(a) All expenses incident to the Company’s and the Guarantors’ performance of or compliance with this Agreement will be borne by the Company and the Guarantors regardless of whether a Registration Statement becomes or is declared effective, including, without limitation: (i) all registration and filing fees and expenses (including filings made by any Initial Purchaser or Holder with the FINRA (and, if applicable, the fees and expenses of any “qualified independent underwriter” and its counsel that may be required by the rules and regulations of the FINRA)); (ii) all fees and expenses of compliance with federal securities and state securities or blue sky laws; (iii) all expenses of printing (including printing certificates for the Exchange Securities to be issued in the Exchange Offer and printing of Prospectuses), messenger and delivery services and telephone; (iv) all fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and, subject to Section 8(b) hereof, the Holders of Registrable Securities; (v) application and filing fees in connection with listing the Securities on a securities exchange or automated quotation system pursuant to the requirements thereof; and (vi) all fees and disbursements of independent certified public accountants of the Company (including the expenses of any special audit and comfort letters required by or incident to such performance).
The Company will, in any event, bear its internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries and expenses of its officers and employees performing legal or accounting duties), the expenses of any annual audit and the fees and expenses of any Person, including special experts, retained by the Company.
(a) The Company and the Guarantors agree to indemnify and hold harmless (i) each Holder and (ii) each Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any Holder (any of the Persons referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a “controlling person”) and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees,
representatives and agents of any Holder or any controlling person (any Person referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may hereinafter be referred to as an “Indemnified Holder”), to the fullest extent lawful, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions and expenses (including, without limitation, and as incurred, reimbursement of all reasonable costs of investigating, preparing, pursuing, settling, compromising, paying or defending any claim or action, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel to any Indemnified Holder), joint or several, directly or indirectly caused by, related to, based upon, arising out of or in connection with any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration Statement or Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made), not misleading, except insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are caused by an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission that is made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any of the Holders furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of any of the Holders expressly for use therein. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which the Company or any Guarantor may otherwise have.
In case any action or proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation or proceeding) shall be brought or asserted against any of the Indemnified Holders with respect to which indemnity may be sought against the Company or any Guarantor, such Indemnified Holder (or the Indemnified Holder controlled by such controlling person) shall promptly notify the Company in writing;provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not relieve any of the Company or any Guarantor of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. Such Indemnified Holder shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any such action and the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel shall be paid, as incurred, by the Company or any Guarantor (regardless of whether it is ultimately determined that an Indemnified Holder is not entitled to indemnification hereunder). The Company or any Guarantor shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local and/or regulatory counsel) at any time for such Indemnified Holders, which firm shall be designated by the Holders. The Company or any Guarantor shall be liable for any settlement of any such action or proceeding effected with the Company’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and the Company or any Guarantor agree to indemnify and hold harmless any Indemnified Holder from and against any loss, claim, damage, liability or expense by reason of any settlement of any action effected with the written consent of the Company. The Company or any Guarantor shall not, without the prior written consent of each Indemnified Holder, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in or otherwise seek to terminate any pending or threatened action, claim, litigation or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not any Indemnified Holder is a party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise, consent or termination (i) includes a complete and unconditional release of each Indemnified Holder from all liability arising out of such action, claim, litigation or proceeding and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any Indemnified Party.
(b) Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors, and its directors and officers who sign a Registration Statement, and any Person controlling (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act) the Company, the Guarantors, and the officers, directors, partners, employees, representatives and agents of each such Person, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company and the Guarantors to each of the Indemnified Holders, but only with respect to claims and actions
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based on information relating to such Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use in any Registration Statement. In case any action or proceeding shall be brought against the Company, the Guarantors, or its directors or officers or any such controlling person in respect of which indemnity may be sought against a Holder of Registrable Securities, such Holder shall have the rights and duties given to the Company, and the Company and the Guarantors, their respective directors and officers and such controlling person shall have the rights and duties given to each Holder by the preceding paragraph. This indemnity agreement shall be in addition to any liability which Holders may otherwise have.
(c) Reserved.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable to an indemnified party under Section 9(a) or (b) hereof (other than by reason of exceptions provided in those Sections) in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses referred to therein, then each applicable indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments, actions or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, from the Initial Placement (which in the case of the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total gross proceeds to the Company and the Guarantors from the Initial Placement), the amount of Additional Interest which did not become payable as a result of the filing of the Registration Statement resulting in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities, judgments actions or expenses, and such Registration Statement, or if such allocation is not permitted by applicable law, the relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the Company or the Guarantors, on the one hand, and of the Indemnified Holder, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, or the Indemnified Holders, on the other hand, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in the second paragraph of Section 9(a) hereof, any legal or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim.
The Company, the Guarantors, and each Holder of Registrable Securities agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, none of the Holders (and its related Indemnified Holders) shall be required to contribute, in the aggregate, any amount in excess of the amount by which the total discount received by such Holder with respect to the Initial Securities exceeds the amount of any damages which such Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No Person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Holders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9(d)
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are several in proportion to the respective principal amount of Initial Securities held by each of the Holders hereunder and not joint.
SECTION 10.Rule 144A.The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree with each Holder, for so long as any Registrable Securities remain outstanding, to make available to any Holder or beneficial owner of Registrable Securities in connection with any sale thereof and any prospective purchaser of such Registrable Securities from such Holder or beneficial owner, the information required by Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act in order to permit resales of such Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
SECTION 11.Participation in Underwritten Registrations.No Holder may participate in any Underwritten Registration hereunder unless such Holder (a) agrees to sell such Holder’s Registrable Securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the Persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (b) completes and executes all reasonable questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting agreements, lock-up letters and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
SECTION 12.Selection of Underwriters.If requested by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement, the Holders of Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering. In such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) that will administer such offering will be selected by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Registrable Securities included in such offering;provided, however, that such investment banker(s) and managing underwriter(s) must be reasonably satisfactory to the Company.
SECTION 13.Miscellaneous.
(a)Remedies.The Company and the Guarantors hereby agree that monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of the provisions of this Agreement and hereby agree to waive the defense in any action for specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate.
(b)No Inconsistent Agreements.The Company and the Guarantors will not on or after the date of this Agreement enter into any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof. The rights granted to the Holders hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the rights granted to the holders of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ securities under any agreement in effect on the date hereof.
(c)Adjustments Affecting the Securities.The Company and the Guarantors will not take any action, or permit any change to occur, with respect to the Securities that would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Holders to Consummate any Exchange Offer.
(d)Amendments and Waivers.The provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to or departures from the provisions hereof may not be given unless the Company and the Guarantors have (i) in the case of Section 5 hereof and this Section 13(d)(i), obtained the written consent of Holders of all outstanding Registrable Securities and (ii) in the case of all other provisions hereof, obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Registrable Securities (excluding any Registrable Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to departure from the
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provisions hereof that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are being tendered pursuant to the Exchange Offer and that does not affect directly or indirectly the rights of other Holders whose securities are not being tendered pursuant to such Exchange Offer may be given by the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of Registrable Securities being tendered or registered;provided, however, that, with respect to any matter that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Initial Purchaser hereunder, the Company shall obtain the written consent of each such Initial Purchaser with respect to which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver, consent or departure is to be effective.
(e)Notices.All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:
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| (i) if to a Holder, at the address set forth on the records of the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy to the Registrar under the Indenture; |
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| (ii) if to the Company: |
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| Griffon Corporation 712 Fifth Avenue, 18th Floor New York, NY 10019 Facsimile: (212) 957-5096 Attention: General Counsel |
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| With a copy to: |
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| Dechert LLP 1095 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 Facsimile: (212) 698-3599 Attention: Martin Nussbaum |
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if sent by facsimile; and on the next Business Day, if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the Trustee at the address specified in the Indenture.
(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, including, without limitation, and without the need for an express assignment, subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities;provided, however, that this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of or be binding upon a successor or assign of a Holder unless and to the extent such successor or assign acquired Registrable Securities from such Holder.
(g)Counterparts.This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts (including by facsimile or other method of electronic transmission) 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.
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(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, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW RULES THEREOF.
(j)Severability.In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.
(k)Entire Agreement.This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the registration rights granted by the Company with respect to the Registrable Securities. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter
(l)Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Holder shall be a third party beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder (excluding those agreements made in Section 6 hereto) between the Company and the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of other Holders hereunder.
[Signature Pages Follow]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
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| GRIFFON CORPORATION |
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| By: | /s/ Thomas Gibbons |
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|
| | Name: Thomas Gibbons |
| | Title: Treasurer |
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| GUARANTORS |
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| CLOPAY BUILDING PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC. |
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| By: | /s/ Thomas Gibbons |
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|
| | Name: Thomas Gibbons |
| | Title: Treasurer |
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| CLOPAY PLASTIC PRODUCTS COMPANY, INC. |
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| By: | /s/ Thomas Gibbons |
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|
| | Name: Thomas Gibbons |
| | Title: Treasurer |
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| AMES TRUE TEMPER, INC. |
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| By: | /s/ Thomas Gibbons |
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|
| | Name: Thomas Gibbons |
| | Title: Vice President and Treasurer |
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| TELEPHONICS CORPORATION |
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| By: | /s/ Dominick Nocera |
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|
| | Name: Dominick Nocera |
| | Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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The foregoing Registration Rights Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first above written:
DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.
Acting on behalf of itself and as the Representative of the several Initial Purchasers
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By: | /s/ Chris Blum | |
|
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| Name: Chris Blum | |
| Title: Director | |
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By: | /s/ David Lynch | |
|
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| Name: David Lynch | |
| Title: Managing Director | |
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SCHEDULE 1
Guarantors
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Name | | | Jurisdiction of Incorporation |
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|
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Clopay Building Products Company, Inc. | | Delaware |
Clopay Plastics Products Company, Inc. | | Delaware |
Telephonics Corporation | | Delaware |
Ames True Temper, Inc. | | Delaware |
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