as Borrower
as Administrative Agent,
as Syndication Agent,
BNP PARIBAS,
COBANK, ACB,
BMO CAPITAL MARKETS FINANCING, INC.,
LASALLE BANK N.A.,
COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN BOERENLEENBANK, B.A.
“RABOBANK NEDERLAND”, NEW YORK BRANCH,
CITICORP NORTH AMERICA, INC.
and
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
as Documentation Agents
and
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners,
as Co-Arranger and Joint Bookrunner
Page | ||||||
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS | 1 | |||||
1.1 | Defined Terms | 1 | ||||
1.2 | Other Definitional Provisions | 26 | ||||
SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS | 27 | |||||
2.1 | Term Commitments | 27 | ||||
2.2 | Procedure for Term Loan Borrowing | 27 | ||||
2.3 | Repayment of Term Loan | 27 | ||||
2.4 | Revolving Credit Commitment | 28 | ||||
2.5 | Procedure for Revolving Credit Borrowing | 29 | ||||
2.6 | Swing Line Commitments | 30 | ||||
2.7 | Participation | 32 | ||||
2.8 | Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans; Evidence of Debt | 32 | ||||
2.9 | Commitment Fee, etc | 33 | ||||
2.10 | Termination or Reduction of Commitments | 33 | ||||
2.11 | Optional Prepayments | 34 | ||||
2.12 | Mandatory Prepayments | 35 | ||||
2.13 | Cash Collateralization of Letters of Credit | 36 | ||||
2.14 | Conversion Options | 36 | ||||
2.15 | Interest Rate and Payment Dates | 36 | ||||
2.16 | Computation of Interest and Fees | 37 | ||||
2.17 | Inability to Determine Interest Rate | 37 | ||||
2.18 | Pro Rata Treatment and Payments | 38 | ||||
2.19 | Illegality | 39 | ||||
2.20 | Requirements of Law | 40 | ||||
2.21 | Indemnity | 41 | ||||
2.22 | Taxes | 41 | ||||
2.23 | Use of Proceeds | 43 | ||||
2.24 | Controls on Prepayment if Aggregate Revolving Extensions of Credit Exceed Aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments | 43 | ||||
2.25 | Lending Installations | 44 | ||||
2.26 | Notices to Lenders | 45 | ||||
2.27 | Incremental Term Facilities; Revolving Credit Commitment Increases and Changes; Incremental Term Loans | 45 | ||||
SECTION 3. LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITIES | 47 | |||||
3.1 | L/C Commitment | 47 | ||||
3.2 | Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit | 47 | ||||
3.3 | Fees, Commissions and Other Charges | 48 | ||||
3.4 | L/C Participation | 48 | ||||
3.5 | Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower | 49 | ||||
3.6 | Obligations Absolute | 50 | ||||
3.7 | Increased Costs | 50 | ||||
3.8 | Letter of Credit Payments | 50 | ||||
SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 51 |
Page | ||||||
4.1 | Financial Condition | 51 | ||||
4.2 | Corporate Existence; Compliance with Law | 51 | ||||
4.3 | Corporate Power; Authorization; Enforceable Obligations | 52 | ||||
4.4 | No Legal Bar | 52 | ||||
4.5 | No Material Litigation | 52 | ||||
4.6 | No Burdensome Restrictions | 52 | ||||
4.7 | No Default | 52 | ||||
4.8 | Subsidiaries | 52 | ||||
4.9 | Disclosure | 53 | ||||
4.10 | Schedules | 53 | ||||
4.11 | Federal Regulations | 53 | ||||
4.12 | Investment Company Act; Other Regulations | 53 | ||||
4.13 | Labor Matters | 53 | ||||
4.14 | ERISA | 53 | ||||
4.15 | Title to Real Property, Etc. | 54 | ||||
4.16 | Taxes | 54 | ||||
4.17 | Environmental Matters | 54 | ||||
4.18 | Intellectual Property | 55 | ||||
4.19 | Security Documents | 55 | ||||
4.20 | Solvency | 55 | ||||
SECTION 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT | 56 | |||||
5.1 | Conditions to Effectiveness of this Agreement | 56 | ||||
5.2 | Conditions to All Extensions of Credit | 58 | ||||
5.3 | Additional Conditions Applicable to Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers | 58 | ||||
SECTION 6. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | 60 | |||||
6.1 | Financial Statements | 60 | ||||
6.2 | Certificates; Other Information | 60 | ||||
6.3 | Payment of Obligations | 62 | ||||
6.4 | Compliance with Laws | 62 | ||||
6.5 | Conduct of Business and Maintenance of Existence | 62 | ||||
6.6 | Maintenance of Property, Insurance | 62 | ||||
6.7 | Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions | 62 | ||||
6.8 | Notices | 62 | ||||
6.9 | Maintenance of Interest Coverage Ratio | 63 | ||||
6.10 | Maintenance of Leverage Ratio | 64 | ||||
6.11 | Additional Collateral, etc. | 64 | ||||
6.12 | Environmental, Health and Safety Matters | 66 | ||||
6.13 | Foreign Pledge Agreements | 67 | ||||
SECTION 7. NEGATIVE COVENANTS | 67 | |||||
7.1 | Limitation on Liens | 68 | ||||
7.2 | Limitation on Contingent Obligations | 69 | ||||
7.3 | Limitation on Fundamental Changes | 69 | ||||
7.4 | Limitation on Acquisitions, Investments, Loans and Advances | 70 | ||||
7.5 | Limitation on Indebtedness | 71 | ||||
7.6 | Limitation on Restrictions on Subsidiary Distributions | 72 | ||||
7.7 | Transactions with Affiliates and Officers | 72 |
Page | ||||||
7.8 | Limitation on Sale of Assets | 72 | ||||
7.9 | Sale and Leaseback | 73 | ||||
7.10 | Fiscal Year | 73 | ||||
7.11 | Modifications of Certain Debt Instruments | 73 | ||||
7.12 | Negative Pledge Clauses | 74 | ||||
7.13 | Lines of Business | 74 | ||||
7.14 | Restricted Payments | 74 | ||||
SECTION 8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT | 75 | |||||
SECTION 9. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | 78 | |||||
9.1 | Appointment | 78 | ||||
9.2 | Delegation of Duties | 78 | ||||
9.3 | Exculpatory Provisions | 78 | ||||
9.4 | Reliance by Administrative Agent | 79 | ||||
9.5 | Notice of Default | 79 | ||||
9.6 | Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent, Other Lenders and JPMCB | 79 | ||||
9.7 | Indemnification | 80 | ||||
9.8 | Administrative Agent in Its Individual Capacity | 80 | ||||
9.9 | Parallel Debt | 80 | ||||
9.10 | Successor Administrative Agent | 81 | ||||
9.11 | The Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agents | 81 | ||||
SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS | 82 | |||||
10.1 | Amendments and Waivers | 82 | ||||
10.2 | Notices | 83 | ||||
10.3 | No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies | 85 | ||||
10.4 | Survival of Representations, Warranties and Indemnities | 85 | ||||
10.5 | Payment of Expenses and Taxes | 85 | ||||
10.6 | Successors and Assigns; Participations and Assignments | 86 | ||||
10.7 | Adjustments; Set-off | 88 | ||||
10.8 | Enforceability; Usury | 89 | ||||
10.9 | Judgment | 90 | ||||
10.10 | Counterparts | 90 | ||||
10.11 | Governing Law; No Third Party Rights | 90 | ||||
10.12 | Headings | 91 | ||||
10.13 | Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers | 91 | ||||
10.14 | Acknowledgments | 92 | ||||
10.15 | Confidentiality | 92 | ||||
10.16 | WAIVERS OF JURY TRIAL | 93 | ||||
10.17 | Severability | 93 | ||||
10.18 | USA PATRIOT Act | 93 |
-iii-
ANNEXES | ||||
Annex A | Pricing Grid | |||
Annex B | Sterling Borrower Provisions | |||
Annex C | Australian Borrower Provisions | |||
Annex D | Canadian Borrower Provisions | |||
SCHEDULES | ||||
Schedule 1 | Lenders; Revolving Credit Commitments | |||
Schedule 1.2 | Non-Guarantor Domestic Subsidiaries | |||
Schedule 4.1 | Certain Financial Information | |||
Schedule 4.5 | Litigation | |||
Schedule 4.8 | Subsidiaries | |||
Schedule 4.11 | Certain Transactions | |||
Schedule 4.17 | Environmental Matters | |||
Schedule 4.19(ii) | Certain Filings | |||
Schedule 4.19(iii) | Perfection of Foreign Stock Pledges | |||
Schedule 5.3(iii) | Certain Filings | |||
Schedule 6.13 | Foreign Pledge Agreements | |||
Schedule 7.1(i) | Existing Liens and Encumbrances | |||
Schedule 7.2(iii) | Existing Guarantees | |||
Schedule 7.5(c) | Existing Indebtedness | |||
Schedule 7.9 | Sale and Leaseback | |||
Schedule 10.2 | Notices | |||
EXHIBITS | ||||
Exhibit A | Form of Assignment and Acceptance | |||
Exhibit B | Form of Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement | |||
Exhibit C | Form of Swing Line Loan Participation Certificate | |||
Exhibit D | Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate | |||
Exhibit E | Form of Incremental Commitment Supplement | |||
Exhibit F | Form of Foreign Pledge Agreement Acknowledgment and Confirmation | |||
Exhibit G | Form of Opinion of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP | |||
Exhibit H | Form of Opinion of Counsel to Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers | |||
Exhibit I | Form of Borrowing Certificate | |||
Exhibit J | Form of New Domestic Subsidiary Certificate | |||
Exhibit K | Form of Joinder Agreement |
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20
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25
26
27
Installment | Principal Amount | |||
September 30, 2007 | $ | 1,400,000 | ||
December 31, 2007 | $ | 1,400,000 | ||
March 31, 2008 | $ | 2,800,000 | ||
June 30, 2008 | $ | 7,000,000 | ||
September 30, 2008 | $ | 7,000,000 | ||
December 31, 2008 | $ | 7,000,000 | ||
March 31, 2009 | $ | 7,000,000 | ||
June 30, 2009 | $ | 35,000,000 | ||
September 30, 2009 | $ | 35,000,000 | ||
December 31, 2009 | $ | 35,000,000 |
28
Installment | Principal Amount | |||
March 31, 2010 | $ | 35,000,000 | ||
June 30, 2010 | $ | 42,000,000 | ||
September 30, 2010 | $ | 42,000,000 | ||
December 31, 2010 | $ | 42,000,000 | ||
March 31, 2011 | $ | 42,000,000 | ||
June 30, 2011 | $ | 54,600,000 | ||
September 30, 2011 | $ | 54,600,000 | ||
December 31, 2011 | $ | 54,600,000 | ||
Maturity Date | $ | 54,600,000 |
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
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40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
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58
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60
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Fiscal Quarter | Ratio | |||
March 31, 2007 | 2.75 to 1.00 | |||
June 30, 2007 | 2.75 to 1.00 | |||
September 30, 2007 | 2.75 to 1.00 | |||
December 31, 2007 | 2.75 to 1.00 | |||
March 31, 2008 | 2.75 to 1.00 | |||
June 30, 2008 | 2.75 to 1.00 | |||
September 30, 2008 | 3.25 to 1.00 | |||
December 31, 2008 | 3.25 to 1.00 | |||
March 31, 2009 | 3.25 to 1.00 | |||
June 30, 2009 | 3.25 to 1.00 |
64
Fiscal Quarter | Ratio | |||
September 30, 2009 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
December 31, 2009 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
March 31, 2010 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
June 30, 2010 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
September 30, 2010 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
December 31, 2010 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
March 31, 2011 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
June 30, 2011 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
September 30, 2011 and thereafter | 3.50 to 1.00 |
Fiscal Quarter | Ratio | |||
March 31, 2007 | 4.75 to 1.00 | |||
June 30, 2007 | 4.75 to 1.00 | |||
September 30, 2007 | 4.75 to 1.00 | |||
December 31, 2007 | 4.75 to 1.00 | |||
March 31, 2008 | 4.75 to 1.00 | |||
June 30, 2008 | 4.75 to 1.00 | |||
September 30, 2008 | 4.25 to 1.00 | |||
December 31, 2008 | 4.25 to 1.00 | |||
March 31, 2009 | 4.25 to 1.00 | |||
June 30, 2009 | 4.25 to 1.00 | |||
September 30, 2009 | 3.75 to 1.00 | |||
December 31, 2009 | 3.75 to 1.00 | |||
March 31, 2010 | 3.75 to 1.00 | |||
June 30, 2010 | 3.75 to 1.00 | |||
September 30, 2010 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
December 31, 2010 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
March 31, 2011 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
June 30, 2011 | 3.50 to 1.00 | |||
September 30, 2011 and thereafter | 3.25 to 1.00 |
65
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Fiscal Year | Repurchase/Redemption Amount | |||
2007 | $ | 10,000,000 | ||
2008 | $ | 25,000,000 | ||
2009 | $ | 75,000,000 | ||
2010 and in each fiscal year thereafter | $ | 125,000,000 |
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The Borrower and | ||
each Subsidiary Borrower: | The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company | |
14111 Scottslawn Road | ||
Marysville, Ohio 43041 | ||
Attention: Treasurer | ||
Telephone: (937) 664-7221 | ||
Telecopy: (937) 578-5754 |
84
With a copy sent to: | Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP | |
52 East Gay Street | ||
Columbus, Ohio 43215 | ||
Attention: John B. Weimer, Esq. and | ||
Stephen D. Browning, Esq. | ||
Telephone: (614) 464-8343 | ||
Telecopy: (614) 719-5086 | ||
The Administrative Agent: | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | |
270 Park Avenue | ||
New York, New York 10017 | ||
Attention.: Randolph E. Cates | ||
Telephone: (212) 270-8997 | ||
Telecopy: (212) 270-6041 | ||
With a copy sent to: | J.P. Morgan Europe Limited | |
125 London Wall | ||
London EC2Y 5AJ England | ||
Attention: Sue Dalton, Agency Department | ||
Telephone: +44 207 777 2542 | ||
Telecopy: +44 207 777 2360 | ||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | ||
Loan and Agency Services | ||
1111 Fannin Street | ||
10th Floor | ||
Houston, Texas 77002 | ||
Attention: Sylvia Trevino | ||
Telephone: (713) 750-3536 | ||
Telecopy: (713) 750-2932 | ||
The Australian Administrative Agent: | J.P. Morgan Australia Limited | |
Level 32, Grosvenor Place | ||
225 George Street | ||
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia | ||
Attention: Jason M. Lock/Graham McKinley, Agency | ||
Telephone: +61-(2)-9220-3162/1907 | ||
Telecopy: +61-(2)-9247-7698 | ||
With a compy sent to: | JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Mumbai Mahakali | |
Caves Road, Chakala Junction | ||
Floor 3 | ||
Mumbai 400093 India | ||
Attention: Preetam D. Dalvi, Asia Loan Operations | ||
Telephone: (91-22) 56953625 | ||
Telecopy: (91-22) 56954361 |
85
The Canadian Administrative Agent: | J.P. Morgan Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch | |
200 Bay Street | ||
Royal Bank Plaza, Floor 18 | ||
Toronto M57 2J2 Canada | ||
Attention: Martha Tamayo | ||
Telephone: (416) 981-9235 | ||
Telecopy: (416) 982-9128 |
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THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY | ||||
By: | /s/ David C. Evans | |||
Name: David C. Evans | ||||
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
HYPONEX CORPORATION | ||||
By: | /s/ David C. Evans | |||
Name: David C. Evans | ||||
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
SCOTTS AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD. | ||||
By: | /s/ Edward R. Claggett | |||
Name: Edward R. Claggett | ||||
Title: Director | ||||
SCOTTS CANADA LTD. | ||||
By: | /s/ Edward R. Claggett | |||
Name: Edward R. Claggett | ||||
Title: Vice President and Assistant Secretary | ||||
SCOTTS HOLDINGS LIMITED | ||||
By: | /s/ Edward R. Claggett | |||
Name: Edward R. Claggett | ||||
Title: Director |
SCOTTS MANUFACTURING COMPANY | ||||
By: | /s/ David C. Evans | |||
Name: David C. Evans | ||||
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
EG SYSTEMS, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ David C. Evans | |||
Name: David C. Evans | ||||
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
SCOTTS TEMECULA OPERATIONS, LLC | ||||
By: | /s/ Edward R. Claggett | |||
Name: Edward R. Claggett | ||||
Title: Vice President and Assistant Secretary | ||||
THE SCOTTS COMPANY (UK) LTD. | ||||
By: | /s/ Edward R. Claggett | |||
Name: Edward R. Claggett | ||||
Title: Director | ||||
SCOTTS TREASURY EEIG | ||||
By: | /s/ Edward R. Claggett | |||
Name: Edward R. Claggett | ||||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
THE SCOTTS COMPANY LLC | ||||
By: | /s/ David C. Evans | |||
Name: David C. Evans | ||||
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
SMITH & HAWKEN, LTD. | ||||
By: | /s/ David C. Evans | |||
Name: David C. Evans | ||||
Title: Senior Vice President | ||||
SMG GROWING MEDIA, INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ David C. Evans | |||
Name: David C. Evans | ||||
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||
GUTWEIN & CO., INC. | ||||
By: | /s/ David C. Evans | |||
Name: David C. Evans | ||||
Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., | ||||
as Administrative Agent and as a Lender | ||||
By: | /s/ Randolph Cates | |||
Name: Randolph Cates | ||||
Title: Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., | ||||
As Syndication Agent and Lender | ||||
By: | /s/ Sharon Burks Horos | |||
Name: Sharon Burks Horos | ||||
Title: Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
BANK OF MONTREAL | ||||
By: | /s/ Ben Ciallella | |||
Name: Ben Ciallella | ||||
Title: Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
BMO CAPITAL MARKETS FINANCING, INC., | ||||
By: | /s/ Robert H. Wolohan | |||
Name: Robert H. Wolohan | ||||
Title: Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., | ||||
New York Branch | ||||
By: | /s/ Maria Ferradas | |||
Name: Maria Ferradas | ||||
Title: Authorized Signatory |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
BAYERISCHE LANDESBANK | ||||
New York Branch | ||||
By: | /s/ Edward J. Cripps | |||
Edward J. Cripps | ||||
Vice President | ||||
By: | /s/ Georgina Fiordalisi | |||
Georgina Fiordalisi | ||||
Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
BNP Paribas | ||||
By: | /s/ Curtis Price | |||
Name: Curtis Price | ||||
Title: Managing Director | ||||
By: | /s/ Richard Broeren | |||
Name: Richard Broeren | ||||
Title: Managing Director |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
[INSERT LENDER Name] CALYON | ||||
By: | /s/ Lee E. Greve | |||
Name: Lee E. Greve | ||||
Title: Managing Director | ||||
By: | /s/ Blake Wright | |||
Name: Blake Wright | ||||
Title: Managing Director |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Chang Hwa Commercial Bank, Ltd., New York Branch | ||||
By: | /s/ Jim C.Y. Chen | |||
Name: Jim C.Y. Chen | ||||
Title: VP & General Manager |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Citicorp North America, Inc. | ||||
/s/ Robert H. Chen | ||||
Name: Robert H. Chen Title: Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
CITIZENS BANK OF PENNSYLVANIA | ||||
By: | /s/ Clifford A. Mull | |||
Name: Clifford A. Mull Title: Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
CoBank, ACB | ||||
By: | /s/ S. Richard Dill | |||
Name: S. Richard Dill Title: Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Comerica Bank | ||||
By: | /s/ Scott M. Kowalski | |||
Name: Scott M. Kowalski Title: Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Commerzbank AG, New York and Grand Cayman Branches | ||||
By: | /s/ Albert Morron | |||
Name: Albert Morron Title: Assistant Vice President | ||||
By: | /s/ John Marlatt | |||
Name: John Marlatt Title: Senior Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
E.Sun Commercial Bank, Ltd., Los Angeles Branch | ||||
By: | /s/ Benjamin Lin | |||
Name: Benjamin Lin Title: EVP & General Manager |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Fifth Third Bank | ||||
By: | /s/ Brent M. Jackson | |||
Name: | Brent M. Jackson | |||
Title: | Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
FORTIS CAPITAL CORP. | ||||
By: | /s/ John W. Deegan | |||
Name: | John W. Deegan | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President | |||
By: | /s/ Diran Cholakian | |||
Name: | Diran Cholakian | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
General Electric Capital Corporation | ||||
By: | /s/ Dwayne Coker | |||
Name: | Dwayne Coker | |||
Title: | Duly Authorized Signatory |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
GreenStone Farm Credit Services, ACA/FLCA | ||||
By: | /s/ Alfred S. Compton, Jr. | |||
Name: | Alfred S. Compton, Jr. | |||
Title: | Vice President/Sr. Lending Officer |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
HUA NAN COMMERCIAL BANK, LTD., LOS ANGELES BRANCH | ||||
By: | /s/ Oliver C.H. Hsu | |||
Name: | Oliver C.H. Hsu | |||
Title: | VP & General Manager |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
KBC BANK, NV, New York Branch | ||||
By: | /s/ William Cavanaugh | |||
Name: | William Cavanaugh | |||
Title: | Vice President | |||
By: | /s/ Robert Snauffer | |||
Name: | Robert Snauffer | |||
Title: | First Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
LaSalle Bank N.A. | ||||
By: | /s/ Ted Lape | |||
Name: | Ted Lape | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. | ||||
By: | /s/ Leon Mo | |||
Name: | Leon Mo | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
National City Bank | ||||
By: | /s/ Thomas E. Redmond | |||
Name: | Thomas E. Redmond | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY | ||||
By: | /s/ Jeffrey P. Sullivan | |||
Name: | Jeffrey P. Sullivan | |||
Title: | Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
PEOPLE’S BANK | ||||
By: | /s/ George F. Paik | |||
George F. Paik | ||||
Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN- BOERENLEENBANK B.A., “RABOBANK NEDERLAND”, NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Lender | ||||
By: | /s/ Peter Glawe | |||
Name: | Peter Glawe | |||
Title: | Vice President | |||
By: | /s/ Andrew Sherman | |||
Name: | Andrew Sherman | |||
Title: | Executive Director |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
[State Bank of India] | ||||
By: | /s/ Ashok Wanchoo | |||
Name: | Ashok Wanchoo | |||
Title: | Vice President & Head (Credit) |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
SUMITOMO MITSUI BANKING CORPORATION | ||||
By: | /s/ Shigeru Tsuru | |||
Name: | Shigeru Tsuru | |||
Title: | Joint General Manager |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
TD BANKNORTH, N.A. | ||||
By: | /s/ Charles A. Walker | |||
Name: | Charles A. Walker | |||
Title: | Senior Vice President |
The Bank of New York | ||||
By: | /s/ J. David Parker, Jr. | |||
Name: | J. David Parker, Jr. | |||
Title: | Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Scotiabanc Inc. | ||||
By: | /s/ William E. Zarrett | |||
Name: | William E. Zarrett | |||
Title: | Managing Director |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY OF THE BANK OF IRELAND | ||||
By: | /s/ Daniel McAneney | |||
Name: | Daniel McAneney | |||
Title: | Authorised Signatory | |||
By: | /s/ Barry Heraty | |||
Name: | Barry Heraty | |||
Title: | Associate Director |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
The Norinchukin Bank | ||||
By: | /s/ Kaoru Yamada | |||
Name: | Kaoru Yamada | |||
Title: | Joint General Manager |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
U.S. Bank National Association | ||||
By: | /s/ Jason C. Nadler | |||
Name: | Jason C. Nadler | |||
Title: | Vice President |
The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company
2007 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
United Overseas Bank Limited, New York Agency | ||||
By: | /s/ George Lim | |||
Name: | George Lim | |||
Title: | FVP & General Manager | |||
By: | /s/ Mario Sheng | |||
Name: | Mario Sheng | |||
Title: | AVP | |||
Leverage | Applicable | Commitment | ||||||||||
Ratio | Margin | Fee Rate | ||||||||||
LIBOR | ABR | |||||||||||
> 4.00 to 1.00 | 1.500 | % | 0.500 | % | 0.350 | % | ||||||
> 3.00 to 1.00 | 1.250 | % | 0.250 | % | 0.250 | % | ||||||
> 2.25 to 1.00 | 1.000 | % | 0.000 | % | 0.250 | % | ||||||
> 1.75 to 1.00 | 0.875 | % | 0.000 | % | 0.200 | % | ||||||
> 1.25 to 1.00 | 0.750 | % | 0.000 | % | 0.200 | % | ||||||
< 1.25 to 1.00 | 0.625 | % | 0.000 | % | 0.175 | % |
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Applicable | ||||||||
Margin | ||||||||
Leverage | Reference | |||||||
Ratio | LIBOR | Rate | ||||||
> 4.00 to 1.00 | 1.500 | % | 0.500 | % | ||||
> 3.00 to 1.00 | 1.250 | % | 0.250 | % | ||||
> 2.25 to 1.00 | 1.000 | % | 0.000 | % | ||||
> 1.75 to 1.00 | 0.875 | % | 0.000 | % | ||||
> 1.25 to 1.00 | 0.750 | % | 0.000 | % | ||||
< 1.25 to 1.00 | 0.625 | % | 0.000 | % |
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Applicable | ||||||||
Leverage | Margin | |||||||
Ratio | Bank Bill Rate | Overnight Rate | ||||||
> 4.00 to 1.00 | 1.500 | % | 0.500 | % | ||||
> 3.00 to 1.00 | 1.250 | % | 0.250 | % | ||||
> 2.25 to 1.00 | 1.000 | % | 0.000 | % | ||||
> 1.75 to 1.00 | 0.875 | % | 0.000 | % | ||||
> 1.25 to 1.00 | 0.750 | % | 0.000 | % | ||||
< 1.25 to 1.00 | 0.625 | % | 0.000 | % |
2
(i) | the Applicable BA Discount Rate (expressed as a decimal) applicable to such Bankers’ Acceptance; and | ||
(ii) | a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days remaining in the term of such Bankers’ Acceptance and the denominator of which is 365; | ||
with such product being rounded up or down to the fifth decimal place and .000005 being rounded up. |
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(a) | no Canadian Dollar Prime Loan may be converted into a Bankers’ Acceptance when any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; | ||
(b) | each conversion to Bankers’ Acceptances shall be for an aggregate amount of C$1,000,000 (and whole multiples of C$100,000 in excess thereof), and each conversion to Canadian Dollar Prime Loans shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of C$300,000; and | ||
(c) | Bankers’ Acceptances may be converted only on the maturity date of such Bankers’ Acceptances and,provided that, if less than all Bankers’ Acceptances are converted, then after such conversion not less than C$1,000,000 (and whole multiples of C$100,000 in excess thereof) shall remain as Bankers’ Acceptances. |
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(x) | first, by reducing the amount or rates of interest required to be paid under this subsection 2.13; and | ||
(y) | thereafter, by reducing any fees, commissions, premiums and other amounts which would constitute interest for purposes of Section 347 of theCriminal Code (Canada). |
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Applicable | ||||
Margin | ||||
Leverage | Bankers’ | Canadian Dollar | ||
Ratio | Acceptances | Prime Rate Loans | ||
> 4.00 to 1.00 | 1.500% | 0.500% | ||
> 3.00 to 1.00 | 1.250% | 0.250% | ||
> 2.25 to 1.00 | 1.000% | 0.000% | ||
> 1.75 to 1.00 | 0.875% | 0.000% | ||
>1.25 to 1.00 | 0.750% | 0.000% | ||
> 1.25 to 1.00 | 0.625% | 0.000% |
Lenders; Revolving Credit Commitments
Revolving Credit Commitments | Total Revolving | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Facility B | Facility C | Facility D | Credit | Term | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lenders | Facility A-1 | Facility A-2 | Sterling | Australia | Canada | Commitment | Commitments | Total Facilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | $ | 11,572,093.02 | $ | 1,046,511.63 | $ | 60,000,000.00 | $ | 25,000,000.00 | $ | 97,618,604.65 | $ | 34,381,395.35 | $ | 132,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||
Bank of America, N.A. | 37,618,604.65 | 60,000,000.00 | 97,618,604.65 | 34,381,395.35 | 132,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citicorp North America, Inc. | 24,676,744.19 | 60,000,000.00 | 84,676,744.19 | 29,823,255.81 | 114,500,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CoBank, ACB | 191,909,302.33 | 191,909,302.33 | 67,590,697.67 | 259,500,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. | 68,037,209.30 | 68,037,209.30 | 23,962,790.70 | 92,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BNP Paribas | 43,037,209.30 | 25,000,000.00 | 68,037,209.30 | 23,962,790.70 | 92,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BMO Capital Markets Financing, Inc. / Bank of Montreal | 53,037,209.30 | 15,000,000.00 | 68,037,209.30 | 23,962,790.70 | 92,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rabobank Nederland, New York Branch | 43,037,209.30 | 25,000,000.00 | 68,037,209.30 | 23,962,790.70 | 92,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Bank of Nova Scotia | 53,037,209.30 | 15,000,000.00 | 68,037,209.30 | 23,962,790.70 | 92,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lasalle National Bank | 48,037,209.30 | 15,000,000.00 | 5,000,000.00 | 68,037,209.30 | 23,962,790.70 | 92,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Bank of New York | 55,465,116.28 | 55,465,116.28 | 19,534,883.72 | 75,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Calyon | 40,465,116.28 | 15,000,000.00 | 55,465,116.28 | 19,534,883.72 | 75,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania / RLOC | 35,465,116.28 | 20,000,000.00 | 55,465,116.28 | 19,534,883.72 | 75,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fifth Third Bank | 55,465,116.28 | 55,465,116.28 | 19,534,883.72 | 75,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. | 55,465,116.28 | 55,465,116.28 | 19,534,883.72 | 75,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commerzbank AG | 24,372,093.02 | 20,000,000.00 | 44,372,093.02 | 15,627,906.98 | 60,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fortis Financial Services LLC | 36,976,744.19 | 36,976,744.19 | 13,023,255.81 | 50,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National City Bank | 36,976,744.19 | 36,976,744.19 | 13,023,255.81 | 50,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation | 36,976,744.19 | 36,976,744.19 | 13,023,255.81 | 50,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bayerische Landesbank, New York Branch | 36,976,744.19 | 36,976,744.19 | 13,023,255.81 | 50,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comerica Bank | 29,581,395.35 | 29,581,395.35 | 10,418,604.65 | 40,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GreenStone Farm Credit Services, ACA/FLCA | — | 25,883,720.93 | 25,883,720.93 | 9,116,279.07 | 35,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United Overseas Bank Ltd. | — | 22,186,046.51 | 22,186,046.51 | 7,813,953.49 | 30,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TD Banknorth, Inc. | 22,186,046.51 | 22,186,046.51 | 7,813,953.49 | 30,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Northern Trust Company | 18,488,372.09 | 18,488,372.09 | 6,511,627.91 | 25,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Peoples Bank | 18,488,372.09 | 18,488,372.09 | 6,511,627.91 | 25,000,000.00 |
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Revolving Credit Commitments | Total Revolving | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Facility B | Facility C | Facility D | Credit | Term | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lenders | Facility A-1 | Facility A-2 | Sterling | Australia | Canada | Commitment | Commitments | Total Facilities | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Governor and Company of the Bank of Ireland | 18,488,372.09 | 18,488,372.09 | 6,511,627.91 | 25,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General Electric Capital Corporation | 18,488,372.09 | 18,488,372.09 | 6,511,627.91 | 25,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
KBC Bank N.V. | 18,488,372.09 | 18,488,372.09 | 6,511,627.91 | 25,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
State Bank of India | — | 11,093,023.26 | 11,093,023.26 | 3,906,976.74 | 15,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. Bank National Association | 11,093,023.26 | 11,093,023.26 | 3,906,976.74 | 15,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
E.Sun Commercial Bank, Ltd., Los Angeles Branch | — | 7,395,348.84 | 7,395,348.84 | 2,604,651.16 | 10,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hua Nan Commercial Bank, Ltd., Los Angeles Branch | — | 7,395,348.84 | 7,395,348.84 | 2,604,651.16 | 10,000,000.00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Norinchukin Bank, New York Branch | 7,395,348.84 | 7,395,348.84 | 2,604,651.16 | 10,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chang Hwa Commercial Bank, Ltd., New York Branch | 3,697,674.42 | 3,697,674.42 | 1,302,325.58 | 5,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 1,155,000,000.00 | $ | 75,000,000.00 | $ | 300,000,000.00 | $ | 25,000,000.00 | $ | 35,000,000.00 | $ | 1,590,000,000.00 | $ | 560,000,000.00 | $ | 2,150,000,000.00 | ||||||||||||||||
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Non-Guarantor Domestic Subsidiaries
Certain Financial Information
Institution | Amount | Start Date | End Date | Rate Fixing | ||||||||||||
Bank of Montreal | £ | 14,400,000 | 15-Nov-05 | 15-Nov-08 | 4.76 | % | ||||||||||
Bank of Tokyo | 14,400,000 | 15-Nov-05 | 15-Nov-08 | 4.76 | % | |||||||||||
Total | £ | 28,800,000 | ||||||||||||||
Bank of Tokyo | € | 21,400,000 | 17-Nov-05 | 17-Nov-08 | 2.98 | % | ||||||||||
Scotiabank | 21,400,000 | 17-Nov-05 | 17-Nov-08 | 2.98 | % | |||||||||||
Total | € | 42,800,000 | ||||||||||||||
Bank of America | $ | 50,000,000 | 14-Feb-07 | 14-Feb-12 | 5.20 | % | ||||||||||
Bank of Montreal | 50,000,000 | 14-Feb-07 | 14-Feb-12 | 5.20 | % | |||||||||||
Rabobank | 50,000,000 | 14-Feb-07 | 14-Feb-12 | 5.20 | % | |||||||||||
LaSalle Bank | 50,000,000 | 14-Feb-07 | 14-Feb-12 | 5.20 | % | |||||||||||
Total | $ | 200,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
Letter’s of Credit | Amount | Maturity | Beneficiary | |||||
B695412 | $ | 613,970 | 31-Oct-07 | DIETHELM SCANSTYLE PTE LTD | ||||
P200765 | 602,500 | 30-Apr-08 | THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK | |||||
P218576 | 260,000 | 30-Sep-07 | LUMBERMENS MUTUAL CASUALTY COMPANY | |||||
P224253 | 10,302 | 01-May-08 | OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | |||||
P234324 | 145,809 | 28-Jan-08 | STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF | |||||
P238657 | 2,500,000 | 30-Sep-07 | ARGONAUT INSURANCE CO. | |||||
TBTI662029 | 318,990 | 15-Apr-07 | HANGZHOU TONNY ELECTRIC TOOLS | |||||
IBTI659566 | 189,104 | 28-Feb-07 | RELEASE GARDEN VIETNAM BRANCH | |||||
T217922 | 450,000 | 30-Sep-07 | CITY OF SPOKANE, SOLID WASTE | |||||
T237913 | 9,000 | 23-Nov-07 | S.C. Dept of Health | |||||
T244095 | 333,240 | 19-Apr-07 | OHIO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION | |||||
T296770 | 450,000 | 30-Sep-07 | CITY OF GREENSBORO | |||||
431336002 | 9,814,473 | 30-Sep-07 | ACE American Insurance Co. | |||||
TOTAL | $ | 15,697,388 |
Litigation
• | that all significant sites that must be remediated have been identified; | ||
• | that there are no significant conditions of contamination that are unknown to us; and | ||
• | that with respect to the agreed judicial Consent Order in Ohio, the potentially contaminated soil can be remediated in place rather than having to be removed and only specific stream segments will require remediation as opposed to the entire stream. |
Subsidiaries
Gutwein & Co., Inc., an Indiana corporation |
SMG Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation |
SMG Growing Media, Inc., an Ohio corporation |
Rod McLellan Company, a California corporation |
SMGM LLC, an Ohio limited liability company |
The Scotts Company LLC, an Ohio limited liability company |
EG Systems, Inc., dba Scotts LawnService, an Indiana corporation |
Hyponex Corporation, a Delaware corporation |
OMS Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation |
Scotts Temecula Operations, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company |
Sanford Scientific, Inc., a New York corporation |
Scotts Global Services, Inc., an Ohio corporation |
Scotts Manufacturing Company, a Delaware corporation |
Miracle-Gro Lawn Products, Inc., a New York corporation |
Scotts Products Co., an Ohio corporation |
Scotts Servicios, S.A. de C.V. (Mexico)1 |
Scotts Professional Products Co., an Ohio corporation |
Scotts Servicios, S.A. de C.V. (Mexico)2 |
Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company, a California corporation |
Scotts-Sierra Crop Protection Company, a California corporation |
Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation |
Asef B.V. (Netherlands) |
Scotts Australia Pty Ltd. (Australia) |
Scotts Benelux BVBA (Belgium)3 |
Scotts Canada Ltd. (Canada) |
Scotts Czech s.r.o. (Czech Republic) |
Scotts de Mexico SA de CV (Mexico) |
Scotts France Holdings SARL (France) |
Scotts France SARL (France)4 |
Scotts France SAS (France)5 |
Scotts Holding GmbH (Germany) |
Scotts Celaflor GmbH & Co. KG (Germany) |
Scotts Celaflor HGmbH (Austria) |
Scotts Holdings Limited (United Kingdom) |
Levington Group Limited (United Kingdom) |
The Scotts Company (UK) Limited (United Kingdom) |
The Scotts Company (Manufacturing) Limited (United Kingdom) |
OM Scott International Investments Limited (United Kingdom) |
1 | Not wholly-owned, Scotts Professional Products Co. owns 50% | |
2 | Not wholly-owned, Scotts Products Co. owns 50% | |
3 | Not wholly-owned, OMS Investments, Inc. owns .01% | |
4 | Not wholly-owned, Scotts Holdings Ltd. owns .01% | |
5 | Not wholly-owned, Scotts France SARL owns .01% |
Corwen Home and Garden Limited (United Kingdom) |
Scotts International B.V. (Netherlands) |
Scotts Deutschland GmbH (Germany) |
Scott O.M. España, S.A. (Spain) |
Scotts Profi HGmbH (Austria) |
Scotts Italia S.r.l. (Italy)6 |
Scotts Horticulture Ltd. (Ireland) |
Scotts Hungary KFT (Hungary)7 |
Scotts Japan, Ltd. (Japan)8 |
Scotts PBG Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia) |
Scotts Poland Sp.z.o.o. (Poland) |
Scotts Sweden AB (Sweden) |
The Scotts Company (Nordic) A/S (Denmark) |
The Scotts Company Italia S.r.l. (Italy) |
The Scotts Company Kenya Ltd. (Kenya) |
Turf-Seed Europe (Ireland)9 |
Smith & Hawken, Ltd., a Delaware corporation |
Swiss Farms Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation |
Scotts Treasury EEIG |
6 | Not wholly-owned, James Hagedorn owns .05% | |
7 | Not wholly-owned, OMS Investments, Inc. owns 3% | |
8 | Not wholly-owned, Mitsui owns 39% and Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd. Owns 10% | |
9 | Not wholly-owned, Owned 51% by Tempoverde, Srl. — Agostino Gaude |
Certain Transactions
1. | Purchases of any security as part of or in connection with a Permitted Acquisition. |
2. | Repurchases or redemptions of the Borrower’s Capital Stock and payment of dividends permitted by Section 7.14. | |
3. | Any use of proceeds permitted by Section 2.23. |
4. | Any use of proceeds otherwise contemplated or permitted by the Agreement. |
Environmental Matters
• | that all significant sites that must be remediated have been identified; | ||
• | that there are no significant conditions of contamination that are unknown to us; and | ||
• | that with respect to the agreed judicial Consent Order in Ohio, the potentially contaminated soil can be remediated in place rather than having to be removed and only specific stream segments will require remediation as opposed to the entire stream. |
Certain Filings
Perfection of Foreign Stock Pledges
Document | Action | |
Share Pledge granted by Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. over the shares of Asef B.V. | Execution before a notary in Amsterdam and registration in the shareholders register of Asef B.V. | |
Share Pledge granted by Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. over the shares of Scotts Holding GmbH | Execution before a notary (in either Switzerland or Germany) | |
Share Pledge granted by Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. and OMS Investments, Inc. over the shares of Scotts Benelux BVBA | Registration in the shareholders register of Scotts Benelux BVBA | |
Share Pledge granted by Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. over the shares of Scotts France Holdings SARL | Registration with a special registry (registre spécial) held by thegreffeof the commercial court (tribunal de commerce) of Lyon |
Certain Required Recordations
Document | Action | |||||
1. | Scotts France Holdings SARL Share Pledge | Registration | ||||
2. | Scotts Holding GmbH Share Pledge | Notarisation | ||||
3. | Scotts Benelux BVBA Share Pledge | Registration in the shareholders register of Scotts Benelux BVBA | ||||
4. | Asef B.V. Share Pledge | Notarisation and registration |
Foreign Pledge Agreements
Name of Subsidiary whose | Percentage of Capital | |||
Name of Pledgor | Capital Stock is to be Pledged | Stock to be Pledged | ||
Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | Scotts France Holdings SARL | 100% of Capital Stock to secure obligations of Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | ||
Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | Scotts Holding GmbH | 100% of Capital Stock to secure obligations of Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | ||
Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | Asef B.V. | 100% of Capital Stock to secure obligations of Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. |
Name of Subsidiary | Percentage of Capital | |||
Name of Pledgor | whose Capital Stock is Pledged | Stock Pledged | ||
Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | Scotts Australia Pty Limited (provided that delivery of this pledge is contingent upon confirmation from Australian tax authorities that the applicable Australian stamp duty will not be based on the total aggregate amount of the Facility) | 65% of Voting Capital Stock to secure obligations of Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc./ 65% of Voting Capital Stock to secure borrowings of Foreign Subsidiary | ||
Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | Scotts Canada Limited | 65% of Voting Capital Stock to secure obligations of Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc./ 100% of Voting Capital Stock to secure borrowings of Foreign Subsidiary | ||
Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | Scotts Benelux BVBA | 100% of Capital Stock to secure obligations of Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. (one share being pledged separately by OMS Investments, Inc.) |
Scotts Holdings Limited | Levington Group Limited | 100% of Capital Stock to secure borrowings of Scotts Holdings Limited | ||
Scotts Holdings Limited | O M Scott International Investments Limited | 65% of Capital Stock to secure borrowings of Scotts Holdings Limited | ||
The Scotts Company (UK) Limited | The Scotts Company (Manufacturing) Limited | 65% of Capital Stock to secure borrowings of The Scotts Company (UK) Limited | ||
Levington Group Limited | The Scotts Company (UK) Limited | 100% of Capital Stock pledged by Levington Group Limited to secure borrowings of The Scotts Company (UK) Limited | ||
Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | Scotts Holdings Limited | 100% of Capital Stock to secure obligations of Scotts-Sierra Investments Inc. |
Existing Liens and Encumbrances
1. | All of the UCC filings described in the summary of lien searches provided to the Administrative Agent on February 1, 2007 and February 6, 2007. | |
2. | Liens of lessors under capital leases in the amount of $8.7 million, as described in Schedule 7.5(c). | |
3. | The following liens on the assets of Foreign Subsidiaries: |
Levington Horticulture Limited | Standard Security presented for registration in Scotland in favour of National Westminster Plc (as Security Trustee for itself and the beneficiaries) dated 22 July 1992 | |
O.M. Scott & Sons Ltd. | Deed of Charge over Credit Balances in favour of Barclays Bank Plc dated 14 December 1992 |
4. | Liens permitted by Section 7.1(k) of the December 4, 1998 Credit Agreement; provided that the Indebtedness secured by such liens has been paid in full. |
Existing Guarantees
1. | Guarantee by The Scotts Company of certain obligations of E.G. Systems, Inc. d/b/a Scotts LawnService as described below: |
Liqui Green – Spraying (Peoria) | $ | 127,482 | ||
Liqui Green – Lawn Care Corp. | $ | 532,592 | ||
All Pro Enviro Services (Nutri-Lawn – Seattle) | $ | 1,700,000 | ||
Guaranteed Scotts LawnService Leases | $ | 401,851 | ||
Subtotal | $ | 2,761,925 | ||
2. | Guarantees of residual values under existing operating lease agreements totaling $31.7 million. |
3. | Revenue guarantee related to the Pure Seed Testing License Agreement in the amount of $1.64 million per year for 10 years (totaling not more than $16.4 million over that period of time). |
4. | Springing guarantee in the amount of $945,000, by The Scotts Company for lease of manufacturing equipment used for the production and packaging of certain Scotts products in Europe, which equipment is leased by Peltracom Potgrand Divisie N.V., as lessee, from KBC Bank and DeLage Landen, as lessors. |
5. | Parent guarantee supporting a euro denominated bank line of credit extended to Scotts France SAS. The January 2007 available balance of such bank line of credit was U.S.$9,811,600 using a euro to dollars exchange rate of 1.29. |
6. | Guarantee of Performance, dated March 18, 2005, of E.G. Systems, Inc. under its franchise registrations in the States of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin and under its Scotts LawnService Franchise Agreements with franchisees, which guarantee continues in effect until E.G. Systems, Inc. has satisfied all of its obligations under the state franchise registrations and the Scotts LawnService Franchise Agreements. Maximum exposure at any one time is estimated to be ten franchisee set-ups at $10,000 per set-up, or $100,000. |
Existing Indebtedness
1. | All Working capital lines of credit currently available to any Foreign Subsidiaries, in an aggregate amount not to exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $25,000,000. |
2. | All outstanding letters of credit, interest rate swap hedging instruments, and foreign currency exchange hedging agreements that are listed on Schedule 4.1. | |
3. | All synthetic leases described below: |
Amount | Term | Maturity | Lessor | |||||||
The Scotts Company | $ | 12,900,000 | 5-yr | 08/30/2008 | Fleet Bank | |||||
The Scotts Company | $ | 5,846,230 | 8-yr | 12/29/2009 | Fleet Bank | |||||
Total | $ | 18,746,230 |
4. | Various capital leases totaling approximately $8.7 million. Buildings on the Marysville campus make up $6.4 million of this total, with the rest consisting primarily of computer equipment throughout the company and manufacturing equipment at 3rd party vendors. |
5. | Deferred purchase obligations totaling approximately $5.3 million primarily for various acquisitions for EG Systems, Inc. d/b/a Scotts LawnService. |
6. | Contingent deferred purchase obligation due in 2012 recorded at $10.1 million relating to the acquisition of certain brands and assets of Turf Seed, Inc. Ultimate contingent payout could approximate $15 million. |
7. | Contingent obligations to lessors for facility build-outs under Smith & Hawken operating lease agreements totaling $2.7 million. |
Sale and Leaseback
Notices
2
3
Credit | Principal | |||||||||
Facility Assigned | Amount Assigned3 | Commitment Percentage Assigned | ||||||||
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR], as Assignor | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE], as Assignee | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
1 | To be completed by the Assignee if applicable. | |
2 | To be completed by the Assignee if applicable. | |
3 | In Dollars, euros, Sterling, Canadian Dollars, Australian Dollars or Optional Currencies, as applicable. |
2
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent [and Issuing Lender] | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
[NAME OF ISSUING LENDER]4, as Issuing Lender | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
[Consented To: THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | ]5 | ||
4 | Include if the Issuing Lender is a Lender other than JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | |
5 | Include if applicable. |
AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTEE AND COLLATERAL AGREEMENT
as Administrative Agent
Page | ||||||
SECTION 1. | DEFINED TERMS | 3 | ||||
1.1. | Definitions | 3 | ||||
1.2. | Other Definitional Provisions | 6 | ||||
SECTION 2. | BORROWER GUARANTEE | 6 | ||||
2.1. | Borrower Guarantee | 6 | ||||
2.2. | No Subrogation | 7 | ||||
2.3. | Amendments, etc. with respect to the Subsidiary Borrower Obligations | 7 | ||||
2.4. | Guarantee Absolute and Unconditional | 7 | ||||
2.5. | Reinstatement | 8 | ||||
2.6. | Payments | 8 | ||||
SECTION 3. | DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEE | 8 | ||||
3.1. | Domestic Subsidiary Guarantee | 8 | ||||
3.2. | Right of Contribution | 9 | ||||
3.3. | No Subrogation | 9 | ||||
3.4. | Amendments, etc. with respect to the Borrower Obligations and the | |||||
Borrower’s Guarantor Obligations | 10 | |||||
3.5. | Guarantees Absolute and Unconditional | 10 | ||||
3.6. | Reinstatement | 11 | ||||
3.7. | Payments | 11 | ||||
SECTION 4. | GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST | 11 | ||||
SECTION 5. | REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES | 12 | ||||
5.1. | Title; No Other Liens | 12 | ||||
5.2. | Perfected First Priority Liens | 12 | ||||
5.3. | Jurisdiction of Organization | 12 | ||||
5.4. | Domestic Subsidiaries | 13 | ||||
5.5. | Pledged Stock | 13 | ||||
5.6. | Receivables | 13 | ||||
SECTION 6. | COVENANTS | 13 | ||||
6.1. | Delivery of Certificated Securities | 13 | ||||
6.2. | Maintenance of Insurance | 13 | ||||
6.3. | Payment of Obligations | 14 | ||||
6.4. | Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Documentation | 14 | ||||
6.5. | Notices | 14 | ||||
6.6. | Pledged Stock | 14 | ||||
6.7. | Receivables | 15 | ||||
SECTION 7. | REMEDIAL PROVISIONS | 16 |
2
Page | ||||||
7.1. | Certain Matters Relating to Receivables | 16 | ||||
7.2. | Communications with Obligors; Grantors Remain Liable | 16 | ||||
7.3. | Pledged Stock | 17 | ||||
7.4. | Proceeds to be Turned Over To Administrative Agent | 18 | ||||
7.5. | Application of Proceeds | 18 | ||||
7.6. | Code and Other Remedies | 18 | ||||
7.7. | Registration Rights | 19 | ||||
7.8. | Deficiency | 20 | ||||
SECTION 8. | THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | 20 | ||||
8.1. | Administrative Agent’s Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact, etc | 20 | ||||
8.2. | Duty of Administrative Agent | 21 | ||||
8.3. | Execution of Financing Statements | 22 | ||||
8.4. | Authority of Administrative Agent | 22 | ||||
SECTION 9. | MISCELLANEOUS | 22 | ||||
9.1. | Amendments in Writing | 22 | ||||
9.2. | Notices | 22 | ||||
9.3. | No Waiver by Course of Conduct; Cumulative Remedies | 22 | ||||
9.4. | Enforcement Expenses; Indemnification | 23 | ||||
9.5. | Successors and Assigns | 23 | ||||
9.6. | Set-Off | 23 | ||||
9.7. | Counterparts | 24 | ||||
9.8. | Severability | 24 | ||||
9.9. | Section Headings | 24 | ||||
9.10. | Integration | 24 | ||||
9.11. | GOVERNING LAW | 24 | ||||
9.12. | Submission To Jurisdiction; Waivers | 24 | ||||
9.13. | Acknowledgments | 24 | ||||
9.14. | Additional Grantors | 25 | ||||
9.15. | Releases; Reinstatement | 25 | ||||
9.16. | Conflict of Laws | 26 | ||||
9.17. | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL | 26 |
SCHEDULES | ||
Schedule 1 | Notice Addresses of Guarantors | |
Schedule 2 | Description of Pledged Stock | |
Schedule 3 | Jurisdiction of Incorporation | |
Schedule 4 | Domestic Subsidiaries |
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
24
25
26
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
[NAME OF GRANTOR] | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
[NAME OF ISSUER] | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
Address for Notices: | ||||
Fax: | ||||
Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement
2
[ADDITIONAL GRANTOR] | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
[Address of Lender]
Date of Swing Line Loan: | ||||||||
Principal Amount of Swing Line Loan: | ||||||||
Facility to which Swing Line Loan Will Be Applied: | ||||||||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
2
[NAME OF LENDER] | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
[Address] | ||||
1 | Include if adding tranches of term loans. | |
2 | Included if increasing Revolving Credit Commitment. |
2
[INSERT NAME OF LENDER] | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: |
3
, ___.
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
[REGULAR SUBSIDIARY BORROWER] | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title | |||
4
, 200___.
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent | |||
By: | |||
Name: | |||
Title: | |||
270 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10017
the Credit Agreement (hereinafter defined)
as of the date hereof
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Subsidiary | State of Incorporation or Formation | |||
1. Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company | California | |||
2. Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | Delaware | |||
3. Scotts Professional Products Co. | Ohio | |||
4. OMS Investments, Inc. | Delaware | |||
5. Miracle-Gro Lawn Products, Inc. | New York | |||
6. Scotts-Sierra Crop Protection Company | California | |||
7. Swiss Farms Products, Inc. | Delaware | |||
8. Sanford Scientific, Inc. | New York | |||
9. Scotts Products Co. | Ohio | |||
10. Smith & Hawken, Ltd. | Delaware | |||
11. Rod McLellan Company | California | |||
12. Hyponex Corporation | Delaware | |||
13. Scotts Temecula Operations, LLC | Delaware | |||
14. Scotts Manufacturing Company | Delaware | |||
15. EG Systems, Inc. | Indiana | |||
16. Smith & Hawken, Ltd. | Delaware | |||
17. The Scotts Company LLC | Ohio | |||
18. SMG Growing Media, Inc. | Ohio | |||
19. Gutwein & Co., Inc. | Indiana |
1. | UCC-3 Financing Statement Amendment naming The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company as debtor, to be filed with the Ohio Secretary of State and describing the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement. | |
2. | UCC-3 Financing Statement Amendment naming The Scotts Company LLC as debtor, to be filed with the Ohio Secretary of State and describing the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement. | |
3. | UCC-3 Financing Statement Amendment naming Scotts Manufacturing Company as debtor, to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and describing the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement. | |
4. | UCC-3 Financing Statement Amendment naming Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company as debtor, to be filed with the California Secretary of State and describing the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement. | |
5. | UCC-3 Financing Statement Amendment naming OMS Investments, Inc. as debtor, to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and describing the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement. | |
6. | UCC-3 Financing Statement Amendment naming Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. as debtor, to be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and describing the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement. | |
7. | UCC-3 Financing Statement Amendment naming SMG Growing Media, Inc. as debtor, to be filed with the Ohio Secretary of State and describing the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement. | |
8. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Miracle-Gro Lawn Products, Inc. as debtor and to be filed with the New York Department of State. | |
9. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Hyponex Corporation as debtor and to be filed with the Delaware Department of State. | |
10. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Scotts Products Co. as debtor and to be filed with the Ohio Secretary of State. | |
11. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Scotts Professional Products Co. as debtor and to be filed with the Ohio Secretary of State. | |
12. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Scotts-Sierra Crop Protection Company as debtor and to be filed with the California Secretary of State. | |
13. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming EG Systems, Inc. as debtor and to be filed with the Indiana Secretary of State. | |
14. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Swiss Farms Products, Inc. as debtor and to be filed with the Delaware Department of State. |
15. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Scotts Temecula Operations, LLC as debtor and to be filed with the Delaware Department of State. | |
16. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Smith & Hawken, Ltd. as debtor and to be filed with the Delaware Department of State. | |
17. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Sanford Scientific, Inc. as debtor and to be filed with the New York Department of State. | |
18. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Gutwein & Co., Inc. as debtor and to be filed with the Indiana Secretary of State. | |
19. | UCC-1 Financing Statement naming Rod McLellan Company as debtor and to be filed with the California Secretary of State. |
Entity Name | State Issuing Certificate | Date of Certificate | ||||
1. | The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, an Ohio corporation | Ohio Secretary of State | 1/26/07 | |||
2. | The Scotts Company LLC, an Ohio limited liability company | Ohio Secretary of State | 1/26/07 | |||
3. | EG Systems, Inc., an Indiana corporation | Indiana Secretary of State | 1/23/07 | |||
4. | Hyponex Corporation, a Delaware corporation | Delaware Secretary of State | 1/25/07 | |||
5. | OMS Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation | Delaware Secretary of State | 1/25/07 | |||
6. | Scotts Temecula Operations, LLC, a Delaware corporation | Delaware Secretary of State | 1/25/07 | |||
7. | Sanford Scientific, Inc., a New York corporation | New York Department of State | 1/22/07 | |||
8. | Scotts Manufacturing Company, a Delaware corporation | Delaware Secretary of State | 1/25/07 | |||
9. | Miracle-Gro Lawn Products, Inc., a New York corporation | New York Department of State | 1/22/07 | |||
10. | Scotts Products Co., an Ohio corporation | Ohio Secretary of State | 1/26/07 | |||
11. | Scotts Professional Products Co., an Ohio corporation | Ohio Secretary of State | 1/26/07 | |||
12. | Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company, a California corporation | California Secretary of State | 1/19/07 | |||
13. | Scotts-Sierra Crop Protection Company, a California corporation | California Secretary of State | 1/19/07 | |||
14. | Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc., a Delaware corporation | Delaware Secretary of State | 1/25/07 | |||
15. | Smith & Hawken, Ltd., a Delaware corporation | Delaware Secretary of State | 1/25/07 | |||
16. | Swiss Farms Products, Inc., a Delaware corporation | Delaware Secretary of State | 1/25/07 | |||
17. | Gutwein & Co., Inc., an Indiana corporation | Indiana Secretary of State | 1/23/07 | |||
18. | SMG Growing Media, Inc., an Ohio corporation | Ohio Secretary of State | 1/26/07 | |||
19. | Rod McLellan Company, a California corporation | California Secretary of State | 1/19/07 |
Certificate | ||||||||||||
Issuer | Owner | Class of Stock | No. | No. of Shares | ||||||||
Scotts Manufacturing Company | The Scotts Company LLC | common shares, $.01 par value | 2 | 1,000 | ||||||||
Miracle-Gro Lawn Products, Inc. | Scotts Manufacturing Company | voting common stock, without par value | V14 | 1,000 | ||||||||
Scotts Manufacturing Company | non-voting common stock, without par value | NV12 | 999.8 | |||||||||
OMS Investments, Inc. | The Scotts Company LLC | common stock, $.01 par value | 3 | 100 | ||||||||
Hyponex Corporation | The Scotts Company LLC | common stock, $.01 par value | 3 | 100 | ||||||||
Scotts Products Co. | The Scotts Company LLC | common shares, without par value | 3 | 100 | ||||||||
Scotts Professional Products Co. | The Scotts Company LLC | common shares, without par value | 3 | 100 | ||||||||
Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company | The Scotts Company LLC | Class A voting common shares, $.001 par value | Class A Cert. No. 6 | 101 | ||||||||
The Scotts Company LLC | Class B non-voting common shares, | Class B Cert. No. 3 | 1 |
Certificate | ||||||||||||
Issuer | Owner | Class of Stock | No. | No. of Shares | ||||||||
$.001 par value | ||||||||||||
Scotts-Sierra Crop Protection Company | Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company | common shares, without par value | 2 | 100 | ||||||||
Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. | Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company | Class A common stock, without par value | 5A | 100 | ||||||||
Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company | Class A common stock, without par value | 6A | 1 | |||||||||
Scotts-Sierra Horticultural Products Company | Class B common stock, without par value | 3B | 1 | |||||||||
Swiss Farms Products, Inc. | The Scotts Company LLC | common stock, without par value | 2 | 100 | ||||||||
Smith & Hawken, Ltd. | The Scotts Company LLC | common stock | 18 | 11,652,708 | ||||||||
EG Systems, Inc. | The Scotts Company | common stock | 29 | 36,480,458 | ||||||||
LLC | ||||||||||||
Sanford Scientific, Inc. | The Scotts Company LLC | common stock | 8 | 99 | ||||||||
Gutwein & Co., Inc. | The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company | common stock | 182 | 1,000 |
Certificate | ||||||||||||
Issuer | Owner | Class of Stock | No. | No. of Shares | ||||||||
SMG Growing Media, Inc. | The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company | common stock | 1 | 100 | ||||||||
Rod McLellan Company | SMG Growing Media, Inc. | common stock | 189 | 100 | ||||||||
The Scotts Company LLC | The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company | limited liability company interest (not certificated) | n/a | n/a | ||||||||
Scotts Temecula Operations, LLC | OMS Investments, Inc. | limited liability company interest (not certificated) | n/a | n/a |
ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH
THE PROVISION OF TERM
AND REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES
TO THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
AND CERTAIN OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES
1. | INTRODUCTION | |
1.1 | English Opinion Documents | |
The opinions given in this Opinion Letter relate to the following documents entered into in connection with the Transaction (the “Opinion Documents”): |
1.1.1 | the amended and restated credit agreement dated on or about the date hereof between,inter alia, the Borrower, the subsidiary borrowers from time to time party thereto, the several lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as agent for the Lenders (the “Administrative Agent”) which amends and restates the revolving credit agreement dated 21 July 2005 which is expressed to be governed by the laws of New York (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”); | ||
1.1.2 | the deed of confirmation dated on or about the date hereof granted by Scotts Holdings Limited in favour of the Administrative Agent in respect of the English law governed share pledge dated 21 July 2005 over 65 per cent. of its shareholding in O M Scott International Investments Limited; | ||
1.1.3 | the deed of confirmation dated on or about the dated hereof granted by Scotts Holdings Limited in favour of the Administrative Agent in respect of the English law governed share pledge dated 21 July 2005 over its entire shareholding in Levington Group Limited; | ||
1.1.4 | the deed of confirmation dated on or about the date hereof granted by The Scotts Company (UK) Limited in favour of the Administrative Agent in respect |
of the English law governed share pledge dated 21 July 2005 over 65 per cent. of its shareholding in The Scotts Company (Manufacturing) Limited; | |||
1.1.5 | the deed of confirmation dated on or about the date hereof granted by Levington Group Limited in favour of the Administrative Agent in respect of the English law governed share pledge dated 21 July 2005 over its entire shareholding in The Scotts Company (UK) Limited; and | ||
1.1.6 | the deed of confirmation dated on or about the date hereof granted by Scotts-Sierra Investments, Inc. in favour of the Administrative Agent in respect of the English law governed share pledge dated 21 July 2005 over its entire shareholding in Scotts Holdings Limited. |
1.2 | Defined terms | |
In this Opinion Letter: |
1.2.1 | “English Obligor” means each of the companies specified in Schedule 1 (English Obligors); | ||
1.2.2 | “English Opinion Documents” means each of the documents listed in paragraphs 1.1.2 to 1.1.6 (inclusive); | ||
1.2.3 | “Finance Party” means each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; | ||
1.2.4 | “Lender” means any person which is a “Lender” under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement as at the date of this Opinion Letter; | ||
1.2.5 | terms defined or given a particular construction in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement have the same meaning in this Opinion Letter unless a contrary indication appears; and | ||
1.2.6 | headings in this Opinion Letter are for ease of reference only and shall not affect its interpretation. |
1.3 | Legal review | |
For the purpose of issuing this Opinion Letter we have reviewed only the documents and completed only the searches and enquiries referred to in Schedule 2 (Documents and enquiries) to this Opinion Letter. | ||
1.4 | Applicable law | |
This Opinion Letter and the opinions given in it are governed by English law and relate only to English law as applied by the English courts as at today’s date. We express no opinion in this Opinion Letter on the laws of any other jurisdiction. | ||
1.5 | Assumptions and reservations | |
The opinions given in this Opinion Letter are given on the basis of our understanding of the terms of the Opinion Documents and the assumptions set out in Schedule 3 (Assumptions) and are subject to the reservations set out in Schedule 4 (Reservations) to this Opinion Letter. The opinions given in this Opinion Letter are strictly limited to the matters stated in paragraph 2 (Opinions) and do not extend to any other matters. |
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2. | OPINIONS | |
We are of the opinion that: | ||
2.1 | Corporate existence |
2.1.1 | Each of the English Obligors is a company or a body corporate duly incorporated or registered in England and has the capacity and power to enter into each of the Opinion Documents to which it is a party and to exercise its rights and perform its obligations under those Opinion Documents. | ||
2.1.2 | All corporate action required to authorise the execution by each English Obligor of each of the Opinion Documents to which it is a party and the exercise by it of its rights and the performance by it of its obligations under those Opinion Documents has been duly taken. |
2.2 | Due execution | |
The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement has been duly executed by each of the English Obligors to the extent that English law is applicable. | ||
2.3 | Conflict | |
Neither the execution nor the delivery of any Opinion Document to which it is a party by the English Obligors nor the performance of the obligations of the English Obligors under any Opinion Document to which it is a party conflict with or will conflict with: |
2.3.1 | any present law or regulation having the force of law in England and applicable to the English Obligors; or | ||
2.3.2 | any term of the memorandum and articles of association or constitutive documents of each of the English Obligors. |
2.4 | Legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations | |
The obligations expressed to be assumed by each of the English Obligors in the English Opinion Documents to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations. | ||
In any proceedings taken in England for the enforcement of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the obligations expressed to be assumed by each of the English Obligors in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to which it is a party would be recognised by the English courts as its legal, valid and binding obligations and would be enforceable in the English courts. | ||
2.5 | Further acts | |
No further acts, conditions or things are required by English law to be done, fulfilled or performed in order to enable any of the English Obligors lawfully to enter into, exercise its rights or perform its obligations under any of the Opinion Documents or to make any of the Opinion Documents to which it is a party admissible in evidence in England. | ||
2.6 | Stamp taxes | |
No United Kingdom ad valorem stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax or stamp duty land tax is payable on the execution (or where the relevant document is a deed, the delivery) of any of the Opinion Documents. |
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2.7 | Governing law | |
In any proceedings taken in England for the enforcement of the obligations of the English Obligors under any Opinion Document to which it is a party, the English courts would give effect to the choice of English law as the governing law of each of the English Opinion Documents, and recognise the choice of the laws of New York to govern the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement subject to the provisions of the Contracts (Applicable Law) Act 1990. | ||
2.8 | Submission to jurisdiction | |
The submission to the jurisdiction of the courts of New York by the relevant English Obligors contained in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is legal, valid and binding. | ||
2.9 | Enforcement of foreign judgment | |
The English courts will enforce by separate action a final and conclusive judgment for a definite sum of money (not being a sum payable in respect of taxes or other charges of a like nature or in respect of a fine or other penalty) entered against therelevant English Obligors in connection with the enforcement of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement in civil proceedings in a court of competent jurisdiction in New York. | ||
3. | LIMITS OF OPINION | |
We express no opinion as to any liability to taxation which may arise or be suffered as a result of or in connection with the Opinion Documents or the Transaction other than as mentioned in paragraph 2.6 (Stamp taxes). | ||
We have not been involved in the negotiation or preparation of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement or the other agreements referred to therein (which have not been reviewed by us for the purpose of giving the opinions set out in this Opinion Letter) and we express no opinion as to whether the terms of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are adequate to fulfil the intentions of the parties with respect thereto. | ||
4. | ADDRESSEES AND PURPOSE | |
This Opinion Letter is provided in connection with the satisfaction of the conditions precedent under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and is addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. It may not, without our prior written consent, be relied upon for any other purpose or be disclosed to or relied upon by any other person. |
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1. | DOCUMENTS |
(a) | The Opinion Documents in the forms set out below: |
(i) | an executed faxed copy of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement; and | ||
(ii) | an executed faxed copy of each English Opinion Document. |
(b) | A certified copy of the certificate of incorporation (and any certificate of incorporation on change of name) and memorandum and articles of association of each English Obligor (other than Scotts Treasury EEIG). | ||
(c) | A certified copy of the certificate of incorporation, formation agreement, management agreement and operating agreement (the “Constitutive Documents”) of Scotts Treasury EEIG. | ||
(d) | A certified copy of the resolutions in writing of the directors of Scotts Holdings Limited and The Scotts Company (UK) Limited dated [•] February 2007. | ||
(e) | A certified copy of a written resolution of the shareholders of Scotts Holdings Limited and The Scotts Company (UK) Limited dated [•] February 2007. | ||
(f) | A copy of the resolutions in writing of the directors of Levington Group Limited dated [•] February 2007. | ||
(g) | A copy of a written resolution of the shareholder of Levington Group Limited dated [•] February 2007. | ||
(h) | A certified copy of the written resolutions of the members’ representatives of Scotts Treasury EEIG dated [•] February 2007 (the “Members’ Representatives Resolutions”). | ||
(i) | A certificate of an officer of each English Obligor (other than Levington Group Limited) dated [•] February 2007. |
2. | SEARCHES AND ENQUIRIES |
(a) | A search was conducted with the Registrar of Companies in respect of each English Obligor on [•] February 2007. |
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(b) | An enquiry by telephone was made at the Companies Court in London of the Central Index of Winding Up Petitions on [•] February 2007 at [•] [a.m./p.m.] with respect to each English Obligor. |
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1. | ORIGINAL AND GENUINE DOCUMENTATION |
(a) | All signatures, stamps and seals are genuine, all original documents are authentic and all copy documents are complete and conform to the originals. | ||
(b) | Any certificate referred to in Schedule 2 (Documents and enquiries) is correct in all respects. | ||
(c) | The authorised signatories executing the Members’ Representatives Resolutions delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are so authorised by the relevant member of Scotts Treasury EEIG. |
2. | OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES OTHER THAN THE ENGLISH OBLIGORS |
(a) | Each party to the Opinion Documents(other than the English Obligors) has the capacity, power and authority to enter into and to exercise its rights and to perform its obligations under the Opinion Documents to which it is a party. | ||
(b) | Each party to the Opinion Documents (other than the English Obligors) has duly executed and delivered the Opinion Documents. | ||
(c) | The Administrative Agent has complied with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 and the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 in relation to any security taken over shares, securities or other investments (falling within the scope of the term “investment”, as defined in that Act). | ||
(d) | The steps taken by which any person not originally a party to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, or any other Opinion Document, becomes a Lender under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, or otherwise becomes entitled to any rights under any of the other Opinion Documents, are effective to ensure that it is treated as a party to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, and the relevant Opinion Documents, under the laws of New York and are within the capacity and powers of, and are duly authorised by, each of the relevant parties. | ||
(e) | Each of the Lenders is at all relevant times a person acting in the course of carrying on a business consisting wholly or to a significant extent of lending money or is otherwise a person of a kind specified in article 6 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001. |
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3. | DOCUMENT NOT GOVERNED BY ENGLISH LAW |
(a) | The obligations expressed to be assumed by the parties to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement constitute their legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations under the laws of New York. | ||
(b) | The submission to the jurisdiction of the courts of New York by the English Obligors contained in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is legal, valid and binding under the laws of New York. | ||
(c) | The choice of the laws of New York to govern the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is a valid choice under the laws of New York. |
4. | CORPORATE AUTHORITY OF THE ENGLISH OBLIGORS |
(a) | There have been no amendments to the form of the memorandum and articles of association of any English Obligor (other than Scotts Treasury EEIG) or to the Constitutive Documents of Scotts Treasury EEIG referred to in Schedule 2 (Documents and enquiries). | ||
(b) | The resolutions in writing of the board of directors of each English Obligor (other than Scotts Treasury EEIG) referred to in Schedule 2 (Documents and enquiries) have not been amended or rescinded and are in full force and effect. | ||
(c) | The resolutions of the shareholders of each English Obligor (other than Scotts Treasury EEIG) referred to in Schedule 2 (Documents and enquiries) has been duly adopted by the shareholders of each English Obligor (other than Scotts Treasury EEIG) and has not been amended or rescinded and is in full force and effect. | ||
(d) | Each director has disclosed any interest which he may have in the transactions contemplated by the Opinion Documents in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 1985 and the articles of association of the relevant English Obligor and none of the directors of that English Obligor has any interest in such transactions except to the extent permitted by the articles of association of that English Obligor. | ||
(e) | The execution and delivery of the Opinion Documents to which it is a party by each English Obligor and the exercise of its rights and performance of its obligations under those Opinion Documents will sufficiently benefit and is in the interests of that English Obligor. [In particular, whilst the resolutions in writing referred to in paragraphs 1(d), 1(f) and 1(h) of Schedule 2 (Documents and Enquiries) state that the board of directors of the English Obligors and the members’ representatives of Scotts Treasury EEIG (where applicable) pursuant to the Opinion Documents has considered whether the English Obligors will derive a benefit from the transactions referred to therein, this is a question of fact relating to the nature of the business and operations of the English Obligors and we do not express any opinion as to whether the English courts would determine that the English Obligors in fact derived a benefit from that transaction.] |
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(f) | The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement states that the purpose of the Facilities is amongst others, to repay the amounts outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement, redeem all or any portion of the Existing Senior Subordinated Notes, consummate the stock buyback and pay the contemplated special dividend in the aggregate amount of up to $750 million and to pay related fees and expenses and for the working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Borrower and certain of its subsidiaries. We assume that this does not include any financing or refinancing of an acquisition of shares in contravention of section 151 of the Companies Act 1985. | ||
(g) | The directors of each English Obligor (other than Scotts Treasury EEIG) acted in good faith and in the interests of that English Obligor (other than Scotts Treasury EEIG) in approving the Opinion Documents and the Transaction. | ||
(h) | Where applicable, the provisions of the articles of association or Constitutive Documents of the relevant English Obligors (which limit the English Obligors’ directors’ or, where applicable, duly authorised officers’ authority to borrow) have been, and will be, duly observed. |
5. | SEARCHES AND ENQUIRIES | |
There has been no alteration in the status or condition of any English Obligor as disclosed by the searches and enquiries referred to in Schedule 2 (Documents and enquiries). However, it is our experience that the searches and enquiries referred to in paragraphs 2(a) and (b) of Schedule 2 (Documents and enquiries) may be unreliable. In particular, they are not conclusively capable of disclosing whether or not insolvency proceedings have been commenced. | ||
6. | OTHER DOCUMENTS | |
Save for those listed in Schedule 2 (Documents and enquiries), there is no other agreement, instrument or other arrangement between any of the parties to any of the Opinion Documents which modifies or supersedes any of the Opinion Documents. | ||
7. | OTHER LAWS | |
All acts, conditions or things required to be fulfilled, performed or effected in connection with the Opinion Documents under the laws of any jurisdiction other than England have been duly fulfilled, performed and effected. |
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1. | EFFECTIVENESS OF SECURITY |
(a) | We express no opinion as to: |
(i) | whether the relevant English Obligors have good legal or other title to the assets or rights which are expressed to be subject to a security interest under the English Opinion Documents, or as to the existence or value of any such assets or rights; | ||
(ii) | the priority of any security interest created under the English Opinion Documents or whether any security interest constitutes a legal or equitable security interest or a fixed or specific (rather than a floating) charge; or | ||
(iii) | whether the Opinion Documents breach any other agreement or instrument. |
(b) | The exercise by the Administrative Agent of the powers and remedies conferred by any English Opinion Document or by law is subject to general equitable principles regarding the enforcement of security and the supervisory powers of the English courts. | ||
(c) | Any obligation imposed on an English Obligor to hold certain moneys to the order of the Administrative Agent pursuant to an Opinion Document may constitute a charge which may be required to be registered in accordance with the Companies Act 1985. This provision has not been registered. |
2. | LIMITATIONS ARISING FROM INSOLVENCY LAW |
(a) | The opinion set out in paragraph 2.4 (Legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations) of this Opinion Letter is subject to any limitations arising from insolvency, liquidation, administration, moratorium, reorganisation and similar laws generally affecting the rights of creditors. | ||
(b) | Any provision in any Opinion Document which confers, purports to confer or waives a right of set-off or similar right may be ineffective against a liquidator or creditor. |
3. | ENFORCEABILITY OF CLAIMS: ENGLISH LAW OPINION DOCUMENTS |
(a) | the power of an English court to order specific performance of an obligation or other equitable remedy is discretionary and, accordingly, an English court might |
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make an award of damages where specific performance of an obligation or other equitable remedy is sought; | |||
(b) | where any party to the English Opinion Documents is vested with a discretion or may determine a matter in its opinion, that party may be required to exercise its discretion in good faith, reasonably and for a proper purpose, and to form its opinion in good faith and on reasonable grounds; | ||
(c) | enforcement may be limited by the provisions of English law applicable to agreements held to have been frustrated by events happening after its execution; | ||
(d) | claims may become barred under the Limitation Act 1980 or the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984 or may be or become subject to a defence of set-off or counterclaim; | ||
(e) | in some circumstances an English court may, and in certain circumstances it must, terminate or suspend proceedings commenced before it, or decline to restrain proceedings commenced in another court, notwithstanding the provisions of the English Opinion Documents providing that the courts of England have jurisdiction in relation thereto; | ||
(f) | a party to a contract may be able to avoid its obligations under that contract (and may have other remedies) where it has been induced to enter into that contract by a misrepresentation and the English courts will generally not enforce an obligation if there has been fraud; | ||
(g) | whilst an English court has power to give judgment in a currency other than pounds sterling, it has the discretion to decline to do so; and | ||
(h) | any provision providing that any calculation, determination or certification is to be conclusive and binding may not be effective if such calculation, determination or certification is fraudulent or manifestly incorrect and an English court may regard any certification, determination or calculation as no more than prima facie evidence. |
4. | GOVERNING LAW |
(a) | An English court may not apply the laws of New York if to do so would be contrary to public policy or mandatory rules of English law. Based on our review of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, in our opinion, none of the provisions of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement would be contrary to public policy or mandatory rules of English law (except as otherwise stated in this Schedule). | ||
(b) | If all the elements relevant to the situation are connected with one country only, the choice of New York law will not prejudice the application of rules of law of that country which cannot be derogated from by contract. |
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5. | JURISDICTION |
6. | ENFORCEMENT OF FOREIGN JUDGMENT |
(a) | There are no reciprocal arrangements in force between New York and the United Kingdom for the recognition or enforcement of judgments. Accordingly, a judgment by the courts of New York is not enforceable directly in England but may be recognised and enforced by the English courts according to common law principles. A judgment by those courts will not be enforced by the English courts if: |
(i) | those courts had no jurisdiction, as a matter of English law, over the defendant; | ||
(ii) | the proceedings in which the judgment was given were opposed to natural justice; | ||
(iii) | the judgment was obtained by fraud; | ||
(iv) | the enforcement of the judgment would be contrary to English public policy; | ||
(v) | an order has been made and remains effective under section 9 of the Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act 1933 applying that section to judgments of those courts; | ||
(vi) | before the date on which those courts gave judgment, the matter in dispute had been the subject of a final judgment of another court having jurisdiction whose judgment is enforceable in England; | ||
(vii) | the judgment is for multiple damages within the meaning of section 5(3) of the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980; | ||
(viii) | the judgment is based on a rule of law specified by the Secretary of State under section 5(4) of the Protection of Trading Interests Act 1980 as concerned with the prohibition of restrictive trade practices; | ||
(ix) | the judgment is on a claim for contribution in respect of damages awarded by a judgment falling within (vii) or (viii) above; | ||
(x) | the judgment is based on foreign measures which the Secretary of State specifies as regulating and controlling international trade and which, in so far as they apply to persons carrying on business in the United Kingdom, are damaging or threaten to damage the trading interests of the United Kingdom; or |
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(xi) | the bringing of proceedings in those courts was contrary to an agreement under which the dispute in question was to be settled otherwise than by proceedings in those courts. |
(b) | If the English court gives judgment for the sum payable under a judgment of the courts of New York, the English judgment would be enforceable by the methods generally available for the enforcement of English judgments. These give the court a discretion whether to allow enforcement by any particular method. In addition, it may not be possible to obtain an English judgment or to enforce any English judgment if the judgment debtor is subject to any insolvency or similar proceedings, if there is delay, if an appeal is pending or anticipated against the English judgment in England or against the foreign judgment in the courts of New York or if the judgment debtor has any set-off or counterclaim against the judgment creditor. |
7. | APPLICATION OF FOREIGN LAW |
(a) | If any obligation is to be performed in a jurisdiction outside England, it may not be enforceable in England to the extent that performance would be illegal or contrary to public policy under the laws of the other jurisdiction and an English court may take into account the law of the place of performance in relation to the manner of performance and to the steps to be taken in the event of defective performance. | ||
(b) | It is uncertain whether the parties can agree in advance the governing law of claims connected with the contract but which are not claims on the contract, such as a claim in tort. | ||
(c) | We express no opinion as to whether any English Obligor has created a valid security interest over any asset or right which is situated outside England (including those situated outside England and Wales within the meaning of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1346/2000 of 29 May 2000 on insolvency proceedings) or governed by a foreign law (notwithstanding the choice of English law as the governing law of the English Opinion Documents). |
8. | DEFAULT INTEREST AND INDEMNITIES BETWEEN PARTIES |
(a) | Any provision of the Opinion Documents requiring any person to pay amounts imposed in circumstances of breach or default may be held to be unenforceable on the grounds that it is a penalty. If the English Opinion Documents do not provide a contractual remedy for late payment of any amount payable thereunder that is a substantial remedy within the meaning of the Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998, the person entitled to that amount may have a right to statutory interest (and to payment of certain fixed sums) in respect of that late payment at the rate (and in the amount) from time to time prescribed pursuant to that Act. Any term of the English Opinion Documents may be void to the extent that it excludes or varies that right to statutory interest, or purports to confer a contractual right to interest that is not a |
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substantial remedy for late payment of that amount, within the meaning of that Act. | |||
(b) | There is some possibility that an English court would hold that a judgment on any Opinion Document, whether given in an English court or elsewhere, would supersede that Opinion Document so that any obligations relating to the payment of interest after judgment or any currency indemnities would not be held to survive judgment. | ||
(c) | Any undertaking or indemnity given by an English Obligor in respect of stamp duty payable in the United Kingdom may be void. | ||
(d) | An English court may in its discretion decline to give effect to any indemnity for legal costs incurred by a litigant. |
9. | OTHER QUALIFICATIONS |
9.1 | In respect of the English Opinion Documents: |
(a) | the parties to a English Opinion Document may be able to amend that English Opinion Document by oral agreement despite any provision to the contrary; | ||
(b) | to the extent that any matter is expressly to be determined by future agreement or negotiation, the relevant provision may be unenforceable or void for uncertainty; | ||
(c) | any provision of the English Opinion Documents stating that a failure or delay, on the part of any Finance Party, in exercising any right or remedy under the English Opinion Documents shall not operate as a waiver of such right or remedy may not be effective; and | ||
(d) | the effectiveness of any provision of a English Opinion Document which allows an invalid provision to be severed in order to save the remainder of that English Opinion Document will be determined by the English courts in their discretion. |
9.2 | In respect of Opinion Documents expressed to be governed by the laws of New York: |
(a) | the power of an English court to order specific performance of an obligation or other equitable remedy is discretionary and accordingly, an English court might make an award of damages where specific performance of an obligation or other equitable remedy is sought; | ||
(b) | claims may become barred under the Limitation Act 1980 or the Foreign Limitation Periods Act 1984 or may be or become subject to a defence of set-off or counterclaim; | ||
(c) | in some circumstances an English court may, and in certain circumstances it must, terminate or suspend proceedings commenced before it notwithstanding the provisions of the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement providing that no Finance Party shall be prevented from taking proceedings in any other courts with jurisdiction and an English court may be prevented from adjudicating upon |
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a particular claim or issue if this would be inconsistent with the judgment of a foreign court binding upon the parties, being a judgment entitled to recognition in England and Wales; and | |||
(d) | whilst an English court has power to give judgment in a currency other than pounds sterling, it has the discretion to decline to do so. |
9.3 | In respect of the Opinion Documents generally: |
(a) | any provision of any Opinion Document which constitutes, or purports to constitute, a restriction on the exercise of any statutory power by any party to an Opinion Document or any other person may be ineffective; | ||
(b) | if a party to the Opinion Documents is controlled by or otherwise connected with a person (or is itself) resident in, incorporated in or constituted under the laws of a country which is the subject of United Nations, European Community or UK sanctions implemented or effective in the United Kingdom under the United Nations Act 1946, the Emergency Laws (Re-enactments and Repeals) Act 1964 or the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001, or under the Treaty establishing the European Community, or is otherwise the target of any such sanctions, then the obligations of the English Obligors to that party (or if that party is an English Obligor, the obligations of that English Obligor) under the Opinion Documents may be unenforceable or void; and | ||
(c) | we express no opinion as to whether any United Kingdom stamp duty, stamp duty reserve tax or stamp duty land tax is required to be paid on or in relation to any assignment or other transfer of any right or interest under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, or any other Opinion Document, to a person not originally a party thereto. |
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Lawyers• Patent & Trade-mark Agents
Scotia Plaza, 40 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3Y4
tel.: (416) 367-6000 fax: (416) 367-6749
www.blgcanada.com
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
as administrative agent for itself and for each of the Lenders
(as defined in the Credit Agreement referred to below)
(the “Administrative Agent”) and to the Lenders
1. | an amended and restated credit agreement dated as of February 8, 2007 (the “Credit Agreement”) by and among ,inter alia, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (the “Borrower”), the subsidiary borrowers from time to time party thereto, the several lenders from time to time party thereto (the “Lenders”), the Administrative Agent and the other agents named therein; and | |
2. | a foreign pledge agreement acknowledgment and confirmation dated as of February 8, 2007 from,inter alia, Sierra in favour of the Administrative Agent (the “Sierra Acknowledgment”) relating to a share pledge agreement dated October• , 2005 given by Sierra in favour of the Administrative Agent (the “Sierra Pledge”). |
(a) | the genuineness of all signatures; | |
(b) | the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to us as originals; |
(c) | the conformity to original documents and the completeness of all documents submitted to us as certified copies or photocopies and the authenticity of the originals where certified copies or photocopies have been submitted; | |
(d) | the conformity to original documents and the completeness of all documents received by us by facsimile transmission and the authenticity of the originals of such documents; | |
(e) | the execution, delivery and performance by Sierra of the Sierra Acknowledgment has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on Sierra’s part, and the Sierra Acknowledgment has been duly executed and delivered on behalf of Sierra; | |
(f) | the Sierra Acknowledgment constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of Sierra under the laws of New York; and | |
(g) | the Administrative Agent continues to be in possession of the certificate representing 100 common shares of the Corporation (the “Pledged Shares”). |
1. | The Corporation is a company incorporated and existing under theCanada Business Corporations Actand has not been dissolved. | |
2. | The authorized capital of the Corporation consists of an unlimited number of common shares, of which 100 common shares are issued and outstanding. |
2
3. | The Pledged Shares have been validly issued and are outstanding and Sierra is the registered owner of the Pledged Shares. | |
4. | The Sierra Pledge (as acknowledged and confirmed pursuant to the Sierra Acknowledgment) creates a valid security interest in favour of the Administrative Agent in all right, title and interest of Sierra in and to the Pledged Shares. | |
5. | Provided that the Administrative Agent is acting in good faith and has no notice of any adverse claim affecting the Pledged Shares, the security interest of the Administrative Agent in the Pledged Shares has priority over any other security interest in the Pledged Shares perfected by registration or temporarily perfected under the PPSA, and the Administrative Agent has acquired the Pledged Shares free of any adverse claim. | |
6. | Registration has been made in all public offices provided for under the Law of Ontario where such registration is necessary or desirable to preserve, protect or perfect the security interest created by the Sierra Pledge in favour of the Administrative Agent in the Pledged Shares. | |
7. | No stamp, registration, documentary or similar tax, duty or fee is payable under the Law of Ontario in connection with the execution and delivery of the Sierra Acknowledgment. | |
8. | Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender will be deemed to be resident or carrying on business in Canada or in Ontario or subject to taxation in Canada or Ontario, by reason only of the execution, performance or enforcement of the Sierra Pledge. | |
9. | It is not necessary under the Law of Ontario (i) to enable the Lenders or the Administrative Agent to enforce their respective rights under the Sierra Pledge or (ii) by reason of the execution or performance of the Sierra Pledge that any of them should be licensed, qualified or entitled to carry on business in Canada. | |
10. | In any proceedings taken in Canada relative to the Sierra Pledge, Sierra will not be entitled to claim for itself, or any of its assets, immunity from suit, execution or attachment of legal process. | |
11. | The contractual attornment of Sierra pursuant to the Sierra Pledge would be recognized by an Ontario court as giving them jurisdiction to hear the matter, subject to the court’s discretion to determine not to hear the matter on the basis that Ontario isforum non conveniens. | |
12. | The laws of Ontario permit an action to be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction in Ontario on a final, conclusive and subsisting foreign judgment in personam for a sum certain, which is not impeachable as void or voidable under the internal laws of the foreign jurisdiction, provided that: |
(a) | the court rendering such judgment had jurisdiction over the judgment debtor, as recognized by the courts of Ontario, and such judgment debtor |
3
was duly served with the process of the foreign court or appeared to such process; | |||
(b) | such judgment was not obtained by fraud or in a manner contrary to natural justice; | ||
(c) | the enforcement of such judgment: |
(i) | does not constitute, directly or indirectly, the enforcement of foreign revenue, expropriatory, penal or similar laws; and | ||
(ii) | would not be inconsistent with any important public policy of Ontario. |
(a) | the enforceability of the Sierra Acknowledgment is subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, winding-up, moratorium and other similar laws of general application affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally; | ||
(b) | the enforceability of the Sierra Acknowledgment is subject to general equitable principles, including the fact that the availability of equitable remedies, such as injunctive relief and specific performance, is in the discretion of a court; | ||
(c) | a court may require that Sierra be given a reasonable time to repay following a demand for payment and prior to taking any action to enforce any right of repayment or before exercising any of the rights and remedies expressed to be exercisable the Sierra Pledge (as acknowledged and confirmed pursuant to the Sierra Acknowledgment); | ||
(d) | we express no opinion as to any security interest created by the Sierra Pledge (as acknowledged and confirmed pursuant to the Sierra Acknowledgment) with respect to any property of the Corporation or Sierra that is transformed in such a way that it is not identifiable or traceable or any proceeds of property of the Corporation or Sierra that is not identifiable or traceable; and | ||
(e) | a judgment of an Ontario court may be awarded in only Canadian currency. |
4
Level 36 | ||
Grosvenor Place | ||
225 George Street | ||
Sydney NSW 2000 | ||
legal.info@bdw.com.au | ||
Telephone (02) 9258 6000 | ||
BLAKE DAWSON WALDRON | Int + 61 2 9258 6000 | |
Fax (02) 9258 6999 | ||
LAWYERS | DX 355 Sydney | |
Locked Bag N6 | ||
PO Grosvenor Place | ||
Sydney NSW 2000 | ||
Australia | ||
Partner | ||
Richard Fawcett | ||
Telephone +61 2 9258 6056 | ||
Contact | ||
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Keiran McPhail Telephone +61 2 9258 6678 | |
(as agent for the Lenders, under the Restated Credit Agreement) | ||
270 Park Avenue | Our reference | |
NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017 | RFF KWM 02 1388 0037 | |
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | [•] 2007 |
1. | Documents | |
We have examined and rely on: |
(a) | a copy of the certificate of incorporation and a copy of the constitution of the Company; | ||
(b) | an executed copy of the minutes of the meeting of the board of directors of the Company held on [•] 2007; | ||
(c) | an extract of the public records of the Company produced, at our request on [•] 2007 by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) from information it obtained from its national database (Search); and | ||
(d) | an executed copy of the Restated Credit Agreement. |
and such other documents as we think necessary in order to give this opinion. |
Melbourne
Brisbane
Perth
Canberra
Port Moresby
Jakarta
SHANGHAI
BLAKE DAWSON WALDRON | [•] 2007 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Page 2 |
2. | Scope | |
This opinion relates only to the laws of the state of New South Wales (Relevant Jurisdiction) and the federal laws of the Commonwealth of Australia in force at 9.00 am (Sydney time) on the date of this opinion (Relevant Laws). In expressing our opinion on the validity, binding effect, legality and enforceability of the Restated Credit Agreement under the Relevant Laws, we have assumed its validity, binding effect, legality and enforceability under any other applicable laws. | ||
This opinion is given on the basis that it will be construed in accordance with the Relevant Laws. | ||
3. | General assumptions | |
For the purpose of giving our opinion we have also assumed: |
(a) | the authenticity of all signatures, seals and dates, and of any stamp duty endorsement or marking; | ||
(b) | that if we have reviewed a copy of a document rather than an original, the copy is a complete, genuine and accurate copy of the original; | ||
(c) | the Restated Credit Agreement: |
(i) | is within the capacity and power of, and has been or will be validly authorised, executed and delivered by, each party to it other than the Company; and | ||
(ii) | constitutes valid and binding obligations of each party to it under all applicable laws (other than the Relevant Laws as they affect the obligations of the Company); |
(d) | where any obligation under the Restated Credit Agreement is to be performed in any jurisdiction other than the Relevant Jurisdiction, its performance will not be illegal or unenforceable under the laws of that jurisdiction; | ||
(e) | the Company entered into the Restated Credit Agreement in good faith and the entry by the Company into the Restated Credit Agreement is in the best interests of, and for the purpose of the business of, the Company; | ||
(f) | that the Company was solvent immediately before, at the time of and immediately after entering into the Restated Credit Agreement; | ||
(g) | the Company has not entered into the Restated Credit Agreement as trustee of any trust or settlement; | ||
(h) | no transaction in connection with the Restated Credit Agreement constituted an insolvent transaction or an unfair loan within the meaning of section 588FC (insolvent transactions) or 588FD (unfair loans to a |
BLAKE DAWSON WALDRON | [•] 2007 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Page 3 |
company) respectively of theCorporations Act 2001(Cth) (Corporations Act); | |||
(i) | the meeting referred to in paragraph 1(b) was properly convened and: |
(i) | the resolutions described in the minutes referred to in paragraph 1(b) were properly passed as valid decisions of the board of directors of the Company and have not been subsequently revoked, cancelled or varied; | ||
(ii) | the directors of the Company have properly performed their duties and all provisions relating to the declaration of interest and voting were duly observed; and | ||
(iii) | the minutes of the meeting referred to in paragraph 1(b) constitutes a true and correct record of the matters contained therein, |
but there is nothing in the Search or on the face of the minutes referred to in paragraph 1(b) that would lead us to believe otherwise, and, in any event, we note that you may rely on the assumptions specified in section 129 of the Corporations Act unless you knew or suspected that the assumptions were incorrect; | |||
(j) | the Restated Credit Agreement has not been amended, released or discharged, and no provision in the Restated Credit Agreement has been waived; | ||
(k) | that the choice of governing law contained in the Restated Credit Agreement is made bona fide and is not unconnected with the commercial realities of the transactions contemplated by the Restated Credit Agreement; | ||
(l) | the Company is a resident of Australia for the purposes of theIncome Tax Assessment Act 1936(Cth); | ||
(m) | each payment required to be made by the Company under the Restated Credit Agreement will be made to an Eligible Australian Bank at the time the payment is made; | ||
(n) | if a recipient of a payment from the Company is acting as agent for another party, that other party is an Eligible Australian Bank at the time the payment is made; | ||
(o) | any payment by the Company is made to an entity that has provided its Tax File Number and/or its Australian Business Number to the Company in circumstances such that the Company is not obliged to make any withholding under Subdivision 12E of Part 2-5 of Schedule 1 of theTaxation Administration Act 1953(Cth); | ||
(p) | the Company making the payment has not received any notice from the Commissioner of Taxation requiring it to pay any amount owing to |
BLAKE DAWSON WALDRON | [•] 2007 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Page 4 |
another party under the Restated Credit Agreement to the Commissioner of Taxation; | |||
(q) | no regulations have been made prior to or after the date of this letter under Subdivision 12FB of Part 2-5 of Schedule 1 of theTaxation Administration Act 1953 (Cth) which require the Company to withhold any amount from any payment required to be made under the Restated Credit Agreement; and | ||
(r) | if a payment by the Company is made to an entity that is acting as an agent for another party, both the entity and that other party has provided its Tax File Number and/or its Australian Business Number to the Company in circumstances that the Company is not obliged to make any withholding under Subdivision 12E of Part 2-5 of Schedule 1 of theTaxation Administration Act 1953(Cth). |
The making of each of the above assumptions indicates that we have assumed that for each matter, the subject of each assumption is true, correct and complete in every particular. That we have made an assumption in this opinion does not imply that we have made any enquiry to verify any assumption or are not aware of any circumstance which might affect the correctness of any assumption. No assumption specified above is limited by reference to any other assumption. | ||
4. | Qualifications | |
Our opinion is subject to the following qualifications: |
(a) | We have not made any independent investigations or searches other than the Search. ASIC’s records may not be complete or up to date in that documents might not be filed at the relevant offices immediately, might no longer be on file, might be replaced, or might otherwise not appear on the file. | ||
(b) | A statement that an obligation or document is “binding” or “enforceable” means that the obligation or document is of a type that courts in the Relevant Jurisdiction, in principle, will enforce. This does not mean that a court will give effect to the obligation or document in all circumstances. For example: |
(i) | a court might decline to exercise jurisdiction over a defendant if it considers that it is not the most appropriate court for the trial of the action, or if the parties have agreed to submit disputes to the courts of, or arbitration in, another place; | ||
(ii) | a court may not enforce performance of an obligation in a place if the performance of that obligation would be illegal by the laws of that place; | ||
(iii) | equitable remedies, such as injunctions and specific performance, are discretionary and will normally not be ordered where damages would be an adequate remedy; |
BLAKE DAWSON WALDRON | [•] 2007 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Page 5 |
(iv) | a court might not give effect to an indemnity for legal costs; | ||
(v) | enforcement may be limited by statutes of limitation or by general law doctrines or statutory relief in relation to representations, acts, omissions or inconsistent dealings of, by or affecting the parties; | ||
(vi) | enforcement may be affected by laws concerning lapse of time, moratorium, equities, liens, set offs, counterclaims, abatements, bankruptcy, liquidation, insolvency, administration, receivership or reorganisation or by other laws that affect creditors’ rights generally; | ||
(vii) | a document may not be enforceable or admissible in evidence unless any stamp duty that is payable on it has been paid; and | ||
(viii) | the courts in the Relevant Jurisdiction may stay proceedings if there are corresponding proceedings on foot in another jurisdiction. |
(c) | Where a party or person entitled to the benefit of the Restated Credit Agreement is vested with a discretion or may determine a matter in its opinion, the Relevant Laws may require that the discretion is exercised reasonably or that the opinion is based upon reasonable grounds. | ||
(d) | Any provision that states that a calculation, determination or certificate will be conclusive and binding will not apply to a calculation, determination or certificate which is fraudulent or manifestly inaccurate and may not prevent judicial enquiry into the merits of any claim relating to such a calculation, determination or certificate. | ||
(e) | A provision that requires that an amendment or waiver be in writing may not be effective. | ||
(f) | Judgments have been entered in the courts of New South Wales for amounts expressed in currencies other than Australian dollars. Nevertheless, as there has been no judgment of the High Court of Australia on the point, the question whether a judgment will be entered in the courts of the Relevant Jurisdiction for an amount expressed in other than Australian dollars is not free from doubt. | ||
(g) | Any provision of the Restated Credit Agreement that imposes an obligation on a party to pay an increased rate of interest on sums that are overdue may not be enforceable if construed by a court as being a penalty rather than a genuine pre-estimate of the loss suffered under the circumstances. | ||
(h) | A provision that allows an illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision to be severed from a document may not be effective. | ||
(i) | A court will not give effect to a choice of laws to govern the Restated Credit Agreement or a submission to the jurisdiction of certain courts if |
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JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Page 6 |
to do so would be contrary to public policy in the place in which the court is situated. | |||
(j) | To the extent that a provision of the Restated Credit Agreement may require a corporation to procure another corporation to do or refrain from doing any act, if it would be a breach of the duties of the directors of the second-mentioned corporation to do or refrain from doing that act, or if it would be illegal or impossible for that corporation to do or refrain from doing that act, such provision may not be enforceable. | ||
(k) | The specific approval of the Reserve Bank of Australia must be obtained in connection with certain payments and transactions having a prescribed connection with countries, entities and persons designated from time to time by the Reserve Bank of Australia for the purposes of theBanking (Foreign Exchange) Regulations 1959(Cth). Regulations in Australia also prohibit payments, transactions and dealings with assets having a prescribed connection with certain countries or named individuals or entities associated with terrorism. | ||
(l) | We express no opinion: |
(i) | on any provision that requires a person to do or not do something that is not clearly identified in the provision, or on any undertaking in the Restated Credit Agreement to comply with another document or agreement; | ||
(ii) | on the accuracy or relevance of any representation, warranty or other statement made by any party to the Restated Credit Agreement except to the extent that such representation, warranty or other statement is expressly repeated in paragraph 5 of this opinion; | ||
(iii) | in relation to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, consistency, functioning or operation of any formula, function or financial ratio in the Restated Credit Agreement; | ||
(iv) | on whether goods and services tax is payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Restated Credit Agreement; or | ||
(v) | as to, nor have we taken into account, the implications of any pending or foreshadowed legislative or regulatory proposal or amendment or of any litigation, hearing or pending judgment in the Relevant Jurisdiction or Australia including but not limited to any matter not yet decided on appeal. |
No qualification specified above is limited by reference to any other qualification. |
BLAKE DAWSON WALDRON | [•] 2007 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Page 7 |
5. | Opinion | |
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion, as at today’s date, that: |
(a) | The Company is registered and validly existing under the Corporations Act. | ||
(b) | The Company has the corporate power to enter into and perform its obligations under the Restated Credit Agreement. | ||
(c) | The Company has taken all necessary corporate action required of it to authorise the execution, delivery and performance of the Restated Credit Agreement. | ||
(d) | The execution and delivery of, and the performance by the Company of its obligations under, the Restated Credit Agreement does not contravene any provision of: |
(i) | the Relevant Laws; or | ||
(ii) | the Company’s constitution. |
(e) | The Restated Credit Agreement constitutes legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms. | ||
(f) | The payment obligations of the Company under the Restated Credit Agreement rank at leastpari passuwith the claims of all its other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors under the Relevant Laws save those whose claims are mandatorily preferred by any insolvency, liquidation or other Relevant Laws that affect creditors’ rights generally. | ||
(g) | No consent from any Australian government authority is required to be obtained by the Company in connection with the execution and delivery of, and the performance of the Company’s obligations under, the Restated Credit Agreement, or the validity or enforceability of the Restated Credit Agreement against the Company. | ||
(h) | No ad valorem stamp duty is payable pursuant to the laws of the Relevant Jurisdiction in connection with the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Restated Credit Agreement. | ||
(i) | It is not necessary in the Relevant Jurisdiction to file, register or record the Restated Credit Agreement with any Australian government agency (including but not limited to ASIC). | ||
(j) | Each payment to be made by the Company under the Restated Credit Agreement may be made free and clear of Australian withholding tax. | ||
(k) | The Company is not entitled to claim for itself or any of its assets or revenues any right of general immunity or exemption on the grounds of sovereignty or otherwise from suit, execution, attachment or other legal |
BLAKE DAWSON WALDRON | [•] 2007 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Page 8 |
process in respect of its obligations under the Restated Credit Agreement in the Relevant Jurisdiction. | |||
(l) | The choice of law of New York State as the proper law of the Restated Credit Agreement would be upheld as a valid choice of law by the courts of the Relevant Jurisdiction and will be given effect by the courts of the Relevant Jurisdiction. | ||
(m) | It is not necessary that JPMCB or any Lender be licensed, qualified or otherwise entitled to carry on business (including, in particular, banking business) in the Relevant Jurisdiction by reason only of JPMCB’s execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Restated Credit Agreement. | ||
(n) | Neither JPMCB nor any of the Lenders will be deemed to be resident, domiciled or carrying on business in the Relevant Jurisdiction by reason only of JPMCB’s execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of the Restated Credit Agreement. | ||
(o) | Until such date as may be prescribed or until regulations are made providing that Part 2 of theForeign Judgments Act 1991(Cth) extends to the Supreme Court of the State of New York (whichever first occurs), any judgment given by a superior court of State of New York under the Restated Credit Agreement, will in the normal course give rise to a cause of action in a court in the Relevant Jurisdiction which action should in the normal course enable the person in whose favour the foreign judgment has been rendered to obtain a fresh judgment in the courts of the Relevant Jurisdiction without re-examination or re-litigation of any matter adjudicated therein assuming that: |
(i) | the judgment is consistent with public policy in the Relevant Jurisdiction; | ||
(ii) | the judgment was not given or obtained by fraud or duress or in a manner contrary to natural justice; | ||
(iii) | the judgment is not directly or indirectly for the payment of taxes or other charges of a like nature or of a fine or other penalty; | ||
(iv) | the judgment is still enforceable in the foreign country concerned and has not been wholly satisfied; | ||
(v) | the judgment is final and conclusive between the parties notwithstanding that it may be subject to an appeal or an appeal is pending; | ||
(vi) | the judgment is for a fixed sum; | ||
(vii) | the judgment was consistent with the jurisdiction of the foreign court concerned under its domestic laws; and |
BLAKE DAWSON WALDRON | [•] 2007 | |
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. | Page 9 |
(viii) | the judgment is the only relevant judgment, that is to say there is no previous judgment in another court between the same parties covering the same issues. |
6. | Benefit | |
The opinion is addressed to and is for the benefit solely of JPMCB and the Lenders to whom it is addressed. It may not be relied upon by, nor may any copy of it or extract from it be supplied to, any other person, nor is it to be quoted or referred to in any public document or filed with any government agency or other person without our prior written consent. |
By: | ||||||
Title: |
Name | Office | Signature | ||||||
Vice President | ||||||||
Secretary | ||||||||
[INSERT NAME OF SUBSIDIARY] | [INSERT NAME OF SUBSIDIARY] | |||||||||
By: | By: | |||||||||
Title: Vice President | Title: Secretary |
to the
Domestic Subsidiary Certificate
to the
Domestic Subsidiary Certificate
to the
Domestic Subsidiary Certificate
2
3
[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY], | ||||||
as a Subsidiary Borrower | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY], | ||||||
as a Subsidiary Borrower | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Title: | ||||||
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY | ||||||
By: | ||||||
Title: |
as Administrative Agent
By: | ||||
Title: |