See Section 2 hereof.
COMPANY: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
EFFECTIVENESS DATE: The 150th day after the Issue Date; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that with respect to any Shelf Registration, the Effectiveness Date
shall be the 150th day after the delivery of a Shelf Notice as required pursuant
to Section 2(c) hereof.
EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD: See Section 3 hereof.
EVENT DATE: See Section 4 hereof.
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EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
EXCHANGE NOTES: See Section 2 hereof.
EXCHANGE OFFER: See Section 2 hereof.
EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT: See Section 2 hereof.
FILING DATE: (A) If no Exchange Offer Registration Statement has
been filed by the Issuers pursuant to this Agreement, the 60th day after the
Issue Date; and (B) with respect to a Shelf Registration Statement, the 60th day
after the delivery of a Shelf Notice as required pursuant to Section 2(c)
hereof.
GUARANTEES: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
GUARANTORS: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
HOLDER: Any holder of a Registrable Note or Registrable Notes.
INDEMNIFIED PERSON: See Section 7(c) hereof.
INDEMNIFYING PERSON: See Section 7(c) hereof.
INDENTURE: The Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2000, by and among
the Issuers and United States Trust Company of New York, as trustee, pursuant to
which the Securities are being issued, as the same may be amended or
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof.
INITIAL PURCHASERS: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
INITIAL SHELF REGISTRATION: See Section 3(a) hereof.
INSPECTORS: See Section 5(m) hereof.
ISSUE DATE: June 16, 2000, the date of original issuance of the
Notes.
ISSUERS: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
NASD: See Section 5(r) hereof.
NOTES: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
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OFFERING MEMORANDUM: The final offering memorandum of the Company
dated June 9, 2000, in respect of the offering of the Securities.
PARTICIPANT: See Section 7(a) hereof.
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER: See Section 2 hereof.
PERSON: An individual, trustee, corporation, partnership, limited
liability company, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association,
union, business association, firm or other legal entity.
PRIVATE EXCHANGE: See Section 2 hereof.
PRIVATE EXCHANGE NOTES: See Section 2 hereof.
PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, any prospectus subject to completion and a
prospectus that includes any information previously omitted from a prospectus
filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A
promulgated under the Securities Act and any term sheet filed pursuant to Rule
434 under the Securities Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus
supplement, and all other amendments and supplements to the Prospectus,
including post-effective amendments, and all material incorporated by reference
or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
PURCHASE AGREEMENT: See the introductory paragraphs hereof.
RECORDS: See Section 5(m) hereof.
REGISTRABLE NOTES: Each Security upon its original issuance and at
all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note (and the related Guarantee) as
to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable upon original issuance and at all
times subsequent thereto and each Private Exchange Note (and the related
Guarantee) upon original issuance thereof and at all times subsequent thereto,
until (i) a Registration Statement (other than, with respect only to any
Exchange Note as to which Section 2(c)(iv) hereof is applicable, the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement) covering such Security, Exchange Note or Private
Exchange Note has been declared effective by the SEC and such Security, Exchange
Note or such Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees), as the case may
be, has been disposed of in accordance with such effective Registration
Statement, (ii) such Security has been exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer
for an Exchange Note or Exchange Notes (and the related Guarantees) that may be
resold without restriction under state and federal securities laws, (iii) such
Security, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees),
as the case may be, ceases to be outstanding for purposes of the Indenture or
(iv) such Security,
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Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note (and the related Guarantees), as the case
may be, may be resold without restriction pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar
provision then in force) under the Securities Act.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Issuers
that covers any of the Notes, the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes
(and the related Guarantees) filed with the SEC under the Securities Act,
including the Prospectus, amendments and supplements to such registration
statement, including post-effective amendments, all exhibits, and all material
incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such
registration statement.
RULE 144: Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule
144A) or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC providing for offers and sales
of securities made in compliance therewith resulting in offers and sales by
subsequent holders that are not affiliates of the issuer of such securities
being free of the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act.
RULE 144A: Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule (other than Rule 144)
or regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC.
RULE 415: Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as such
Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or regulation
hereafter adopted by the SEC.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
SECURITIES: See the introductory paragraphs hereto.
SECURITIES ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
SHELF NOTICE: See Section 2 hereof.
SHELF REGISTRATION: See Section 3(b) hereof.
SUBSEQUENT SHELF REGISTRATION: See Section 3(b) hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
TRUSTEE: The trustee under the Indenture and the trustee (if any)
under any indenture governing the Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes (and
the related Guarantees).
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UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION OR UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING: A registration
in which securities of one or more of the Issuers are sold to an underwriter for
reoffering to the public.
2. EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to file with the SEC, no later than the Filing Date, a
Registration Statement (the "EXCHANGE OFFER REGISTRATION STATEMENT") on an
appropriate registration form with respect to a registered offer (the "EXCHANGE
OFFER") to exchange any and all of the Registrable Notes for a like aggregate
principal amount of notes of the Company, guaranteed by the Guarantors, that are
identical in all material respects to the Securities (the "EXCHANGE NOTES"),
except that (i) the Exchange Notes shall contain no restrictive legend thereon
and (ii) interest on each Exchange Note shall accrue (A) from the later of (i)
the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the Note
surrendered in exchange therefor, or (ii) if the Note is surrendered for
exchange on a date which is subsequent to the record date for an interest
payment date to occur on or after the date of such exchange and as to which
interest will be paid, the date of such interest payment date or (B) if no
interest has been paid on such Note, from the Issue Date, and which are entitled
to the benefits of the Indenture or a trust indenture which is identical in all
material respects to the Indenture (other than such changes to the Indenture or
any such identical trust indenture as are necessary to comply with the TIA) and
which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA. The Exchange Offer
shall comply with all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the
Exchange Act and other applicable law. The Issuers shall use all commercially
reasonable efforts to (x) cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be
declared effective under the Securities Act on or before the Effectiveness Date;
(y) keep the Exchange Offer open for not less than 30 days (or longer if
required by applicable law) after the date that notice of the Exchange Offer is
mailed to Holders; and (z) consummate the Exchange Offer on or prior to the
185th day after the Issue Date. If, after the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement is initially declared effective by the SEC, the Exchange Offer or the
issuance of the Exchange Notes thereunder is interfered with by any stop order,
injunction or other order or requirement of the SEC or any other governmental
agency or court, the Exchange Offer Registration Statement shall be deemed not
to have become effective for purposes of this Agreement during the period of
such interference, until the Exchange Offer may legally resume.
Each Holder that participates in the Exchange Offer will be
required, as a condition to its participation in the Exchange Offer, to
represent to the Issuers in writing (which may be contained in the applicable
letter of transmittal) that: (i) any Exchange Notes to be received by it will be
acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) at the time of the
commencement of the Exchange Offer such Holder will have no arrangement or
understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange
Notes in violation of the
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provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) such Holder is not an "affiliate" (as
defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) of the Company, (iv)
if such Holder is not a broker-dealer, such Holder is not engaged in, and does
not intend to engage in, the distribution of Exchange Notes, (v) if such Holder
is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in
exchange for Notes that were acquired as a result of market-making or other
trading activities, such Holder will deliver a prospectus in connection with any
resale of such Exchange Notes and (vi) the Holder is not acting on behalf of any
persons or entities who could not truthfully make the foregoing representations.
Such Holder will also be required to make such other representations as may be
necessary under applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations to render
available the use of Form S-4 or any other appropriate form under the Securities
Act.
Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this
Section 2, the provisions of this Agreement shall continue to apply solely with
respect to Registrable Notes that are Private Exchange Notes, Exchange Notes as
to which Section 2(c)(iv) is applicable and Exchange Notes held by Participating
Broker-Dealers (as defined), and the Issuers shall have no further obligation to
register Registrable Notes (other than Private Exchange Notes and other than in
respect of any Exchange Notes as to which clause 2(c)(iv) hereof applies)
pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
No securities other than the Exchange Notes shall be included in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
(b) The Issuers shall include within the Prospectus contained in the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section entitled "Plan of Distribution,"
reasonably acceptable to the Initial Purchasers, which shall contain a summary
statement of the positions taken or policies made by the staff of the SEC with
respect to the potential "underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that is the
beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of Exchange
Notes received by such broker-dealer in the Exchange Offer (a "PARTICIPATING
BROKER-DEALER"), whether such positions or policies have been publicly
disseminated by the staff of the SEC or such positions or policies represent the
prevailing views of the staff of the SEC. Such "Plan of Distribution" section
shall also expressly permit, to the extent permitted by applicable policies and
regulations of the SEC, the use of the Prospectus by all Persons subject to the
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, including, to the extent
permitted by applicable policies and regulations of the SEC, all Participating
Broker-Dealers, and include a statement describing the means by which
Participating Broker-Dealers may resell the Exchange Notes in compliance with
the Securities Act.
The Issuers shall use all commercially reasonable efforts to keep
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement
the Prospectus contained therein in order to permit such Prospectus to be
lawfully delivered by all Persons subject to the prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act for such period of time as is neces-
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sary to comply with applicable law in connection with any resale of the Exchange
Notes covered thereby, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such period shall not be required
to exceed 180 days, or such longer period if extended pursuant to the last
sentence of Section 5 (the "APPLICABLE Period").
If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, the Initial
Purchasers hold any Notes acquired by them that have the status of an unsold
allotment in the initial distribution, the Issuers upon the request of the
Initial Purchasers shall simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes
in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to the Initial Purchasers, in exchange
(the "PRIVATE EXCHANGE") for such Notes held by the Initial Purchasers, a like
principal amount of notes (the "PRIVATE EXCHANGE NOTES") of the Issuers,
guaranteed by the Guarantors, that are identical in all material respects to the
Exchange Notes except for the placement of a restrictive legend on such Private
Exchange Notes. The Private Exchange Notes shall be issued pursuant to the same
indenture as the Exchange Notes and bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange
Notes.
In connection with the Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall:
(1) mail, or cause to be mailed, to each Holder of
record entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer a copy of the
Prospectus forming part of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, together with an appropriate letter of transmittal and
related documents;
(2) use their best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
open for not less than 30 days after the date that notice of the
Exchange Offer is mailed to Holders (or longer if required by
applicable law);
(3) utilize the services of a depositary for the
Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City
of New York;
(4) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at
any time prior to the close of business, New York time, on the last
business day on which the Exchange Offer shall remain open; and
(5) otherwise comply in all material respects with all
applicable laws, rules and regulations.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Exchange Offer and the
Private Exchange, if any, the Issuers shall:
(1) accept for exchange all Registrable Notes validly
tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer
and the Private Exchange, if any;
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(2) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all
Registrable Notes so accepted for exchange; and
(3) cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver
promptly to each Holder of Securities, Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, equal in principal amount to the
Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.
The Exchange Offer and the Private Exchange shall not be subject to
any conditions, other than that (i) the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange,
as the case may be, does not violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, (ii) no action or proceeding shall have
been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which
might materially impair the ability of the Issuers to proceed with the Exchange
Offer or the Private Exchange, (iii) all governmental approvals shall have been
obtained, which approvals the Issuers deem necessary for the consummation of the
Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange, (iv) there has not been any material
change, or development involving a prospective material change, in the business
or financial affairs of the Issuers which, in the reasonable judgment of the
Issuers, would materially impair the Issuers' ability to consummate the Exchange
Offer or the Private Exchange, and (v) there has not been proposed, adopted or
enacted any law, statute, rule or regulation which, in the reasonable judgment
of the Issuers, would materially impair the Issuers' ability to consummate the
Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange or have a material adverse effect on the
Issuers if the Exchange Offer or the Private Exchange was consummated. In the
event that the Issuers are unable to consummate the Exchange Offer or the
Private Exchange due to any event listed in clauses (i) through (v) above, the
Issuers shall not be deemed to have breached any covenant under this Section 2.
The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes shall be issued
under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects
to the Indenture and which, in either case, has been qualified under the TIA or
is exempt from such qualification and shall provide that the Exchange Notes
shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Exchange Notes, the
Private Exchange Notes and the Securities shall vote and consent together on all
matters as one class and that none of the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange
Notes or the Securities will have the right to vote or consent as a separate
class on any matter.
(c) If (i) because of any change in law or in currently prevailing
interpretations of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers are not permitted to effect
the Exchange Offer, (ii) the Exchange Offer is not consummated within 185 days
of the Issue Date, (iii) the holder of Private Exchange Notes so requests in
writing to the Issuers within 60 days after the consummation of the Exchange
Offer, or (iv) in the case of any Holder that participates in the Exchange
Offer, such Holder does not receive Exchange Notes on the date of the exchange
that may be sold without restriction under state and federal securities laws
(other than due solely to the
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status of such Holder as an affiliate of one of the Issuers within the meaning
of the Securities Act), then in the case of each of clauses (i) to and including
(iv) of this sentence, the Issuers shall promptly deliver to the Holders and the
Trustee written notice thereof (the "SHELF NOTICE") and shall file a Shelf
Registration pursuant to Section 3 hereof.
3. SHELF REGISTRATION
If at any time a Shelf Notice is delivered as contemplated by
Section 2(c) hereof, then:
(a) SHELF REGISTRATION. The Issuers shall file with the SEC a
Registration Statement for an offering to be made on a continuous basis pursuant
to Rule 415 covering all of the Registrable Notes not exchanged in the Exchange
Offer, Private Exchange Notes and Exchange Notes as to which Section 2(c)(iv) is
applicable (the "INITIAL SHELF REGISTRATION"). The Issuers shall use all
commercially reasonable efforts to file with the SEC the Initial Shelf
Registration on or before the applicable Filing Date. The Initial Shelf
Registration shall be on Form S-3 or another appropriate form permitting
registration of such Registrable Notes for resale by Holders in the manner or
manners designated by them (including, without limitation, one or more
underwritten offerings). The Issuers shall not permit any securities other than
the Registrable Notes to be included in the Initial Shelf Registration or any
Subsequent Shelf Registration (as defined below).
The Issuers shall, subject to applicable law or applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, use all commercially reasonable efforts
to cause the Initial Shelf Registration to be declared effective under the
Securities Act on or prior to the Effectiveness Date and to keep the Initial
Shelf Registration continuously effective under the Securities Act until the
date which is two years from the Issue Date or such shorter period ending when
(i) all Registrable Notes covered by the Initial Shelf Registration have been
sold in the manner set forth and as contemplated in the Initial Shelf
Registration or cease to be outstanding or (ii) a Subsequent Shelf Registration
covering all of the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial
Shelf Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration has been declared
effective under the Securities Act (the "EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD"), PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Effectiveness Period in respect of the Initial Shelf
Registration shall be extended to the extent required to permit dealers to
comply with the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 174 under
the Securities Act and as otherwise provided herein.
No holder of Registrable Notes may include any of its Registrable
Notes in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to this Agreement unless and
until such holder furnishes to the Company in writing, within 15 business days
after receipt of a request therefor, such information concerning such Holder
required to be included in any Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus or
preliminary prospectus included therein. No holder of Registrable Notes shall be
entitled to Additional Interest pursuant to Section 4 hereof unless and until
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such holder shall have provided all such information. Each holder of Registrable
Notes as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to
furnish promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in
order to make information previously furnished to the Company by such Holder not
materially misleading.
(b) SUBSEQUENT SHELF REGISTRATIONS. If the Initial Shelf
Registration or any Subsequent Shelf Registration ceases to be effective for any
reason at any time during the Effectiveness Period (other than because of the
sale of all of the securities registered thereunder), the Issuers shall use all
commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness thereof, and in any event shall within 30 days of
such cessation of effectiveness amend the Initial Shelf Registration in a manner
to obtain the withdrawal of the order suspending the effectiveness thereof, or
file an additional "shelf" Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 covering
all of the Registrable Notes covered by and not sold under the Initial Shelf
Registration or an earlier Subsequent Shelf Registration (each, a "SUBSEQUENT
SHELF REGISTRATION"). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration is filed, the Issuers
shall use their best efforts to cause the Subsequent Shelf Registration to be
declared effective under the Securities Act as soon as practicable after such
filing and to keep such subsequent Shelf Registration continuously effective for
a period equal to the number of days in the Effectiveness Period less the
aggregate number of days during which the Initial Shelf Registration or any
Subsequent Shelf Registration was previously continuously effective. As used
herein the term "SHELF REGISTRATION" means the Initial Shelf Registration and
any Subsequent Shelf Registration.
(c) SUPPLEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS. The Issuers shall promptly
supplement and amend any Shelf Registration if required by the rules,
regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used for such
Shelf Registration, if required by the Securities Act, or if reasonably
requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement or by any underwriter
of such Registrable Notes.
4. ADDITIONAL INTEREST
(a) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that the Holders
will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their obligations under
Section 2 or Section 3 hereof and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the
extent of such damages with precision. Accordingly, the Issuers agree to pay, as
liquidated damages, additional interest on the Notes ("ADDITIONAL INTEREST")
under the circumstances and to the extent set forth below (each of which shall
be given independent effect):
(i) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement nor the Initial Shelf Registration has been filed on or
prior to the applicable Filing Date or (B) notwithstanding that the
Issuers have consummated or will consummate the Ex
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change Offer, the Issuers are required to file a Shelf Registration
and such Shelf Registration is not filed on or prior to the Filing
Date applicable thereto, then, commencing on the day after any such
Filing Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal
amount of the Securities at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first
90 days immediately following each such Filing Date, and such
Additional Interest rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per
annum at the beginning of each subsequent 90-day period; or
(ii) if (A) neither the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement nor the Initial Shelf Registration is declared effective
by the SEC on or prior to the relevant Effectiveness Date or (B)
notwithstanding that the Issuers have consummated or will consummate
the Exchange Offer, the Issuers are required to file a Shelf
Registration and such Shelf Registration is not declared effective
by the SEC on or prior to the Effectiveness Date in respect of such
Shelf Registration, then, commencing on the day after such
Effectiveness Date, Additional Interest shall accrue on the
principal amount of the Securities at a rate of 0.50% per annum for
the first 90 days immediately following the day after such
Effectiveness Date, and such Additional Interest rate shall increase
by an additional 0.50% per annum at the beginning of each subsequent
90-day period; or
(iii) if (A) the Issuers have not exchanged Exchange
Notes for all Securities validly tendered in accordance with the
terms of the Exchange Offer on or prior to the 185th day after the
Issue Date or (B) if applicable, a Shelf Registration has been
declared effective and such Shelf Registration ceases to be
effective at any time during the Effectiveness Period, then
Additional Interest shall accrue on the principal amount of the
Securities at a rate of 0.50% per annum for the first 90 days
commencing on the (x) 185th day after the Issue Date in the case of
(A) above, or (y) the day such Shelf Registration ceases to be
effective in the case of (B) above, and such Additional Interest
rate shall increase by an additional 0.50% per annum at the
beginning of each such subsequent 90-day period;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Additional Interest rate on the Notes may not accrue
under more than one of the foregoing clauses (i)-(iii) at any one time and at no
time shall the aggregate amount of Additional Interest exceed 1.00% per annum;
PROVIDED, FURTHER, HOWEVER, that (1) upon the filing of the applicable Exchange
Offer Registration Statement or the applicable Shelf Registration Statement as
required hereunder (in the case of clause (i) above of this Section 4), (2) upon
the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the applicable
Shelf Registration Statement as required hereunder (in the case of clause (ii)
of this Section 4), or (3) upon the exchange of the applicable Exchange Notes
for all Securities tendered (in the case of clause (iii)(A) of this Section 4),
or upon the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement which
had ceased to remain effective (in the case of (iii)(B)
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of this Section 4), Additional Interest on the Notes in respect of which such
events relate as a result of such clause (or the relevant subclause thereof), as
the case may be, shall cease to accrue.
(b) The Issuers shall notify the Trustee within three business days
after each and every date on which an event occurs in respect of which
Additional Interest is required to be paid (an "EVENT DATE"). Any amounts of
Additional Interest due pursuant to (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) of this Section
4 will be payable in cash semiannually on each June 15 and December 15, (to the
holders of record on the June 1 and December 1 immediately preceding such
dates), commencing with the first such date occurring after any such Additional
Interest commences to accrue. The amount of Additional Interest will be
determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest rate by the
principal amount of the Registrable Notes, multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was
applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months and, in the case of a partial month, the
actual number of days elapsed), and the denominator of which is 360.
5. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
In connection with the filing of any Registration Statement pursuant
to Sections 2 or 3 hereof, the Issuers shall effect such registrations to permit
the sale of the securities covered thereby in accordance with the intended
method or methods of disposition thereof, and pursuant thereto and in connection
with any Registration Statement filed by the Issuers hereunder each of the
Issuers shall:
(a) Prepare and file with the SEC prior to the applicable Filing
Date, a Registration Statement or Registration Statements as prescribed by
Sections 2 or 3 hereof, and use their reasonable best efforts to cause each such
Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective as provided
herein; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, if (1) such filing is pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto, before filing any
Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto,
the Issuers shall furnish to and afford the Holders of the Registrable Notes
included in such Registration Statement or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and the managing underwriters,
if any, a reasonable opportunity to review copies of all such documents
(including copies of any documents to be incorporated by reference therein and
all exhibits thereto) proposed to be filed (in each case at least five days
prior to such filing, or such later date as is reasonable under the
circumstances). The Issuers shall not file any Registration Statement or
Prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto if the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes included in such
Registration Statement, or any such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the
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case may be, their counsel, or the managing underwriters, if any, shall
reasonably object on a timely basis.
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Shelf Registration Statement or Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, as the case may be, as may be necessary to keep such Registration
Statement continuously effective for the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable
Period, as the case may be; cause the related Prospectus to be supplemented by
any Prospectus supplement required by applicable law, and as so supplemented to
be filed pursuant to Rule 424 (or any similar provisions then in force)
promulgated under the Securities Act; and comply with the provisions of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act applicable to each of them with respect to
the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration Statement as so
amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented and with respect to the
subsequent resale of any securities being sold by a Participating Broker-Dealer
covered by any such Prospectus. The Issuers shall be deemed not to have used all
commercially reasonable efforts to keep a Registration Statement effective
during the Effectiveness Period or the Applicable Period, as the case may be,
relating thereto if any Issuer voluntarily takes any action that would result in
selling Holders of the Registrable Notes covered thereby or Participating
Broker-Dealers seeking to sell Exchange Notes not being able to sell such
Registrable Notes or such Exchange Notes during that period unless such action
is required by applicable law or permitted by this Agreement.
(c) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period relating thereto from whom the Issuers have
received written notice that it will be a Participating Broker-Dealer in the
Exchange Offer, notify the selling Holders of Registrable Notes, or each such
Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, their counsel and the managing
underwriters, if any, promptly (but in any event within two business days), and
confirm such notice in writing, (i) when a Prospectus or any Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment has been filed, and, with respect to any
applicable Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment, when the same
has become effective under the Securities Act (including in such notice a
written statement that any Holder may, upon request in writing, obtain, at the
sole expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy of such Registration Statement
or post-effective amendment including financial statements and schedules,
documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference and exhibits),
(ii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness
of a Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of
any preliminary prospectus or the initiation of any proceedings for that
purpose, (iii) if at any time when a prospectus is required by the Securities
Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Registrable Notes or resales
of Exchange Notes by Participating Broker-Dealers the representations and
warranties of the Issuers contained in any agreement (includ-
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ing any underwriting agreement) contemplated by Section 5(l) hereof cease to be
true and correct in all material respects, (iv) of the receipt by any Issuer of
any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or
exemption from qualification of a Registration Statement or any of the
Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating
Broker-Dealer for offer or sale in any jurisdiction, or the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the happening of any
event, the existence of any condition or any information becoming known that
makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or related Prospectus or
any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes in or
amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement, Prospectus or
documents so that, in the case of the Registration Statement, it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, and that in the case of the Prospectus, it will not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, and (vi) of the
Issuers' determination that a post-effective amendment to a Registration
Statement would be appropriate.
(d) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, use its reasonable best efforts to prevent
the issuance of any order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration
Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of a Prospectus or
suspending the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of any of the
Registrable Notes or the Exchange Notes to be sold by any Participating
Broker-Dealer, for sale in any jurisdiction, and, if any such order is issued,
to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any such order at
the earliest possible moment.
(e) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 and if
requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters (if any), the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold in
connection with an underwritten offering or any Participating Broker-Dealer, (i)
as promptly as practicable incorporate in a prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriter or
underwriters (if any), such Holders, any Participating Broker-Dealer or counsel
for any of them reasonably request to be included therein, (ii) make all
required filings of such prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment
as soon as practicable after an Issuer has received notification of the matters
to be incorporated in such prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment,
and (iii) supplement or make amendments to such Registration Statement.
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(f) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, furnish to each selling Holder of
Registrable Notes and to each such Participating Broker-Dealer who so requests
and to their respective counsel and each managing underwriter, if any, at the
sole expense of the Issuers, one conformed copy of the Registration Statement or
Registration Statements and each post-effective amendment thereto, including
financial statements and schedules, and, if requested in writing, all documents
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference and all exhibits.
(g) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, deliver to each selling Holder of
Registrable Notes, or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be,
their respective counsel, and the underwriters, if any, at the sole expense of
the Issuers, as many copies of the Prospectus or Prospectuses (including each
form of preliminary prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto and if
requested in writing, any documents incorporated by reference therein as such
Persons may reasonably request; and, subject to the last paragraph of this
Section 5, the Issuers hereby consent to the use of such Prospectus and each
amendment or supplement thereto (provided the manner of such use complies with
any limitations resulting from any applicable state securities "Blue Sky" laws
as provided in writing to such Holders by the Company and subject to the
provisions of this Agreement) each of the selling Holders of Registrable Notes
or each such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, and the
underwriters or agents, if any, and dealers (if any), in connection with the
offering and sale of the Registrable Notes covered by, or the sale by
Participating Broker-Dealers of the Exchange Notes pursuant to, such Prospectus
and any amendment or supplement thereto.
(h) Prior to any public offering of Registrable Notes or any
delivery of a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange Notes during the
Applicable Period, use its best efforts to register or qualify, and to cooperate
with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, the managing underwriter or underwriters, if
any, and their respective counsel in connection with the registration or
qualification (or exemption from such registration or qualification) of such
Registrable Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of
such jurisdictions within the United States as any selling Holder, Participating
Broker-Dealer, or the managing underwriter or underwriters reasonably request in
writing; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that where Exchange Notes held by Participating
Broker-Dealers or Registrable Notes are offered other than through an
underwritten offering, the Issuers agree to cause their counsel to perform Blue
Sky investigations and file
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registrations and qualifications required to be filed pursuant to this Section
5(h), keep each such registration or qualification (or exemption therefrom)
effective during the period such Registration Statement is required to be kept
effective and do any and all other acts or things reasonably necessary or
advisable to enable the disposition in such jurisdictions of the Exchange Notes
held by Participating Broker-Dealers or the Registrable Notes covered by the
applicable Registration Statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no Issuer shall be
required to (A) qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is
not then so qualified, (B) take any action that would subject it to general
service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject or
(C) subject itself to taxation in excess of a nominal dollar amount in any such
jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) If a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3 hereof,
cooperate with the selling Holders of Registrable Notes and the managing
underwriter or underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Notes to be sold, which
certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form
eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company; and enable such
Registrable Notes to be in such denominations and registered in such names as
the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, or selling Holders may
reasonably request.
(j) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, upon the occurrence of any event
contemplated by paragraph 5(c)(v) or 5(c)(vi) hereof, as promptly as practicable
prepare and (subject to Section 5(a) hereof) file with the SEC, at the sole
expense of the Issuers, a supplement or post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, or file any
other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of
the Registrable Notes being sold thereunder or to the purchasers of the Exchange
Notes to whom such Prospectus will be delivered by a Participating
Broker-Dealer, any such Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under
which they were made, not misleading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers
shall not be required to amend or supplement a Registration Statement, any
related Prospectus or any document incorporated therein by reference, in the
event that, and for a period not to exceed an aggregate of 60 days in any
calendar year if, (i) an event occurs and is continuing as a result of which the
Shelf Registration would, in the Issuers' good faith judgment, contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, and (ii) (a) the Issuers determine in their good
faith judgment that the disclosure of such event at such time would have a
material adverse effect on the business, opera-
-17-
tions or prospects of the Issuers or (b) the disclosure otherwise relates to a
pending material business transaction that has not yet been publicly disclosed.
(k) Prior to the effective date of the first Registration Statement
relating to the Registrable Notes, (i) provide the Trustee with certificates for
the Registrable Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust
Company and (ii) provide a CUSIP number for the Registrable Notes.
(l) In connection with any underwritten offering of Registrable
Notes pursuant to a Shelf Registration, enter into an underwriting agreement as
is customary in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the
Securities in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers and take
all such other actions as are reasonably requested by the managing underwriter
or underwriters in order to expedite or facilitate the registration or the
disposition of such Registrable Notes and, in such connection, (i) make such
representations and warranties to, and covenants with, the underwriters with
respect to the business of the Issuers and the subsidiaries of the Issuers
(including any acquired business, properties or entity, if applicable) and the
Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated by reference therein, in each case, as are customarily made
by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings of debt securities similar
to the Securities, and confirm the same in writing if and when requested in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuers; (ii) upon the request of
Holders of 10% of the Registrable Notes, obtain the written opinions of counsel
to the Issuers and written updates thereof in form, scope and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters, addressed
to the underwriters covering the matters customarily covered in opinions
reasonably requested in underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be
reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or underwriters; (iii) upon the
request of Holders of 10% of the Registrable Notes, use its reasonable best
efforts to obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof in form, scope and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the managing underwriter or underwriters
from the independent public accountants of the Issuers (and, if necessary, any
other independent public accountants of the Issuers, any subsidiary of the
Issuers or of any business acquired by the Issuers for which financial
statements and financial data are, or are required to be, included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement), addressed to each of
the underwriters, such letters to be in customary form and covering matters of
the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in connection with
underwritten offerings of debt securities similar to the Securities and such
other matters as reasonably requested by the managing underwriter or
underwriters as permitted by the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 72; and
(iv) if an underwriting agreement is entered into, cause the same to contain
indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable to the sellers and
underwriters, if any, than those set forth in Section 7 hereof (or such other
provisions and procedures acceptable to Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of Registrable Notes covered by such Registration Statement and
the managing underwriter or underwriters or agents, if any).
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The above shall be done at each closing under such underwriting agreement, or as
and to the extent required thereunder.
(m) If (1) a Shelf Registration is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, or (2) a Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement filed pursuant to Section 2 hereof is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act by any Participating Broker-Dealer who seeks to sell Exchange
Notes during the Applicable Period, make available for inspection by any selling
Holder of such Registrable Notes being sold, or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, any underwriter participating in any such
disposition of Registrable Notes, if any, and any attorney, accountant or other
agent retained by any such selling Holder or each such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, or underwriter (collectively, the
"INSPECTORS"), at the offices where normally kept, during reasonable business
hours, all financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
instruments of the Issuers and subsidiaries of the Issuers (collectively, the
"RECORDS") as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise any
applicable due diligence responsibilities, and cause the officers, directors and
employees of the Issuers and any of their subsidiaries to supply all information
reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such Registration
Statement and Prospectus. The foregoing inspection and information gathering
shall be coordinated on behalf of the other parties by one counsel designated by
such parties as described in Section 6(b) hereof. Each Inspector shall agree in
writing that it will keep the Records confidential and that it will not disclose
any of the Records that the Issuers determine, in good faith, to be confidential
(i) the release of such Records is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order
from a court of competent jurisdiction, or (ii) the information in such Records
has been made generally available to the public; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that prior
notice shall be provided as soon as practicable to the Issuers of the potential
disclosure of any information by such Inspector pursuant to clause (i) of this
sentence to permit the Issuers to obtain a protective order or take other
appropriate action to prevent the disclosure of such information at the
Company's sole expense (or waive the provisions of this paragraph (m)) and that
such Inspector shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary to protect
the confidentiality of such information (if practicable) to the extent such
action is otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of
the rights and interests of the Holder or any Inspector.
(n) Provide an indenture trustee for the Registrable Notes or the
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause the Indenture or the trust
indenture provided for in Section 2(a) hereof, as the case may be, to be
qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date of the first
Registration Statement relating to the Registrable Notes; and in connection
therewith, cooperate with the trustee under any such indenture and the Holders
of the Registrable Notes to effect such changes to such indenture as may be
required for such indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms of
the TIA; and execute, and use its best efforts to cause such trustee to execute,
all documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all
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other forms and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable such
indenture to be so qualified in a timely manner.
(o) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and
make generally available to its securityholders with regard to any applicable
Registration Statement, a consolidated earnings statement satisfying the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or
any similar rule promulgated under the Securities Act) no later than 60 days
after the end of any fiscal quarter (or 120 days after the end of any 12-month
period if such period is a fiscal year) (i) commencing at the end of any fiscal
quarter in which Registrable Notes are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment
or best efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in
such an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter of the
Issuers after the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statements
shall cover said 12-month periods.
(p) Upon consummation of the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange,
obtain an opinion of counsel to the Issuers, in a form customary for
underwritten transactions, addressed to the Trustee for the benefit of all
Holders of Registrable Notes participating in the Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange, as the case may be, that the Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes,
as the case may be, the related Guarantee and the related indenture constitute
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable against them in
accordance with their respective terms, subject to customary exceptions and
qualifications.
(q) If the Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be
consummated, upon delivery of the Registrable Notes by Holders to the Issuers
(or to such other Person as directed by the Issuers) in exchange for the
Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Issuers
shall ▇▇▇▇, or cause to be marked, on such Registrable Notes that such
Registrable Notes are being cancelled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the
Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be; in no event shall such Registrable
Notes be marked as paid or otherwise satisfied.
(r) Cooperate with each seller of Registrable Notes covered by any
Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any, participating in the
disposition of such Registrable Notes and their respective counsel in connection
with any filings required to be made with the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD").
(s) Use all commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps
reasonably necessary to effect the registration of the Registrable Notes covered
by a Registration Statement contemplated hereby.
The Issuers may require each seller of Registrable Notes as to which
any registration is being effected to furnish to the Issuers such information
regarding such seller and the distribution of such Registrable Notes as the
Issuers may, from time to time, reasonably re-
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quest. The Issuers may exclude from such registration the Registrable Notes of
any seller so long as such seller fails to furnish such information within a
reasonable time after receiving such request. Each seller as to which any Shelf
Registration is being effected agrees to furnish promptly to the Issuers all
information required to be disclosed in order to make the information previously
furnished to the Issuers by such seller not materially misleading.
Each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer agrees by its acquisition of such Registrable Notes or Exchange
Notes to be sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, that,
upon actual receipt of any notice from the Issuers of the happening of any event
of the kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iv), 5(c)(v), or 5(c)(vi)
hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue disposition of such Registrable
Notes covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus or Exchange Notes to
be sold by such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, until
such Holder's or Participating Broker-Dealer's receipt of the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(j) hereof, or until
it is advised in writing (the "ADVICE") by the Issuers that the use of the
applicable Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any amendments
or supplements thereto. In the event that the Issuers shall give any such
notice, the Applicable Period shall be extended by the number of days during
such periods from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and
including the date when each seller of Registrable Notes covered by such
Registration Statement or Exchange Notes to be sold by such Participating
Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, shall have received (x) the copies of the
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(j) hereof or (y)
the Advice.
6. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
(a) All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or
compliance with this Agreement by the Issuers (other than any underwriting
discounts or commissions) shall be borne by the Issuers including, without
limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees (including, without limitation,
(A) fees with respect to filings required to be made with the NASD in connection
with an underwritten offering and (b) reasonable fees and expenses of compliance
with state securities or Blue Sky laws (including, without limitation, fees and
disbursements of counsel in connection with Blue Sky qualifications of the
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes and determination of the eligibility of the
Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes for investment under the laws of such
jurisdictions (x) where the holders of Registrable Notes are located, in the
case of the Exchange Notes, or (y) as provided in Section 5(h) hereof, in the
case of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be sold by a Participating
Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period)), (ii) printing expenses, including,
without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company
and of printing prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, by the Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes included in any Regis-
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tration Statement or in respect of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes to be
sold by any Participating Broker-Dealer during the Applicable Period, as the
case may be, (iii) messenger, telephone and delivery expenses, (iv) fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Issuers, (v) fees and disbursements of all
independent certified public accountants referred to in Section 5(l)(iii) hereof
(including, without limitation, the expenses of any special audit and "cold
comfort" letters required by or incident to such performance), (vi) Securities
Act liability insurance, if the Issuers desire such insurance, (vii) fees and
expenses of all other Persons retained by the Issuers, (viii) internal expenses
of the Issuers (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of
officers and employees of the Issuers performing legal or accounting duties),
(ix) the expense of any annual audit, (x) any fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the listing of the securities to be registered on any securities
exchange, and the obtaining of a rating of the securities, in each case, if
applicable, and (xi) the expenses relating to printing, word processing and
distributing all Registration Statements, underwriting agreements, indentures
and any other documents necessary in order to comply with this Agreement.
(b) The Issuers shall (i) reimburse the Holders of the Registrable
Notes being registered in a Shelf Registration or the reasonable fees and
disbursements of not more than one counsel (in addition to appropriate local
counsel) chosen by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Registrable Notes to be included in such Registration Statement and (ii)
reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (other than legal expenses and other
sale commissions or similar costs) of Holders of Registrable Notes incurred in
connection with the registration and sale of Registrable Notes pursuant to a
Shelf Registration or in connection with exchange of the Registrable Notes in
connection with the Exchange Offer. In addition, the Issuers shall reimburse the
Initial Purchasers for the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel in
connection with the Exchange Offer, which shall be ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, and
shall not be required to pay any other legal expenses in connection therewith.
7. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) Each of the Issuers, jointly and severally, agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless each Holder of Registrable Notes and each Participating
Broker-Dealer selling Exchange Notes during the Applicable Period, the
affiliates, officers, directors, representatives, employees and agents of each
such Person, and each Person, if any, who controls any such Person within the
meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act (each, a "PARTICIPANT"), from and against any and all losses, claims,
damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, the
reasonable legal fees and other expenses actually incurred in connection with
any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted) caused by, arising out of
or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in any Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or
Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Issuers shall have furnished any
amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus, or caused by,
arising out
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of or based upon any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in the case of the Prospectus in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading, EXCEPT insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities are caused by any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
relating to any Participant furnished to the Issuers in writing by such
Participant expressly for use therein and with respect to any preliminary
Prospectus, to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises
solely from the fact that any Participant sold Notes to a person to whom there
was not sent or given a copy of the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) at
or prior to the written confirmation of such sale if the Issuers shall have
previously furnished copies thereof to the Participant in accordance herewith
and the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented) would have corrected any such
untrue statement or omission.
(b) Each Participant agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify
and hold harmless the Issuers, their respective affiliates, officers, directors,
representatives, employees and agents of each Issuer and each Person who
controls each Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent (but on a several, and not
joint, basis) as the foregoing indemnity from the Issuers to each Participant,
but only with reference to information relating to such Participant furnished to
the Issuers in writing by such Participant expressly for use in any Registration
Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement thereto, or any preliminary
prospectus. The liability of any Participant under this paragraph shall in no
event exceed the proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable
Notes or Exchange Notes giving rise to such obligations.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the
two preceding paragraphs, such Person (the "INDEMNIFIED PERSON") shall promptly
notify the Persons against whom such indemnity may be sought (the "INDEMNIFYING
PERSONS") in writing, and the Indemnifying Persons, upon request of the
Indemnified Person, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified Person and any others the
Indemnifying Person may reasonably designate in such proceeding and shall pay
the reasonable fees and expenses actually incurred by such counsel related to
such proceeding; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure to so notify the
Indemnifying Persons will not relieve it from any liability under paragraph (a)
or (b) above unless and to the extent such failure results in the forfeiture by
the Indemnifying Person of substantial rights and defenses and the Indemnifying
Person was not otherwise aware of such action or claim. In any such proceeding,
any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the
fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified
Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Persons and the Indemnified Person shall have
mutually agreed to the contrary, (ii) the Indemnifying Persons shall have failed
within a reasonable period of time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to
-23-
the Indemnified Person or (iii) the named parties in any such proceeding
(including any impleaded parties) include both any Indemnifying Person and the
Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would
be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It
is understood that the Indemnifying Persons shall not, in connection with such
proceeding or separate but substantially similar related proceeding in the same
jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations, be liable for the fees
and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel)
for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be
reimbursed promptly as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for the
Participants and such control Persons of Participants shall be designated in
writing by Participants who sold a majority in interest of Registrable Notes and
Exchange Notes sold by all such Participants and shall be reasonably acceptable
to the Issuers, and any such separate firm for the Issuers, their affiliates,
officers, directors, representatives, employees and agents and such control
Persons of such Issuer shall be designated in writing by such Issuer and shall
be reasonably acceptable to the Holders.
The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of
any proceeding effected without its prior written consent (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), but if settled with such consent or if
there be a final non-appealable judgment for the plaintiff for which the
Indemnified Person is entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement,
each Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified
Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or
judgment. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the prior written consent of the
Indemnified Person (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed), effect any settlement or compromise of any pending or threatened
proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a
party, or indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person,
unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional written release of such
Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such
Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of
such proceeding and (B) does not include any statement as to an admission of
fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in the first and second
paragraphs of this Section 7 is for any reason unavailable to, or insufficient
to hold harmless, an Indemnified Person in respect of any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under
such paragraphs, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder and
in order to provide for just and equitable contribution, shall contribute to the
amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative fault of the Indemnifying Person or Persons on the one hand and the
Indemnified Person or Persons on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions or alleged statements or omissions that resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as
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any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the parties
shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission
to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Issuers on the
one hand or such Participant or such other Indemnified Person, as the case may
be, on the other, the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission, and any other
equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances.
(e) The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by PRO RATA allocation
(even if the Participants were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any
other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount
paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims,
damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set
forth above, any reasonable legal or other expenses actually incurred by such
Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending any such action
or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, in no event shall a
Participant be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which proceeds received by such Participant from sales of Registrable Notes or
Exchange Notes, as the case may be, exceeds the amount of any damages that such
Participant has otherwise been required to pay or has paid by reason of such
untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(f) Any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses for which
an indemnified party is entitled to indemnification or contribution under this
Section 7 shall be paid by the Indemnifying Person to the Indemnified Person as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are incurred. The
indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 7 and the
representations and warranties of the Issuers set forth in this Agreement shall
remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of (i) any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or any person who controls a
Holder, the Issuers, their directors, officers, employees or agents or any
person controlling an Issuer, and (ii) any termination of this Agreement.
(g) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this
Section 7 will be in addition to any liability which the Indemnifying Persons
may otherwise have to the Indemnified Persons referred to above.
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8. RULES 144 AND 144A
Each of the Issuers covenants and agrees that it will file the
reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
and the rules and regulations adopted by the SEC thereunder in a timely manner
in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
and, for so long as any Registrable Notes remain outstanding, and if such Issuer
is not required to file such reports, such Issuer will, upon the request of any
Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Notes, make available such information
of the type specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Each of the
Issuers further covenants and agrees, for so long as any Registrable Notes
remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or beneficial owner of
Registrable Notes in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective
purchaser of such Registrable Notes from such Holder or beneficial owner the
information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) and 144(c) under the Securities Act in
order to permit resales of such Registrable Notes pursuant to Rule 144A and Rule
144(k).
9. UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS
If any of the Registrable Notes covered by any Shelf Registration
are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker or investment
bankers and manager or managers that will manage the offering will be selected
by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Registrable
Notes included in such offering and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Issuers.
No Holder of Registrable Notes may participate in any underwritten
registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder's
Registrable Notes on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements
approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b)
completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities,
underwriting agreements and other documents required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Issuers have not, as of the date
hereof, and the Issuers shall not, after the date of this Agreement, enter into
any agreement with respect to any of their securities that is inconsistent with
the rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Notes in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the
Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with
the rights granted to the holders of the Issuers' other issued and outstanding
securities under any such agreements. The Issuers will not enter into any
agreement with respect to any of their securities which will grant to any Person
piggy-back registration rights with respect to any Registration Statement.
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(b) ADJUSTMENTS AFFECTING REGISTRABLE NOTES. The Issuers shall not,
directly or indirectly, take any action with respect to the Registrable Notes as
a class that would adversely affect the ability of the Holders of Registrable
Notes to include such Registrable Notes in a registration undertaken pursuant to
this Agreement.
(c) ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS OF NOTES. The Notes are limited in aggregate
principal amount to $270,000,000, of which $170,000,000 will be issued on the
date hereof. Additional amounts of Notes may be issued in one or more series
from time to time under the Indenture (collectively "ADDITIONAL NOTES") prior to
the filing of any Registration Statement. The Issuers shall provide the
registration rights set forth under this Agreement to the Initial Purchasers and
any subsequent holder or holders of such Additional Notes and notwithstanding
anything contained herein may include such Additional Notes in any Registration
Statement filed hereunder.
(d) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written
consent of (I) the Issuers and (II)(A) the Holders of not less than a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Registrable Notes and (B)
in circumstances that would adversely affect the Participating Broker-Dealers,
the Participating Broker-Dealers holding not less than a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Exchange Notes held by all Participating Broker-Dealers;
provided, HOWEVER, that Section 7 and this Section 10(c) may not be amended,
modified or supplemented without the prior written consent of each Holder and
each Participating Broker-Dealer (including any person who was a Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer of Registrable Notes or Exchange Notes, as the case
may be, disposed of pursuant to any Registration Statement) affected by any such
amendment, modification or supplement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver
or consent to depart from the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that
relates exclusively to the rights of Holders of Registrable Notes whose
securities are being sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not
directly or indirectly affect, impair, limit or compromise the rights of other
Holders of Registrable Notes may be given by Holders of at least a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Notes being sold pursuant to such
Registration Statement.
(e) NOTICES. All notices and other communications (including,
without limitation, any notices or other communications to the Trustee) provided
for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, next-day air courier or facsimile:
(i) if to a Holder of the Registrable Notes or any
Participating Broker-Dealer, at the most current address of such
Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer, as the case may be, set forth
on the records of the registrar under the Indenture.
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(ii) if to the Issuers, at the address as follows:
Dayton Superior Corporation
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: General Counsel
with copies to:
▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Facsimile No.: (▇▇▇) ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, Esq.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been
duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five business days
after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; one business day
after being timely delivered to a next-day air courier; and when transmission is
confirmed, if sent by facsimile.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be
concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the
address and in the manner specified in such Indenture.
(f) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties
hereto, the Holders and the Participating Broker-Dealers; PROVIDED, however,
that nothing herein shall be deemed to permit any assignment, transfer or other
disposition of Registrable Notes in violation of the terms of the Purchase
Agreement or the Indenture.
(g) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
(h) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
(i) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS
MADE AND PERFORMED
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ENTIRELY WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS
OF LAW. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE
COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(j) SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of
this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their best efforts to find and employ an alternative means to
achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such
term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and declared
to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining
terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of such that
may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(k) SECURITIES HELD BY THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AFFILIATES. Whenever the
consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of Registrable Notes is
required hereunder, Registrable Notes held by the Issuers or their affiliates
(as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) shall not be
counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders
of such required percentage.
(l) THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. Holders of Registrable Notes and
Participating Broker-Dealers are intended third-party beneficiaries of this
Agreement, and this Agreement may be enforced by such Persons.
(m) ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the Purchase
Agreement and the Indenture, is intended by the parties as a final and exclusive
statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of
the subject matter contained herein and therein and any and all prior oral or
written agreements, representations, or warranties, contracts, understandings,
correspondence, conversations and memoranda between the Holders on the one hand
and the Issuers on the other, or between or among any agents, representatives,
parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest or successors in
interest with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof are merged herein
and replaced hereby.
S-1
WITNESS the due execution hereof by the respective duly authorized
officers of the undersigned as of the date first written above.
DAYTON SUPERIOR CORPORATION,
as Issuer
By:________________________________________
Name:
Title:
DUR-O-WAL, INC.
▇▇▇▇▇▇ CORPORATION
as Guarantors
By:________________________________________
Name:
Title:
S-2
The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of the
date first above written.
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.,
as Initial Purchaser
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ LYNCH, PIERCE, ▇▇▇▇▇▇
& ▇▇▇▇▇ INCORPORATED,
as Initial Purchaser
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title: